A year in the media and entertainment business has become like “dog years,” IBC CEO Mike Crimp acknowledged.
How does an industry convention keep up?
That is the question the organizers of IBC 2026 believe they have answered.
Held at the RAI Amsterdam from Sept. 11–14, the show is positioning itself as an anchor for an evolving global media landscape, drawing attendees from more than 170 countries despite broader macroeconomic pressures.
The event drew approximately 43,000 visitors last year, and so far, booking is largely in line with last year, IBC organizers said during a media briefing on June 17.
But the reasons for attending have fundamentally shifted, which the organizers acknowledged.
Peer-to-peer
IBC 2026 remains anchored by three primary pillars, according to Jo Mayer, its head of marketing: shifting business models, transformative technology and people/purpose.
But one of the primary ways organizers are addressing the desire for practicality is through the launch of the IBC Exchange and the Braindate Lounge.
It came out of sensing the need for structured peer-to-peer networking, Crimp and Mayer said, over traditional casual meetings.
Attendees can form peer groups, consult with technical experts and discuss shared business challenges.
Crimp hopes the conversations will build into long-term relationships.
“The power of IBC is the power to convene,” he said.
Igniting recruitment
Another focus this year organizers highlighted is the expansion of the Futuretech segment in Hall 14, which is 30% larger this year following an increase in session attendance.
It includes Futuretech Ignite, an initiative run in partnership with the European Union-backed EIT Culture and Creativity. The zone connects approximately 50 startups and entrepreneurs with the wider ecosystem via a Startup Zone and the Ignite Stage.
The center of the Futuretech zone remains the IBC Accelerator Media Innovation Program, Crimp said, which is now in its third year.
Running parallel to the engineering projects is the IBC Talent Program, now in its third year.
The four-day initiative focuses specifically on recruitment, workforce diversity and skills development. The program seeks to connect academic institutions, local universities and independent creators with broadcast network recruiters.
The European Broadcasting Union, the European Institute of Innovation & Technology and Women in Streaming Media partner with IBC to produce it.
The setting of Amsterdam, a multicultural city, Crimp highlighted, also offers ample opportunity.
Audio and transmission
The physical footprint of the show is expected to be spread across 14 halls, hosting approximately 1,200 exhibitors.
Radio-related attendees will particularly want to prioritize Hall 8 at the RAI Amsterdam. It will host many familiar hardware, audio processing and AoIP exhibitors.
In total, for the 2026 show, practical AI integration, content trust and authenticity and workforce development will all be themes.
The speaker lineup features industry analysts and media executives like Claire Enders, CEO and founder of Enders Analysis, Eline van der Velden, founder and CEO of Particle6 and Marion Rathmann, group VP of content and programming networks at Warner Bros. Discovery.
Sally Watts, IBC’s content manager, highlighted the session “Disrupt, Innovate, Create: How to Embrace AI,” which will include senior industry voices on how to maintain provenance, trust and security through use of the technology.
Running parallel to the sessions is the peer-reviewed technical papers program.
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