IBC show to go ahead, despite partial lockdown

The organisers of the IBC trade show have confirmed that the conference and exhibition are going ahead at the RAI Amsterdam venue in the Netherlands, from 3-6 December.

The confirmation was given after the Dutch government announced a three-week partial lockdown in the country, starting on Saturday.

The decision was made at a meeting of the IBC Partnership Board yesterday, on the grounds that the event can be delivered safely and can create the “essential business momentum the industry needs.

“As content and technology companies strive to recover from the awful impact of COVID-19, IBC 2021 will be the catalyst that brings the industry together again and enables us all to get back to doing business in person. We have the support of many of the leading technology companies in the market such as Blackmagic Design, Bridge Technologies, EKT, UK Tradefair, Lawo and a full agenda of content and events that will make attending IBC a valuable and rewarding experience. We recognise that attending a live event is not for everyone at this time, and we fully respect individual decisions. We will forge ahead with our IBC Digital offering to ensure that whether onsite in Amsterdam or onscreen at home the industry can come together,” said Michael Crimp, chief executive of IBC.

To ensure safety, IBC 2021 will take place in a “protected zone’. A perimeter fence will surround The RAI exhibition centre and all attendees will enter via two checkpoints, at the The Elicium at entrance D and at Hall 5. To access the show, visitors will be required to show their Covid status and answer health screening questions before picking up their badge or entering the show floor. Social distancing of 1.5 metres will be in place whilst queuing for the entry check. Once inside the “protected zone” attendees will then be able to move around confidently, knowing they are in a safe place, the organiser say.

“Naturally, the recent changes to Covid protocols announced by the Dutch government sent waves of concern throughout the industry. However, on close examination of the new rules, and consultation with The RAI it is clear that not much changes with regards to the safety plans we had already put in place. We will still have the perimeter fence around The RAI and thorough Covid status and health screening on entry. We will make a number of adjustments to our safety
management and operational protocols to make sure the guidance is clear, and the event is safe for exhibitors and visitors,” Crimp said. AV Magazine