IBC prepares a “Plan B”: postpone it from September to December 2021

If IBC 2021 could not finally be held from September 10 to 14 at the RAI Center in Amsterdam due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the great European fair would be moved to December 3 to 6.

The new CEO of IBC, Michael Crimp, confirmed this Wednesday, February 17, in a virtual meeting with the press that the organization of the main European fair for the media and entertainment industry would be considering a “Plan B”.

If IBC 2021 finally could not be held September 10 to 14 at the RAI Center in Amsterdam due to the COVID-19 pandemic, would be moved from December 3 to 6.

Although Crimp has admitted that "although we are facing many challenges and obstacles, we hope that IBC can be held as planned in September, we cannot rule out other scenarios should the situation demand it."
The decision to postpone the Dutch event from September to December could be taken, according to Crimp, between the end of May or the beginning of June.

For the moment, IBC confirms that the current exhibitor reservations for IBC 2021 they would reach 60% compared to the 2019 edition.

"Our goal is to revitalize and commit to the sector after a difficult year. We feel the purpose of being the catalyst for everyone to return to normal," he stressed.

For those who cannot travel to Amsterdam, IBC will have a online platform which would take place coinciding with the fair with a virtual exhibition area, streaming of the main presentations... To this end, Pavilion 12 will be dedicated to the transmission of live content for IBC's digital platforms.

IBC 2021 will have new thematic areas dedicated to post-production, live and remote production, OTT platforms and the content supply chain. The training sessions and meetings that take place in these areas will also be broadcast live through the IBC digital platform. On the other hand, Hall 5 will house the Content Everywhere Hub in Hall 5.

Too much guesswork

Despite the efforts of the organization, the fact of organizing a fair in which more than 56,000 professionals participated in its last edition at a time as delicate as the one experienced around the world is still a purpose of good intentions.

Since apart from being able to ensure the movement of the participants and the logistical deployment of the exhibiting companies, it would be necessary to take into account the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic could have at the time of the event or the possible restrictions that could occur at the last minute in terms of hospitality, accommodation and perimeter closures. And as with other major global events in the sector, there are, unfortunately, too many conjectures in the air...