IBC announced that this year's IBC2020 show, scheduled to be held in September at the RAI in Amsterdam, has been canceled due to concerns arising from the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. In a letter to the industry announcing the news, IBC's chief executive officer, Michael Crimp, wrote:
"I hope you are safe and well, as we continue to adapt to the changing world in which we find ourselves. Following on from my previous statement I wanted to give you an update on the developments and situation at IBC. As previously outlined, the IBC team has been focused on assessing and developing appropriate plans for IBC2020 this September at the RAI Amsterdam. Within these plans it is crucial that IBC can deliver a safe and successful environment. However, as governments announce the route forward, it has become clear that a return to (a new) normal is unlikely to be achieved by September. It has also become evident, through our dialogue with the IBC community, that an early decision is preferential for the industry so it can plan for the future. Right now, despite the best work of the IBC team and our Dutch colleagues, there are still many unknowns. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to deliver a safe and valuable event to the quality expected of IBC. It is also evident that important aspects of a large-scale event such as IBC will be greatly altered by social distancing, travel restrictions, masks etc. so much so that the spirit of IBC will be compromised. With that in mind and based on what we know at this point, it is with a heavy heart IBC has made the difficult decision to cancel the IBC2020 show...My very best wishes to all of you during this time of unprecedented challenges and I look forward to welcoming you next year at IBC2021, in Amsterdam."
For more than 50 years, IBC notes that it has provided the central annual meeting place for the Media, Entertainment & Technology community. In lieu of its live show, IBC noted that over the coming months, it will continue to engage with the industry through its digital platform IBC365.
IBC added that details of its plans for further virtual engagement this year will follow soon. Learn more at www.ibc.org.
Read a Q&A interview with IBC CEO Michael Crimp regarding the cancellation of IBC2020.