Barcelona gets ready for ISE 2026: insights from Mike Blackman

From 3 to 6 February, Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) returns to Fira de Barcelona with its largest and most ambitious edition ever, confirming not only the event’s unstoppable growth but also Barcelona’s role as one of the world’s leading hubs for audiovisual and digital creativity.

“You will see this year the biggest ISE ever,” says Mike Blackman, Managing Director of ISE. “The exhibition has grown phenomenally.”

A record-breaking ISE, and still growing

ISE 2026 arrives with historic figures. The event has grown by 40% since relocating from Amsterdam in 2021, now occupying 101,000 net square metres, hosting 1,740 exhibitors and welcoming professionals from more than 168 countries.

Attendance is also on track to break records once again. “Last year we had over 85,000 attendees,” explains Blackman. “At the moment, we’re running about 10% above where we were at this time last year. If this continues, we’re going to see another record.”

These numbers reflect a clear reality: ISE works in Barcelona. And the global industry has taken notice.

“There's a lot of benefits from being in Catalonia: attractiveness of the industry, talent, facilities and support from the government”

Mike Blackman, Managing Director of ISE

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What’s new at ISE 2026: cybersecurity and creative innovation

Innovation has always been at the heart of ISE, and 2026 brings two major new features that respond directly to the industry’s most pressing challenges and opportunities.

The first is the Cybersecurity Summit, a must-attend forum addressing a growing concern for the AV sector. “We see more and more cyber attacks happening on major institutions as well as smaller companies,” says Blackman. “AV systems can become a gateway for cyber attacks, and we need to inform our community, because customers will ask: is my installation safe?”

The conference will feature experts from the Catalan Cybersecurity Agency, the European Union and Spanish national institutions, reinforcing Barcelona’s position at the intersection of technology, security and digital trust.

The second major launch is Spark, a brand-new space dedicated to the creative and content-driven side of the audiovisual industry. “For years, we’ve been ignoring the creators: the software and content companies,” Blackman admits. “They came to us and said: what are you doing about us? So we decided to create a platform just for them.”

Spark debuts this year as a 1,000 m² innovation space combining exhibitions, presentations and workshops, featuring global names such as Netflix, immersive experiences like Tomorrowland’s Floating Sky, and strong participation from Catalonia’s creative ecosystem. “It’s showing the creative industries in this region and Europe at their best,” he adds.

Barcelona-Catalonia: a powerhouse audiovisual ecosystem

ISE’s success in Barcelona is no coincidence. It is deeply connected to the strength of Catalonia’s audiovisual sector, which continues to grow at a remarkable pace.

According to a recent study by Catalonia Trade & Investment, the sector has increased its turnover by 6%, surpassing €9.1 billion for the first time and accounting for 3% of Catalonia’s GDP. Today, it includes more than 4,450 companies and employs nearly 45,000 professionals, with employment growing by 8% in just one year.

The ecosystem is both mature and dynamic: 74% of companies have more than ten years of experience, while the startup scene has more than doubled in five years, reaching 380 emerging companies. More than half of these firms are located in the city of Barcelona, reinforcing its role as the sector’s beating heart.

Major infrastructure projects such as Catalunya Media City at the Tres Xemeneies, alongside facilities like the Parc Audiovisual de Catalunya, world-class talent, and strong public support, complete a uniquely competitive environment.

From hosting to investing: ISE as a catalyst

Beyond its immediate economic impact, ISE is acting as a magnet for international investment. “Since ISE has come to Barcelona, we’ve seen more and more companies creating subsidiaries in the region,” explains Blackman. “ISE has been the catalyst to bring them here.”

Talent, quality of life, facilities and institutional support are key factors, and visibility is crucial too. “Had we known the strength of the audiovisual industry here, we might have been in Barcelona much earlier,” he reflects. “The decision we made to come to Barcelona was certainly the right decision.”

A global event, rooted in Barcelona

As ISE 2026 opens its doors, one message is clear: Barcelona is no longer just hosting the world’s leading AV event - it is shaping the future of the industry itself.

Or, as Mike Blackman puts it: “The industry worldwide has recognised that ISE works in Barcelona. They’re coming here, they’re seeing the potential, and some of them are staying.”

Discover Catalonia Trade & Investment activities at ISE 2026

Browse the list of exibitors at the Catalan Pavilion