ISE audiovisual fair downsizes Barcelona edition to ‘local event’

The world’s largest audiovisual fair, ISE, will downsize its edition in Barcelona this year to a “local event” that will last just two days.

The 2021 edition of ISE will take place in the Fira de Barcelona congress hall between June 1-2, whereas previously four days of activities were scheduled, lasting until June 4.  

Organisers made the decision based on concerns regarding international travel during the pandemic. 

Usually the fair hosts over 1,000 exhibitors and almost 100,000 attendees, but this year will see a much-changed event with reduced numbers, as well as an online programme. 

Instead of the traditional face-to-face format, the fair will offer 'ISE Live & Online', which they define as "a series of local events in Barcelona, ​​Munich, Amsterdam and London that will be supported by a digital offering driven by CISCO."

“With uncertainty about the pandemic and global travel restrictions, ISE Live & Online will take the place of the traditional format of a large trade fair in person,” organizers said.

Currently, it is unclear how large the new format will be, nor do organisers have forecasts on the number of visitors that will attend.  

The move comes after numerous firms have already pulled out of participating in person at the Mobile World Congress this year.