The leading international fair for audiovisual and tech professionals took place in Barcelona from February 3rd to 6th. It offered the perfect opportunity to engage with the latest industry trends, products and innovations. Here is a report.
Let’s start from the basic info. Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) is one of the leading annual fairs for the AV and system integration industry. It is held in Barcelona, Spain. The 2026 edition was a major success, hosting more than 90,000 visitors and approximately 1,750 exhibitors.
It is a massive event, and you would realistically need three full days to visit all the booths. The exhibition is organized into thematic pavilions: audio, broadcast AV, digital signage, discover zone, lighting and staging, multi technology, residential & smart building, unified communication & education technology.
ISE 2026: a first glimpse
Excluding the pavilions outside our scope – such as those dedicated to residential and smart building – there was an immense amount to explore. The lighting and staging pavilion was arguably the most impactful, showcasing hundreds of lights, lasers and led walls in action.
Regarding display technology, there were notable innovations from manufacturers of transparent and flexible screens. Significant advancements have emerged recently, with new products delivering impressive levels of sharpness and pixel density. A further prominent trend is the move toward ultra-slim designs. The availability of thinner screens and led walls now allows for even greater flexibility in creating immersive and interactive experiences.
Industry giants such as LG, Panasonic, Philips and Samsung led the way, showcasing significant breakthroughs. The overarching trends in professional display and digital signage are clear: immersive screens, 3D evolution and seamless AI integration.
As the official presenting show partner, Blackmagic Design featured a massive booth that felt like a toy store for tech enthusiasts. The company introduced several new products, ranging from digital film cameras to professional AV systems.
What to see: a personal selection
As you can imagine, it is impossible to cover all the innovations on display at ISE 2026. That is why I have selected a few booths and products that particularly caught my attention. This is, of course, a personal selection based on my own highlights.
Disguise
Disguise is one of the leading systems for complex multimedia events management. At ISE 2026 the company introduced several new solutions and updates.
Disguise X1 is the new Designer software offering a portable license that can run on a laptop or the hardware of your choice, eliminating the need for dedicated Disguise hardware. It is a powerful tool for real time visual control, mapping, and playback with a single 4K output, providing the same high standards and capabilities as the standard Designer software in a portable deployment.
Alongside X1, Disguise recently released the GX3+, a new workstation designed for high performance generative graphics and live entertainment visuals. With the GX3+, it is now possible to unlock Notch 1.0 effects that were previously unattainable in real time, such as advanced particle and fluid dynamics, background separation and facial or skeletal tracking. Furthermore, the GX3+ can run Unreal Engine and TouchDesigner locally via RenderStream Local.
ISE Innovation Park
Beyond the major brands and massive booths, one of the most compelling sections was the ISE Innovation Park, a space dedicated to SMEs and startups. The area hosted a plethora of innovations from diverse sectors.
Areal, for example, is a Belgian manufacturer specializing in immersive audio technologies. The SR1 is a multi-driver headphone system designed for portable monitoring of immersive audio content. Each earcup features a driver for stereo compatibility and three additional spatial drivers for rendering front, rear and height information. In contrast, their Upmix Engine is a device that converts stereo content into immersive multichannel audio in real time, without altering the original mix.
AirParfum is an innovative device that allows consumers to experience fragrances without olfactory fatigue. It reproduces the sillage of each scent within an interactive digital environment. Once a perfume is selected, the diffuser releases a controlled airflow, allowing all the notes of the fragrance to be perceived immediately. This technology has already been recently featured in settings such as the Museo del Prado in Madrid and Christie’s in London.
QubiCast is a startup dedicated to simplifying stage lighting network controls. Their QubiCore C++ software library is designed to streamline lighting network integration for fixture manufacturers, control equipment developers and OEMs, eliminating the need for companies to develop and maintain their own protocol stacks. Complementing this, QubiSet is a cross-platform monitoring tool that allows users to discover, configure, and supervise fixtures from any brand within a single, unified dashboard.
Revolution Acoustics
On the audio side, my attention was caught by the Canadian company Revolution Acoustics. Their flagship product, SSP6 Multiducer, is a multifunctional transducer that transforms rigid surfaces – such as walls, ceilings and table – into full range audio speakers. A single SSP6 unit can take the place of up to nine emitters traditionally used in sound masking applications.
Meanwhile in the city: Llum Festival
The ISE week also coincides with another event for lighting professionals and enthusiasts: Llum BCN. This free light arts festival takes place annually in Barcelona during the first week of February. Held in the former industrial district of Poblenou, it features around 30 installations scattered throughout the barrio.
This year’s edition showcased four types of works: pieces by renowned international artists; projects by Barcelona’s design and architecture students; installations by cultural organizations; and special collaborations with Barcelona 2026, World Capital of Architecture.
If you are in town for the next ISE, do not miss the chance to experience Llum. The projects are fascinating, the atmosphere is relaxed, and it is a perfect opportunity to explore a lesser-known side of the city, away from the ramblas and beaches.
Wrap Up
Integrated Systems Europe is the place to be for AV professionals looking to discover new products and engage with the industry’s most cutting edge innovations. Given the scale of the fair, a bit of planning is essential. As a personal suggestion: while the major brand booths are certainly worth visiting, be sure to set aside time for smaller manufacturers and startups.
