The ISE 2026 Recap: Key Trends You Need to Follow

Posted on by Florante Ancheta

Back from the sunny (and very busy) shores of Barcelona, the dust has finally settled on ISE 2026. If 2025 was about “the return,” 2026 was officially about the record. With a staggering 92,170 unique attendees—an 8% jump from last year—the Fira de Barcelona Gran Via was the beating heart of the AV world from February 3–6. For those who couldn’t make the trip, or for those who spent the whole time in Hall 3 and missed the rest, here is the essential breakdown of what happened and what it means for your upcoming projects.

1. The Numbers: A New Benchmark

ISE 2026 didn’t just feel bigger; it was bigger.

  • Exhibitors: 1,751 companies (including 323 first-timers).
  • Scale: 101,000 square meters of floor space across all 8 halls.
  • Momentum: Wednesday alone saw over 64,000 people on-site, a single-day record that rivaled the total attendance of the Amsterdam years.

2. Key Technology Trends for Resellers

The “wow” factor was high this year, but for those of us in the business of selling and installing, three specific shifts stood out:

Display Tech: 21:9 is the New Standard

The “Ultra-Wide” era is officially here. Manufacturers like LG, Samsung, and Philips dominated with 21:9 5K canvases.

  • Why it matters: This isn’t just for “cool factor.” It’s driven by Microsoft Teams Rooms (Front Row) and the need for more screen real estate in hybrid collaboration.
  • What else: We saw a massive leap in MicroLED-in-Package (MiP) and Chip on Glass (COG) technology from LG, leading to thinner bezels and better energy efficiency.

Unified Communications: AI and Interoperability

The industry finally addressed the “messy meeting” problem.

  • IPMX Breakthrough: The acceleration of IPMX-certified products was a major signal. We finally have a standards-based foundation for AV-over-IP that IT departments actually trust.
  • AI Integration: It’s no longer a buzzword; it’s a feature. From Cisco’s noise removal and meeting summaries to Kramer’s Panta Rhei platform using AI for proactive troubleshooting, the focus is now on making systems self-healing.

Sustainability & E-Paper

E-paper is no longer just for Kindles. Larger formats and better color rendering from brands like Sharp/NEC showed e-paper as a serious, battery-powered alternative for retail and corporate signage where power runs are difficult.

3. Standout Product Launches

Several partners launched products that will likely be in your quotes by Q3:

  • Shure: Debuted the IntelliMix™ Foundation System, a Microsoft Teams-native compute and touch panel designed for easier “mix and match” with their Microflex portfolio.
  • Kramer: Released the ZyPer4K-XSE, a low-power 10G SDVoE encoder/decoder that simplifies high-end 4K distribution.
  • d&b audiotechnik: Launched the U-Series, a compact multipurpose point-source family, and new Milan-enabled products to strengthen the audio-over-IP ecosystem.

4. New Initiatives: The ISE Foundation

Stage: Startup CEO and Hardware Engineer Present New Product. Speakers Lead Lecture on Business, Science, Technology, Entrepreneurship, Health, Ecology, Development, Leadership and all Things Digital

One of the most significant announcements wasn’t a product, but the launch of the ISE Foundation. Backed by AVIXA and CEDIA, this initiative is designed to tackle the industry’s biggest hurdle: talent development. It aims to bridge the skills gap and provide a roadmap for the next generation of AV professionals—a win for every reseller looking to hire.

5. The “Spark” of Creativity

A new event format called Spark debuted at ISE, the focus was on the overlap between AV, gaming, and live events. Of course, events are nothing new to trade shows but the way Spark differs was to bring the fragmented sectors of the AV world and place them in an environment where collaboration and connection can thrive. Partners contributed directly to the live environment and interactive demonstrations were a part of the focus.

The Bottom Line

ISE 2026 was an exciting week. Lots of new trends coming out of the woodworks. From 21:9 becoming a larger focus for displays, new product launches, the expansion of AV over IP and much more; it’s becoming clear that interoperability and collaboration are a big focus going into 2026 and beyond. AI is here to stay and expect it to be shaped into a form that can make things a little bit more plug and play.