The growth of professional shows is usually gradual, but the consolidation of the ISE audiovisual show in Barcelona is happening at a devilish speed. Since it landed at the Gran Via de l’Hospitalet exhibition center in the middle of the pandemic, in 2021, the increase in occupied space and visitors has been constant.

The first edition of the congress in Geneva, in 2004, when it was a small format event, is far away. Years later he grew up in Amsterdam and since he came to Barcelona he has become a man who is making a growth spurt this year.

The next edition of Integrated Systems Europe (ISE), which will be held from January 30 to February 2, will increase the exhibition space to 82,000 square meters, 30% more than last year. It had never been so big. This translates into eight pavilions (some completely filled, others partially) at Fira Gran Via, an image that is only within reach of large halls such as Mobile and Alimentaria.

The growth in square meters will be accompanied by a greater number of exhibitors. There will be 1,340 companies from around the world, of which 80 will debut this year. Among the attending companies are multinationals such as Epson, LG, Samsung or Panasonic and representatives of the local industry such as Alfalite, Sono and Televés.

All of this is expected to boost the number of attendees, a trend that is more difficult to predict since the pandemic years since registrations since then are not made as far in advance. The organizers aim to surpass last year’s 58,107 professional visitors.

Between one thing and another, the general director of the event, Mike Blackman, is convinced that it will be “the best ISE in history.” It will also be a sample of the internationality that the congress represents, with professionals arriving from China as one of the largest groups.

With the intention of looking from both sides of Europe, another of the novelties of this edition will be the celebration for the first time of the European – Latin American AV Summit, a meeting point for two days between professionals from the two continents in an initiative which has the collaboration of Barcelona City Council and the competitiveness agency of the Generalitat.

Among the most notable presentations is the film director Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, winner of two Oscars and the one chosen to direct the next film in the Star Wars saga, who will be in charge of delivering the opening conference.