Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) announces the launch of the CyberSecurity Summit, a major new addition to its 2026 content programme. Scheduled for Thursday 5th February 2026, the Summit will tackle the escalating cybersecurity challenges confronting the professional AV and systems integration industries, as digital threats increasingly impact critical infrastructure, smart buildings, venues, and public services.

The announcement comes during European Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a continent-wide initiative coordinated by ENISA and the European Commission to promote safer digital practices across businesses, institutions, and individuals. With cybercrime surging across Europe and globally, the timing of ISE’s new Summit couldn’t be more relevant.

Cybersecurity: A Business-Critical Priority for AV
As AV systems become increasingly networked and embedded in enterprise, public sector, and venue environments, they are directly exposed to the same vulnerabilities as traditional IT infrastructure. From control rooms and conferencing platforms to digital signage, smart buildings, and event venues, AV solutions are now high-value targets for ransomware, data breaches, social engineering, and denial-of-service attacks. At ISE’s CyberSecurity Summit, AV professionals will learn about safeguarding critical systems, navigate evolving regulations like NIS2 and ISO 27001, and transform cybersecurity from a vulnerability into a strategic advantage, before it’s too late.

“Cybersecurity is no longer a technical afterthought, it’s a business-critical factor,” says Mike Blackman, Managing Director of Integrated Systems Events. “For AV manufacturers, integrators, and technology users, it’s essential for accessing public tenders, ensuring regulatory compliance, and building long-term trust with clients.”

Summit Chair Pere Ferrer i Sastre, former Director General of the Catalan Police (Mossos d’Esquadra) with extensive experience in public security, digital transformation, regulatory frameworks, and critical infrastructure management, will facilitate discussions addressing emerging digital threats to the AV and systems integration sectors.

He explains: “Cybersecurity is no longer optional; it lies at the heart of every AV innovation. ISE’s CyberSecurity Summit brings together the brightest minds in our industry to confront today’s digital threats head-on and turn them into strategic advantages. By sharing actionable insights, proven strategies, and real-world experience, we will empower AV professionals to protect critical systems, lead with confidence, and build a safer, smarter future for the entire industry.”

The CyberSecurity Summit at ISE 2026 will unite AV and cybersecurity leaders to tackle the most pressing challenges facing connected AV systems in critical infrastructure, smart buildings, and corporate environments. Opening with Pere Ferrer, the Summit features keynotes from Shaun Reardon (DNV Cyber) on building cyber resilience, Timo Kosig and Andrew Dowsett (Barco Control Rooms) on secure operations, and Pedro Pablo Pérez (TRC) on protecting corporate communications. Roundtables with Laura Caballero (Cybersecurity Agency of Catalonia), Folly Farrel (TÜV SÜD), and Sergi Carmona (Veolia España) will explore compliance, governance, and best practices for securing critical AV environments.

Cybersecurity: A strategic imperative for AV
The Summit is part of ISE 2026’s overarching theme, Push Beyond, which challenges the global AV and systems integration community to redefine what’s possible. By introducing the CyberSecurity Summit, ISE is pushing beyond traditional boundaries to address one of the most urgent and complex issues facing the industry today.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of what’s next
Registration for ISE 2026 is now open, so take your place among the visionaries, trailblazers, and creative minds from every corner of the globe. Whether you’re an AV integrator, manufacturer, IT manager, or facilities director, the CyberSecurity Summit offers essential knowledge and networking opportunities to help you navigate the evolving threat landscape. It’s a chance to learn from leading voices in cybersecurity and discover how to protect your business, your clients, and your reputation.

For the latest information and to register for FREE using A1 Lighting’s exclusive code a1lighting, visit www.iseurope.org.

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With over 200 exhibitors, thought-provoking talks and dedicated networking areas, LiGHT 25 offers visitors the chance to experience light in all its dimensions.

Following the success of 2024’s Intra-Spectrum by light artist Frankie Boyle, LiGHT 25 welcomes a new light art immersive centrepiece: Re:Vision, a collaboration between Speirs Major Light Architecture and formalighting.

Re:Vision invites visitors to step into a world of light and perception – a sensory journey that challenges how we see and understand the visual experience of other species. Using custom spectral profiles and reimagined Ishihara colour blindness test patterns, the installation explores how different life forms perceive colour and light in ways entirely distinct from our own.

Speirs Major explains, “We’ve always been fascinated by how each species experiences a completely different version of reality, despite sharing the same planet. When you begin to understand this, you start to think about the impact we as lighting designers have on those experiences through artificial light. This installation is intended to open minds – to start a conversation about designing not just for humans, but for the many other living beings that share our spaces.”

To translate complex scientific research into an accessible experience, Speirs Major and formalighting have crafted a series of environments, each based on the spectral vision of different animals. Within these spaces, visitors encounter Ishihara-style colour charts – familiar to many as tests for colour blindness – which appear or vanish depending on the available spectrum. The result is both playful and profound: an artistic incitement that makes us question how others, human or otherwise, perceive the world.

Speirs Major goes on to explain, “It’s not about simulating another species’ vision, but about creating a spark – an opportunity to see differently, even for a moment.”

Through their partnership with formalighting, known for their innovation and precision in light control, Speirs Major were able to bring this vision to life using advanced luminaires and motorised systems that enable dynamic spectral shifts and subtle changes in atmosphere.

“Formalighting have been fantastic collaborators,” Speir Majoir noted. “Their technology allowed us to experiment and deliver light in new ways, pushing beyond traditional boundaries.”

At its heart, Re:Vision is a call for empathy and imagination. Inspired by philosopher Thomas Nagel’s essay What Is It Like to Be a Bat?, the installation embraces the impossibility of truly seeing through another creature’s eyes – and yet, in doing so, invites us to reflect on how we design for a world of difference.

“Humans are the only species that truly needs artificial light,” says Speirs Major. “Yet our use of light affects every other species. Birds stay awake longer under urban lighting, nocturnal creatures lose darkness, and ecosystems are disrupted. This project asks us to think beyond ourselves.”

The installation also resonates with wider conversations around inclusivity and accessibility in design. As Speirs Major explains, “Even within our own species, perception varies – ageing changes how we see, and those with colour blindness experience the world differently. Re:Vision is a reminder that design must account for those differences, cultivating awareness and empathy along the way.”

For visitors to LiGHT 25, Re:Vision is more than an installation – it’s an experience that stays with you. It will make you pause, question, and perhaps even see your own work differently.

In an exhibition that celebrates every aspect of lighting design – from the technical to the poetic – Re:Vision is a symbol of what LiGHT 25 is all about: imagination, exploration, and connection.

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Taking place at ExCeL London on 15-16 October, the Show also hosted a busy conference schedule across four sector-focused seminar theatres. Featuring some of the industry’s leading voices, seminars covered a wide range of topics, including cybersecurity, energy compliance, career pathways, competency levels, decarbonisation, predictive maintenance, system integration and more.

Post-show feedback was very positive, with speakers delighted with the attendances and audience engagement in the theatres, while exhibitors reported a busy flow of visitors to their stands.

Brian English, Business Development Executive at Reliable Controls, said: “My speaker slot was well attended with a very engaged audience and plenty of follow-up questions.”

Ian Ellis, Marketing Manager at Siemens Buildings, said: “This is the one exhibition that’s truly dedicated to the smart buildings industry. Once again we had a high volume of visitors to our stand – it’s the Show you want to be at.”

Luke Beardall, Academic Solutions Manager at the Chartered Institute Of Building, said: “As a training provider it was really good to connect with the other side of the industry and help to bridge the knowledge gap.”

Sam Wood, EMEA Lead, Intelligent Environments GTM, Cisco Systems, added: “We were delighted with how well organised the event was and also with the level of engagement from attendees. We had high expectations for the number of productive conversations we would have both after our panel sessions and at our stand. These expectations were achieved and we feel the event was thoroughly worthwhile. Thank you to the Smart Buildings Show organisers – we hope to be back next year.”

Smart Buildings Show will return to London ExCeL on 14-15 October 2026. For exhibitor enquiries please email Claire Hatchett at C.Hatchett@turretgroup.com.

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Prolight + Sound has been held in Frankfurt am Main for over 30 years. However, following the end of the early bird booking period at the end of September 2025, the feedback from exhibitors for the event in March 2026 has not been sufficient to guarantee that Prolight + Sound can be held satisfactorily. For this reason, Messe Frankfurt has decided not to hold the event as a stand-alone edition. Instead, a scenario has been developed that includes making an offer to those exhibitors who could benefit from synergies with Light + Building. Light + Building will take place from 8th to 13th March 2026, just under two weeks before the originally planned Prolight + Sound (24th to 26th March 2026).

The focus is particularly on exhibitors and trade visitors from the lighting segment, the digital signage sector and security technology. New ideas can emerge for all of them. In this context, all groups will benefit from the highly international nature of Light + Building.

Wolfgang Marzin, CEO of Messe Frankfurt, explains: “With this step, we are responding pragmatically to the registrations of manufacturers. As a company, we must act responsibly in the interests of our exhibitors and visitors. It was important for us to make a decision as early as possible in order to avoid unnecessary investment on the part of our customers. The Prolight + Sound brand remains of strategic importance for the Messe Frankfurt’s portfolio. We will continue to invest in it. Just last week, we announced that we will be staging Prolight + Sound Bangkok in Thailand from 2026 onwards.”

By giving the relevant Prolight + Sound exhibitors the opportunity to present their products in a dedicated area within Light + Building, they will be able to address new customer groups and tap into new business potential. A range of high-quality stand packages will be available to ensure the optimal presentation of their solutions. The packages include different stand sizes.

Curated supporting programme creates added value

Messe Frankfurt is also planning a specially curated supporting programme and guided tours for visitors. The themend area benefits particularly from its central location on the east side of the exhibition grounds – in the middle of the comprehensive lighting sector at Light + Building.

Further details on the implementation of the new concept will be published over the coming weeks.

Light + Building will take place from 8th to 13th March 2026 in Frankfurt am Main.

Image courtesy of Messe Frankfurt GmbH/Pietro Sutera.

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In an exciting move for attendees of the world’s most innovative pro AV and systems integration event, Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) has secured Sol Rashidi as a Keynote Speaker for ISE 2026. Sol will take the stage at 13:00 on Wednesday 4th February. Her participation perfectly mirrors ISE’s 2026 theme, ‘Push Beyond,’ inviting the industry to explore every opportunity and redefine what’s possible.

Rashidi’s keynote, titled ‘The AI Reality Check: What It Takes to Scale and the Future of Leadership’, will take a deep dive into how AI is no longer just a buzzword – it’s a battlefield of hype, half-truths, and hard realities. Executives are under pressure to act quickly, yet many make decisions based on noise rather than fact. In this keynote, Sol will cut through the fiction to reveal what’s truly happening in the AI marketplace, sharing frameworks, models, and the essential role of AI Governance and cybersecurity as core enablers for scaling. Drawing on her experience, she will outline how to evaluate AI initiatives and safeguard data, workforce, and competitive advantage.

Widely known for her groundbreaking work in the field of business innovation and technology, Sol’s career has spanned 4 C-suite roles across Fortune 500 companies. As the world’s first Chief AI Officer for enterprise in 2016, she led AI and data initiatives at Sony Music, Merck and Estee Lauder, before moving to Amazon as the company’s tech executive. She holds 10 patents and is the best-selling author of ‘Your AI Survival Guide’ which is listed as one of the ‘Top 50 AI’ books. To date, Sol has participated in 3 TEDx speaker sessions with accumulated views of over 1 million and voted FORBES’ ‘AI Maverick & Visionary of the 21st Century,’ as well as ‘Top 5 Leaders Taking AI to Everyone’.

Alongside her pioneering career, Sol developed ‘The Human Amplification Index’™ – a new way to measure ROI to determine how well companies are strengthening their business and workforce through AI. She also offers ‘Intellectual Atrophy’™ education to ensure companies and organisations outsource tasks and not critical thinking in the age of AI. Sol played a pivotal role in developing and launching IBM’s Watson in 2011 and now has over 200 deployments under her belt. As both a practitioner and an executive, Sol has earned accolades including ‘50 Most Powerful Women in Tech,’ ‘Top 100 AI Thought Leaders,’ and ‘Top 100 Data & Analytics Leaders’.

Sol Rashidi says “The challenge isn’t adopting AI, it’s leading with it. I look forward to ISE 2026 to show how separating hype from fact, implementing strong governance, and integrating cybersecurity makes all the difference.”

“We are honoured to host Sol Rashidi and we can’t wait to hear her Keynote at ISE 2026,” adds Mike Blackman, Managing Director of Integrated Systems Events. “Sol’s visionary approach, extensive experience and deep understanding of the evolving business landscape will undoubtedly inspire and empower our attendees to push beyond the general realms of AI. We’re looking forward to Sol bringing her expertise to ISE as she sits at the intersection of top-tier leadership in AI, technology and corporate strategy while bridging innovation with business impact.”

Registration for ISE 2026 is now open, so take your place among the visionaries, trailblazers, and creative minds from every corner of the globe. Reserve your spot at the event where tomorrow’s innovations are unveiled, and let’s Push Beyond what’s possible – together. Register here using A1 Lighting’s code a1lighting for your FREE ticket.

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Step into a world unlike any other, where boundaries are meant to be pushed and imagination comes alive. ISE 2026 makes its grand return, 3^rd– 6^th February 2026 at the Fira de Barcelona, with a theme that invites the industry to explore every opportunity and redefine what’s possible.

Push Beyond: The next chapter of ISE arrives

ISE 2026 will transform the Fira de Barcelona into the epicentre of innovation and discovery for attendees to experience the truly remarkable. This year’s theme, Push Beyond, challenges visitors to leave the ordinary behind and embrace a new standard of excellence. Step away from the expected, refresh your mindset, and indulge your senses in an event that promises an almost unimaginable experience.

“At ISE, we are dedicated to inspiring the community and exploring what’s possible,” says Mike Blackman, Managing Director of Integrated Systems Events. “Each year, we aim to deliver an experience that fuels creativity and drives innovation. ISE 2026 will open new horizons, ignite fresh ambition, and bring together the global AV and systems integration community for an unforgettable celebration of innovation – where ideas take form and the future begins to unfold.”

Where industries converge and new ideas spark

It’s not just one industry. ISE 2026 throws open its doors to an incredible spectrum of verticals, from education, enterprise, live events, and hospitality to retail, healthcare, and beyond. Wherever you fit in the global landscape, ISE is the destination where every sector finds fresh inspiration and ambitions meet opportunity.

To make every experience count, ISE 2026 features dedicated Technology Zones designed to serve the unique needs of each market. Whether visitors are seeking the latest in digital signage, unified communications, smart building solutions, or residential technology, you’ll discover immersive spaces tailored to your interests. Each Zone is a launchpad, fuelled by innovation, brimming with solutions, and ready to connect you with the partners and insights that matter most.

Secure the best rates with bnetwork

To ensure every attendee enjoys a seamless experience in Barcelona, ISE has once again partnered with bnetwork, its Official Accommodation & Logistical Services Partner for ISE 2026.

Through bnetwork’s dedicated platform, visitors can book hotels at competitive rates and choose from a wide range of accommodation options, all with personalized customer support. Beyond hotel reservations, bnetwork also offers transportation solutions and venue-booking services, making it easier than ever to coordinate every aspect of the trip.

Attendees are encouraged to plan early and take advantage of these exclusive services at isehotels.bnetwork.com

Don’t miss your chance to be part of what’s next

Registration for ISE 2026 is now open, so take your place among the visionaries, trailblazers, and creative minds from every corner of the globe. Reserve your spot at the event where tomorrow’s innovations are unveiled, and let’s Push Beyond what’s possible – together. Register here using A1 Lighting’s exclusive code for FREE admission: a1lighting.

As part of ISE’s continued commitment to attendee security, all attendees are asked to provide a valid passport or national ID number during the registration process. In partnership with the Catalan police, this measure helps us deliver a safe and seamless experience for everyone participating in ISE.

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Held in London and organised by Recolight, the event brought together more than 35 inspirational speakers and leading brands to explore how the industry can accelerate the transition to circularity. Delegates, sponsors, and speakers highlighted both the urgency and the opportunity for the sector to embrace circular design, reuse, and decarbonisation.

Doing things differently

A recurring theme was the need for collaboration between manufacturers, lighting designers, clients, and contractors, to deliver step change sustainability. Speakers emphasised that “doing things differently” requires trust, dialogue, and collaboration across the supply chain – and that misplaced perceptions of risk, especially with luminaire reuse, can hinder progress.

Key trends and technical insights

Delegates engaged strongly with technical and regulatory themes, reflecting the fast-evolving landscape:

• Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) were widely discussed, recognising their growing importance in enabling transparent and credible product comparisons.
• TM65 and TM66 were acknowledged as important gateway tools for measuring embodied carbon and assessing circularity.
• Legislative updates provided delegates with visibility of new and evolving UK and EU regulations on sustainability.
• The importance of reuse, refurbishment, and the energy transition were repeatedly emphasised as drivers by lighting specifiers.
• Broader themes included decarbonisation, design for repairability, skills development, and other circular economy practices.

Nigel Harvey, CEO of Recolight, said: “Circular Lighting Live this year was buzzing with ideas and opportunities. It was inspiring to hear of new approaches to tackling sustainability and the circular economy. It was particularly pleasing to note that there was a tangible desire to press on, in spite of the political headwinds coming across the Atlantic.”

What the delegates said:

The event drew backing from major brands including Signify, Sylvania Group, Glamox, KKDC, Prime Light Group, Prolojik, Thorlux Lighting, Trojan Lighting Solutions, NVC Lighting UK, Mymesh by Chess UK, SMART SYSTEMS UK, and ALBIS Distribution.

Feedback from sponsors and delegates was overwhelmingly positive:

• “Circular Lighting Live this year showed that meaningful change is underway… Business as usual is no good, we must challenge, and we must change.” – Gary Thornton, Nulty
• “An important conversation about circular design in lighting. Events like this are vital in helping our industry move from talking about circularity to embedding it as standard practice.” – Paul Beale, 18 Degrees
• “10/10 best year yet! Relevant & engaging topics… Circular Lighting Live was a vital catalyst in the evolution in these topics.” – Justine Walmsley, Signify
• “Prolojik was proud to sponsor Circular Lighting Live and be part of such an inspiring event. It was fantastic to be in a space where innovation, collaboration, and sustainability truly come together.” – Darcy Hudson, Prolojik
• “Circular Lighting Live was an inspiring event, full of passionate people driving change in the industry.” – Nicholas Holmes, Ambit
• “Circular Lighting Live is a great event that brings the industry together in a common goal. Positive and Inspiring!” – Nick Revell, Philip Payne Limited
• “Commercial lighting companies dedication to carbon reduction is an inspiration to KKDC, we feel that reducing waste and reducing carbon are both key, no matter on the industry sector or size.” – Tom Hall, KKDC
• “This event has established itself as a must attend event for anyone serious about sustainability within the lighting Industry.” – Mike Edwards, Verde Photon

Looking ahead

Ray Molony, who co-organised the event and curated the agenda, said: “With sustainability now at the heart of lighting product development, design, and specification, Circular Lighting Live has become a vital platform for collaboration and innovation. By tackling barriers, sharing knowledge, and embedding circularity as standard practice, the UK lighting industry is leading the way towards a truly sustainable future.”

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The sector is in a state of flux: energy efficiency, digitalization, and sustainability are shaping the agenda, while companies are simultaneously responding flexibly to market changes, such as high construction and energy costs and international trade conflicts. And this is precisely where Light + Building has a vital role to play by linking up key issues, providing orientation and creating a framework for the international exchange of ideas and information.

“Light + Building 2026 is rapidly gaining momentum. We are delighted to report a high level of participation by numerous market leaders and great interest being shown by the sector. In particular, an international level of participation of around 70 percent demonstrates that the fair is regarded as an indispensable meeting place for the whole world. This high degree of confidence fills us with optimism, showing that – even in challenging times – Light + Building is a firm anchor and source of inspiration for the future of the sector,” says Steffen Larbig, Director of Light + Building.

Technologies for tomorrow’s built-up world

‘Be Electrified – Electrifying Places. Illuminating Spaces.’ is the motto of Light + Building 2026, underscoring the dual strengths of this international meeting place for the sector: intelligent energy infrastructure and sophisticated lighting solutions. While ‘Electrifying Places’ stands for connected buildings, smart control systems and energy efficiency, ‘Illuminating Spaces’ focuses on the creative power of light.

This is also linked to the three key themes of the trade fair – ‘Sustainable Transformation,’ ‘Smart Connectivity,’ and ‘Living Light’ – which reflect the main developments in the sector. ‘Sustainable Transformation’ shows ways to achieve a climate-friendly building sector, with renewable energies, intelligent energy management and resource-saving materials. ‘Smart Connectivity’ highlights the process of digital transformation, with connected systems, data-based control and interfaces that increase efficiency, safety, and comfort. ‘Living Light’ focuses on the emotional and creative dimension of light, as a defining element for human identity, well-being and spatial experience.

Visitors can discover the solutions offered by various exhibitors in the individual product segments. When it comes to lighting, the spectrum ranges from functional lighting for work, education, industry, as well as public spaces, to design-oriented luminaires that can be used to structure rooms and create the required atmosphere. Halls 3.0, 5.0, 5.1 and the Forum form the focal point for technical lighting, while Hall 3.1 focuses on design-oriented lighting. Hall 4.0 is dedicated to urban outdoor lighting, Hall 4.1 to emergency and safety lighting, and special luminaires. Decorative luminaires for private living areas, as well as hotels and restaurants, are to be found in Hall 6, while Hall 8 provides a platform for components, control systems and smart interfaces. This spectrum is complemented by the Asia Selection in Halls 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3.

Many key players have already confirmed they will be taking part. They include: AEC Illuminazione, Bega, Bender + Wirth, BJB, Carandini, Casambi, 3F Filippi / Targetti, Inotec, Kreon, Ledvance, LedsC4, Lichtwerk, Linea Light, Opple, Osram, Prolicht, Ridi, RZB, Schmitz Wila, Schuch, Signify, Simes, Trilux, XAL and Zumtobel.

At Light + Building, building-services technology demonstrates how energy, comfort and security can be combined to form a powerful overall system. Electrification and digitalization form the basis for tomorrow’s built-up world by enabling the integration of renewable energies, increasing efficiency and opening up new possibilities for smart buildings. In Halls 12.0 and 12.1, the spotlight is on solutions for electrical installations, the charging infrastructure, energy management, decentralized supply, as well as switchgear, cables, and photovoltaic components. Halls 11.0 and 11.1 are dedicated to automation platforms, control systems and networked energy distribution. Finally, Hall 9.0 brings together electrical engineering, home and building automation and security technology.

Numerous leading companies have also confirmed their participation in this segment. They include: ABB, Busch-Jaeger, Doepke, Gira, Hager, Hensel, Jung, Kaiser, KNX, Legrand, Mennekes, Niedax, OBO Bettermann, Phoenix Contact, Schneider Electric, Siemens, Spelsberg, Theben and Wago.

More than just a trade fair

In addition to classic trade-fair activities, Light + Building 2026 will also feature a diverse programme of events focusing on current trends, technological developments and design impulses. Forums, stages and interactive formats throughout the Exhibition Centre will provide a host of opportunities for the exchange of expert ideas and information.

One of the main highlights will be the Design Plaza in Hall 3.1, dedicated to lighting design with lectures, talks and curated formats for interior designers, architects, designers and lighting planners. There, Messe Frankfurt and Stylepark will present the ‘Designplus Awards powered by Light + Building’ for products that unambiguously combine design quality, technological innovation and sustainability. The awards are presented in several categories at a special ceremony – the Designplus label stands for design and technical excellence with international visibility. The Design Plaza programme also includes lectures on lighting trends for 2025/2026, by the bora.herke.palmisano style agency. During the runup to Light + Building, the agency’s designers identify the latest design trends that are set to shape the lighting industry in the coming season.

For the first time, Light + Building will also host the IALD International Lighting Design Awards, which are given for outstanding lighting projects from around the world. In addition, the Architects’ Day will provide specialist inspiration by specifically addressing the perspectives and requirements of planners.

The Workshop Street is practice-oriented and dialogue-focused. There, the focus is on application-oriented live demonstrations for the electrical trade: comprehensible, solution-oriented and geared towards everyday professional requirements. The social-media community will once again have its own platform with another edition of the successful Power Creator Days giving content creators from the lighting and building technology industry the opportunity to connect with trade visitors and exhibitors.

The ZVEI Technology Forum and the ZVEH E-House, which presents practice-oriented application scenarios in the form of a walk-in smart home, are central platforms for the exchange of ideas and information relating to building-services technology. The programme is rounded off by two exhibitor stages, where exhibitors can present their solutions in a compact and practical manner. Further formats are already in the planning stage and include contributions from the BTGA, as well as the House of Energy Congress, the IEECB Congress in the Portalhaus and a session organised by REHVA.

Light + Building – the world’s leading trade fair for lighting and building-services technology.

Light + Building 2026 will take place from 8th to 13th March 2026.

Image courtesy of Messe Frankfurt GmbH/ Pietro Sutera.

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At ISE 2026, boundaries will blur, and innovation will take centre stage, with newly announced highlights that will shape the next chapter of the event. Returning to Fira de Barcelona on 3^rd – 6^th February 2026, it’s poised to rewrite the playbook for the world’s AV and systems integration community.

Push Beyond – Unleashing the future of AV

Not a slogan, but a movement. Push Beyond sets a new tempo for the global AV and systems integration industry. ISE is energised to unite the industry movers, shakers and changemakers who are redefining what’s possible and pushing the boundaries of innovation. From groundbreaking technology to unforgettable experiences, ISE doesn’t just reflect the industry, it drives it forward. The future of our industry is here and now.

This year’s theme, Push Beyond, mirrors ISE’s unwavering drive for progress – already reaching maximum capacity at the Fira de Barcelona, expanding by 5 percent from 2025. With four months to go until the show, more than 1,400 exhibitors are already confirmed, including 184 first-time exhibitors, all rallying beneath the banner of possibility. ISE’s momentum is undeniable. This growth not only fuels its ambition to expand and lead but also secures its place as the world’s unrivalled showcase for the AV and systems integration community.

Other new initiatives announced in the press briefing included:

Fira de Barcelona Hall Zero update – The blueprint for tomorrow

Looking to the future, Hall Zero at Fira de Barcelona is set to redefine expectations. To meet the highest construction and safety standards, the Hall Zero completion date has been rescheduled, with ISE’s first use planned for 2028. Whilst ISE acknowledges this delay, it fully supports the vision and scale of the project, recognising the importance of a seamless and safe opening. In the meantime, the show goes on – in full force. Every corner of the current Fira will be optimised, dialled in for world-class discovery and engagement.

Since relocating to Barcelona in 2021, ISE has shattered records, with the Fira playing a key role in fuelling that success. Together, they have propelled Barcelona to the forefront of AV and systems integration. The opening of Hall Zero will mark a transformative milestone for ISE, cementing its status as a global leader in high-impact innovation and creative collaboration.

High-end listening suites – Turn up the experience 

ISE 2026 will introduce Listening Suites in CC2, the newly refurbished heart of Fira Barcelona. Each suite is carefully curated, blending state-of-the-art acoustics with inventive design, ensuring every note resonates with clarity and nuance, perfect for audio brands looking to go beyond pro audio.

Sol Rashidi announced as Keynote – Where leadership meets the edge of AI

Sol Rashidi, the world’s first Chief AI Officer for enterprises, will deliver a headliner keynote at ISE at 13:00 on Wednesday 5^th February 2026. Sol holds 10 patents, is the best-selling author of Your AI Survival Guide, and is a three-time TEDx speaker with over 1 million views. Recognised among the 50 Most Powerful Women in Tech and honoured with multiple Forbes recognitions, she brings unmatched expertise at the intersection of AI, technology, and corporate strategy—bridging innovation with real business impact.

ISE Cybersecurity Summit – Securing the future of integrated AV technologies

ISE 2026 will debut the Cybersecurity Summit. In an era where digital threats extend far beyond traditional IT concerns, the AV sector finds itself at a pivotal juncture. Cybersecurity has evolved into a business-critical factor. Taking place on Thursday 5th February 2026, the summit will be chaired by Pere Ferrer i Sastre, a senior public executive and strategic advisor with over 15 years of experience in leadership roles across public safety, digital transformation, and critical infrastructure governance. The summit will tackle the hard edge of digital risk, including regulation, integration, and resilience – where healthcare, transport, and government intersect with AV’s boldest ambitions.

EdTech Congress Barcelona 2026 – Education reengineered

ISE is partnering with EduTech Cluster and Fira de Barcelona to co-host the EdTech Congress on 4^th – 5^th February at the Palau de Congressos. Building on EdTech Congress’s proven track record and ISE’s long-term commitment to Barcelona and the EdTech market, the event is set to become a leading platform where educational purpose meets technological innovation. The EdTech Congress will feature an extensive content programme focusing on AI and its impact on education, introducing decision-makers to forward-thinking concepts and transformative products that are shaping the classroom of the future.

ISE Introduces Spark – One sector, one week, one mission

Spark kindles a bold new chapter, where the brightest minds ignite ideas to transform the creative industries. Making its debut in 2026, Spark is a unique, cross-vertical gathering that unites trailblazers, visionaries and pioneers from the full spectrum of the creative industries. Here, creative minds collide, ignite, and set the stage for breakthroughs that will ripple beyond the event and redefine what’s possible for the entire industry.

“ISE has always been more than just about technology on display; it’s where industries come together to inspire, to create, and to challenge what’s possible,” states Mike Blackman, Managing Director at Integrated Systems Events. “With our ‘Push Beyond’ ethos for 2026, we are inviting everyone to join us in Barcelona to shape the next chapter of AV and systems integration, together.”

ISE returns to Fira de Barcelona, 3^rd – 6^th February 2026. Registration opens Monday 6^th  October. Stay tuned for detailed information about the new initiatives at ISE 2026!

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As Wolfgang Marzin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Messe Frankfurt, emphasises: “With our strong trade fair brands Light + Building, ISH and Intersec, Messe Frankfurt has the leading events relating to integrated and smart building technology, security technology and fire protection in its portfolio. We are very pleased that the Intelligent Building Expo will now allow us to bring together selected product areas from all three of these trade fairs. The new format gives us the opportunity to meet the needs of the region and to expand our expertise in Central Asia.”

The Intelligent Building Expo is a platform for the future of urban infrastructure – from efficient climate and water management systems to state-of-the-art lighting and security technology. As a professional meeting point for all sector participants, it is geared towards manufacturers, project developers, architects, engineers and representatives of government, associations and institutions. This is the eighth specialist event that Messe Frankfurt is organising in Uzbekistan, after Automechanika Tashkent, Comtrux Tashkent, Scalex Tashkent, Heimtextil Uzbekistan, Texworld Tashkent, Apparel Sourcing Tashkent and Beautyworld Central Asia.

As part of the business expansion, Messe Frankfurt is working closely together with its longstanding partner Business Media Central Asia (BMCA). An experienced organiser in the region, BMCA is responsible – under licence from Messe Frankfurt – for conducting all the company’s events in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

In recent years, Uzbekistan has developed into one of the most dynamic economic regions in Central Asia. Strong investment growth, far-reaching reforms and diverse industrial sectors are making the country into an attractive market and an ideal location for new trade fairs as well. Central Asia is rapidly modernising its cities and infrastructure. In Uzbekistan alone, there are more than 57,000 active companies, many of which in construction, engineering and urban development. For international companies, it is a new market with long-term growth potential and high demand for solutions in energy efficiency, water management and building security.

Accordingly, the European Union announced an investment package worth €12 billion at the first EU-Central Asia Summit in Samarkand in April 2025. The main focus here is on energy, infrastructure and digital connectivity. Germany’s activities in Uzbekistan are also part of the European Union’s cooperation approach, where climate, energy and sustainable development are central to development cooperation.

Image courtesy of Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH/Petra Welzel.

The post Messe Frankfurt to expand portfolio in Central Asia and organise Intelligent Building Expo appeared first on A1 Lighting Magazine.