Live Events Stage Headline Sponsor:
The definitive hub for live events at ISE
Stand 6B100 (Hall 6) - Free to attend
Tuesday 3 to Thursday 5 February, 10:30-17:00
Located in Hall 6 in the Lighting & Staging Zone, the Live Events Stage is hosting an exciting programme of free-to-attend sessions with expert speakers from the live events industry, as well as networking events, across three days of ISE 2026.
Production Futures Takeover: access and opportunities for newcomers into production.
Friday 6 February, 11:00-15:00
On Friday ISE turns its attention to careers, talent and how to get a job in AV. Production Futures hosts a Live Events Stage takeover as a destination for networking, inspiration and career growth in the live events and broadcast technology industry.
TECHNICAL INNOVATIONS THAT HEIGHTEN THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE
Located at the rear of Hall 6, the stage will once again offer a behind-the-scenes look at some of the world’s most incredible live events, featuring the people who bring them to life. Supported by headline sponsor MA Lighting and curated by the team at TPi Magazine, the stage will host four days of panels and interviews with visionaries from across the entertainment sphere. From audio engineers and lighting designers to content creators and show directors, this is the definitive hub for live events at ISE.
While continuing to spotlight professionals from the world of live touring, this year’s programme will also explore large-scale ceremonies, architainment, and installations. Attendees will gain insight into real-world applications of the technologies and products featured throughout the show floor.
CONFIRMED SPEAKERS
Confirmed speakers include Julien Pateau of Lab2580. Among his many accolades, Pateau serves as Executive Producer for the pre-match ceremonies of the FIFA World Cup 2026. He’ll provide a detailed look into how these large-scale, televised spectacles are conceived and executed.
Also joining the lineup is Anders Jørgensen, Project Manager at Stouenborg, who will discuss his work at Stockholm’s Avicii Arena, where immersive active electroacoustics are being used to enhance the fan experience.
This year, we’re also excited to welcome several guest hosts curating special sessions on the Live Events Stage, including frame:work’s Laura Frank and Satore Studio’s Tupac Martir.
Finally, we’re thrilled to announce that members of Cirque du Soleil’s ALIZÉ production and creative team will be sharing insights into the company’s latest Berlin residency.
The Live Events Stage is curated by TPi Magazine and hosted by its Managing Editor, Stew Hume, from Tuesday to Thursday. In his role on the live events industry's most authoritative B2B publication dedicated to the international touring sector, Stew spends the majority of his year attending some of the biggest shows and speaking to the crews that make them a reality.
STAGE PROGRAMME: TUESDAY - THURSDAY
Tuesday 3 February
Live Events in 2026
Following an exceptionally busy summer for the live events market, we gather several voices from across the industry to look ahead at what the rest of the year might hold for touring and beyond.
More Than a Stage
Unpacking the ever-evolving world of automation, robotics, and aerial magic within stage and set design — and the new tools at creatives’ disposal.
50 Years of Audio Innovation
A rental house born from the team behind Pink Floyd, the Live Events Stage welcomes members of Britannia Row Productions to reflect on their 50-year history and discuss the evolution of professional audio.
The Hidden Artist
A live recording of the Glyph podcast, hosted by Tupac Martir.
Lighting the Way
In this roundtable, we unpack the modern world of show design with several leading lighting and creative directors — from pre-vis techniques to fixture selection.
Behind the Mixer
From band rehearsals to mixing a show in front of thousands, we explore what it takes to be a sound engineer in today’s world of live touring.
Wednesday 4 February
The Supply Chain
Core to keeping the entertainment machine running, rental houses are at the heart of every production. In this session, we hear how these businesses are operating in 2026 and adapting to meet the demands of the modern world.
A Quest for a Greener Future
How is the events industry tackling the topic of sustainability in 2026?
Kick-Off – FIFA World Cup
With the World Cup just around the corner, Julien Pateau, Executive Producer for the pre-match ceremonies, joins us on the Live Events Stage to provide an inside look at how these large-scale, televised spectacles are conceived and executed.
Venue of the Future
Enhancing the fan experience at Avicii Arena with immersive active electroacoustics.
Cirque du Soleil: ALIZÉ
The creative and production team behind Cirque’s latest Berlin residency take to the stage to reveal how one of their jaw-dropping shows comes together.
LEDing the Way
An analysis of the evolving world of video in live touring and the adoption of cinematic techniques.
Behind the Faders
From design concept to pre-vis and programming – what it takes to be a leading lighting designer in 2026.
Thursday 5 February
On the High Seas
An in-depth look at the advancing world of AV on high-end cruise ships.
Emerging Markets
Join industry leaders from the Middle East, Africa, and South America as they share insights on the growth, challenges, and opportunities shaping the next wave of global entertainment.
Marketing for the Events Industry
How do you capture the attention of end users working within the entertainment sphere? In this session, we’ll hear from several end users about what really draws their interest.
Camera, Screens and the Expanding Visual Stage
As video landscapes grow larger and more immersive, how do directors and designers ensure that the performer remains at the centre of the story?
Screens and Collaboration in Performance Design
A look at the creative process of designing the worlds that live behind the music. From LED landscapes to real-time render environments, hear how creatives use light, motion, and texture to become active participants in live storytelling.
Surfing the Soundwave
What will be the next evolution in audio delivery for live events?
Behind the Screen
Inside the touring video world and the art of capturing the action in real time — bringing live moments to life.
Please note: ISE reserves the right to amend the programme in the run-up to ISE 2026.
PRODUCTION FUTURES LIVE EVENTS STAGE TAKEOVER
Live Events Stage Headline Sponsor:
Welcome to the Production Futures Live Events Stage Takeover, your destination for networking, inspiration, and career growth in the live events and broadcast technology industry.
Newcomers (0-5 years' experience) - this is for you!
Why attend?
- Inspiration from newcomers, industry experts and leaders
- Career guidance specific for newcomers
- Networking with professionals to build connections and find industry jobs and training
- Skill-building and technical training opportunities to prepare you for the future
Join us for a day of learning, networking and inspiration that will equip you with the technical skills and contacts to move confidently into the next phase of your career. We invite award-winning newcomers to be a part of the conversation, share their journeys and insight, alongside world class experienced industry professionals. Attendees will leave with actionable takeaways and the motivation to apply them, along with a bunch of industry contacts to kickstart a successful 2026.
The Production Futures Live Events Stage Takeover is part of ISE's Fast Forward Friday initiative.
On Friday the Stage is hosted by Hannah Eakins, CEO of Production Futures. She is an advocate for diversity and employability and is on a mission to ensure that every young person has visibility and access to creative and technical roles behind the stage and screen.
AI SPEECH TRANSLATION AND CAPTIONS
For the fourth consecutive year, ISE’s official language accessibility partner, KUDO, will be providing AI speech translation and captions across several stages and conference rooms for the show’s 2026 edition. Attendees will be able to access all the keynotes, panels, and presentations in the language of their choice by scanning a QR code from their smartphones or tablets, then following the translated audio and/or subtitles.
Designed for ease of use at events, KUDO AI requires no app download or account creation; scanning the QR code opens a new browser window from which attendees can select both an audio and captions language, depending on whether they wish to follow the translated speech or simply read the subtitles directly from their screen. Translated audio and captions are entirely AI-powered, in real time, and require around 1% of the bandwidth needed to stream an average YouTube video from a smartphone, making them easily accessible via 4G or the guest Wi-Fi available at Fira Barcelona Gran Via.
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