ISE 2022 offers a chance for us all to get back together – to inspire each other, to reconnect and to do business.
We all have worked hard to put together a programme that delivers on the show floor, in the conference and education programme, and with lots of networking and meeting opportunities.
1. It appears that since September, development expectations have been slightly rising. How do you see this trend changing, while we see constraints easing and normality returning?
You are right, it does feel as constraints are easing and normal life is slowly returning. But we cannot be complacent. We know that the industry wants events like ISE to go ahead, and we will continue to provide a safe and compelling experience for our exhibitors, visitors and staff alike. The Fira de Barcelona has an excellent track record in this regard and only recently has received Business Recognition from the ORP International Foundation (Occupational Risk Prevention) for its Covid-19 prevention and safety protocol.
For ISE 2022, we will keep the Covid safety measures under constant review to ensure the most appropriate plans are in place for the situation in February 2022. We will continue to work closely with the venue, the city of Barcelona and the local and national health authorities. Potential measures could include the wearing of face masks, social distancing, and provision of enhanced sanitisation measures throughout the venue. A negative test, proof of vaccination or proof of recovery will be required to access the venue. We will keep everyone updated as to any changes to this position as we get closer to the event.
2. We were all looking forward to 2019 and we were dreaming of the imminent arrival of ISE in Barcelona. Now it is a reality. More than 700 exhibitors have already confirmed their commitment and presence at ISE 2022. How do you feel about the situation? Are there many confirmations yet? Are there any countries or regions that still have restrictions to come to the fair?
We are very confident that ISE 2022 will be a great edition of the show. The pandemic has affected countries in different ways and each territory has its own timeline and experience of the vaccination programmes and other measures. One of the new initiatives for ISE 2022 is the new agreement with the airline Vueling, offering a special discount on flights to Barcelona for ISE. We very much hope that the situation continues to improve but of course we will adapt our protocols as necessary.
3. Rise up, reconnect, ignite the future. What will strengthen the 2022 edition?
ISE 2022 offers a chance for us all to get back together – to inspire each other, to reconnect and to do business. We have worked hard to put together a programme that delivers on the show floor, in the conference and education programme, and with lots of networking and meeting opportunities.
4. New and bigger pavilions with five technology zones: Audio, Digital Signage and DooH, lighting, Smart building, education technology and Unified Communications. These vertical markets may cover most of the AV market. In terms of lighting, will we see dramatic lighting, architectural lighting or LED lighting technologies?
You are right, lighting and lighting control are very important areas for the ISE visitor. We have exhibitors such as Clay Paky, Elation Professional and CLF Lighting who will be showcasing dramatic lighting solutions as well as many others. LED lighting technologies will also feature on the showfloor and with such a great venue as the Gran Via, we have been able to expand the demonstration zones to provide new outdoor opportunities for brand to showcase their lighting solutions. Regarding architectural lighting, as a sponsor of LLUM BCN which takes place 5-6-7 November, we are keen to highlight the amazing installations that have been seen in Barcelona – and we are hoping to work more with the organisers and brands involved in this inspiring public light project.
Of course we also have many exhibitors involved in lighting and lighting control, many of whom have been at ISE for years. In planning a visit, a useful feature of our website is that you can see those exhibitors who have highlighted this on their listing.
5. What will be the Sound Xperience at ISE?
We are really excited about this new feature – we recognise the power of experiencing sound close-up with high impact technical demonstrations and so we have created an immersive experience, specially designed to provide great audio demonstrations.
This is an initiative we have worked on in partnership with Eventos Filmax Cinema Gran Vía complex and is the ultimate setting to sample the signature sound of the world’s leading audio brands. The location is just a few metres away from the show floor and is a dedicated cinema complex of twelve uniquely configured listening rooms to showcase audio with depth, accuracy and pin-point clarity. With a choice of different environments including 4DX, Screen X (3D), auditoria, theatre and networking spaces, the ISE Sound Xperience is, I am sure, going to be a great addition in 2022 and I can’t wait to experience it.
6. What can you tell us about the content programme: conferences, panel discussions and training sessions at ISE 2022?
Our conference and education programme at ISE is an important part of the visitor experience and ISE 2022 will provide plenty of opportunities for professional development through the five-day, multi-language content programme.
Our 2022 thought-leadership programme is a combination of paid-for and free sessions and covers a wide variety of industry topics. Starting on Monday with two full-day conferences (the Smart Building Conference and the Digital Signage Summit), the programme will take place on three dedicated stages within Hall 1. We also have three new conferences this year – the Smart Workplace Summit, the Live Events Summit and we are delighted to welcome the Superyacht Technology Conference to ISE for the first time.
A great destination for inspiration will be the free-to-access content at The Forum, which will start with daily keynote sessions, and will be hosted by futurist Amelia Kallman. There will certainly be lots to choose from as there will also be Spanish content in the AV Experience Zone, produced with AVIXA, while the Catalan Pavilion, in association with ACCIO, promises a great experience for visitors from the local region.
7. ISE is presenting itself as an inspirational platform able to transform businesses and visitors' lives. What does ISE bring to this digital transformation?
As an industry event, we are in a unique position to bring all elements of the industry together, in one place, for one week, in one city to reconnect and to meet up again after so long apart. AV touches so many different areas of everyone’s lives, whether at work, at home or when we go out to enjoy life. The pandemic has in many ways demonstrated the value that the digitisation of experiences brings and ISE is the time and place to come to learn and be inspired.
8. From our own experience as Spaniards, we are aware that Spain has a lot to offer and that our country could be a great place to celebrate one of the greatest AV events in the entire world. Are the exhibitors and visitors happy with ISE’s new location here in Barcelona? Why?
We cannot wait to return to Barcelona. During what was a challenging year for everyone, ISE Barcelona back in June 2021 was amazing; in fact it was a fantastic taster of what ISE 2022 will celebrate. Our partners from the city of Barcelona, from Catalonia and from across Spain all welcomed us with open arms, and we made some great connections. It was thrilling to see so many people from all elements of the industry visit the show, and I think it gives us a very good feeling about returning to the city.
We are already almost at 700 exhibitors who have committed to ISE 2022 and I think this demonstrates the appetite that the industry has, not only for getting back to in-person events, but to ISE in Barcelona. And of course, the large, modern facility that is the Fira de Barcelona Gran Via is ideal for the ISE experience and we look forward to seeing you there in February 2022.
