IBC has confirmed that this year’s event will take place on December 3-6 at The RAI in Amsterdam. The announcement follows a decision at an IBC Partnership Board meeting on May 24 to move the event from its usual September slot.
Commenting on the development in a statement, Michael Crimp, chief executive of IBC, said: “Following a period of industry consultation, the IBC Partnership Board has agreed that December is the best date in terms of safety and industry readiness to engage. Our conclusion is based on the results of the recent IBC exhibitor and visitor surveys and macro evidence of Europe opening up for business.
“We really value the feedback and candid input of our community — we have always been “By the industry, For the industry”, and this ethos continues to guide our daily decision-making process”.
Speaking in a press briefing ahead of the announcement, Crimp referred to a survey of exhibitors and visitors which showed that two thirds of respondents said assurance of robust onsite health and safety protocols would encourage them to attend; vaccination passport entry was by far the most popular measure.
Furthermore, 86% of respondents said they were very likely, and 13% likely to have been vaccinated by December. Also, two-thirds of respondents already feel they are ready to travel, and a vast majority expect any corporate travel restriction policies to be updated by the end of the summer. Macro trends point to accelerated vaccine roll out and opening of borders across IBC’s core markets over the next six months. EU commission data shows that Europe is now on track to achieve its 70% vaccination target by July 2021, and to significantly surpass this target by December.
In the survey, only one in 10 said they would not attend a December event.
Crimp said that the date change will not be the only thing that is different at this year’s IBC. It will be still a hybrid event and more details will be announced in the coming weeks.
When asked about admission to the event based on the country attendees are from, Crimp said this would ultimately be decided by the Dutch government and EU.
He also envisaged no problems with hotel accommodation in Amsterdam in early December.
