IBC has announced that visitor numbers for this year’s show, held at Amsterdam’s RAI 7-13 September, were up 4% on the previous year’s 48,521 at 50,462. The increase was less than the previous year, however, when visitor numbers rose by 8.7% over 2009. Total number of exhibitors was 1,365 – up from 2010’s 1,337.
“We are delighted with this year’s strong visitor numbers. They are a very clear indication of the resilience and optimism of our industry despite the current economic climate,” said IBC chief executive officer Michael Crimp. ‘I would like to thank everyone for supporting IBC and contributing to another outstanding event. I look forward to seeing you all back at IBC in Amsterdam next year, 6-11 September 2012.”
It had looked possible that IBC would relocate to Barcelona for 2012 – but the organisation has committed to Amsterdam for a further year. IBC said that this will allow it to focus its resources on creating the right event for the media technology landscape of the future.
“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, said Crimp, speaking before last year’s conference and exhibition. “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. 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.”
