World's biggest audiovisual fair to host in-person event in Barcelona for 2021 edition

The biggest audiovisual fair in the world, ISE, will hold its 2021 show in-person in Barcelona.

Integrated Systems Events announced on Monday that "the current reduction" in Covid-19 cases in Europe and the progress of the vaccine rollout means that the exhibition will run from June 1 to June 4.

"Based on this positive trend, we anticipate a climate that will make it possible to run an in-person event in Barcelona," a letter to future guests confirmed.

"However, we are realistic that current attitudes to travel may mean a lower volume of attendance than in previous years," it also added.

Usually the fair hosts over 1,000 exhibitors and almost 100,000 attendees.

Last month, the event boasted 854 participanting parties including Dell, Bosch, and Microsoft (700 of them were confirmed). The audiovisual media conference is set to take place at the Fira de Barcelona convention center, with 37,000 sqm reserved so far. 

The organization assumes some will not be able to travel to Barcelona. Therefore, it will offer "a robust digital programme highlighting unique content that can only be found at ISE."

Likewise, the letter reads that "no penalty fees will be due for any withdrawals that are made before March 5."

"In the event you need to cancel hotel reservations, cancellation deadlines have been extended to March 22."

Compulsory testing

In early February, ISE's director, Mike Blackman, said to the Catalan News Agency (ACN) that a final decision on the fair would be made on March 1, but already anticipated that if the event goes ahead, the show will require "compulsory testing" with antigen tests as they provide a response within 15 minutes.

"Whatever it takes to make [the attendees] safe, we will take those costs on board, but it is more the logistics, how we make it work."

Blackman also suggested that travel restrictions would play a role in the normal development of the show, as well as "how many people are prepared" to do business under certain restrictions.