Peculiar Welcome to IBC Amsterdam

er, I think there is some mistake...

In two weeks around 40,000 technical people will be milling around the International Broadcasting Convention at the RAI exhibition centre. Last year, the Mayor's office made a complete fool of themselves by not turning up to the IBC Awards ceremony on a Sunday. Their empty table said everything - IBC is an exhibition and conference not invented here.


This year, we're treated to a strange greeting on the IBC website which assumes you'll be coming next year - by which time some of the roads broken up because of the North-South metro line may be almost ready. The city is a building site at the moment, so don't taken Cohen's advice and pay attention to detail, except perhaps the holes in the pavement. It is so crystal clear that the Mayor's office still doesn't understand what the largest trade show in its own city is really all about. I'm not sure anyone will have time for the Concertgebouw. And two of the museums he mentions are indeed opening next year...forget them for the time being.

Job Cohen, Mayor of Amsterdam: "Welcome to Amsterdam - The City of Art"
You are - or will soon be - the guest of a very special city: Amsterdam. Whether you’ve been here many times, or whether this is your very first visit - Amsterdam will surprise you again and again.

Amsterdam is never less than inspiring, with its many beautiful canals and monuments. There are also the cultural and social riches the city offers in the way of music, theatre, bars, shops and culinary restaurants.

In 2009 the Dutch capital will pay tribute to its museological marvels: the opening of the Hermitage Amsterdam and the renewed Stedelijk Museum. Amsterdam has long been considered an influential cultural capital in Europe, with leading institutions such as the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest, De Nederlandse Opera and a wealth of history and modern architecture.

As Mayor of Amsterdam, I would like to offer you one important tip: have an eye for details! Other world cities may be remarkable for the magnificent and the imposing, but the beauty of Amsterdam very often lies in the subtlest detail.

I wish you a very pleasant and interesting stay.

Job Cohen
Mayor of Amsterdam

and yes, I told them about the strange message, but as usual, no reply.