“It will be our biggest event yet”

The 20th edition of the Integrated Systems Europe will take place in Barcelona from 30^th January to 2^nd February 2024. In this interview, Managing Director Mike Blackman talks about the anniversary and current industry trends.

STADIAWORLD: Mr. Blackman, congratulations on 20 years of ISE! Do you still remember your beginnings? When did you join the organisation?

Blackman: Thank you! We are very happy about this special edition of ISE. I officially joined Integrated Systems Events in 2003, at the very beginning. In the early days, there were only two other team members with whom we laid the foundation for the first event in January 2004 – 20 years ago. Our team started small, but with a big vision, and eventually the team grew to what it is today. It’s amazing to think back on how it all began and what ISE has grown into. Today it is one of the most important dates in the professional AV and system integration industry calendar.

STADIAWORLD: How has the company and the organisation of the event changed over the years?
Blackman: When we launched Integrated Systems Events in spring 2003, our team of three took care of marketing, sales and logistics. We were supported in administration and accounting by the InfoComm team (now called AVIXA). But everything else was done by this small local team. Today, there is a team of over 40 people behind ISE. The trade fair has grown from year to year, and without the hard work and dedication of the staff we would not have been able to achieve this.

STADIAWORLD: The history of ISE goes back to Geneva. How was the timing and venue of ISE decided back then and why did the move from Amsterdam to Barcelona take place a few years ago? What are the advantages of the Spanish location?
Blackman: The city of Geneva was chosen for our very first trade fair because of its neutral location. However, exhibitors had to deal with the demanding Swiss import and export regulations, and after the show it was clear that Geneva was not ideal for logistical reasons. After a short European road trip, we chose Amsterdam as the new location for ISE, centrally located and easily accessible. However, as the show grew in size, the RAI in Amsterdam was no longer big enough, even though they were trying hard to accommodate our constant growth. We started looking for a new home. Barcelona had everything to offer: a venue big enough to accommodate our growth, a city with plenty of accommodation and good flight connections and it has something that the other cities just don't have, namely the cultural offer. Barcelona has that certain something extra that makes it attractive for our exhibitors and visitors alike.

STADIAWORLD: What milestones in the history of the event would you emphasise? What characterises the trade fair?
Blackman: There have been many highlights in our 20-year history. One decision that has certainly moved the show forward was the move in 2008 to divide the entire exhibition area into technology zones to make it easier for visitors to navigate the huge range of products on offer. We wanted to create a focus and help everyone. These zones, such as the Content Production & Distribution Zone introduced in 2023, serve to group related technologies and make it easier for visitors to discover specific areas of interest. Exhibitors also benefit from these groupings, which clearly encourage collaboration and attract visitors with similar needs.

ISE 2024 will feature the following technology zones:

• Lighting & Staging (Hall 1 and Hall 4)
• Residential & Smart Building (Hall 2)
• Unified Communications & Education Technology (Hall 2)
• Multi-Technology (Hall 3, 4 & 5)
• Content Production & Distribution (Hall 4)
• Digital Signage & DooH (Hall 6)
• Audio (Hall 7)
• PLUS ISE Sound Experience with the Audio Demo Rooms in Hall 8.0 and ISE Outdoor Sound Experience between Halls 3 and 4

STADIAWORLD: Can you share key figures from the last and upcoming editions?
Blackman: This special 20th anniversary edition of ISE will be our biggest event yet. The exhibition space is already 17% larger than last year, we are occupying two new halls and currently have over 80 new exhibitors confirmed. In addition to special features and attractions to mark the occasion, we are also planning an anniversary treasure hunt and a series of special activities in Barcelona. To this end, we are renewing our partnership with the Barcelona Llum light festival – look out for more news in the coming weeks.

STADIAWORLD: What is the current status of preparations for 2024, when ISE will take place from 30^th January to 2^nd February?
Blackman: Preparations are in full swing – we can hardly wait for January. As well as the largest exhibition space ever, our conference programme of nine specialist conferences will also offer a range of educational content, providing visitors with engaging talks, inspirational speakers and insightful panel discussions. Free events will also take place throughout the day alongside the conferences.

Bookable conferences:

• Smart Building Conference (Tuesday, 30 January)
• Control Rooms Summit (Tuesday, 30 January)
• Smart Home Technology Conference (Tuesday, 30 January – Friday, 2 February)
• Content Production & Distribution Summit (Wednesday, 31 January)
• Digital Signage Summit (Wednesday, 31 January)
• Smart Workplace Summit (Wednesday, 31 January – Thursday, 1 February)
• Education Technology Summit (Thursday, 1 February)
• Live Events Summit (Thursday, 1 February)
• Sustainability Workshop (Friday, 2 February)

Free sessions:

• Tech Talks Español (Tuesday, 30 January – Thursday, 1 February)
• Tech Talks (Tuesday, 30 January – Thursday, 1 February)
• Smart Home Technology Stage (Tuesday, 30 January – Friday, 2 February)

STADIAWORLD: What thematic trends do you currently emphasise - and what tendencies do you see for the future of ISE and the industry?
Blackman: We see technology playing an increasingly important role across the events sector, making the difference for visitors, delivering the wow factor and inspiring. The events sector encompasses a wide range of different applications, but what they all have in common is an increasing reliance on audio, video and lighting technology to deliver memorable experiences for paying customers. We also see that venues are increasingly looking to engage with visitors via personal devices during their stay and offer them pre- and post-event content via apps and streaming media. At ISE 2024, visitors will experience the technologies that are reshaping the venue market, such as spatial audio, or beamforming, which enables the precise shaping and directing of audio signals in two dimensions, creating sound fields that optimally cover audience areas of all shapes and sizes. It enables precise sound localisation for the creation of realistic and immersive soundscapes. Or images that say “wow” all by themselves. Technologies for transmitting videos in ultra-high-fidelity quality to IMAG or oversized IMAX screens are constantly being developed. Interactive screens actively involve visitors, enhance experiences and collect valuable data for operators – a win-win result for both sides.

As for ISE as a show, it's only going to get bigger and better. AV covers so many areas of our lives and technology is constantly evolving, so every year new and exciting products and solutions come to market that can be experienced here first. Don't miss the biggest ISE yet!

Readers can register for ISE 2024 for free with the code „stadionwelt“. Further information can be found here. (STADIAWORLD, 15.11.2023)