IBC 2021 Has Been Cancelled

Trade Shows

by Olaf von VossNovember 23^rd, 2021

Just a week after IBC was confident that the annual trade show would take place as a normal “live show” comes the plot twist: IBC 2021 has been cancelled.

To get the news to you quickly, here’s the (very brief) PR statement, hot off the press:

“LONDON, UK – 23 November 2021 – IBC announces that the in person IBC2021 event has been cancelled.
The move follows growing concerns about the COVID-19 situation in The Netherlands,
which has deteriorated over the past week, and feedback from the IBC exhibitor and visitor
community.
The IBC Partnership Board made the decision today in order to prevent exhibitors and visitors from
travelling to The Netherlands.
Due to take place on December 3-6 at The RAI in Amsterdam, IBC20201 will now focus on bringing
the content and technology community together via IBC Digital.“

IBC 2021 cancelled

So this was kind of predictable, or to put it differently, I found it a bit surprising when I read the news last week that IBC plans to hold a (albeit delayed) regular IBC live show this year. But now we’re back to zero and IBC is in line with all the other trade shows that have had to keep their doors shut for yet another year.

IBC states that the show will take place via its virtual IBC Digital format. Read here for all the details.

I think IBC’s bold move last week was just that: bold. But at the same time a bit unnecessary, as all exhibitors and visitors have to throw their travel plans into chaos once again. And running a booth at a major trade show is not something a company pulls off over a weekend.

But at the end of the day, the decision to cancel the whole thing is probably the right thing to do in these times. See you next year.. … maybe?

Link: IBC

What do you think? Is this the right decision? Share your thoughts int he comments below!