This year the doors to Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2026 officially opened at Fira de Barcelona Gran Via with a strong sense of momentum and ambition. In his opening press briefing, Managing Director Mike Blackman managed to set the tone with a clear message which was also the slogan of the 2026 fair: “Push Beyond.”
“This year, we’re not just bigger, we’re more ambitious,” Blackman told media representatives. “Push Beyond reflects the mindset of our exhibitors, partners, creators and the entire AV community: pushing beyond limitations, beyond expectations and beyond traditional boundaries of technology.”
From 3 to 6 February 2026, ISE once again confirmed its position as the world’s largest audiovisual and systems-integration event. The show attracted 92,170 visitors and 1,751 exhibitors from across the globe, setting new records for exhibition space and industry participation. Spanning all eight halls of the venue, ISE showcased innovation across digital signage, smart buildings, AI, cybersecurity, immersive experiences and next-generation collaboration technologies
Table of contents
- A strong European presence - and Digital Samba on the map
- Networking that matters
- Media buzz and market momentum
- Looking ahead
A strong European presence - and Digital Samba on the map
We were very excited to be part of this major global stage, exhibiting as part of the ACCIÓ delegation stand CS100, where we presented our two products: Digital Samba Embedded and Digital Samba Free. Over the four days of the show, our team, consisting of our CEO Robert Strobl and Sales Development Director Nina Benkotic, engaged in meaningful conversations with visitors, partners, and media alike.
Our participation was about more than simply having a presence as it gave us an opportunity to showcase European innovation in real-time communications:
- Digital Samba Embedded, our modern European pre-built video-conferencing API that enables organisations to integrate secure branded video calls directly into applications and platforms, attracted strong interest from product and development teams across industries.
- Digital Samba Free, our browser-based end-user video tool, positioned as a true European alternative to global meeting platforms such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams, resonated with participants seeking a secure, privacy-focused tool that’s free to use with no setup required.
From the moment the doors opened, we saw consistent footfall and high engagement at our booth, with visitors keen to learn how Digital Samba’s technology can help organisations in sectors such as EdTech, HealthTech, LegalTech, e-government, and enterprise apps but also video conferencing hardware technology embed video functionality in ways that respect data sovereignty and compliance requirements.
Networking that matters
Beyond product demos, ISE offered an unparalleled networking platform. Over 92,000 industry professionals from across the globe descended on Barcelona, including systems integrators, software developers, enterprise decision-makers, and AV industry leaders. This diversity of attendees meant our two Digital Samba’s delegates could forge valuable new contacts, initiate technical discussions, and explore collaborative opportunities with companies and organisations from every corner of the AV and digital communications ecosystem.
The show’s format, which combines exhibition space with keynotes, workshops, summits, and special interest programmes like the Digital Signage Summit and CyberSecurity Summit, created a rich environment for thought exchange and idea generation.
Media buzz and market momentum
What we are most excited about is that at ISE 2026 we managed to generate significant media coverage for our two products, while positioning Digital Samba as a local company from Barcelona and a truly European video-calling alternative. This placed us alongside well-known global technology and business players.
From Samsung unveiling glasses-free 3D signage to innovation showcases by industry leaders such as Ricoh and ViewSonic, the event highlighted how cutting-edge technologies are converging to redefine collaboration and connectivity.
Amid this backdrop, Digital Samba’s narrative, which is deeply rooted in European technology, privacy, and developer-centric integration, gained attention from visitors and partners who recognise the importance of alternatives to established video platforms, particularly in regulated environments or where digital sovereignty is a strategic priority.
Looking ahead
As ISE 2026 came to a close, with attendance up 8% compared with 2025 and record floor space dedicated to exhibitors, Digital Samba’s experience highlighted both the strength of European innovation and the industry’s appetite for embedded, modular communication tools that can adapt to diverse business and vertical requirements, but also end-consumer video calling platform made in Europe.
For everyone we met, every demo given, and every connection made, which varied from curious attendees to seasoned pros, the ISE platform provided a powerful moment to share our vision for video-enabled products that integrate seamlessly, respect privacy, and support true digital sovereignty.
However, the highlight of our visit was the invitation by the Government of Catalonia to the official reception on the occasion of ISE 2026 in Palau de la Generalitat de Catalunya, an astonishing old palace with a historical atrium, staircases and halls that took our breath away. Here, we managed to exchange a few words with the organiser, Mike Blackman himself and capture this moment with a photo.
Stay tuned for more insights and follow-ups from ISE 2026, and if you missed us in Barcelona, let’s continue the conversation online or at upcoming events.
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