ISE Live & Online heralds return to business
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Integrated Systems Events Managing Director, Mike Blackman opened the show and said: “This event is important for the AV and live events industries, and for the city. It’s been a 17-year journey to get to Barcelona so it’s bittersweet not to make the big bang we’d hoped for our debut, but we know the value of live events for forging trust, deeper business relationships and driving business. I hope this sends a message of confidence to cities around the world that live events can be safe and successful. We’ll be back in Barcelona, with all our might, in February 2022.”
The first hybrid event from ISE, which combined live and digital content, achieved 1,431 in-person attendees on Day 1, and 990 on Day 2 in Barcelona. Over 8,000 registered for ISE Digital, which had 120 live sessions and generated 13,759 unique views, 107,718 minutes watched (1,778 hours) and 442 online chats.
Speaking at the event, Jordi Puigneró, vice-president of the government of Catalonia, says: “Today, we reopen Barcelona and Catalonia to the world. This event celebrates the reactivation of fairs and congresses, paving the road to economic and social recovery.”
Ada Colau, Mayor of Barcelona, who accompanied Mr Puignero, comments: “Today we send a reactivation message. The digital and audiovisual sector is strategic for the city, especially since so much industry talent is rooted in Barcelona. The city’s technological sector holds great potential for the coming years. We are convinced that the digital sector will be the most useful in helping us get out of the crisis as quickly as possible.”
All visitors within the venue had a negative COVID-19 anti-allergen test result prior to entry and wore FFP2 NR facemasks inside the venue. The feedback indicates that ISE Live & Online in Barcelona has been positively received by the AV industry, with optimistic comments from exhibitors:
“Barco attended ISE 2021 in Barcelona to connect with our customers. We have been in virtual, in video sessions for too long and we needed to meet face-to-face. The future is hybrid which means there will be some video, there will be some conference calling but there’s going to be a lot more face-to-face. Meeting back with our partners is what gives us energy,” explains Peter Pauwels, VP sales EMEA at Barco.
Oriol Massague, field marketing manager at Panasonic comments: “After more than a year without events and exhibitions, we were excited and delighted to meet people face-to-face again. From lenders, buyers, system integrators, distributors and sellers . . . everybody!”
Content from ISE Digital, which includes sessions from the Main Stage at the Fira de Barcelona, is now available to view on-demand. The channel is available until the end of 2021.
There is one more in-person event planned before ISE Live & Online signs out for 2021 – London on 23-24 June.
