IBC Survival Guide
With IBC 2017 ( https://www.ibc.org ) around the corner and this my 7th attendance as a normal free visitor, I thought I would share some quick survival notes.
Now I'm not saying I'm any expert but hope this helps someone.
1. Walking Shoes:
Everyone finds this funny, but you will be doing more than 15km per day per foot. The Amsterdam RAI is bigger than you think.
Do yourself a favour and pack walking shoes no matter what they look like.
You will see a number of business men in suits wearing sneakers while at the Exhibition.
2. Travel Time:
When setting up meetings, remember it will take time to travel between stands. It can easily take approximately +15 minutes to travel from one side of the venue to the other.
3. Airport to RAI:
There is a bus service between Schipol and RAI ( https://show.ibc.org/visit-ibc-explore-learn-and-network/plan-your-trip/travel ) so do not waste your money getting into town. Look out for posters showing the pickup point but it has always been at the Starbucks exit.
4. Public transport:
Part of attending you will get a GVB free pass that gives you access to Busses and Trams. You can only collect this on the 15th, so only buy a 1/2/24/48 hour ticket for how long you need until the 15th.
5. Pre-registration:
If you get to Amsterdam before the 15th, swing past RAI and pre-register. Makes the wait on opening day to get in a lot shorter.
6. Food and drink:
Eating at RAI and just outside is expensive. There is an Albert Heijn just outside RAI and I do suggest popping in for a quick meal and some fresh air.
7. WiFi:
There will be free WiFi at RAI, but it is so congested you might want to look at 2G/4G/5G/LTE or something while at RAI.
Look at sim cards with unlimited data from Vodafone and KPN. Both cost around €10 and should give you uncapped by slow connection for the duration of your stay.
If you need to sit and do some work, I suggest the Holland Terrace which is between Halls 10, 11 and 12.
8. Rain:
It should rain 1 day for the period of the exhibition. You have a short walk from tram/bus into the building. If you are worried about getting wet, I suggest a cheap poncho for just in case.
UPDATE: The 10-day forecast does not look good for this years IBC.
9. WC (Wash Closet)/Toilet:
Have €1 cash in your pocket always, just in case you need to visit a toilet quickly... You will pay anything from 50c to €1 for that privilege...
10. Smokers:
Bring some cigarettes with. The current street price for a normal packet of 20 in the Netherlands is €6.70 and is regulated. Check customs for limits from your country and into Netherlands.
11. Business Card and Brochures:
Like any exhibition, you will be collecting many business cards and brochures. Stuff that will get left at the airport because you will be overweight.
My suggestion is using Evernote ( https://www.evernote.com ). The build in document and business card scanner works very well and the business card scanner is linked to LinkedIN and will suggest the individual as part of the scan process.
Now I'm not saying I'm any expert but hope this helps someone.
1. Walking Shoes:
Everyone finds this funny, but you will be doing more than 15km per day per foot. The Amsterdam RAI is bigger than you think.
Do yourself a favour and pack walking shoes no matter what they look like.
You will see a number of business men in suits wearing sneakers while at the Exhibition.
2. Travel Time:
When setting up meetings, remember it will take time to travel between stands. It can easily take approximately +15 minutes to travel from one side of the venue to the other.
3. Airport to RAI:
There is a bus service between Schipol and RAI ( https://show.ibc.org/visit-ibc-explore-learn-and-network/plan-your-trip/travel ) so do not waste your money getting into town. Look out for posters showing the pickup point but it has always been at the Starbucks exit.
4. Public transport:
Part of attending you will get a GVB free pass that gives you access to Busses and Trams. You can only collect this on the 15th, so only buy a 1/2/24/48 hour ticket for how long you need until the 15th.
5. Pre-registration:
If you get to Amsterdam before the 15th, swing past RAI and pre-register. Makes the wait on opening day to get in a lot shorter.
6. Food and drink:
Eating at RAI and just outside is expensive. There is an Albert Heijn just outside RAI and I do suggest popping in for a quick meal and some fresh air.
7. WiFi:
There will be free WiFi at RAI, but it is so congested you might want to look at 2G/4G/5G/LTE or something while at RAI.
Look at sim cards with unlimited data from Vodafone and KPN. Both cost around €10 and should give you uncapped by slow connection for the duration of your stay.
If you need to sit and do some work, I suggest the Holland Terrace which is between Halls 10, 11 and 12.
8. Rain:
It should rain 1 day for the period of the exhibition. You have a short walk from tram/bus into the building. If you are worried about getting wet, I suggest a cheap poncho for just in case.
UPDATE: The 10-day forecast does not look good for this years IBC.
9. WC (Wash Closet)/Toilet:
Have €1 cash in your pocket always, just in case you need to visit a toilet quickly... You will pay anything from 50c to €1 for that privilege...
10. Smokers:
Bring some cigarettes with. The current street price for a normal packet of 20 in the Netherlands is €6.70 and is regulated. Check customs for limits from your country and into Netherlands.
11. Business Card and Brochures:
Like any exhibition, you will be collecting many business cards and brochures. Stuff that will get left at the airport because you will be overweight.
My suggestion is using Evernote ( https://www.evernote.com ). The build in document and business card scanner works very well and the business card scanner is linked to LinkedIN and will suggest the individual as part of the scan process.
