Daniel J SaitWith ISE 2026 fast approaching, CEDIA is encouraging the global smart home community to look beyond the exhibition halls and explore a programme of experiences designed to inform, inspire and connect the industry.
Taking place in Barcelona this February, ISE continues to position itself as more than a technology showcase, offering a diverse mix of keynote sessions, hands-on demonstrations and collaborative events that reflect the evolving nature of the AV and smart home sectors.
“ISE 2026 isn’t just a showcase for the latest audio-visual technologies; it’s a hub of innovation, creativity and career development,” comments Daryl Friedman, Global President and CEO of CEDIA. “This year’s event offers a vibrant line-up of activities designed to engage and inspire attendees from every corner of the industry and we look forward to exploring these features with our members.”
Alongside the main exhibition, several standout features are set to play a key role in shaping conversations at the show.
AI Trailblazing Keynote: Sol Rashidi
Artificial intelligence will be firmly in the spotlight on Wednesday 5 February 2026, when Sol Rashidi takes to the stage as the event’s headline keynote speaker. Widely recognised as the world’s first Chief AI Officer for enterprises, Rashidi will present a session titled The AI Reality Check: What It Takes to Scale and the Future of Leadership.
Her keynote will look beyond the hype surrounding AI, focusing on practical frameworks for implementation, the importance of governance and cybersecurity and how organisations can properly assess AI initiatives. Rashidi will also address the challenges of protecting data, teams and competitive advantage as AI adoption accelerates across industries.
The Best in Residential Audio: Listening Suites
Making their debut at ISE 2026, the Listening Suites in CC2 will offer visitors a rare opportunity to experience high-performance residential audio in purpose-built, acoustically optimised environments.
Designed to allow side-by-side comparison, the suites will showcase systems from eight premium audio brands, giving attendees the chance to hear different approaches, technologies and voicing philosophies in controlled conditions. For integrators and specifiers, the Listening Suites promise valuable insight and a more immersive way to evaluate high-end audio solutions.
Talent in Action: ISE Hackathon
Innovation will also be on display at the ISE Hackathon, where teams of students from participating universities come together to tackle real-world challenges under intense time pressure.
Running from 8 a.m. on Thursday 5 February through to midday on Friday 6 February, the Hackathon culminates in project presentations and an awards ceremony on the Pitching stage. Supported by industry mentors and judged by a panel of experts, the event provides a compelling snapshot of emerging talent and new ways of thinking within the AV sector.
Igniting Creativity: Spark
New for 2026, Spark is a four-day creative industries event designed to encourage collaboration across disciplines and generations. With the industry increasingly shaped by rapid technological change, Spark aims to reconnect people, ideas and innovation through a programme that blends advanced technology with meaningful human interaction.
By breaking down silos and encouraging shared thinking, Spark is positioned as a space for fresh perspectives, new partnerships and creative energy, particularly for those looking to explore where the AV industry is heading next.
More to Explore
From education and networking to inspiration and discovery, ISE 2026 offers something for every part of the smart home and AV community. Visitors are also able to take advantage of the ISE Visitor Benefits Program, which includes exclusive discounts at a range of Barcelona attractions, adding further appeal to the overall experience.
More information about ISE 2026 can be found at www.iseurope.org.
