Barcelona Press Conference

Chacon explained how the regional government would work closely with ISE to support the move to the Fira de Barcelona venue complex. This will ensure, she said,  that ISE continues to, “serve the industry it represents by being able to provide an event that meets all their requirements”.

Blackman explained that the decision to move from ISE’s traditional RAI Amsterdam base had been as a result of increased demand for more exhibitor floor space and the annual increase in attendees. “We have outgrown our home,” he said. In spite of the RAI’s best efforts, he revealed, a 18-month period of research had shown that a move was the only viable option in securing the event’s long-term future.

He explained that the eventual choice of Barcelona as the new, permanent home for ISE, had been a “unanimous” choice.

Labuskes and O’Connor, from ISE co-owning trade associations AVIXA and CEDIA, reiterated how the move would enable them to better serve their members and the wider commercial and residential AV communities that they represent.

Serralanga offered that the Gran Via complex at the Fira de Barcelona was a state-of-the-art venue with ample space to accommodate all potential ISE exhibitors and the increased demand for space from existing ones.

Blackman concluded the press conference by saying that ISE and its family, “is moving to a bigger house with a bigger yard!”