SMPTE officially announced a program of expert-led sessions, professional workshops and networking events for IBC 2026, aiming to deliver practical guidance on AI, open-source media workflows, cloud infrastructure and other technologies shaping the future of content creation and delivery.

SMPTE will be located in the IBC2026 Owner Pavilion alongside other organizations powering IBC 2026. SMPTE will present four sessions within the IBC2026 Partner Program. The expert-led sessions are free to attend and explore the technologies, workflows and business models reshaping the media industry.

Saturday, Sept. 12: 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., E102
“Sovereign AI and Sovereign Cloud”
Speaker: Hans Hoffman, Deputy Director Technology and Innovation, EBU

Saturday, Sept. 12: 3:30 p.m. – 4:10 p.m., E102
“Dynamic Media Facility: Why It Matters, and Why Now”
Speaker: Willem Vermost, Senior IP Media Technology Architect

Saturday, Sept. 12: 4:10 p.m. – 4:50 p.m., E102
“OGraf: Making Broadcast Graphics Open and Accessible”
Speakers: Paola Sunna, Senior Technology Innovation Manager, Eurovision Italy/EBU;
Niels Borg, TV2.DK

Saturday, Sept. 12: 4:50 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., E102
“The Innovation Flywheel: How Open Source and Standards Reinforce Each Other”
Speaker: Thomas Bause Mason, Director of Standards Development, SMPTE

On Monday, Sept. 14, SMPTE will present two in-depth professional education workshops designed for engineers, architects and technology leaders seeking a strategic and practical roadmap for the modern media enterprise. The organization said paid registration is required for these sessions.

Monday, Sept. 14: 9:30 a.m.– 12:30 p.m., G106
“Technology Roadmap for the Modern Media Enterprise”
Course modules include Visual Quality Formats, Codec Strategy, The Transition to IP, The Dynamic Media Facility, Graphics Workflows and Cinematography in Broadcast.
Speaker: Pierre Hugues Routhier, Advanced Imaging Technologies Specialist, Canadian Broadcasting Company

Monday, Sept. 14: 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., G106
“DMF in Practice: Design and Operation for Software-Defined Production”
Course modules include Dynamic Media Facility: Why It Matters, Building Blocks of a Software-Defined Media Facility, From Concepts to Practice and Live Demonstrations.
Speakers: Willem Vermost, Senior IP Media Technology Architect, EBU; Wim Van Roy, Education Architect, LAWO Academy.

Networking Events at IBC2026
Thursday, Sept. 10: London St Pancras to Amsterdam Centraal
“The Green Line Media Networking Event”
SMPTE is sponsoring The Green Line, a unique rail journey to IBC that combines networking, industry discussion and sustainability-focused programming. The event will also feature a guest DJ set from SMPTE President Rich Welsh.

Saturday, Sept. 12 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Stand 2.A47
Evertz & SMPTE Drinks and Networking Event
Evertz is partnering with SMPTE to provide relaxed networking and complimentary refreshments. The organization said that current members and those interested in learning more are welcome to attend.

“As a proud partner of IBC, SMPTE has the privilege of presenting sessions and workshops that explore the latest media trends and help technologists at all stages of their careers navigate this period of rapid change,” said SMPTE president Rich Welsh. “From AI and cloud infrastructure to open-source solutions and evolving production architectures, media organizations are facing important technology decisions. Our IBC program is designed to provide practical insight — not just into what’s changing, but how these technologies can be applied today. Whether you’re an engineer, architect or technology leader, these sessions offer valuable perspectives from the people defining tomorrow’s production workflows.”