ISE 2025: Exclusive show guide
Posted on Jan 24, 2025 by Oliver Webb
LIVE is returning to the Catalan capital for one of the biggest events on AV’s calendar. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of this year’s show!
Words: Oliver Webb
The world’s largest audio-visual and systems integration trade show saw 73,891 visitors last year – the highest of any ISE edition so far – with many countries seeing significant increases in attendee numbers. The 2024 edition took place from 30 January to 2 February, and a total of 363 expert speakers took part in the programme of panel discussions, conferences and presentations. There was also a 7% increase in the number of media representatives covering the show, with the largest contingent coming from Spain itself.
ISE 2025 not only has some exciting new additions, but there will also be plenty of speakers throughout the show discussing some of the most pressing AV topics. Here are our top tips if you’re heading to the Fira in February!
Hot Topics
Taking place between 4 and 7 February, ISE 2025 will introduce track sessions. From Tuesday to Thursday, attendees can engage with expert panels on five key industry megatrends: AI, audio, cybersecurity, retail and sustainability.
AI
AI has been a key topic in recent years, with the use of the powerful technology modernising creative possibilities. Digital analyst, author and visionary Brian Solis will take to the stage on 4 February to present the opening keynote. He will share his vision on how the pro AV and systems integration industry can evolve and innovate through the latest developments in AI.
Audio
One half of AV, audio is a vital component – not only in the live-events space, but at the heart of everything we do. Make sure to attend the audio events – including A Sonic Revolution: The Future of Audio with AI – with speaker Claudia Feiner, who will highlight how smart tech is elevating every rhythm and melody, pushing the boundaries of creativity in sound production.
Cybersecurity
In 2020, Cybersecurity Ventures estimated that annual worldwide cyber crime costs would hit $10.5 trillion by 2025. The cybersecurity sector is seeing significant growth, with the global workforce now estimated at 4.7 million professionals. As hacking and major data breaches continue to rise, both organisations and individuals face increasing risk. ISE will be hosting a series of speakers, who will discuss key subjects such as counteracting counterfeiters, navigating cybersecurity risks in digital signage, cyber defence and building an intelligence and operations centre for the future.
Retail
The retail sector is another major focus point of ISE 2025. On 6 February, there will be panels throughout the day engaging in key discussions on retail, including customer experience design, real-time visuals, digital signage content, retail media and blurring the boundaries between physical and virtual spaces.
Sustainability
It’s more crucial than ever that the AV industry takes additional steps in combatting climate change. Key areas like waste management, carbon emissions reduction, energy efficiency and recycling are essential in tackling this issue. During the show, panellists will discuss how to meet the 2030 sustainable development goals, align with these for a more sustainable planet and offer guidelines for sustainable AV.
“ISE 2025 will host a series of insightful conferences – all aimed at exploring the future of digital transformation”
Key Conferences
ISE 2025 will feature informative conferences on smart buildings, digital signage, AV broadcast, education technology and high-tech innovation in Europe and Latin America. Here’s a round-up of the events we’re most looking forward to.
Smart Building Summit
4 February, 10:30-18:30 / CC5.1
This year’s Smart Building Summit will report on how digital transformation in buildings is being impacted through the integration of IT and operational technologies, highlighting the best practices. Check out the smart building talks on 4 February, covering topics such as realising the value of smart buildings with enterprise agility, AI in the smart building platform and big imperatives for smart building in 2025.
Digital Signage Summit
5 February, 10:30-14:30 / CC4.1
Business-critical digital signage requires stable, secure and sustainable platforms and solutions. As the industry shifts from ‘hang and bang’ to ‘signage as a service’, it must adapt business models, offerings and technology to meet these various requirements. The conference will be curated and hosted by Florian Rotberg and Stefan Schieker of Invidis Consulting.
AV Broadcast Summit
5 February, 10:30-17:00 / CC5.2
The AV Broadcast Summit will explore how the most exciting and groundbreaking technologies from the world of cinema, TV and gaming are being used to generate video content that excites audiences around the world. Hannah Shellswell and Ciarán Doran will co-host the AV Broadcast Summit.
Education Technology Summit
5 February, 14:00-18:00 / CC5.1
The Education Technology Summit will delve into how to deliver truly intelligent digital learning. Intelligence isn’t inherent in the tools we use; it’s shaped by good learning design, effective business processes and a commitment to equity and sustainability in achieving the desired learning outcomes.
European Latin American AV Forum
5 February, 10:30-14:00 / CC5.3
High-tech innovation in Europe and Latin America is forging unprecedented opportunities for collaboration and commerce between these two dynamic regions. The European Latin American AV Forum offers a unique platform for government representatives, industry leaders and AV professionals from Europe and Latin America to forge strategic partnerships, explore business opportunities and drive innovation across the AV and digital sectors.
Smart Home Technology
Tuesday 4 to Thursday 6 February / CC1
Workshops and courses will offer valuable insights on subjects including residential alternative energy systems, exceptional residential cinema design, lighting system fundamentals and healthy home solutions.
Immersive Installations
ISE 2025 is set to introduce organised tours, taking visitors behind the scenes of major AV installations across the city. Below is a selection of just some of what’s on offer throughout the show.
Redefining News and Media Production with AI and Virtual Production Studios
Tuesday 4 February, 14:00-17:00
Grup Mediapro’s CTO and operations manager Emili Planas Quintana, and virtual production manager Isaac Bergada, will showcase its newly refurbished VP studio and newsroom in Barcelona, highlighting the company’s role in revolutionising media production.
White Rabbit – The OFF Museum
Wednesday 5 February, 10:30-13:00
Curated with a distinctive Catalan influence, the museum brings together artists from Barcelona and tech experts to create futuristic installations. These installations, ranging from digital artworks to immersive soundscapes, showcase the vibrancy and innovation found in Barcelona’s creative community.
FC Barcelona’s Barça Immersive Tour
Friday 7 February, 09:30-12:00
Home to the largest immersive room in any European sports museum, Mediapro Xperiences offers a guided tour through a 500 sq m space featuring an innovative 360° production. This experience employs deepfake technology to bring football legends such as Johan Cruyff, Andrés Iniesta and Lionel Messi to life.
L’Aquàrium de Barcelona
Saturday 8 February, 11:00-13:00
Presented by Trison, the tour previews upcoming features such as black magic glass overlays on marine tanks, providing a glimpse into the future of experiential design. Highlights of the tour include a 3D façade, a holographic welcome experience and a reimagined ticket hall featuring an underfloor LED digital sea paired with an LED water ceiling.
Best of Booths
On the floors of Fira de Barcelona, Gran Via, you’ll find many attendees building connections old and new. Be sure to say hello and visit the following companies:
Unilumin (Booth: 3C300)
Unilumin recently celebrated its 20-year anniversary. It provides professional LED application services, including the world’s leading LED display and lighting products and Metasight solutions.
Argosy (Booth: 5C440)
Argosy is a premier international distributor of critical infrastructure products tailored to meet the needs of the broadcast, media and AV industries. The company’s range includes cables and connectors, equipment racking, patching and cable management solutions, KVM and connectivity options, as well as distribution and video processing devices.
Clear-Com (Booth: 4N900)
Clear-Com, an HME company, is a trusted global provider of professional real-time communications solutions and services, innovating market-proven wired and wireless technologies.
Christie (Booth: 3K500)
Christie is an international audio and visual technologies company which offers a diverse range of projection, including advanced RGB pure laser projection, LCD panels, video walls and video wall processors. Their portfolio also includes SDVoE technology, image processing, content management and much more.
INFiLED (Booth: 3B100 + 3B150)
With installations in over 87 countries and more than 200 patents – one of the highest numbers in the industry – Infiled has become a top brand for LED screen manufacturing, offering high-end LED display solutions for building immersive and realistic content, enhancing the visual experience of customers.
Bosch Security Systems BV (Booth: 3C500)
With over 65 years of expertise designing and developing communication products, Bosch Security Systems established unrivalled leadership in the field of conference and public address, Evac-certified voice evacuation and professional sound systems.
Samsung (Booth: 3F500)
Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with innovative ideas and technologies. It continues to redefine industries, from TVs, smartphones and wearable devices to tablets, digital appliances, network systems, memory solutions, system LSI, foundry and LEDs.
2N (Booth: 2K100)
Since 1999, 2N has offered a diverse portfolio of future-proof IP intercoms, answering units, access readers and elevator solutions. Complemented by online tools and apps, these products fit any residential or commercial project seeking to bring end-users high security and modern convenience.
Magewell (Booth: 5C600)
Magewell solutions support key technologies such as NDI, SRT, Dante and many more, serving thousands of customers worldwide. Applications include live event streaming, production, video conferencing, multi-site video distribution, remote learning, medical imaging and more.
Meyer Sound (Booth: 3N820)
Founded by John and Helen Meyer in 1979, Meyer Sound is headquartered in Berkeley, California, with operations worldwide. Meyer Sound provides high-quality solutions for touring, festivals, houses of worship, cinema, education, corporate and residential.
Utelogy (Booth: 2W150)
Utelogy Corporation publishes an enterprise-grade software platform for managing, monitoring, controlling and automating connected workspaces. At ISE 2025, attendees to booth 2W150 will experience Utelogy’s updated room and asset configuration tools, which streamlines global deployments while also featuring an intuitive, redesigned user interface.
Lightware (Booth: 3C800)
A manufacturer of connectivity solutions for the professional integrated systems market, Lightware will exhibit its industry-leading USB-C and AV innovations. The company will present ten live product demos, highlighting its expertise in USB-C technology.
Making Memories
Whether this is your first ISE visit or you’re a seasoned attendee, there is plenty to be excited about for this year’s show. With 1510 exhibitors to meet, 360 guest speakers and eight halls to explore, we can’t wait to see you there!
This article first featured in LIVE’s Jan/Feb issue.
