The International Broadcasting Convention (IBC), the annual global show aimed at broadcasters and content creators of TV and radio programming, has canceled its planned Dec. 3-6 trade show. The show, which usually draws over 50,000 attendees and another 5000 exhibitors, issued a statement yesterday that cited the sharp rise in COVID-19 cases in the Netherlands specifically.

Starting in 1967, IBC is an annual trade show held in September at the RAI Exhibition and Convention Centre in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. This is the same convention center the last 14 ISE Shows have been held. IBC’s tagline reads as “The World’s Most Influential Media, Entertainment & Technology Show” and is aimed at broadcasters, content creators/providers, equipment manufacturers, professional and technical associations and other participants in the broadcasting, entertainment and technology industry.

This could spark all sorts of panic in and around our market regarding the early February ISE Show planned for Barcelona. But, if you look at their COVID-19 cases, they are not in an upswing like the Netherlands. And, let’s be honest here, this decision to cancel IBC was literally made the week before the event — there was clearly an expectation by show management that the show would happen. Canceling was a last resort. I don’t think it’s prudent to expect ISE Show management to make any decisions regarding its show in February, and the two situations are completely different. Below, I have included COVID-19 tracking charts for the Netherlands and Spain for your reference.