This year’s ISE Show arrives in Barcelona on 10-13 May 2022. Speaking at a press briefing last week, Integrated Systems Events managing director, Mike Blackman, said: “I’m delighted, and honoured, to be standing here today five years since Integrated Systems Events, and its co-owners AVIXA and CEDIA, decided to relocate the Integrated Systems Europe show to Barcelona. After 16 years in Amsterdam, it was time for us to find a new home for our show, and in just two weeks’ time, ISE 2022 will open its doors at the Gran Vía, Fira de Barcelona.”

What to Expect:

ISE is a showcase for visual and aural products and solutions where manufacturers and service suppliers will present the latest ProAV innovations developed for the commercial and residential market sectors.

Specific’s about this year’s show:

• Over 800 exhibitors on the show floor.
• Six Technology Zones (Multipurpose AV, Education & Collaboration, Digital Signage and Digital Out of Home, Pro Audio, Lighting & Staging, Residential & Smart Building) across five halls of the Gran Vía.
• 45,000 m of show floor space.
• A few of the brands exhibiting at ISE 2022 include Alfalite, Barco, Christie, Google, KNX, LANG, Microsoft, Panasonic, Samsung, Shure, Sony and Zoom.

ISE says on the residential side, visitors will be able to view the latest flat panel TVs, in-ceiling speakers, projectors, projection screens, cinema rooms, lighting, and security systems. Just some of the leading residential brands exhibiting at ISE 2022 include Artcoustic, Crestron, L-Acoustics, KNX, Rako Controls, Sony, Storm Audio and more.

Who’s Attending?

At the press briefing, Blackman talked about the attendee makeup according to registration.

This year, according to the graphic below, nearly 80% of the attendees can be classified as integrators, manufacturers, consultants, live events producers, software developers/programmers or design firm UX/CX developers.

What’s on the Roster

In addition to networking opportunities, there will be a five-day conference program that runs throughout the week, covering topics that range from retail technology to control rooms, live events, education and more. ISE says over 150 thought leaders and experts are confirmed to participate in the daily program.

Professional development opportunities are provided through certification and learning programs curated by AVIXA and CEDIA, both on-site and in the city.

Keynote Day One is from Refik Anadol: “Exploring the Heritage of Tomorrow” at 18.00 on 10 May. Anadol is a media artist and pioneer in the aesthetics of data and machine intelligence. He will give the Opening Keynote Address at ISE 2022. A special event will also happen on the façade of Casa Batlló on the evening of Saturday, 7 May, because of the collaboration between Anadol and OFFF Barcelona, a festival of creativity, art and digital design — and ISE 2022.

Keynote Day Two will be from Alan Greenberg: “Next Generation Immersive Entertainment” on 11 May at 18:00. As CEO and co-founder of Illuminarium, Greenberg heads up a breakthrough global experiential entertainment company created by worldwide leaders in cinematic immersion, interactive content, and theatrical design.

ISE will also present the ISE Immersive Art Experience. For this year’s show ISE has worked with award-winning company Exhibition Hub to curate a unique 650sqm virtual reality experience art installation at the Fira Gran Via which combines several of its award-winning immersive art experiences.

I RISE at the Plaça d’Espanya is a projection-mapping show that will explore the themes of hope, regeneration and renewal. This is being created and produced by Barcelona-based Flaix Studio and will run on Monday 9 May through to Wednesday 11 May at 21:00 each evening.

Other Notable ISE Info

During the press briefing, Blackman opened the floor for questions. I asked about some of the new tech we might expect to see at the show this year, and whether that tech might span two AV verticals or more:

“If we look at collaboration in the home and in the workplace, we have to live in hybrid working situations… increasing amount of bandwidth for working, tools, hardware, software and other solutions.” — @ISE_Mike #AVtweeps @AVIXA @CEDIA @stephlbeckett #ISE2022 @ISE_Show pic.twitter.com/ofPji5KyEe

— rAVe [PUBS] (@rAVePubs) April 21, 2022

So, #AVtweeps, expect to continue seeing resimercial solutions — especially as we continue to have home offices to utilize different UCC solutions.

Blackman also commented on the Russia-Ukraine war:

“From our point of view, we are sorry and concerned about the situation of the Ukrainian people. No one deserves to live through that situation in these times. We also sympathize with Russian colleagues. … We will not have Russian exhibitors at ISE, but will not be restricting attendance by Russian individuals.”

Industry Outlook

Blackman and Dave Labuskes, CEO of AVIXA, also spent time during the briefing discussing some key points about the ISE trade show and of our industry.

• The AV industry to grow to $329bn by 2026, average growth rates of 7.2% CAGR*
• Across Spain ProAV revenue €3bn in 2022, to rise by 6.2% by 2026*
• ISE show 800 exhibitors in 2022 to grow to 1,775 by 2026
• ISE show to increase net floor space from 42,000sqm to more than 77,000sqm by 2026
• By 2023 ISE to contribute €250-300m to Barcelona economy, growing to €500m by 2026

Why Attend?

ISE is on track to be back and better than ever before. I, like so many of you, am ready to get back to trade shows. It’s how we connect with one another! So, don’t be shy! Register to attend ISE 2022 and use the rAVe code, “CMREGGII,” for your free exhibit hall pass!