Congress Square: the new ISE space aimed at networking

Informing and uniting the AV community is the main objective of this space that will premiere in WHEREAS 2023. It will house the pavilions of the Barcelona City Council and of the Generalitat of Catalonia, as well as the Discovery Zone, the International Media Showcase and the Influencer and Impact Lounges.

WHEREAS 2023 will have a new area called Congress Square, which will have a surface of 2.212 square meters and will be located in the central hallway, between the halls 4 y 6 y go halls 5 y 7. A space that will offer innovations and networking opportunities.

It will have the presence of different industry organizations, bringing together a variety of partners in one place. It will house the pavilions of the Barcelona City Council and of the Generalitat of Catalonia, as well as the Discovery Zone, he International Media Showcase and the Influencer e Impact Lounges.

Impact Lounge to debut at ISE 2023, which will take place in Fira Barcelona Gran Via, of the 31 from January to 3 February, and will offer visitors the opportunity to meet with organizations making a difference in the industry. These include Women in Live Music (WILM) and ISE sustainability partners, Sustainability in AV (SAVe) y The Circle Society.

The lounge will provide a space for visitors to connect with these organizations and learn more about the work they are doing and the difference they are already making.

“We return to ISE 2023 with a space in the Impact Lounge, where we can make new connections and raise awareness about women in the industry”, explains Malle Cheese by WILM. Together with ISE, We are offering women a place where they can meet like-minded colleagues to share their experiences and network, bringing together newcomers and industry veterans. We will also encourage male guests to learn more about the industry from a woman's perspective.".

Sustainability in AV will attend the Impact Lounge at ISE for the first time 2023. “SAVe is the first US-based organization. which brings together stakeholders in the audiovisual field to take concerted action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of 2030. From climate change and environmental degradation to poverty and inequality, the challenges we face are profound, diverse and increasingly worrying. We must work together globally, both companies, as educational institutions and nations, to achieve these fundamental goals before it is too late. We invite attendees to stop by the Impact Lounge to learn more and participate.”, explains Christina De Bono, founder and president of SAVe.

In addition, For The Circle Society it will also be the first time that it goes to ISE. “We know that the skill sets and team dynamics within our industry are changing, and we will not only be available to discuss some of these issues, We will also have our staff at the fair to showcase some pioneers who have created successful companies and people who are moving up the career ladder using our peer-to-peer learning and exchange programs.. This community, digital platform and network – in-person and digital – of global reference is intended for anyone who works in technology and media services, OF, production, film/TV post-production and distribution, professional audio and VFX”, states Lisa Collins, CEO of The Circle Society.

After his debut in 2022, the Influencer Lounge returns in 2023 and will once again welcome content creators, influencers and trendsetters on social networks who are an active part of the technology community. In that sense, there will be a program of podcasts and events in this space designed for collaboration and exchange.

En la Discovery Zone, another area of ​​Congress Square, Visitors will experience the latest innovations from new exhibitors. Attendees will be able to find the virtual studio software developer Aximmetry; to the manufacturer of AVoIP distribution devices, HDBaseT y HDMI Netvio; to the electronic accessories manufacturer Vanco; already Flylights, offering transparent Led screens, among many others.

Barcelona City Council and Generalitat de Catalunya

Congress Square will also house the pavilions organized by Barcelona City Council and the Generalitat de Catalunya, that will host local and regional exhibitors. In the first there will be 30 local companies active in the AV industry, where business growth opportunities will also be offered and the Open Innovation Challenge.

The ISE Open Innovation Challenge is organized by action (the trade and investment agency of Catalonia) y Enterprise Europe Network. For the second time at ISE, Acció is working with corporations looking for new technologies and solution partners to help solve specific business problems.

“The Open Innovation Challenge was a great success last year, so we are delighted to be back at ISE 2023”, comment Carles Gomara, Action innovation manager. “This hybrid match-making service connects technology providers with companies looking to purchase solutions.”; We currently have eight Catalan corporations signed up. This B2B event, whose participation is free, offers the opportunity to create alliances with new local and international partners; Registration to participate is open”.

Networking opportunities will also be present in the six networking areas themed around the technological zones of the exhibition.. Finally, At the International Media Showcase, visitors will be able to read the latest issues of the specialized press from around the world while taking a well-deserved break..

Access to the ISE SPECIAL 2023 a Digital AV