For those heading to Amsterdam to make new connections and meet contacts old and new, there are networking opportunities aplenty – with some happening even before the show starts.

If you’re travelling from London on 12 September, The Flint Green Line is a unique industry networking event taking place in a dedicated Eurostar carriage on the 11:04 departure from St Pancras International. Travellers can expect a quiz, live music and food, all while making their travel to IBC that bit more sustainable.

Networking CE

Stop by the dedicated Content Everywhere networking area in Hall 5

Anyone taking the Flint Green Line, will arrive in plenty of time to attend the RISE IBC Pre-Show Drinks, taking place from 7pm at The Three Sisters Pub at 19 Rembrandtplein. Be sure to register in advance.

The inaugural World Skills Café takes place on 12 September, offering a hands-on practical workshop where vendors, broadcasters, streamers, educators and many more, will work to unpack the skills shortages in technical and engineering roles. The day will end with networking drinks at 6pm in Room E102 of the RAI.

Conference delegates are also invited to IBC Conference Welcome Party from 8:30pm on 12 September, taking place on the 23rd floor of the NHow, where you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of Amsterdam in an international and vibrant atmosphere. Spend the evening networking with fellow delegates and speakers over drinks and canapes before the conference opens on Friday. If you want to join the party, you can get 10% off a conference pass.

Delegates also gain access to a whole host of networking and learning opportunities throughout the show, including a special session in the Delegate Lounge looking at Media & Entertainment Key Themes and Trends, led by Maria Rua Aguerte, Senior Research Director, OMDIA, and the chance to join the celebrations at the Innovation Awards. Taking place in Conference Room 1 from 18:30-19:30 on 15 September, the awards celebrate industry advances and honour the recipient of this year’s International Honour for Excellence and the winner of the Technical Papers.

The new AI Tech Zone will be the first stop for many visitors this year, and its dedicated networking zone is guaranteed to be a place where fascinating discussions happen. Situated in Hall 14, this feature area is your gateway to generating leads, networking and brand exposure with a thrilling journey of discovery and transformation. There’s also an AI Tech Zone Happy Hour between 5 and 6pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The Content Everywhere area also has its own dedicated networking area in Hall 5, where visitors can take a break and recharge in the dedicated seating area throughout the show.

On Saturday, Accelerator Networking Drinks are taking place on the Accelerator stand in Hall 3 from 5-6pm. The event is sponsored by Console Connect.

The networking continues on the final day of the show with the free-to-attend IBC Talent Programme Networking Breakfast, sponsored by Beamr. Taking place from 09:30-10:15 in the Showcase Theatre, this will provide a valuable opportunity to meet key partners and stakeholders who truly care about the people in the business, whether you’re at the start of your career, reaching a transitional point or if you’re an organisation looking to meet with new talent.

Showfloor networking

There are also a whole host of partner and exhibitor networking events taking place throughout the show.

For IABM members, The IABM Member Lounge in the Forum Lounge will offer plenty of seating alongside refreshments and WiFi, making it the ideal place for members to connect with clients and partners or just take a break from the show floor to deal with ongoing business.

At midday on Friday, join the 5G-MAG 5th Anniversary Meet, Greet and Eat, ahead of the 5G Mag Insights Networking and Tech Conference in Room G106, before Women in Immersive Tech team, along with Women in Games and Women in Esports, welcome visitors to network on their stand in Hall 8 between 2 and 5pm.

Later in the day, RISE IBC Drinks, hosted by BT Media and Broadcast & Caspian One, will be taking place on the BT Media and Broadcast stand in the Outside Broadcast area (0.A24) between 4 and 6pm.

On Saturday, SVG Europe will be hosting two networking events in the First Floor Restaurant - SVG Europe Women Networking @ IBC2024 from 4-6pm and SVG Europe Networking @ IBC2024 from 6-8pm. Registration is required for both.

And, of course, there will be multiple happy hour and networking events on exhibitor stands each day of the show. On Friday, Varnish Software Happy Hour starts at 3pm in Hall 5. GCore, Arqiva, Mux and Chyron join the party at 4pm. Comcast and Norigin host events from 4.30pm, and New Media AV, Theo, Cuez, Dot Group, Zero Density, Viaccess-Orca and Cisco events begin at 5pm.

At 5.30 VITAC’s Captivate and Connect Ice Breaker invites senior representatives from the broadcast, streaming and content production sectors with responsibility for localisation and accessibility to join VITAC for cocktails on the beach and a stunning ice sculpting display as the sun sets on day one of the show. This event is all about breaking the ice – so you can enjoy a frozen margarita or a long island iced tea while you chill and chat with the VITAC team and make new connections. This is an invite-only event so register your interest now to avoid disappointment.

From 2-4pm on Saturday, Trusted Partner Network and ConvergentDS host their second Annual IBC Happy Hour at the Beach Bar. Grab a drink, take advantage of networking opportunities, and engage in an informative conversation on security preparedness.

At 4pm, swing by Irdeto’s stand at IBC and join Irdeto and co-sponsor Evergent to dive into a sensational Happy Hour, packed with good vibes, amazing company and raffle prizes. Or toast the day’s achievements and foster new connections at Zattoo’s BoothBash in Hall 5.

Also at 4pm, the EBU Open Source Meetup brings together developers working on open source projects for media and broadcasting as well as those wishing to find out more for a series of short pitches, free drinks and good company in Hall 10, while the Rise Awards 2024 Shortlist Announcement and Drinks takes place in the Ruby Lounge.

For those wanting to celebrate more, the BaM Awards 2024 takes place at 6pm today in Conference Room 2 of the Auditorium Complex. Elsewhere, the RIST Forum Cocktail Reception at the SipRadius stand in Hall 5 runs from 6-8pm.

Sunday evening kicks off with the East Meets West Beer Fest in Hall 1 with Evergent and MediaKind. Mix and mingle and learn more about this partnership, with globe-spanning beers and tacos. Beer is also the theme for Cuez & CuePilot’s Belgian Beer Night in Hall 7, while Calrec has brewed up a batch 60th Anniversary Limited Edition Pale Ale and Golden Fleece Pale Ale, which it will be serving from Friday to Sunday between 5 and 6pm.

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