IBC2024 is just over a month away, set to take over the RAI Amsterdam with the best of broadcasters, content creators, equipment manufacturers and professional technical associations. “By The Industry, For The Industry” reigns as the show’s strapline and over 37,000 attendees are expected.
If you’re exhibiting at IBC2024 this year, chances are that your role on-site will exceed the standard show period and include the stand ‘build’ period beforehand. Read on for DCE Agency’s guide on everything exhibitors need to know for the show; as IBC2024 Verified Supplier, you won’t find anyone with more experience than our team.
Pick Up Your Pass
All IBC2024 access passes must be booked and paid for in advance of the event, as there will be no passes available on the door.
Anyone wishing to be present on-site for the build-up and breakdown period must have either:
- An Exhibitor pass
- A Distributor pass
- A Work pass.
Visitors passes for the show will not allow any entry to the RAI Amsterdam other than when the event is officially open.
Dependent on when you arrive on-site, Exhibitor, Distributor and Work passes will be available for collection from the RAI Hospitality Crew Centre (Entrance C or D).
Keep To Schedule
The period for IBC2024 exhibition stands to be built begins from Friday 6th September. Early entry ahead of this date may be permitted when booked and paid for with show organisers ahead of time; but such access will only be granted for those with complex spaces requiring particularly extensive builds. During the build period, halls access will be open for those with an Exhibitor or Distributor pass will vary as follows:
Thursday 5th September: advance early build to be booked by prior arrangement – 08:00-21:00, no late working to be granted
Friday 6th – Sunday 8th September: general build – 08:00-21:00, no late working to be granted
Monday 9th – Wednesday 11th September: general build – 08:00-21:00, late working may be booked by prior arrangement
Wednesday 11th September: early access for outdoor exhibit build – 08:00-18:00
Wednesday 11th September: lights to be dimmed for the allowance of stand test lighting – 15:00-15:30
Thursday 12th September: general build – 08:00-18:00, late working until 22:00 to be granted for tech set-up/testing
Thursday 12th September: lights to be dimmed for the allowance of stand test lighting – 15:00-15:30
Thursday 12th September: all plastic coverings from furniture and stands to be removed for cleaning – 15:00-15:30
Thursday 12th September: all carpets and floor graphics laid – 18:00
Friday 13th September: show opens – no stand construction or decoration permitted.
Once the show opens on Friday 13th September, those with an Exhibitor or Distributor pass will have access from 07:00 on the first day, and 08:00 from Saturday 14th-Monday 16th September. Those with a Press pass will have access from 08:00, and Visitors from 10:30 on the first day and 09:30 for the rest of the show.
Book Travel And Accommodation In Advance
Amsterdam is a big city, and the RAI is just 10-minutes by direct train from both Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam Centraal Station. There are a large number of hotels within the city limits but as one of the most visited cities in Europe (with over 15.1 million day visitors and 22.1 millions visitors staying at least one night), anything central or within easy connection to the venue can get booked up in advance.
The RAI Amsterdam is extremely well-connected by public transport but show-specific transport will only be in place during the show’s open day. Exhibitors should ensure that they know how they’re getting to and from the venue throughout the build period to avoid unnecessary delays. If you’re intending on driving to the RAI Amsterdam, parking should be booked in advance.
Remember PPE
While when we mention PPE to many, the first thing that pops into the mind is masks to protect against airborne illnesses, it should be noted that these are no longer legally required within the RAI Amsterdam. However, all parties on-site during the build period for the show – no matter their role – are required to wear the correct protective equipment. This includes hard hats, steel-toe cap boots and hi-vis jackets.
Such attire is only a requirement during the build period, as during this time the halls are a working construction site.
Carry Mobile Phone Numbers (And A Charger)
Everyone attending the build period for the show should ensure that they have mobile phone numbers for all relevant contacts, rather than landlines – as it’s likely their relevant contacts will be on-site and not in the office. It’s also recommended that a power pack for your mobile phone and/or laptop are carried, as electricity is not connected to all stands at the same time and so it can’t be guaranteed that you’ll have easy access to power-points without leaving the halls exhibition area.
Prep For Subsistence Breaks
The RAI Amsterdam boasts six permanent restaurants and a variety of outdoor street food trucks. While these will be open for extensive periods during the IBC2024 ‘live’ period’, these will not all be open at all times during the build-up. Exhibitors should ensure therefore they check in advance what will be and won’t be open, or pack snacks ready for the few long days ahead!
Be Inspection Ready
Exhibition organisers regularly attend the halls during the build period to audit and ensure that all stands are within their design and build guidelines. While any diversions from the guidelines should have been identified when original design plans were submitted, it is not unheard of for issues to occur on-site. If your IBC2024 stand has been designed and built by DCE Agency, you can ensure that we will have ironed out any potential issues in advance, and if anything does need changing due to unforeseen circumstances we will take care of the whole process for you. As verified suppliers for IBC2024, we work closely with organisers to ensure everything is on-brand and safe to be on-site, and there’s no party who take stand design more seriously.
Unsure if you’ve got everything you need for your stand’s IBC2024 build period? Contact John (john@dceagency.com) on +447595 895836 or Amy (amy@dceagency.com) on +447801 448072 to make sure you’re on track!
