Integrated Systems Europe 2026 closed with record-breaking figures: more than 92,000 unique attendees, over 1,700 exhibitors, and a show floor exceeding 100,000 square meters.

The industry has seen the headlines.

But after the flights, the meetings, the council sessions, the long days and even longer conversations, I kept asking myself one question:

What do these numbers actually mean for us as integrators?

Because AV Truth has never been about celebrating size. It’s about understanding direction.

And this year, ISE didn’t just feel bigger, It felt confident.

And that is worth reflecting on.

The Numbers Everyone Shares, And Why They Matter

When manufacturers invest in larger stands, when integrators send full teams instead of one representative, and when councils expand educational programming, that signals something deeper than attendance growth.

That’s industry confidence.

Confidence that demand is strong.
Confidence that innovation continues.
Confidence that our industry is evolving, not stabilizing.

For those of us managing large-scale projects, complex delivery environments, and growing teams, that confidence matters. It influences hiring decisions, training investment, and strategic planning.

Growth in attendance is a market indicator, not just a marketing metric.

Beyond the Booths, Where the Real Value Happens

Yes, the LED walls were brighter.
Yes, the processors were faster.
Yes, the booths were impressive.

But the most valuable part of these events rarely happens during a demo.

At ISE 2026, the most meaningful conversations happened in:

• AVIXA Xchange LIVE sessions
• Sustainability discussions
• Informal meetings
• Post-panel debates
• Short corridor exchanges that turned into strategic conversations

That’s where the industry recalibrates itself.

The show floor displays technology!

The side conversations shape the future!

If you attend only to see equipment, you’re only seeing part of the picture.

The Trends That Actually Matter

Every year introduces new buzzwords. This year, I focused on what felt practical and durable.

Every year brings new buzzwords. This year felt different.

Some of the conversations felt less promotional and more operational.

AI, for example, is no longer just keynote material. It’s entering real workflow discussions, installation support, documentation assistance, programming help, knowledge management.

The question is not whether AI will affect our work.

The real question is whether we will use it responsibly to improve quality or misuse it and create new risks.

The same applies to sustainability.

For years, sustainability lived comfortably in presentations. Now it’s moving into procurement decisions, energy measurement, lifecycle discussions, and accountability.

That shift matters.

Because execution ( not branding ) is where impact happens

The Most Important Topic Was Human

If I had to pick one theme that stood out beyond technology, it would be people.

The focus on talent development, mentorship, and stronger community engagement felt more serious this year, and it should.

Technology evolves quickly.

People determine whether projects succeed.

If we don’t invest in engineers, project managers, and future leaders, no innovation will compensate for weak execution.

Events like ISE and InfoComm expose professionals, especially younger ones to the global scale of our industry.

That exposure expands thinking.

And expanded thinking raises standards.

Why System Integrators Should Care

There is a misconception that large events are primarily for manufacturers, that view is short-sighted.

ISE and InfoComm are alignment points for the global AV industry.

This is where:

• Roadmaps are introduced
• Standards are discussed
• Strategic partnerships begin
• Market direction becomes visible

If you’re responsible for delivery, risk, or team development, you cannot afford to operate without that visibility.

What I’m Bringing Back Home

After thousands of steps, dozens of meetings, and multiple discussions, I’m not flying home with just leads.

I’m flying home with direction and clarity.

Clarity on where AI can realistically support workflows.
Clarity on how sustainability must be embedded into project delivery.
Clarity on how integrators can be better represented in strategic discussions.
Clarity on areas where we must improve internally.

AV Truth:

Big events do not change the industry, what we implement after the event does.

If we attend and return unchanged, we attended as visitors, If we attend and return with adjusted strategies, improved processes, and broader perspective, we invested in our growth..

And the steps we count at ISE are impressive, but the real workout starts when we’re back on site :)