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IBC launches development programme to match industry changes

IBC, the world’s leading meeting place for content creation, management and delivery, has launched an industry-wide consultation programme on its future development. This follows a detailed research project, conducted among both broadcasters and vendors, to determine the future shape of the electronic media industry and how best IBC can serve it.

The consultation programme will ensure that the event is sharply relevant to all decision makers, who increasingly include board level staff in broadcasters and production companies. The project is intended to enable rapid change, with the first innovations appearing at IBC2010.

As a result of the decision to undertake this organic development, IBC will remain in Amsterdam for IBC2012. This will allow IBC to focus its resources on creating the right event for the media technology landscape of the future.  “For more than 40 years IBC has been the global event at which the industry meets to exchange wisdom and invest in knowledge,” said Michael Crimp, IBC’s chief operating officer. “We all acknowledge that the industry today is changing faster than at any time in its history, and IBC has to change fast to maintain its alignment with the new environment.

“This development programme will identify ways to strengthen our engagement with existing and new buying groups and thereby maintain our position as the event at which business is really done. We need to be sure that we consider every idea, however radical, that will deliver the audience to our exhibitors and impart knowledge to our delegates and visitors.”

Talking of the decision to stay in Amsterdam for IBC2012, Crimp explained “As most people will know we have been seriously considering a move to Barcelona, and we remain extremely impressed with the facilities available there, both the Gran Fira convention centre and with the city itself.”

“In the immediate future, though, we believe our resources are best used in consulting with all our stakeholders and pushing through the innovations which will result from that consultation,” he continued. “IBC now has a reputation for delivering sustained excellence, and we would certainly not want to risk that in any way. Our belief is that, for the next three years at least, we need to focus all our attentions on developing new and different engagements as part of the IBC experience. We are determined to make a significant and innovative impact to kick this off in 2010.”

To reach this stage IBC has been working with a group of senior industry experts to identify the right opportunities in the future industry landscape. These ideas have then been tested and refined with IBC’s International Council of Broadcasters and with the IABM, the body that represents broadcast and media technology suppliers worldwide.

“As the representative body for the exhibitors, our interest is in ensuring that IBC attracts key decision makers from around the world, in an event which represents a sound marketing investment for our members,” said IABM director Roger Crumpton. “We applaud the IBC decision to take a fresh and radical look at the whole event and its audience, and look forward to taking a leading role in the programme.”

“We have been closely involved in the debate about a future venue for IBC,” he continued, “and there are strong advocates in our membership for Barcelona as well as for retaining the status quo. Our conclusion, though, was that IBC’s first priority is to determine the right parameters for the event in future, which in turn will lead to a tight specification for the most appropriate venue.”
Summing up the announcement, Michael Crimp said “IBC has always innovated, taking the lead in fields like digital cinema and 3D, mobile television and IPTV, and digital signage. At IBC2009 we transformed the conference, bringing in thought leaders from around the industry and around the world.

“We now need to increase the pace of our evolution, to ensure that IBC remains a compelling proposition to all our stakeholders: senior executives from across the extended industry, engineers and creative talent actively engaged in making content, and vendors who need a thriving marketplace to present their innovations. You will see compelling new initiatives from IBC beginning in 2010. This consultation will ensure our ideas match and meet our customers’ needs and aspirations at a pace of change that is sustainable for all.”

About IBC
IBC is the leading international forum for the electronic media industry, attracting well over 45,000 visitors and more than 1000 exhibitors from 130 countries. It combines a highly respected and peer-reviewed conference, an exhibition and unrivalled networking opportunities. IBC2010 runs from September 09 to September 14, at the RAI Centre in Amsterdam.

Contacts
Please contact Saima Parviez, Audience Marketing Manager at IBC, on sparviez@ibc.org  or +44 20 7832 4104.

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