Integrated Systems Europe, the world’s largest pro AV show, has been postponed to June 2021, according to an announcement this morning by Integrated Systems Events officials, in response to the continued spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
The change means the two largest shows in pro AV—ISE 2021 and InfoComm 2021—are now scheduled within weeks of each other, but the decision to delay ISE’s debut in Barcelona comes with the full support of AVIXA CEO David Labuskes, according to today’s announcement.
“After a period of consultation with the industry and the impact of the ongoing pandemic, Integrated Systems Events announce that ISE, scheduled for 2-5 February, has been postponed and will now take place in June, dates tbc, alongside a virtual offering,” today’s ISE announcement says.
ISE will also launch RISE Digital, a digital program of content and networking events that will “run throughout the year and support the live show,” according to today’s announcement.
“We’ve been monitoring the conditions in Europe since the beginning of this year and have worked hard on your behalf to balance health and safety concerns with the need for commerce and F2F interaction,” according to today’s ISE announcement.
“These two factors have had shifting weight throughout the calendar year and although we’ve felt confident and hopeful regarding delivering this show in February, we’ve come to the conclusion that the best option for all of us is to delay the show edition until June 2021,” the announcement says.
Related: ISE, InfoComm Should Swap Places on the Calendar
“The health and safety of our team, exhibiting companies, industry partners and attendees is our number one priority,” said Mike Blackman, managing director of Integrated Systems Events, in the announcement.
“Given the understandable concerns among all of our stakeholders regarding coronavirus, and the uncertainty regarding travel restrictions and country lockdowns, we have concluded it is not prudent to maintain our original schedule of an in-person February 2021 trade show,” he said.
“From our many conversations, it is clear the industry can’t wait to get back together doing business face to face and we are committed to delivering an engaging and safe in-person ISE in 2021,” said Blackman in the ISE announcement.
“We feel by moving the event to June, it provides time for the industry to adapt and restore balance. We look forward to hosting the global AV community in our new home in Barcelona,” he said.
Inside the ISE 2021 Postponement
Labuskes, who saw AVIXA cancel the in-person InfoComm 2020 show for a virtual offering, notes the decision to change ISE 2021’s schedule “isn’t a trivial undertaking and has thousands of moving parts.
“In making this decision, ISE reaffirms their commitment to the health of all those who participate in these events,” he said in the announcement. “All of those same people will be even more committed to be a part of the extravaganza that ISE promises to be.”
CEDIA CEO Tabatha O’Connor knows the decision is disappointing to some, but thinks it’s the right one.
“We are eager to gather as a community once again at ISE 2021,” she said in the announcement. “The decision to postpone was made after careful and thorough consideration.
“We know moving the show to June will provide the time and resource needed to ensure the show is both safe to attend and can deliver on the exceptional experience that ISE is known for, fostering opportunities to learn, discover, and be inspired by the technology that is driving our industry forward,” she said.
