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Integrated Systems Europe announces success of ISE 2020

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Crowd at ISE 2020

Integrated Systems Events, creator of Integrated Systems Europe (ISE), the largest AV and systems integration show in the world, has announced another successful event, as it departs Amsterdam in style.

Integrated Systems Europe 2020 welcomed 52,128 visitors to the RAI in Amsterdam from 10 – 14 February, showing that crowds still flocked to the event despite the challenges posed by Coronavirus and the stormy weather across Europe.

On the final day, a special event entitled ¡Hola Barcelona! celebrated ISE’s success in Amsterdam and thanked both the venue and the city for hosting, before looking ahead to the show’s move to Spain next year. During the week, attendees enjoyed a varied programme of conferences, keynotes and training sessions, as well as a huge trade show floor.

Delivering on all fronts

Mike Blackman, Managing Director of Integrated Systems Events, says: “This year’s show demonstrated to us just how determined our attendees were to come to ISE. Many of our exhibitors exceeded their targets for customer engagement and lead generation. The show has delivered on all fronts: as the global industry’s biggest annual forum, as a launchpad for new solutions, as a place to do business, and as a source of professional development and education.”

ISE 2020 at RAI

Former Disney executive Duncan Wardle delivered an engaging opening address, exploring how to unleash the creativity within. Furthermore, 14 conferences over two venues spent the week addressing business strategies and technology trends.

On the Main Stage, jointly organised by ISE, AVIXA, CEDIA and AV Magazine, expert speakers offered thought leadership on a huge array of topics during the week, such as how to attract a talented, diverse workforce. Speakers included BBC Creative Diversity Director June Sarpong and the Hon. Àngels Chacón, Minister for Business and Knowledge in the Catalonian Government.

Meaningful engagement

ISE 2020 attendeesISE 2020 also saw the largest AV Career Dat yet, with more than 170 students and faculty from 12 different universities across five countries taking part. The event was organised by AVIXA and CEDIA and included presentations, discussions and show floor visits.

There was also a good take-up for AVIXA’s FlashTrack sessions, where attendees benefitted from 20-minute presentations on key topics, such as User Experience, Design, AV-IT and Emerging Trends. AVIXA also launched its Digital Art Challenge, which invites digital content creators to submit one-minute videos ahead of ISE 2021.

Dave Labuskes, CTS, CAE, RCDD, Chief Executive Officer of AVIXA, says: “Having now had a few days to reflect on our last ISE in Amsterdam, I am struck by the sheer determination and enthusiasm our AV industry friends and colleagues showed last week.

“In the face of significant challenges, thousands of people still made the trip to the show, attended conferences and took part in the networking events, awards and parties, and engagement across the show floor was meaningful and important. For our part, the AVIXA Conferences, Flash Tracks and Main Stage programme were all very well attended.

“This year we were gratified to have grown our participation in the AV Career Day. We also launched our new and exciting Digital Art Challenge – a year-long contest to celebrate those artists and creative teams helping to change the way people experience the world.

“And of course, we held the inspiring ¡Hola Barcelona! event on Friday – a chance to thank our great hosts for the last 14 years, the team at the RAI and the city of Amsterdam.  We very much look forward now to ISE 2021 in Barcelona.”

Professional development

CEDIA reported an increased uptake of 50% for its professional development programme since 2019, making it the most successful one so far. Feedback was positive from the well-attended Design & Build Conference and the association received a high number of membership enquiries on its stand. It also held CEDIA Talks twice a day, which were well received.

Tabatha O’Connor, CEO of CEDIA, says: “ISE 2020 has been our best ever show. Our Professional Development programme proved to be the most popular yet with registrations at an all-time high. As part of that programme, we ran our first, dedicated conference for architects and interior designers which was a phenomenal success.

ISE 2020 networking

“The CEDIA programme for the ISE Main Stage was well supported as were the CEDIA Talks hosted on our booth. We were also delighted to be part of AV Career Day, welcoming a CEDIA party from Liverpool University.

“We signed up a record number of new members and enjoyed a great evening with our community at the CEDIA Party, held in the spectacular surroundings of the Johan Cruijff Arena, home of AFC Ajax. CEDIA thanks the city of Amsterdam, and the RAI, for its hospitality over many years, and for an exceptional finale in 2020. We can’t wait for ISE 2021 in Barcelona!”

Projection mapping

Attendees were treated to an impressive projection mapping installation on the upper floors of the RAI, created by ISE and the RAI with seven technology partners. This showcased what can be achieved by AV technologies.

Ahead of ISE 2021 in Barcelona, more than 80 Spanish professionals attended ISE 2020, as part of the Special Interest Group programme, supported by ACCIO, ICEX and Grupo Eventoplus.

More than 950 exhibitors have already booked their stands for ISE 2021. In fact, 61,968 square metres of stand space was sold by the close of the show.

Additional Technology Zones for next year include Live Events and Lighting, Broadcast, and VR/AR/XR. The content programme at ISE 2021 will include three new strands produced by TNW (The Next Web), focusing on technology and its impact on society.

ISE 2021 will take place at the Gran Via – Fira de Barcelona on 2 – 5 February 2021. Earlier this year, Blooloop spoke to founder Mike Blackman about the history of the event, and the move to Spain next year.

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charlotte coates

Charlotte Coates

Charlotte Coates is blooloop's editor. She is from Brighton, UK and previously worked as a librarian. She has a strong interest in arts, culture and information and graduated from the University of Sussex with a degree in English Literature. Charlotte can usually be found either with her head in a book or planning her next travel adventure.

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