IBC Celebrates Another Successful Year

IBC2016 has closed its doors on another successful event; from a record attendance of visitors, to exclusive keynote sessions and breaking news.

Over the six days of the conference and exhibition, the attendance figure for IBC2016 was 55,796 (number of attendees, not registrations). Of those on site, they came from more than 160 countries. Over 1,800 exhibitors filled the numerous halls, including 249 companies making their IBC debut.

A key addition to this year's exhibition was the IBC IP Interoperability Zone. Supported by AIMS and the IABM, and working with AES, AMWA, EBU, SMPTE and VSF, the dedicated zone demonstrated progress in IP interoperability. It also featured the VRT-EBU LiveIP studio which was used for IBCTV's production at this year's event.

Transformation was the theme of the IBC Conference and across its duration, 435 speakers participated in over 100 sessions. One of the most popular sessions featured Ang Lee; he revealed how he has employed technology to create a strong sense of engagement in his new movie, Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk. Specially created for IBC, the clip from the forthcoming movie was projected at 120 frames per second in 4K 3D, using Christie's 6P laser projection and Dolby Atmos. Mr Lee was also the recipient of IBC's highest award this year – the International Honour for Excellence.

NASA received the Judges' Prize at the IBC Awards Ceremony, and IBC was given thanks in a special message from astronaut Kate Rubins in the International Space Station.

The Auditorium was once again home to the IBC Big Screen and aired two very popular movie screenings, both using Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos; The Jungle Book in 3D courtesy of Walt Disney Company and The Revenant, provided by 20th Century Fox.

Commenting on this year's event, Michael Crimp, CEO of IBC, said: "IBC really is the only forum that attracts a global audience, the most comprehensive exhibition, and the best thought-leaders to spark the debate. This year they included Sir Martin Sorrell on the global future for advertising, Erik Huggers on online broadcasting, and Mr Ang Lee on the new realism that the latest technology brings movie-makers. But IBC, above all else, is about bringing people together to share knowledge and to do business. It is clear, from the buzz around the whole show, that this has been a great year.

"The continuing success of IBC is down to the hard work of a lot of people, staging an event that is relevant and engaging across the whole of our transforming industry. We continue to evolve, and I am confident that next year's IBC – our 50th anniversary edition – will be even better."

Image courtesy of IBC, taken from Ang Lee's keynote.

www.ibc.org

(JP/LM)