ISE audiovisual fair breaks attendance record with 85,350 visitors

The world's largest audiovisual trade fair – Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) – enjoyed a record 2025 edition in Barcelona with an all-time high 85,350 people attending from 168 countries, organizers announced on Friday.

The figure represents 15.5% growth compared to the 2024 edition. Last year, the fair grew by 27%.

The busiest day was Wednesday, the second day of the event, with 59,039 attendees, which also marked a new record and represents an increase of almost 14% compared to the previous day record.

Managing Director Mike Blackman said that the 2025 edition exceeded "all expectations" and showed why the exhibition is the "world's leading event" in its field.

Incredible success

"ISE 2025 was an incredible success, bringing together top industry experts, the latest technology, and amazing energy," Blackman said at a press conference on Friday, taking the stage accompanied by a robotic dog. It has been "even bigger, better, and more exciting than ever," Blackman added.

"This year's show was all about progress and creativity. We've had more visitors than ever, with new features and a great atmosphere ISE 2025 proved once again why it is the world's leading event for audiovisual and systems integration," he said.

Blackman highlighted the success of the conferences, especially those by artificial intelligence expert Brian Solis and multimedia artist Quayola, as well as the role of new features like the Esports Arena.

He also acknowledged the support of the institutions, with figures such as the Catalan President, Salvador Illa, Spanish industry minister, Jordi Hereu, and Barcelona mayor, Jaume Collboni, attending.

"The city has made sure that ISE was an unforgettable experience," he said.

The total number of registrations was 110,540, and the total number of visits recorded over the four days – not just individuals – was 185,700.

ISE's Managing Director also highlighted the event's impact on the city beyond the convention center walls. He recalled that this edition had the highest number of exhibitors – 1,600 – and the most floor space occupied – 92,000 square meters.

Catalan AV sector

The Catalan audiovisual sector arrived at the event in good shape, after 14% growth in 2023, and with the challenge of adapting to changing technology, such as the rise of artificial intelligence (AI).

In this regard, the president of the Audiovisual Cluster of Catalonia, Miquel Rutllant, said that holding ISE is a "privilege" for the sector, which has excelled in creative content, immersive experiences, virtual production, and drones.

"It has been a great success, not only for the number of visitors but for the presence of international visitors and the quality of attendees. It has been a great opportunity to catch up on the new technologies that are shaping the audiovisual industry year after year, and it’s important that we know them," Rutllant said.

Before the event, ISE organizers predicted that the economic impact of this edition would be 20% higher than last year's, which was €468 million.

One of the first signs of this has already been confirmed on Friday, as Barcelona's tourist apartments announced they had recorded the best occupancy rate of the five editions held in the city, with 95% of the apartments fully booked.

ISE will return to Barcelona next year, scheduled from February 3-6, 2026, again at the Fira de Barcelona's Gran Via venue.