If you’ve been to IBC before, you’ll know that it’s huge and there is a lot to explore. So, for those who are new to the IBC experience, the IBC Content Team has put together some top tips to help you take advantage of everything the show and conference has to offer.
1. Planning is essential! Cherry pick your top sessions to attend
The RAI is big and if you want to arrange meetings, visit exhibition stands and, of course, attend the IBC Conference, a little bit of planning will go a long way.
The IBC Conference is one of the world’s most important gatherings for media thought leaders and takes place on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 September.
New sessions and speakers are constantly being announced, so keep your eye on the online agenda and diarise the sessions and speakers which stand out to you.
There are so many brilliant brands and personalities on the programme this year, it’s going to be hard to miss any of them! Here are a couple of personal highlights:
- In a bold opening to the IBC Conference on Friday 15 September, Media Cartographer Evan Shapiro plots the effects of disruption across the global media ecosystem, and the opportunities to be found in navigating a brave and volatile new world.
- Friday afternoon in the Forum is a double-billed focus on FAST channels. Executives from Fremantle, Fuse Media and Xumo will discuss how to create long-lasting successful FAST channels and how to thrive in the FAST Lane, before a lively fireside chat, with Olivier Jollet, Executive Vice President and International General Manager, Pluto TV, Paramount.
- On Saturday 16 September, join Natalya Tatarchuk, Distinguished Technical Fellow and Chief Architect, VP, Wētā Tools, Unity, as she discusses groundbreaking work in character, environment and rendering pipelines. This talk will showcase workflows once exclusively for top-tier VFX houses and linear content production, now running in real-time. See how this technology was used in award-winning films such as Avatar: The Way of Water and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
2. Tech Magic! Don’t miss the Show Keynote
This year’s showstopping keynote will be delivered by NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Creative Technologist, Marco Tempest.
Free for all visitors and exhibitors to attend, you’ll see Marco combine generative AI, mixed reality, storytelling, gestural sensing and swarm robotics to give attendees a glimpse of a delightful, augmented future right now.
Marco will be demonstrating live on stage how you can play with new tech in a virtual world and how this new field can be accessible and equitable. If you are keen to explore new ideas for advanced technology, how we might interact with it, and innovative ways to bring those concepts alive, make time in your schedule for this session which takes place on Saturday 15 September at 13.00 in the Forum.
3. Be inspired! Explore the Changemaker Programme
The free-to-attend Changemaker programme, taking place on Sunday 17 and Monday 18 September in the Forum, puts a spotlight on People and Purpose.
Trailblazing organisations, initiatives and individuals who are changing the culture of our industry and pushing the boundaries of creativity and technology will take to the stage to address topics such as ethics in AI, advancing sustainability and building inclusive cultures. The speakers on the Changemaker Programme are all inspiring, but here are some of our favourites:
- Jabbar Sardar, Global HR Director, BBC Studios, and Wincie Knight, SVP Global Inclusion, International Markets, Paramount, each take the hot seat on Sunday and Monday respectively to give a fireside chat on how they’ve committed to inclusion in their organisations.
- Sunday afternoon focuses on Digital Ethics and Responsible AI, kicking off with a presentation by Dex Hunter-Torricke from Google Deepmind.
- Katy Bolan, Sustainability Lead at Google TV, and April Sotomayer, Head of Industry Sustainability, albert, talk sustainability in an unmissable panel on Monday 18 September.
4. Be bold! Take advantage of structured networking
There are heaps of opportunities to catch up with friends and colleagues, in informal and formal ways at IBC.
However, for the ultimate IBC networking experience, get yourself a Premium Pass which offers a programme of structured networking activities including networking breakfasts, content-led roundtables and access to an exclusive lounge where you can have meaningful conversations and open up new relationships to help you grow and develop your business.
An oasis of calm in the middle of a busy tradeshow, the Premium Lounge is a multi-purpose space, to have meetings, refreshments, take part in intimate and informal content-led discussions and network with your fellow Premium delegates.
Networking highlights in the Premium Lounge include:
- A daily Happy Hour at 17:00-18:00, where you can mingle with key IBC Conference speakers and peers.
- Premium Pass Holders receive an exclusive report on the convergence of gaming and media, produced by Omdia. To accompany the report, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in a roundtable discussion on Friday 15 September at 13.00 where Analyst, Maria Rua Aguete from Omdia will unveil new data, highlighting the importance of gaming IP within the entertainment industry.
- Join Evan Shapiro for an exclusive lunchtime fireside chat on Saturday 16 September at 12:30, as he prompts the discussion, ‘Are the streaming wars, now the bundle wars?’
5. Engage meaningfully and have fun doing so!
As well as structured networking, you can also take advantage of informal networking opportunities available at IBC:
- If you are keen to meet other conference delegates in-between sessions, arrange to meet in the Forum Lounge - it’s the perfect place for a cup of coffee and a chat.
- The Conference Opening Drinks on Friday 15 September is a great way to kickstart your connections at the show.
- Meet the Changemakers who are pushing the boundaries and changing the narrative of the media industry at the IBC Changemaker Party on Sunday 16 September in the Forum Lounge.
6. Be open to spontaneous conversation
One of the most valuable takeaways from any event is the new relationships and contacts made through networking. So, put your phone, laptop or tablet away and look open and engaged, as you’ll make it more likely that someone will approach you.
From creative and business leaders to technology innovators and everything in between, you’ll meet a lot of people at IBC, and you never know where that next conversation can lead.
We recommend you prepare to be pitched to and that you prepare a short pitch about you, so that you can summarise who you are and what you do. The most important thing is being open minded and engaging with everyone.
7. Divide and conquer (and wear comfy footwear!)
Come to IBC with your team, but don’t all stick together, all of the time.
Divide sessions, stands and events between you so that you are covering as much ground as possible and so that you can create diverse experiences between you. You can exchange your learnings at the end of the day with a drink at the RAI Beach Bar.
The floorspace at the RAI is huge and with over 12 halls of stands and theatres, the likelihood is that all the meetings and content sessions you plan to attend are going to be a long trek from each other.
It can take up to 20 minutes to get from one end of the exhibition to the other and trust us, your feet will start to hurt, so comfortable shoes are a must!
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