eNews
IBC 2025 badges to work as free transport passes as well in Amsterdam
AMSTERDAM: This is good news for all visitors to Amsterdam’s grand IBC show. Come September 2025 onwards, the organisation is set to transform the onsite experience for its global attendees with the launch of a pioneering new feature: full integration of Amsterdam’s GVB public transport pass into the official event badge.
Developed in collaboration with long-time venue partner Rai Amsterdam, Amsterdam public transport operator GVB, and smart credentialing provider CredsNow, this initiative will provide frictionless, ticket-free access to the city’s extensive tram, bus and metro network – delivering a seamless, sustainable, and tech-forward experience for the tens of thousands of professionals attending this year’s show.
In a first-of-its-kind deployment for the event, all IBC2025 badges will include an embedded QR code linked directly to the GVB system. Attendees will be able to move seamlessly between the RAI and central Amsterdam using public transport, simply by scanning the QR code on their badge – eliminating the need for additional cards, tickets or apps. This frictionless integration not only simplifies city navigation for attendees but also underscores IBC and RAI’s commitment to sustainability by encouraging the use of public transport and reducing non-recyclable ticket printing.
“This is more than a convenience,” said IBC operations director Tamsin Christofides. “This reflects our commitment to sustainability, user-centric innovation, and our ongoing efforts to ensure that Amsterdam continues to be a welcoming and accessible destination for IBC2025”.
Rai Amsterdam, known for its commitment to green practices, has enabled free city travel for all IBC attendees across GVB’s public transport network for many years as part of its long-standing partnership with IBC. Through close collaboration with GVB and IBC, attendee travel has transformed from early ticketing measures to issuing printed passes on-site and this year, with the support of CredsNow, integrating the GVB travel pass directly within the event badge.
“This integration supports our ambition to create truly sustainable events, and underwrites RAI’s long term commitment to IBC Show,” said Rai Amsterdam COO Maurits van der Sluis. “By connecting the city’s transport system directly to the badge, we’re removing barriers and improving the visitor journey in a meaningful, future-forward way.”
CredsNow, the smart credentialing platform behind the integrated badge technology, played a key role in making this vision a reality. “We’re proud to support IBC with our secure, smart infrastructure,” said CredsNow CEO Ivan Lazarev. “This collaboration showcases how digital innovation can deliver real-world impact and smarter event mobility.”
“Our city continues to champion fair transport policies and future-ready event experiences for international visitors,” said GVB sr account manager corporate sales Erik Maitimo. “Close cooperation with Rai Amsterdam and event partners has helped us offer flexible, affordable, greener travel experiences for exhibition attendees. This collaboration demonstrates what’s possible when innovation meets purpose – by embedding our services into the very fabric of the IBC experience, we make public transit the default and easiest choice.”
IBC2025 takes place from 12–15 September at the Rai Amsterdam. Attendees will be able to use their badge to enter the venue and board any GVB-operated service throughout the city, reducing reliance on cars and streamlining travel across the event. To register for IBC2025, click here.
eNews
Piyush Thakur steps down as Inshorts’ chief revenue officer
Former vice president and cro says exit marks a new chapter after close to a decade of building revenue and partnerships at Inshorts Group.
NOIDA: Piyush Thakur has stepped away from Inshorts Group after nearly 10 years with the company, marking the end of a long tenure that culminated in his role as chief revenue officer.
In a farewell note, Thakur said he was “turning a new page” after almost a decade at Inshorts, calling it one of the hardest professional decisions he has made. He added that his exit was not driven by uncertainty about the future, but by reflection on a long association with the company.
Thakur joined Inshorts in October 2016 as vice president and spent around seven years in the role before being elevated to chief revenue officer in April 2024, a position he held until April 2026.
He said his tenure was defined by “thousands of mornings, late nights, product debates and breakthrough moments”, as the company evolved into a large-scale digital news platform used by millions.
In his note, Thakur emphasised that Inshorts’ growth was a collective effort across teams, adding that engineers, designers, sales teams and customer support staff all contributed to building the platform. He said the company’s success was not the result of individuals but of “everyone who stayed, passed through, and left their mark”.
Before Inshorts, Thakur worked across several digital media and business development roles. At ESPN, he served as senior regional manager from October 2015 to October 2016, focusing on growth initiatives, strategic opportunities and video distribution.
At Times Internet, he worked for nearly three years, including as head of business development from April 2015 to September 2015 and chief manager from January 2013 to March 2015. His responsibilities included monetisation of mobile platforms, managing media and developer partnerships, and driving revenue across digital properties such as The Times of India and The Economic Times.
Earlier, he worked at Brandmovers as head of business development from June 2012 to June 2013, handling digital, mobile and social media marketing solutions, client development and strategic consulting. During this period, he also worked on advertising revenue, brand strategy and CRM-based solutions.
At Inshorts, Thakur’s role focused on revenue strategy, mobile and media partnerships, and growth initiatives across platforms. His profile highlights experience in mobile product management, digital business models, partner ecosystems and revenue expansion in high-growth environments.
