WHEREAS 2026 registers an increase in 8% with the record of 92.170 visitors

Innovation, creativity and momentum of the AV and systems integration industry mark the closing of a successful WHEREAS 2026 in Barcelona, supported by the 92.170 visitors who have attended during its four days (and 8% more than last year) and the 1.751 exhibitors who have materialized the event's motto 'Push Beyond', to showcase the latest technological advances.

Occupying the eight pavilions of Barcelona Gran Vía Fair, WHEREAS 2026 offered four days of activity record in creativity and innovation, bringing together the global AV and systems integration community like never before.

After four intense days, WHEREAS 2026 has ended successfully and proving that this year's motto: Push Beyond, redefining the possible, has brought new impetus to the audiovisual sector and systems integration, breaking attendance records again, con 92.170 visitors from all over the world.

In total, 1.751 displays -323 of them present for the first time in the contest held in Barcelona- have participated and shown their innovations in the largest exhibition area in the history of the event, con 101.000 m².

WHEREAS 2026 recorded exceptional attendance growth, reflecting the continued expansion and global appeal of the event. At the close of mars, the fair had already received 55.156 unique attendees, and 10% further that on the same day of the last edition, con 49.981.

He Wednesday, cumulative attendance reached 76.035 unique visitors, while the fair lived its busiest day to date, con 64.198 in-person visitors, very close to the pre-pandemic record of 64.908 registered attendees 2019 in Amsterdam.

The trend continued Thursday, when total attendance reached 87.648 unique visitors, officially establishing the largest record in ISE history. On the whole, the edition 2026 registered a increase of 8% in total attendance with respect to 2025, reflecting an increasing level of activity, scale and sector participation, and consolidating its position as the main global event for the audiovisual and systems integration community. The total number of records reached 120.914, con 212.000 visits throughout the four days.

“When closing ISE 2026, "I am deeply inspired by the strength and commitment of our community," he says. Mike Blackman, general director of Integrated Systems Events-. For four extraordinary days, we celebrate innovative technologies, we promote new ideas, We established lasting connections and set new benchmarks for the sector. The most stimulating thing is creativity, the energy and diversity of our exhibitors and partners, as well as the constant dedication of the ISE team, What makes all this possible?.

ISE community and creative ecosystem on the rise

WHEREAS 2026 hosted the premiere of Spark, a new initiative designed to drive innovation in the creative industries. This new format brought together the creators of tomorrow, connecting professionals from the gaming fields, broadcast, design, live events and media in a shared experience.

Spark established itself as a meeting point for creatives, technologists and decision makers, facilitating the exchange of ideas and exploring the future of creativity. With an outstanding program of partners and speakers, This event showed how technology is transforming the public experience -on screen, in physical and live spaces- and how collaboration is defining the next generation of creative work.

In another relevant milestone, in the edition 2026 the creation of ISE Foundation, an initiative promoted by the organization of the event and supported by its co-owners Avixa y give in, with the support of Barcelona City Council and the Generalitat of Catalonia.

ISE Foundation aims to strengthen the audiovisual and systems integration community, with a focus on working together, innovation and long-term impact, under the motto Powering On, Together. The foundation was officially presented at a press conference with the participation of David Labuskes, CEO of Avixa; Daryl Friedman, global president and CEO of Cedia; Raquel Gil, deputy mayor of Barcelona, y Miquel Samper, Minister of Business and Labor of the Generalitat of Catalonia.

The future of creativity at ISE 2026

The sessions keynote from ISE 2026, in charge of Matt Clark y Sol Rashid, They brought together full audiences. The first took the attendees after the project Behind the Façade: building a performance-led mapping at Casa Batlló, from concept to implementation, breaking down the creative and technical process behind one of the most emblematic spaces in Barcelona.

For your part, Rashidi presented The AI reality check: what it takes to scale and the future of leadership, a reflection on the real impact of artificial intelligence in productive sectors and the leadership challenges associated with its adoption. Both presentations reinforced the role of ISE as a platform for innovation and strategic thinking in the sector..

International institutional representatives

The collaboration between ISE and the city of Barcelona remains a key element of the event's success. The edition of 2026 It had a notable presence of authorities and institutional representatives, included delegates from Latin American countries, reflecting Barcelona's position as an international technological hub.

Among those attending were officials from national and regional governments., as well as experts in digitalization and artificial intelligence policies, highlighting the impact of ISE on international cooperation and regional development.

“ISE starts every year as the largest meeting of audiovisual professionals. But beyond the numbers, there is an even more relevant story: people from different parts of the world connecting with each other and sharing ideas that last beyond the fairgrounds - he points out David Labuskes, CTS, CAE, RCDD, Avixa CEO. The week was marked by the exchange between professionals who promote the advancement of the sector. “Avixa is proud to collaborate with the ISE and Cedia teams to make a forum of this level possible”.

Daryl Friedman, global president and CEO of Cedia, emphasizes that “ISE 2026 once again demonstrated the value of collaboration within the global technological ecosystem. As co-owners of ISE, It is satisfying to see how the event expands its influence as a space where innovation converges, training and collaboration. Activity at the fair and in the conference program reflects a dynamic sector that not only adopts new technologies, but actively contributes to defining its application in the spaces where people live, They work and relate”.

With an eye on the future, WHEREAS 2026 leaves a lasting mark, not only as a showcase for advanced solutions, but as an engine of collaboration and progress for the audiovisual sector and systems integration. ISE will return with its edition 2027, of the 2 al 5 February 2027, at Fira de Barcelona Gran Vía.