Integrated Systems Europe starts in Barcelona on February 4, 2025. ISE Managing Director, Mike Blackman, gives an outlook on the most important trade fair event of the year for the ProAV industry and talks about bookings and visitor numbers, exhibition space and program highlights. And he says how he wants to keep networking as a central part of ISE.
Mike Blackman, Managing Director der Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) (Image: ISE)
What is the current booking status for ISE 2025?
Bookings for ISE 2025 are extremely promising. We are recording a significant increase compared to previous years. We are taking the growing interest into account by expanding the exhibition space by 20 percent. ISE remains the premier meeting place for industry professionals to network, discover the latest innovations and foster collaboration.
What are your expectations for bookings and visitor numbers in 2025?
We expect further growth in bookings and visitor numbers for 2025. The increased exhibition space and innovative features will delight even more exhibitors and visitors, making ISE 2025 one of the largest and most exciting events of its kind.
The exhibition area was expanded by 20 percent. What does this mean for visitors and exhibitors?
The expansion creates additional space for exhibitors to present innovative technologies and offers visitors highlights such as Innovation Park – a hotbed for start-ups and future-oriented technologies – or the new Esports Arena, the Robotics & Drone Arena, the Connected Classroom and expanded audio Demo rooms.
What can visitors expect in the new Hall 8.1?
Hall 8.1 will offer an interactive experience alongside the Discovery Zone, where companies new to ISE since 2023 will showcase their groundbreaking innovations. Highlights are the Esports Arena and the Robotics & Drone Arena, which bring innovations and technologies to life. Visitors can look forward to an inspiring and exciting atmosphere.
Will the thematic arrangement of the exhibitors be retained?
Yes, the thematic structure of the exhibitors remains the same to enable visitors to find their way easily. The seven Technology Zones ensure that visitors can specifically find the technologies that are relevant to them.
Are there any thematic innovations for visitors?
In addition to the tried and tested structure, we are expanding the content program to include new topics and tracks that cover current megatrends such as AI, audio, cybersecurity, retail and sustainability. We are also offering the most comprehensive free content program to date at ISE 2025 and the brand new Day Pass, a new way to access the content program – each day offers additional content at no additional cost.
For the anniversary in 2024, a large transparent LED measuring around 200 square meters was inaugurated on the facade of the south entrance as a “welcome screen”. (Image: ISE)
What highlights are planned for the exhibition and the accompanying program?
Highlights include six market sector conferences such as the Smart Workplace Summit, Education Technology Summit, AV Broadcast Summit, Control Room Summit, Digital Signage Summit and Smart Building Summit. The program is supplemented by track sessions that shed light on current megatrends in the industry. New: Innovation Park with a pitching stage for start-ups and the hackathon, where students and experts work together to solve real challenges.
Which megatrends are currently shaping the industry, and how does ISE 2025 address them?
Megatrends such as AI, audio innovation, cybersecurity, retail and sustainability are shaping the AV industry. ISE 2025 addresses these topics in specialized sessions and tracks and offers practical insights. Artificial intelligence is considered as revolutionary as computers, smartphones or the Internet. Audio is an integral part of our everyday lives – whether in the office, at events or at home. Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important given the increasing number of hacker attacks, as no one is safe from data leaks. After the pandemic, retail is driving innovation again and is one of the central market drivers, and sustainability is indispensable for companies – environmentally friendly business is now a must for “profit, people and planet”.
What role do start-ups play at ISE 2025?
Start-ups play a key role in the future of the industry. The new Innovation Park at ISE 2025 is centrally located in Congress Square – opposite Halls 4, 5, 6 and 7. It was specially designed for entrepreneurs and start-ups with visionary business ideas and creates an inspiring environment to drive innovation. The Innovation Park includes an exhibition area, a pitching stage, an investor forum and a matchmaking area.
How important will AI be at ISE 2025?
AI is a central theme of ISE 2025. The opening keynote by AI futurist Brian Solis will offer insights into the transformative power of AI. In addition, numerous exhibitors present AI innovations with practical applications, and we of course take up the topic as a megatrend in the track sessions.
What new approaches are there for networking at ISE 2025?
Networking remains a central part of ISE. New in 2025 are industry-specific networking events, informal meetups and targeted collaboration opportunities created by the expanded content program.
