How was this landmark edition for you?
What a week that was – ISE 2024 was our most successful show, in all our 20-year history. We had 73,891 unique attendees from 162 countries, which is a record attendance since the show’s inception in Geneva in 2004. This is a superb increase of 27% on the 2023 edition.
Alongside record-breaking numbers in the city’s hotels, bars, and entertainment venues, exhibitors also reported unparalleled footfall on booths across the largest ever ISE show. In addition, the exhibition also showcased its highest number of exhibitors (1,408) and the largest show floor space (82,000 sqm) to date.
ISE 2024 was a real testament to the innovation of the pro-AV and systems integration community. Exhibitors from around the globe presented state-of-the-art solutions, ranging from advanced display technologies and immersive audio systems to smart automation and collaborative communication tools. The diverse array of products and services reflected the industry’s commitment to pushing boundaries and enhancing user experiences.
With regards to our location, we have settled in very well in Barcelona, the city, region and country have welcomed ISE and all it brings with open arms, and we have created some very meaningful relationships at all levels of business, government, industry and the many associations, institutes and clusters which we hope will continue to grow.
How does ISE look in 2025 currently?
Well as previously mentioned, ISE 2024 was our most successful show ever – and the re-booking process during the show was no exception. During ISE itself, exhibitors attend re-booking appointments to secure their space for next year. On March 1 we will open the booking process for new exhibitors. The very strong demand for exhibition space has led us to expand our availability by opening up Hall 8.1, enhancing opportunities for showcasing innovation and engagement.
Already, ISE 2025 is shaping up to be even larger than the record-breaking ISE 2024 with over 10% increase in reserved space compared to the previous year. While we haven’t reached full capacity yet, we eagerly welcome inquiries from companies interested in exhibiting, ensuring a diverse and vibrant showcase at ISE 2025.
ISE will return to the Fira de Barcelona Gran Via from 4 – 7 February for its 2025 edition.
We will continue to work hard alongside both AVIXA and CEDIA to come up with new ideas, new platforms and new features to support the growth and development of the pro-AV and systems integration markets and to offer our exhibitors and visitors alike the most rewarding event we can. And with the construction work that has already started at the Fira with the new Hall Zero, we will have plenty of space to grow into over the coming years.
Will we see a broadening of broadcast exhibitors as we move forward?
Yes, we do see more growth coming from this market. This year saw the Content Production & Distribution Zone make its firm stance as one of the dedicated Technology Zones on the show floor, which featured a wide range of solutions covering content acquisition, editing, management, storage and distribution, alongside a wide range of equipment and solutions.
We also had a dedicated Content Production & Distribution Summit as part of the main conference programme which focussed heavily on broadcast. Both proved extremely popular, so we hope to grow this area further and welcome more exhibitors in line with this everchanging and exciting industry.
The Geneva show, as I remember it, was mainly residential? Do you see this as a growth area?
Well, the first show in Geneva in 2004 was actually a mix of residential and commercial. Obviously, the core exhibitor base for the show came from InfoComm, CEDIA and the NSCA. For the first show I went out on the road and sold every single exhibit space myself. I remember driving around Europe visiting lots of companies and we ended up with 120 exhibitors – and with a mix. Quite a few from the US: there was very strong support from some companies who were staunch NSCA, InfoComm and CEDIA members like Crestron and Extron. They were very much behind the show and helped get it in place.
What was really good, though, was we had quite a few companies who sat on the sidelines to see where the show was going. Sony came to me during the show; the manager in charge said, “Japan has asked me to look at this. As a policy, we never do a first-time show.” (This was how it was at the time.) “They want us to look at ISE because they feel a show like this needs to be in Europe and if it’s successful, they want to be part of it.” And they came in the next year with a good presence, and we got a lot of other display manufacturers following as a result. I think in the first show in 2004, the only display manufacturers we had were Mitsubishi and Christie.
Part of the success of ISE is down to the fact we are a great mix of residential and commercial companies and of course visitors. We work very closely with both AVIXA and CEDIA – and we endeavour to grow in both arenas in line with market developments.
This year, the dedicated CEDIA Smart Home Technology Stage provided a great opportunity for industry experts and colleagues to join a variety of conversations, looking ahead to the future and rapid growth of the industry. The conversations that took place and exceptional number of visitors to the Residential & Smart Building Technology Zone show us this will only continue to grow.
Our industry is dynamic and constantly changing with new technologies and innovations driving change and we welcome that. Therefore, we must continue to stay ahead of these developments, keeping in mind that the AV industry is subject to rapid advancements and changes, so staying updated with the latest news and developments is crucial to business success. ISE remains one of the best places in the world to learn about these products, technologies and trends.
Any plans to expand show hall further for 2025?
As mentioned before ISE 2025 is shaping up to be even larger than the record-breaking ISE 2024. One reason why we moved to Fira de Barcelona was the opportunity to grow the show. The very strong demand for exhibition space has led us to expand our availability by opening up Hall 8.1, enhancing opportunities for showcasing innovation and engagement. However, we have not yet fully utilised the capacity of Fira Gran Via and welcome enquiries from companies interested in participating in ISE 2025.
No queues this year – well done! – but signage in-hall could still be improved. Any chance the app could play a part?
Yes, providing more access points in the North, South and East Accesses, earlier opening for Halls 1 and 2, and encouraging people to print their badges in advance all meant that the queuing situation was vastly improved this year. We all saw that visitors were able to get on the show floor more easily and quickly.
We will continue our efforts to improve our processes and yes, we are looking to expand the capabilities of the ISE app for next year and we will be continuing its development to ensure visitors have the best experience possible.
Lots of reports of muggings and violence particularly this year. Do you plan to work closely with the authorities to mitigate this?
Safety is our highest priority, and we are very concerned to hear of these reports. Nearly 74,000 people attended ISE 2024, with the vast majority enjoying no issues at all. However, one incident is one incident too many. We remain convinced that Barcelona is a great place to explore both by day and by night. But as in any big city, visitors should be extra vigilant – especially in the heavily populated tourist areas. We are working closely with the authorities and the venue to ensure the right steps are taken to ensure the safety of all visitors and minimise incidents. We will continue to provide advice and support to visitors of ISE 2025.
