ISE 2024: Orchestrating Innovation, Collaboration, and Celebration
Integrated Systems Europe 2024, the world’s leading exhibition on audio-visual technologies and system integrations, has had the most successful edition in its 20-year history. It lived up to all expectations and proved to be “your destination for innovation”, indeed.
ISE 2024 Sets New Standards in Attendance
Held at the Fira de Barcelona Gran Via, the exhibition attracted more than seventy thousand registered individual visitors from 162 countries, the most since the establishment of the fair in Geneva in 2004. That’s a 27% increase over the 2023 edition. On Wednesday, January 31, 2024, 51,617 visitors visited the fair, the highest number ever recorded in one day, beating the previous record by almost 22%. The total number of registrations reached 95,396 with 172,627 visits during the four days. Likewise, the number of visitors on the last day was 24,528, which is also a record for the exhibition since it became a four-day event. In addition to the record occupancy of hotels, bars, and entertainment facilities in the city, the exhibitors also reported an unprecedented number of visitors at the stands of the largest ISE exhibition space ever held.
This fair hosted the largest number of exhibitors (1,408) in the largest exhibition space to date (82,000 square meters). A total of 634 accredited media representatives attended ISE 2024 – another record number.
Video mapping, holography, and immersive audio
The grandiosity of the fair was felt right at the entrance. The large transparent screen placed at the entrance is the first thing that thousands of visitors encounter at the fair. Although there was a large number of visitors, a group of people moved towards different halls without long waits at the entrance itself.
As a trade fair, ISE gathers exhibitors from various industries who are distributed in halls related to their activities. What is new compared to previous editions is Hall 1, which brought together exhibitors from the field of “Lighting and Staging zone”. Visitors had the opportunity to see equipment for lighting control and equipping stages and stages, video mapping, holography, and much more.
The companies’ large screens attracted the attention of passers-by, and LG’s moving LED screen over 10 meters high, which was adapted to digital content, stood out among them. Exhibitors from around the world presented their state-of-the-art solutions, from advanced display technologies to immersive audio systems, smart automation, and collaboration tools. The diverse range of products and services reflected the industry’s commitment to pushing the boundaries and improving user experiences.
AI Takes Center Stage
Unlike 2023, which was still a time of uncertainty, due to the recovery from the pandemic but also the unwillingness of decision-makers for greater engagement, 2024 turned out to be a year of intensification and a return to pre-pandemic trends. Many exhibitors at the fair noticed the unpreparedness and used the time to improve their services in the past period. After COVID-19, there is an increasing number of companies with education solutions, and rooms for online meetings, presenting countless possibilities to the visitors of the fair. Leaders in this segment are also leading companies in the world such as Google, Microsoft, Zoom, Yealink, and many others.
Michael Krogh, representative of the Vivolink brand, pointed out the trends in the area of meeting rooms, mentioning double screens as an innovation, where both those present at the meeting and the presentation itself are displayed at the same time. Vivolink, as a company, has developed a hub that precisely enables two phones at the same time.
The Canon company presented several different products in the field of VR systems, PTZ cameras, and multi-cam. Paul Atkinson, Product Specialist for Europe, drew attention to the manpower shortages faced in previous years. This is precisely why Canon has developed a system solution that enables the control of multiple PTZ cameras through the XC protocol, as well as auto-tracking and auto-loop solutions.
ISE, as a fair of audio and visual technologies, is also an opportunity for companies that produce solutions for control rooms. Vladimir von Kendjelic Gorcery, representative of the Datapath company for Southeast Europe and the DACH region, emphasized the importance of being present at the fair because of the opportunity to present new solutions in the field of control rooms to their partners from Europe and the rest of the world in one place. Datapath focused its presentation on the Aetria solution, an integrated solution that enables the design, management, and operations of control rooms of various sizes.
Technology in its development requires the integration of different products and complementary solutions to create a stable and safe ecosystem. This was precisely the reason why the company Zenitel, a specialist in the production of solutions for critical communications, appeared for the first time at the fair, not hiding its satisfaction with the visit.
The predominant focus observed at CES 2024, renowned for presenting cutting-edge technological advancements, revolved around AI, underscoring its broad applicability across various sectors, especially in technology. Progress in AI semiconductor processing has facilitated swift on-device AI implementation, expanding beyond traditional gadgets like smartphones, PCs, VR/AR gear, and televisions to encompass household appliances and automotive systems. This extensive assimilation of AI into interconnected experiences boosts its appeal significantly, particularly in the entertainment realms, where it offers widespread content access and tailored solutions.
Mike Blackman, CEO of Integrated Systems Events, gave his view of the fair: “In the illustrious 20-year journey of ISE, we have witnessed the transformative power of innovation and collaboration within our community. ISE 2024 not only reflects the cutting-edge technologies defining our industry but also serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of creativity and camaraderie. As we celebrate this milestone, alongside our co-owners AVIXA and CEDIA we look forward to continuing our commitment to being a global platform for industry professionals.”
Empowering Industry Professionals
The educational component of the event was also exceptional this time. Sessions, workshops, and keynote presentations, led by award-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and world-leading digital artists Jeroen van der Most and Sofia Crespo, provided valuable insights into emerging trends, market dynamics, and technological breakthroughs, while renowned speakers shared their expertise on topics such as cyber security and artificial intelligence in audio and video technologies, sustainable design and the future of remote collaboration. Visitors had the opportunity to participate in meaningful discussions and gain operational knowledge to stay one step ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.
ISE’s 20th-anniversary celebration came as icing on the cake. Commemorative events, retrospective installations such as the ISE Time Tunnel and the Vintage Audio Museum, and recognition of industry pioneers once again highlighted the incredible journey that ISE has taken. This not only created a sense of nostalgia but also emphasized the resilience and adaptability of the industry in the face of technological evolution.
To conclude, the exceptional educational offerings and celebratory atmosphere of ISE 2024 underscored its status as a cornerstone event for industry professionals, setting the stage for continued innovation and collaboration as it returns to Barcelona from February 4 to 7, 2025.