Integrated Systems Events, the producers of Integrated Systems Europe (ISE), has announced that in 2021 the event will be moved to the Gran Via, which is part of the Fira de Barcelona exhibition complex in Spain.

The Fira de Barcelona complex has two exhibition venues and hosts 140 international trade shows each year, featuring over 30,000 exhibitors and attracting more than two million attendees. The Gran Via has eight halls and 200,000m² of exhibition floor space, conveniently placed for access to the nearby international airport and public transport. It will be the new permanent location for the ISE exhibition, which will be held on 2-5 February.

The relocation comes after 18 months of research into the viability of remaining at the RAI Amsterdam.

“The RAI and Amsterdam have provided a fantastic location, been great partners and contributed to the success of the show. But, demand from exhibitors, and the continued increase in the numbers of attendees, showed us that limited floor space was in danger of putting a brake on the show’s development. In spite of all our best efforts this was not an issue we felt could be solved by staying at the RAI Amsterdam,” says Integrated Systems Events managing director Mike Blackman.

Integrated Systems Events reports that ISE exhibitors and attendees have been growing annually by nearly 10% and the international AV market is forecast to grow by 5% per annum through to 2021. The organisation therefore concluded that ISE was outgrowing its Amsterdam location.

“We conducted extensive exhibitor and attendee research and visited many major exhibition centres in Europe before making this important decision. By announcing our move to one of Europe’s largest and most prestigious convention complexes, we can now continue to focus on creating a unique experience for everyone and confidently plan for long-term development. At the same time, we will ensure that the remaining two editions of ISE at the RAI Amsterdam are the best in its illustrious history and a fitting way to bring our 14-year relationship with the venue and city to a close,” says Mike.

ISE’s co-owners, AVIXA and CEDIA have both highlighted the positive benefits of relocating.

“Our thinking in coming to this decision has been driven by our desire to serve and deliver value for our members, attendees and exhibitors at ISE. We can better achieve these objectives in a venue that can evolve with us and continue to reflect the market we work in. The continued success of ISE and the growth anticipated in the AV business meant that we knew this decision would need to be taken before too long. I’m delighted that we were able make that decision now so as to control events and to ensure that a smooth transition is possible,” says AVIXA chief executive David Labuskes.

CEDIA global president and chief executive Tabatha says Barcelona is the perfect choice for an exhibition and growing industry that engenders creativity and commerce.

“Not only is the new venue a state of the art home for our show but the city of Barcelona is one of Europe’s most vibrant and exciting.”

Both the ISE 2019 and 2020 editions will take place at the RAI Amsterdam.

Further information on the move to Barcelona for exhibitors and attendees will be available from a live webcast, hosted on the ISE website at 13:00 CET on Thursday 19 July.