ISE Foundation will promote the impact of the AV industry and its local linkage

La iniciativa ISE Foundation, created by Integrated Systems Europe (WHEREAS) and its co-owners, Avixa y give in, opens new opportunities for talent development, innovation and community projects across the AV and systems integration sector.

Beyond the annual exhibition of WHEREAS, the goal of ISE Foundation is to launch programs throughout the year, focused on the professional training, that connect professionals in the sector, support emerging companies and reinforce local community initiatives in Barcelona and Catalonia.

Created together with its co-owners, Avixa y give in, and with the support of Barcelona City Council and the Generalitat of Catalonia, ISE Foundation establishes a formal structure for expand the contribution of the contest to the industry beyond the four days that the annual fair lasts; a strategic evolution of the role of the room within the AV ecosystem and systems integration.

The advertisement, which was held at a press conference on the opening day of ISE 2026 under the motto Powering On, Together, had the participation of Mike Blackman, Managing Director de Integrated Systems Events; David Labuskes, CTS, CAE, RCDD, Chief Executive Officer de Avixa; Daryl Friedman, Global President & Cedia CEO; Raquel Gil, deputy mayor of Barcelona, y Miquel Samper, Minister of Business and Work of the Generalitat of Catalonia, highlighting the shared commitment between sector leaders and local institutions with the long-term impact of the ISE Foundation.

One of the central pillars of this initiative is the talent developmento. The shortage of qualified profiles continues to be a challenge for manufacturers, integrators and service providers in the AV field. ISE Foundation aims to address this gap by structured and scalable initiatives.

Your program Training the Trainers trains teachers in industry-aligned AV competencies, using study plans developed by Cedia and Avixa. After a successful pilot carried out in 2025 for this last association in Catalonia, the program will be expanded significantly, with plans for collaborate with up to 150 institutions.

Complementary initiatives, as OF Career Days and the planned introduction of vocational training pathways aligned with the industry from 2027, are designed to create clearer and more direct access from education to employment within the AV sector.

The innovation constitutes the second main axis. Based on the momentum generated by Innovation Park an ISE 2026, that welcomed 130 startups, ISE Foundation will offer greater continuity and post-event support for startups.

Through structured mentoring, connection with investors and access to sector networks, early-stage initiatives will be supported to move beyond proof of concept to commercial viability. The objective is not only to show innovation at the fairgrounds, but also actively accompany the development of technologies that will mark the next stage of the market.

The third pillar of the ISE Foundation focuses on social responsibility, reinforcing the social value of AV and embedded technologies. They are currently being developed strategic collaborations with organizations like Sant Joan de Déu Hospital, the La Nau Civic Association and the Joan Miró Foundation, as well as with projects linked to Casa Batlló.

These alliances seek to transfer the capabilities of the AV sector to a measurable impact in areas such as healthcare., education and culture, strengthening the role of the industry before public and private interlocutors.

“ISE Foundation formalizes our commitment to the AV sector, while strengthening our ties with the host city - stated Mike Blackman-. By working closely with local institutions and the industry as a whole, Avixa, Cedia and ISE Foundation can build a lasting legacy that drives innovation, talent development and community engagement throughout the year, ensuring our impact is relevant, sustainable and beneficial both for professionals and for the entire territory”.

As head of Avixa, David Labuskes has underlined: “We are proud to join Cedia to launch this initiative, that strengthens the AV industry by expanding career opportunities, supporting startups and fostering meaningful social impact. As a global reference association for the AV sector, Our mission is to advance the profession, and efforts like this are essential to define its future”.

For your part, Daryl Friedman, He added that “the launch of the ISE Foundation reflects Cedia's commitment to the growth of our industry by promoting new professionals and companies.”, while promoting a sustainable environment. “Our association is proud to help lead this effort to secure the future of the AV sector and systems integration.”.

More details on governance will be released in the coming months, the rollout of programs and operational timeline as ISE Foundation moves into its implementation phase.