by Katrina Diamond

Dust off those passports ProHUBers.

Whether you reside state-side like us or live across the pond, the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) in Amsterdam is one worth attending. 

IBC provides an essential guide to the latest technologies, business models and innovations at the forefront of electronic media and entertainment. From mobile video to automated playout, stereo 3D to cloud production, IBC has it covered. There are 14 themed halls to browse the latest innovations from more than 1,300 leading brands alongside a wealth of free activities and events designed to enrich your business, your knowledge, and your relationships. 
 

Conference Quicklinks:

IBC Conference

IBC takes place September 7-11, 2012 in Amsterdam.

Join IBC’s 6 day programme of leading content and analysis from the most revered media minds around. In addition to the core conference programme are a series of free to attend What Caught My Eye sessions Read more

IBC Awards

From the highly sought-after Innovation Awards to the distinguished International Honour for Excellence, this glittering gala event encapsulates all that is positive and forward thinking about our industry. Read more

IBC Connected World

Unites up-to-date developments in mobile TV, 3G and 4G services with demonstrations of the groundbreaking applications and pioneering technologies that are driving content over-the-top into the home.
 

Demonstration Area Topics:

*Friday pm: Connected TV: an opportunity for delegates to learn of the latest technologies in the converging worlds of broadcast and the internet.

*Saturday am/pm: IPTV/OTT TV: this day-long session of cutting edge product demonstrations and debates gives delegates a glimpse of how Internet TV, Over-the-Top video and IPTV will develop in the future.

*Sunday am: Video Solutions: this morning’s session looks at software and apps for video in the Connected World.

*Sunday pm: Mobile Solutions and Apps: this afternoon’s session of demonstrations showcases especially solutions for internet on the move.

*Monday: Connected Home and Home Networks: Imagine a home where your TV, music, photos and films can be played or viewed from any room.

Read more

IBC Production Village

A unique chance to get to grips with advanced acquisition technology arrayed side by side in a fully equipped professional set. Production technology is changing fast. DSLRs bring new creative possibilities for directors searching the elusive film look. High speed cameras have moved into the mainstream, delivering the most extraordinary insights in sports and entertainment and the pressure to deliver stereoscopic 3D television is driving innovation. Take advantage of a unique chance to get to grips with advanced acquisition technology at the IBC Production Village in Hall 11. Read more

Workflow Solutions Village

With file-based production increasingly common IBC’s Workflow Solutions Village helps you navigate the pitfalls with practical demonstrations while arming you with the confidence to understand and build systems that work. 

Visitors to the Village will find a presentation theatre housing case studies for, among others, live sports, automated QC and cloud creation for brands and broadcasters as well as ‘look and learn’ presentations by current users. These masterclasses include speakers from MTV, ITV, Sky News Arabia, BBC, Channel 4 and more! Read more

IBC Big Screen

Central to IBC activities is our impressive theatre, which provides the best seat to watch the year’s most cutting edge content and the ideal venue to display breakthroughs in digital cinema and more. Read more

Future Zone

Let your imagination run wild with some of the most thought-provoking concepts you can witness outside the world’s research labs. Some won’t progress beyond prototype, others will become tomorrow’s technology. Rather than a commercially available product, this visionary technology will make visitors step back and re-think what is possible. Also included in the Future Zone are carefully selected Posters, chosen by the IBC Technical Papers Committee for their relevance to the subjects of IBC2012’s conference programme and interest to IBC attendees. Read more
 

IBC Rising Stars Programme 

Free to attend for “Rising Stars” in electronic media and entertainment industry. Do you want to learn about the latest innovations from top creative and technology players? Or maybe you just want to meet with other like minded young professionals and have some fun in Amsterdam too? . It takes place on Sunday 9 and Monday 10 September and once you are there a full programme of sessions and activities are arranged for you. You can choose to attend the full programme or just dip in and out of the sessions and explore IBC’s fourteen exhibition halls solo. Download the full Rising Stars conference programme. 

IBC Leaders Summit 

The IBC Leaders’ Summit is an exclusive, invitation-only event designed specifically to cater for the needs of the most influential and visionary people in the electronic media and entertainment industry. It features high level networking opportunities with the thought-leaders who are shaping the industry, as well as an in-depth, rigorous examination of this years’ theme entitled Smart Connections. 

In a series of sessions, the day-long Summit will investigate how connected TV is shifting value, changing business models and creating new opportunities. Delegates will hear from the most relevant industry leaders and opinion-formers and the debate will be underpinned by proprietary independent research commissioned by IBC. Each delegate will leave the summit equipped with an exclusive package of informed strategic knowledge that will give your organization the competitive edge. Learn More. 

Once registered for the event, you will be able to network online on IBC’s community.
 

Tips from our users:

Drink lots of water and if you can, put on a different pair of shoes

half way through your day.

- Tim Street, VP of Mobile Video 

The public transportation, “Street Cars”, are free to IBC attendees and work really well to get you around.  Also, the best Hash Houses are located at… (just kidding). 

-  James Mathers, Cinematographer, President of the Digital Cinema Society

Tips from ProHUB: 

* Pack an umbrella and light jackets & sweaters! Fall weather, as a rule, is unpredictable in the Netherlands; while there weeks of pristine weather, there can also be endless spells of rain. 

* Depending on where you are staying, map out how you will get to the show if you don’t have a shuttle or tram nearby. Consider bicycling! Bikes are available to rent at most railway stations or at a bike dealers and rental agencies in town.

* Don’t Double Down on Empty Calories- the days are long and you will need every nutritional advantage to stay alert and energized. Stay hydrated, keep trail mix or banana handy and to stay away from the heavy lunches so you aren’t dragging to your afternoon meeting. 

* Make sure to catch up with your European clients & friends! Grab a bite or a beer at one of Amsterdam’s Top Restaurants.

* If you get a second to enjoy the city after a long day at the show, try one of the many things to do in Amsterdam. 

* Prepare Yourself to Talk to Lots of People: This means not only mentally preparing yourself, but finding the perfect balancing act between the need for early morning coffee and the inevitable outcome of coffee breath. Never be without mints to share! 
 

If for some reason it didn’t make it on your calendar this year, we invite you to stay tuned on ‘all things IBC’ on IBCHUB.