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Exclusive: Sonos responds to ISE 2026

Stephen Rhead, professional manager UK & Ireland, on strong footfall, building relationships, and a positive result in Installation's Best of Show awards

How many times have you attended ISE, and in what capacity?
I’ve attended ISE a number of times over the years, both as a visitor and as an exhibitor. ISE provides an important opportunity to be on the ground meeting partners, integrators and industry peers face to face, and from a sales perspective it remains one of the most valuable events in the calendar for meaningful conversations and relationship building.

Overall, how was ISE 2026 for you?
ISE 2026 was extremely positive for us. The response to the launch of Amp Multi exceeded expectations, with frequent live demos in our dedicated demo room attracting steady interest throughout the show. The Sonos Happy Hour on day one helped create a welcoming, relaxed environment for partners to connect. Taken together, it made for a very strong and memorable ISE for Sonos.

Numbers were up again, so how was footfall for you, and what about the quality of leads?
As it was our first year located in Hall 1, we weren’t entirely sure what to expect in terms of footfall. However, being positioned right by the entrance proved hugely beneficial as we were one of the first stands people saw when entering the hall. Footfall was strong throughout the show but, more importantly, the quality of conversations and leads was very high, with engaged visitors who clearly understood the value Sonos brings to professional installations.

Did you engage with the ISE Daily, either by reading it or by contributing editorially or promotionally?
Yes, I read the ISE Daily each day during the show as it’s a great way to keep up with key highlights and industry developments. Sonos contributed editorially, with coverage appearing in Wednesday’s edition.

Did you nominate any of your products for the Best of Show awards? If not, do you have a particular reason?
Yes, we did. Amp Multi, which made its debut at the show, was nominated for an Installation Best of Show Award, and we were delighted to see it win. The recognition was a real highlight for the team and reflects the strong response we received from integrators looking for greater flexibility and scalability in more complex residential installs.

Is there anything you’d like to see improved at ISE in 2027?
ISE continues to set the benchmark for large-scale industry events, and overall the organisation and experience were excellent. As the show continues to grow, maintaining a clear focus on visitor flow and ease of navigation will be increasingly important, particularly for exhibitors in new hall locations. That said, ISE 2026 was a strong success, and we’re already looking forward to returning in 2027.

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