In Episode 1 of Surroundscapes Season 7, Graeme Harrison reflects on Bluesound Professional’s experience at ISE 2026 in Barcelona and shares key takeaways from the global AV community.
With more than 92,000 attendees, ISE continues to expand as the leading international commercial AV trade show. While attendance was strong, conversations throughout the week reflected cautious optimism. After a challenging 2025 shaped by economic pressure and regional uncertainty, many companies reported steady performance and are approaching 2026 with a measured outlook.
Several themes stood out on the show floor. Ease of use remains a priority, not only for end users but for integrators managing large-scale, repeatable deployments across hospitality, retail, and corporate environments. Cybersecurity and network standards also drew significant attention, underscoring the growing importance of reliable, secure infrastructure in modern AV systems.
Partnerships were another consistent theme. As solutions become more integrated, collaboration between manufacturers and technology providers is accelerating. That collaborative spirit was reflected in the introduction of Moodsonic powered by Bluesound Professional, a new approach to generative soundscapes designed for workplace and healthcare environments.
This opening episode sets the tone for Season 7, highlighting the trends shaping the industry and previewing the conversations to come.
Visit surroundscapes.bluesoundprofessional.com to follow every episode of the Surroundscapes podcast and dive deeper into the world of commercial AV.
