HITS

With a resurgence of COVID-19 in The Netherlands and other parts of Europe, IBC on Nov. 23 announced it was canceling its IBC 2021 in-person event, scheduled for Dec. 3-6 at The RAI in Amsterdam.

Instead, IBC 2021 will be held as an all-digital offering, with keynotes, panels and a platform to showcase the latest products and innovations all being offered virtually.

“The move follows growing concerns about the COVID-19 situation in The Netherlands, which has deteriorated over the past week, and feedback from the IBC exhibitor and visitor community,” IBC CEO Mike Crimp said in a statement Nov. 23. “The IBC Partnership Board made the decision today in order to prevent exhibitors and visitors from travelling to The Netherlands.

“From our many conversations, it is clear the industry can’t wait to get back to business and we are committed to delivering an engaging and safe in-person IBC in 2022.”

According to data from the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University, The Netherlands reported more than 23,000 new COVID-19 cases Nov. 22, with a seven-day average of more than 21,000 daily new cases. The country instituted a partial lockdown in mid-November, ordering shops and restaurants to close early.

More than 80 percent of the country’s adult population is estimated to be vaccinated.

The cancelation of the in-person portion of IBC came after dozens of major exhibitors announced they would not be able to attend.