Are you an IBC first-timer? Do you know how to prepare for an IBC Show in order to make the most of your time in Amsterdam?
IBC 2026 is just around the corner, and whether you’re a first-time attendee or a seasoned visitor, it’s worth preparing in advance. This year’s show will once again bring together the global media and entertainment industry to explore the technologies shaping the future of streaming: from personalized viewing experiences and next-generation advertising to smarter ways to deliver, monetize, and optimize every stream.
To help you make the most of your time in Amsterdam, the Broadpeak team has updated our annual IBC guide with the latest information, practical travel tips, networking advice, and a few new recommendations for 2026. If you’re heading to IBC this September, here are 10 things you should know before you go.
10. Registration – Get Your Free Entry:
First and foremost, stay updated with the official IBC website and social media to ensure you have the correct information. Your entry is free if you register in advance. You might have to pay a small fee close to the event, but if you left it to the last minute, you can still use our free exhibits pass : IBC5473, and get your free entry anyway.
09. Accommodation – Haven’t booked your hotel yet? Book it now!
The first thing you have to book is plan your trip. IBC attracts a large number of attendees so hotels will be quickly fully booked, and you risk staying further out, having to make a long commute.
It might be difficult to find rooms for reasonable prices now, but there are many other options with Airbnb. If you are booking for a whole team, you should know that RAI (RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre, the place where IBC takes place) have a quite proactive and attentive team they help you and facilitates research and time with their listing of referenced hotels for IBC!
08. Transport – Pick up your Free Travel Pass.
Skip the taxis if you can. Amsterdam’s public transport is reliable and the easiest way to get around. The RAI is well connected by metro, tram, and bus, making it easy to reach from the city centre and many hotels.
One of the best perks of attending IBC is that your event badge doubles as your GVB travel pass.
Simply scan the QR code on your badge when you board and exit trams, buses, and metro services to enjoy unlimited travel throughout the show. Unlike previous editions, there’s no need to collect a separate GVB travel pass.
Just keep in mind that train travel, including the journey to and from Schiphol Airport, isn’t covered, so you’ll need a separate ticket for that.
07. Organization – Download the IBC app to help plan each day at the show.
For this year’s edition we can expect lots of improvements, including interactive floorplan and show planning tools. According to Elodie “with the online application, you can see what exhibitors are showcasing at their booth and group your visits by hall on the same day/period. In that way, you’ll save time walking from one hall to another and your feet will thank you !”.
The organization will also depend on your goal, are you looking for a specific technology or want to get informed about the latest trends? It’s the best time to find all vendors, chat with them, compare offers, ask questions and find the most innovative products. The conference can also give you a good overview and deeper understanding of the challenges the industry is facing. So, map your show in advance to have time to check out everything you want.
Heads-up : IBC provides free access to WiFi in some public areas but it does not extend across the whole venue. So, do all your online updates when you are in one of the WiFi areas. As the WiFi isn’t good on most of the show floor, think about taking a screenshot if you need to show email confirmations or documents that are online on your phone, so you don’t waste time trying to access them while in line.
06. Dress Code – Business casual, but comfy.
Do you know IBC has exhibitor dress code guidelines? All staff are expected to dress in business or business casual attire. So, even if you are just visiting, you can blend in by looking smart.
In both cases, exhibitor or visitor, our recommendation is to wear the most comfortable “business casual attire” and shoes (at least two pairs to alternate) that you have. IBC is huge, you’ll be standing up for hours and walking miles a day. If you need some inspiration, take a look at our good-looking team in previous IBCShow.
05. Food – Don’t get “hangry”. Don’t forget to eat, you will need some energy to walk through the halls!
Food at the venue can be expensive, crowded, and sometimes a long walk away, so pack a snack to keep you going. And don’t forget to stay hydrated, especially if you’ve spent the previous evening networking. As Broadpeak’s Frederic Denaire puts it: “Don’t forget the basics: sleep, eat, and drink plenty of water.”
If you’re travelling with colleagues or customers, book your restaurant tables in advance. Amsterdam gets busy during IBC, and the best places fill up quickly. For larger groups, Indrapura is a reliable choice, with great Indonesian food, a lively atmosphere, and plenty of space.
But if you are not in a big group and want to impress a prospect, you can try The Secret Garden . It has off-the-scale decoration and ambiance, and the food is a trendy fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine.
Looking for somewhere new? If you’ve been to IBC a few times and want to skip the usual spots, Ceintuur Theater in De Pijp is well worth a visit. Opened at the end of 2025 in a beautifully restored former cinema, it’s quickly become one of Amsterdam’s hottest new venues in 2026. Whether you’re after dinner or just a late-evening cocktail, it’s a great place to see if the buzz lives up to the hype.
For those seeking more sustainable dining options, here are some recommendations:
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Bolenius: A high-end restaurant with a green Michelin Star, featuring hyper-local produce, seasonal dishes, and biodynamic wines. More about Bolenius
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De Kas: Located in a former municipal greenhouse, this restaurant also boasts a green Michelin Star and uses local and seasonal produce. More about De Kas
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Lowlander Botanical Brewery: A botanical brewery that also serves food with an ethos to “maximize taste while minimizing waste”. Mostly plant-based and a healthy choice! More about Lowlander.
And if you are familiar with Broadpeak, you know we have strong advocates for sustainability on our team. You also know that our Corporate Marketing and Communication Director, Elodie Levrel, is personally and actively involved in various sustainability initiatives. What you might not know is that she also runs an Instagram account called @elo_eco_eateries. There, she shares her curated collection of all the sustainable eateries she’s visited and approved. It’s your go-to guide for eating sustainably on the go!
04. Conferences, free events, happy hours:
Explore the conference schedule to identify the sessions, keynotes, workshops, and other events that you would like to attend. Conferences are pay-to-attend but you can watch some of the conference sessions for free on the screens in the common areas. Other than that, there are many other free events and “after-work networking” that you can join and things to do during the event.
Xavier Leclercq, VP Business Development at Broadpeak, moderating a panel at IBC 2024
03. Get Social – Networking opportunities:
Before the show, identify the people and exhibitors you’d like to meet. Have a short introduction and your business cards ready, but don’t focus on products. Instead, ask about their business, understand challenges and interests, and build genuine connections.
Not sure how to start a conversation? Ask for their opinion. Questions like “What’s the most interesting thing you’ve seen so far?” or “Which booth would you recommend?” are simple icebreakers that often lead to great conversations.
Broadpeak’s booth 2023
02. Get even more social – Join the conversation on social media.
Social media is one of the easiest ways to connect before, during, and after the show. Join the conversation using #IBC2026, share what you’re seeing, and tag the people and companies you meet.
LinkedIn is especially useful for finding attendees. Use the search function to look up companies and people, or check the My Network suggestions while you’re at the event to discover and connect with other attendees nearby.
01. Book meetings in advance.
Research the exhibitors and companies attending IBC to familiarize yourself with their products and services. Make a list of what you want to see. You can find all this information on their website and social media channels. Then book a meeting in advance. This is your chance to be 1-to-1 with the technical & sales teams to discuss your own use case over a demo.
For example, if you’re looking to maximize ad revenues, protect your content from piracy, deliver with the highest quality via CDN-as-a-Service, or gain deeper insights with powerful analytics — it’s time to talk to Broadpeak. Book a meeting with us at IBC 2026 and discover how we help broadcasters elevate every stream.
Planning ahead saves time and helps you focus on the exhibitors that matter most. Booking meetings in advance also means you’ll avoid long waits, as scheduled appointments always take priority.
Come say hi!
Every year, every single person we spoke with had one resounding message: if you truly want to make the most of IBC, you’ve got to be a step ahead of the game. Anticipate. Prepare. Take notes. These tips are your golden tickets to an unforgettable and successful IBC experience.
Remember, as Elodie wisely emphasized, “Get ready to take on IBC like a pro! Planning ahead is essential, and don’t forget to jot down notes along the way. Believe me, after four whirlwind days of networking and conversations, those notes will be your lifeline to remember all the valuable connections and discussions!”
Last, but not least…
If you find spare time between all the meetings try to enjoy Amsterdam. A must for all visitors? Certainly “a boat cruise on the canals to see most of the city center easily”.
The city is known for its museums like Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank House to quote just the most famous ones (so, if you plan to visit them: again, book it in advance). But also for its culture and nightlife. You can find all the information about the city and what’s going on via its official website iamsterdam.
But if you are an experienced IBC goer who has already visited all the must-see attractions, you might be more interested in hidden gems. Like the Our Lord in the Attic Museum (a former hidden Catholic church), this unique site offers a fascinating glimpse into Amsterdam’s history and the ingenuity of its inhabitants.
You’ll find many exhibitions too. This year, don’t miss the World Press Photo Exhibition at De Nieuwe Kerk. Open until 27 September 2026, it features some of the world’s best photojournalism and is one of the city’s must-see cultural events. Conveniently, it runs throughout IBC, so it’s easy to fit into your visit.
If museums aren’t your thing, you might want to try the best apple pie in town at Winkel 43 or refresh at Brouwerij ‘t IJ brewery, known for its craft beers and iconic windmill setting.
However, according to Frederic, the best way to enjoy Amsterdam is “going out of the tourist zone to meet locals”. How to do that? An idea can be to “rent a bike and enjoy getting lost in the streets of the city”. But make sure to find your way back, as we’ll be waiting for you at Hall 1 #1.F83.
