“We’ll be completely sold out for the 2026 show,” anticipates the Managing Director of Integrated Systems Events in this new instalment of Industry Voices in TM BROADCAST

*This content is included in the November issue of TM BROADCAST. You can access the full magazine here.

Steady growth — that’s how the evolution of Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) could be defined in recent years. With just a few months to go before the next edition (3–6 February 2026, Barcelona), the show’s management anticipates a new record in participation.

“The show is already 5% larger than it was last year, and we still have many exhibitors whose contracts are in process. So, we anticipate exceeding the 1,600 exhibitors we had in the previous edition,” explains Mike Blackman, Managing Director of ISE, in this new instalment of Industry Voices, the section of TM BROADCAST that gathers some of the industry’s most influential voices.

Among the segments driving this growth, Blackman highlights the live events sector: “Many companies that hadn’t participated before have now committed, and all the leading brands are on board as well.”

This upward trend has led the organization to start planning some changes for the 2027 edition, which Blackman shares with TM BROADCAST ahead of time. The Managing Director of ISE foresees the need to establish a waiting list that year and reveals exclusively that the team is already working on obtaining permissions to install a temporary new structure, given that the opening of the long-awaited Hall Zero has been postponed until 2028: “We expect to have confirmation within the next few weeks and are optimistic about securing the additional space we need”.

Below, the full conversation:

First, as Managing Director of ISE, I want to ask you about your expectations for the upcoming edition.

Well, we’re already growing. As of today, we have over 1,400 confirmed exhibitors — and we still have four months to go. The show is already 5% larger than it was last year, and we still have many exhibitors whose contracts are in process. So, we anticipate exceeding the 1,600 exhibitors we had in the previous edition.

The most significant growth has been in the live events section. Many companies that hadn’t participated before have now committed, and all the leading brands are on board as well. So, we’re seeing tremendous expansion in that sector. Overall, the show is growing strongly.
I anticipate that we’ll be completely sold out for the 2026 show, and that in 2027 we might even have a waiting list.

“For broadcast professionals, the potential partners you could meet are also at ISE. So, it’s a great opportunity to see what’s new in the sector and what technologies you can apply to your own workflows”

One of the highlights of the next edition will be the Cybersecurity Summit — a topic that’s generating growing interest. What led you to create this new space, and what are your main objectives with it?

One of the key things that happened was that, after several discussions with the Spanish cybersecurity agency and various security services, they highlighted how significant this topic has become. While cybersecurity has been touched upon in some ISE conferences before, we hadn’t placed such a major focus on it until now.

Since we made the announcement, we’ve seen multiple incidents that have reinforced our decision — the hacking of Heathrow Airport, airline systems going down, and other major disruptions. These are significant because they involve audiovisual technologies. So, we said, “Okay, we already knew it was important — now we have the evidence of why.”

It’s also making customers ask integrators and manufacturers new questions: “If we work with you, how secure is our system?” So, we need to highlight that and remind both attendees and exhibitors: you may already be dealing with cybersecurity, but you need to stress its importance and be ready with the answers your customers will ask for.

Another key addition is Spark, focused on innovators in the audiovisual world. What will be its main attractions or differentiating features?

The main reason we started Spark is because ISE has become the platform where you find technology and solutions for content creation — and we’ve started to see more and more content creators walking the show floor. From game-developers and VFX specialists to set designers and studio managers, they’re all coming to see what’s available for them.

Now some of them, such as Mediapro and TV3, have started exhibiting. More and more of these professionals are saying, “We want to show our customers what we can do with these solutions,” instead of just walking them around to see other manufacturers.

So, the demand was clearly there. What was missing was a dedicated space within ISE for them. After discussions with manufacturers and associations, we decided to create Spark to meet that need.

“Based on current projections, we expect to have more demand for space than we can accommodate, meaning there will likely be a waiting list in 2027”

Following what you said about the emergence of new exhibitor profiles, to what extent does attracting new audiences — particularly first-time visitors — fit into your overall strategy?

Part of our overall strategy is to bring together the entire AV ecosystem. When we look at how content creation is evolving, we see big changes.

In the past, a TV studio might have occupied a warehouse-sized space, used only for one weekly show — meaning it stayed empty for six days. The shift to digital studios has made them much more flexible, allowing multiple formats in the same space. Studios have also become smaller, giving rise to micro-studios.

At the same time, many companies producing corporate videos or internal communications for staff and clients are now creating content in-house. They’re looking for solutions, ideas, and partners to help them. That’s exactly what’s driving Spark — a space where they can find those answers.

TM BROADCAST is a magazine focused on broadcast professionals. You’ve mentioned TV3, Mediapro, and other companies. What arguments would you give to encourage a broadcast professional to attend ISE?

Firstly, the nature of broadcast has changed — it’s moving closer to the AV sector. If you’re looking for virtual studio solutions or other essential equipment for production, most of it can be found at ISE, often in its latest versions.

For broadcast professionals, the potential partners you could meet are also at ISE. So, it’s a great opportunity to see what’s new in the sector and what technologies you can apply to your own workflows.

“We have a three-year rolling contract, which means we’re committed to Barcelona for at least the next three years — and every year that commitment extends another year”

To what extent do you think a trade show like ISE contributes to the ongoing convergence between the broadcast and audiovisual worlds — one of today’s hot topics?

Well, “convergence” really is the right word. There are now more and more AV solutions available for broadcast and content creation. For many broadcast professionals who’ve been in the industry for years, ISE is a place to discover new ideas and technologies — to be inspired and creative again.

Let’s talk about the current global context — the uncertainty and commercial restrictions. How can this affect a trade show like ISE?

We’re certainly seeing how trade restrictions impact the industry. For example, some manufacturers who used to exhibit at North American shows may now be limited or prefer not to present their products there.

Since ISE takes place at the beginning of the year, it’s perfectly timed for product launches — so it’s still the ideal place to see what’s new. Of course, global trade is constantly changing — sometimes weekly — depending on political decisions, particularly in the US.

Previously, some Asian products were highly competitive in North America, but tariffs have changed that. As a result, many companies are now focusing more on Europe as a key market, which might even lead to better offers here. It’ll be interesting to see how that develops.

There has also been discussion about the new Hall Zero, whose opening has been postponed until 2028. You’ve expressed full understanding of the situation — but to what extent does this affect your plans for the coming years?

It will certainly slow our growth in 2027. Based on current projections, we expect to have more demand for space than we can accommodate, meaning there will likely be a waiting list that year.

We’re actively exploring alternative plans, including the exciting possibility of building a temporary structure next to Fira Gran Via. We expect to have confirmation within the next few weeks and are optimistic about securing the additional space we need.

Looking ahead to 2028, Hall Zero will allow us to implement some exciting new ideas we’ve been working on. Having extra time lets us refine those concepts — and that will make the new hall even more exciting when it finally opens.

You’ve also emphasized your strong relationship with Fira de Barcelona and your commitment to the city as the show’s venue. Can we take this as confirmation that there are no plans to relocate the exhibition in the coming years?

We have a three-year rolling contract, which means we’re committed to Barcelona for at least the next three years — and every year that commitment extends another year.

Our community and our industry are coming to Barcelona in greater numbers from all over the world, and that’s the clearest sign of support. As long as that commitment from the industry continues, ISE will stay in Barcelona.

On the postponement of the new Hall Zero until 2028: “Having extra time lets us refine those concepts — and that will make the new hall even more exciting when it finally opens”

Finally, from a broader perspective, what would you say truly sets ISE apart from other international trade shows in the audiovisual industry?

Size, first of all. We’re the biggest AV show in the world — more than twice as large as any other. That means more opportunities to see new products, meet people, and discover ideas.

But it’s not just about scale — it’s also about innovation. We consistently encourage exhibitors to present new products and ideas, and we’re ahead of the curve when it comes to thought leadership. The keynote speakers, the conferences, and the knowledge shared at ISE help people understand what’s next — and, more importantly, what it means for their business.

Is there anything else you’d like to add to be included in the interview?

Yes — please, come to ISE! We look forward to welcoming you there. Visit our website, www.iseurope.org, to register — and of course, you can also get a free code from TM BROADCAST for free access to the show.

So, make sure to check TM Broadcast’s website as well to get your complimentary code for ISE 2026. [TM BROADCAST readers can register here for FREE using the code ‘tmbroadinter’]

“We’re the biggest AV show in the world — more than twice as large as any other. That means more opportunities to see new products, meet people, and discover ideas”