AV News August 2026

FEBRUARY 2026

AUGUST 2026

In this Issue ISE 2026 post-Show Roundup

AVIXA announces Dubai show

Can AV save the British pub?

ISE 2026 breaks records

Barco first half results Spark builds on successful debut

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BUSINESS

Barco 1H26 results Barco has announced its results for the 6-month period ended 30 June 2026. Highlights include: •Order intake 1H26 of 467.8 million euro (-4% yoy), reflecting improved performance in the Americas (+8% yoy) and strong order intake for Control Rooms across regions, offset by softness in the Healthcare division.

•On a positive book-to-bill ratio, the orderbook, including recurring revenues, grew to 568.3 million euro, versus 492.8 million euro at year-end 2025 and 548.4 million euro at midyear 2025.

•Sales 1H26 of 418.1 million euro, 8% lower than 454.4 million euro sales in 1H25, or 3% lower year-over-year excluding a significant currency effect of 20.7 million euro.

•Gross profit margin in 1H26 of 39.4% of sales, versus 40.0% in 1H25, on lower sales and unfavourable mix; second quarter improved over first quarter.

•EBITDA 1H26 of 26.1 million euro, versus 48.0 in 1H25, driven by lower gross profit margin and operating deleverage on a lower topline EBITDA margin at 6.2% •Free Cash Flow 1H26 at -36.7 million euro, versus 21.4 million euro in 1H25, driven by higher inventories.

•Net income 1H26 was -4.8 million euro, versus 23.3 million euro in 1H25. Earnings per share at -0.06 euro.

•Completed the VerVent Audio Holding acquisition on April 30th, and integration into the Entertainment division as the Consumer Experience business unit, contributing two months to 1H26 results.

•Cancellation of 5.575.000 treasury shares on May 21st 2026; new total of 87.341.645 outstanding shares Order intake amounted to 467.8 million euro, a decline of 4% year-over-year, with the second quarter significantly better than the first, reflecting an improvement towards the end of 2Q26. Order intake grew both for Enterprise, fuelled by Control Rooms, and for Entertainment, on the strength of Cinema and the contribution of the new Consumer Experience business unit. In contrast, Healthcare declined, mainly due to softness in the surgical portfolio. Regionally, the Americas delivered the strongest year-over-year growth at 8%, driven by Cinema. EMEA was impacted by soft demand for Immersive Experience in the Middle East. With a positive book-to-bill ratio throughout 1H26, the orderbook, including recurring revenues, expanded to 568.3 million euro, up from 492.8 at year-end 2025.

Sales in 1H26 of 418.1 million euro, a decline of 8% yearover-year, or a decline of 3% excluding currency exchange effect of 20.7 million euro. This reflects delayed order intake

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and weak order conversion due to geopolitical uncertainty.

Entertainment added Consumer Experience and saw yearover-year growth in the European and American Cinema business, while Immersive Experience declined across all regions, most notably in the Middle East and the Americas.

In Enterprise, Control Rooms grew on good demand in security-related end-markets, while Meeting Experience declined in line with previous quarters. In Healthcare, diagnostic displays performed well across all regions, offset by softness in the surgical portfolio.

Entertainment recorded 3% order growth and a 5% decline in sales in the first half of 2026. Solid Cinema performance in EMEA and the Americas and the contribution of Consumer Experience were offset by weaker sales in Immersive Experience. In Cinema, underlying demand was supported by gradually improving box office trends in EMEA and Americas, driving investment by exhibitors, while China was impacted by weaker local content performance. HDR by Barco continued to gain traction, with a growing pipeline, and increasing adoption and box office performance. Immersive Experience saw a weaker rental market in key regions, while fixed installations and theme parks remained solid. Consumer Experience performed well following the acquisition, with strong performances in headphones and automotive audio partly offset by weaker demand in integrated and passive solutions.

Enterprise reported a decline in sales in the first half of 2026, driven by continued weakness in Meeting Experience, while Control Rooms grew on strong order momentum. In Meeting Experience, sales declined across EMEA and the Americas, partly offset by growth in APAC. This reflects a continued double digit decline in BYOD sell out. Meanwhile, ClickShare Hub ramped up gradually, and is expected to accelerate with further hardware bundles and features, such

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as the recent launch of the BYOD-MTR switch for ultimate flexibility in MTR room setups. Control Rooms benefited from very strong order intake in all regions for LCD video walls and Rear Projection — as a result of replacement demand with Barco as sole remaining supplier — and the Barco CTRL platform, marked by its differentiated positioning around IT based architectures, security and collaborative control. The software share of Control Room sales further increased.

In the Healthcare division, orders and sales declined double-digit, reflecting continued softness in the surgical portfolio, partly offset by growth in diagnostic displays and a stable performance for modality displays. Growth for diagnostic imaging displays, particularly in EMEA and the Americas, was due to ongoing demand for radiology and mammography displays and a growing pipeline in digital pathology, including AI workflows. Modality remained focused on securing new OEM contracts in a cost-competitive environment.

In contrast, for surgical solutions, the expiration of several large Nexxis and display contracts across EMEA and the Americas in 2025, continued to weigh on results. The future surgical roadmap will expand into cost competitive and scalable mid-segment solutions, and real-time compute workflows.

Gross profit was 164.9 million euro or 39.4% of sales, versus 40.0% in 1H25. This decrease primarily reflects lower sales, which limited the absorption of fixed costs. In addition, the product mix was unfavourable, due to lower Meeting Experience volumes in the first quarter and continued softness in the surgical portfolio over the first half. The mix improved in the second quarter, supporting a higher gross margin versus both the first quarter and the same period last year, despite a relatively lower margin contribution from the audio portfolio within the Consumer Experience business unit.

EBITDA amounted to 26.1 million euro, versus 48.0 million euro in the prior year, translating to an EBITDA margin of 6.2%, versus 10.6% in 1H25. The EBITDA margin decrease was driven by lower gross profit and by operating deleverage

on the lower revenue base, partially offset by lower like-forlike (excl. VerVent) indirect costs. Free cash flow in 1H26 was -36.7 million euro versus 21.4 million euro a year ago.

This decrease is mainly due to higher inventories. These were partly driven by advance purchasing of components in anticipation of price increases and partly by higher levels of inventories of finished goods resulting from lower-than-expected sales in several end markets. CAPEX for the semester amounted to 15.4 million euro, with investments in a new automated warehouse in the Belgian plant and in Cinema-as-a-Service.

The net financial position was a net debt of 32.6 million euro, compared to a net cash position of 186.2 million euro at year-end 2025. The main cash outflows were related to the acquisition of VerVent Audio Holding, the free cash flow, dividend payments and the share buyback program. Geopolitical instability and uncertainty continued to impact demand and visibility throughout the first half. Management expects full year sales above last year, including the recent acquisition of VerVent Audio Holding, and an EBITDA margin in the range of 11-12%.

As part of ongoing efforts to simplify the organization and streamline decision-making, Barco has implemented a more compact senior leadership and overhead structure. In this context, all Healthcare activities have been brought under the unified operational leadership of John Zhao, EVP Healthcare, fostering cost-efficient and disciplined execution. By combining the CFO and CDIO responsibilities, Barco aims to further strengthen decision-making, digital transformation, and operational excellence across the company.

CEO, An Steegen remarked: “After a difficult first quarter, we saw improvements in the second, driven by strong performance in Control Rooms, solid growth in Diagnostic Imaging and a pick-up in Cinema, particularly in EMEA and the Americas. We are sharpening our focus on businesses with structural growth drivers and clear differentiation. Meanwhile, we are taking cost actions and have implemented a leaner organisational and management structure to strengthen performance. Strategically, we remain committed to maintaining our leading market positions, safeguarding profit margins and accelerating our software and AI roadmap. Finally, we are pleased to have completed the acquisition of VerVent Audio Holding, a key milestone in our ambition to become a fully integrated audiovisual solutions provider across professional and consumer markets.”

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PlexusAV appoints SINIUS PRO as German distribution partner PlexusAV has announced the appointment of SINIUS PRO GmbH as its distribution partner for Germany. The partnership will support PlexusAV’s continued growth in the German market, providing system integrators and AV professionals with access to its high-performance, open-architecture AV-over-IP solutions based on the IPMX standard. Arthur Brockhoff, Regional Sales Manager EMEA at PlexusAV said: “Germany is such an important market for our business and selecting the right distribution partners was an important step in our expansion strategy. During our evaluation process, SINIUS PRO GmbH, who are part of the European AV Group GmbH (EAV Group), stood out as a highly technical and well-established organisation with strong market knowledge and a clear understanding of the needs of German AV professionals. Their expertise and customer focus make them an ideal partner to support our solutions in the region.”

Christian Eberlein, Head of Sales for SINIUS PRO GmbH, confirmed: “The addition of PlexusAV to our portfolio marks a significant and natural next step for SINIUS PRO as we continue to strengthen our AV-over-IP offering. What stands out in particular is PlexusAV’s open approach and its strong commitment to the IPMX standard, which is rapidly gaining momentum in the market and enabling new levels of flexibility and interoperability in AV infrastructures. This partnership allows us to provide our customers in Germany with

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even more powerful, scalable and future-ready solutions, underpinned by our technical expertise and deep understanding of the market.” The announcement follows a meeting at the EAV Group Solution Center in Heilbronn, Germany, bringing together the PlexusAV and SINIUS PRO teams.

Through this partnership, SINIUS PRO will provide local market expertise, technical support and access to PlexusAV’s AV-over-IP solutions for system integrators and AV professionals across Germany.

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IUF acquires Project Audio Visual IUF has acquired Project Audio Visual (PAV) UK and Europe.

PAV becomes part of IUF Workplaces, a dedicated division built on the same goal: creating the best-connected, future-ready workplace environments, backed by the strength of IUF. IUF chose Project Audio Visual for its strong reputation in the UK AV sector, delivering specialist technology solutions across corporate, workplace and built environment projects.

Project Audio Visual’s business and assets were acquired via a pre-pack administration, a route that protects continuity for customers and partners through the transition. PAV, as IUF Workplaces, is planned to become a global leader in delivering international projects, leveraging IUF’s global technical knowledge, specialist support and transformation teams. Josh Bunce, CEO at IUF said: “We’re excited to welcome Project Audio Visual into IUF our Workplaces division.

Existing customers can have confidence in our scale, international reach, and managed service capability. This move strengthens our ability to deliver seamless digital solutions across workplace projects and enhance our innovation in Workplaces.”

Steve Hudson, COO of Project Audio Visual said: “The acquisition by IUF creates a positive way forward for the brilliant PAV team, as well as for their expertise, relationships and reputation. As we become part of IUF, we’re able to give clients and partners continuity, while opening new opportunities through the wider digital, international and managed services available within the business.”

ST Engineering Antycip strengthens defence capabilities STEngineering Antycip(Antycip)is expanding access to AI-driven geospatial data solutions through its collaboration with geospatial technology specialist LuxCarta, enabling French defence organisations to rapidly generate high-resolution geospatial data for situational assessment and operational planning. Through this collaboration, Antycip will provide local access and licensing for LuxCarta’s geospatial data solutions, leveraging its established presence in France and expertise in delivering advanced military simulation solutions to defence organisations. Antycip and LuxCarta will also explore opportunities in Italy and Spain to support defence organisations in adopting AI-driven geospatial data workflows. LuxCarta specialises in producing high-resolu-

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tion 2D and 3D terrain and urban data for government, defence, telecommunications and simulation applications.

Its portfolio includes the BrightEarth On-Premises solution which uses artificial intelligence to automate the extraction of geographic objects, significantly reducing the time required to produce usable geospatial data. Gary Camps, LuxCarta’s Head of Defence business unit, said, “The technology is already being used by defence geospatial organisations to accelerate the production of mapping products required for rapid situation assessment, including for civil-military support and crisis response scenarios.” “Access to accurate terrain and object data is critical for both operational decision-making and simulation,” said Quentin Blancheri, Major Account Manager at Antycip. “By enabling faster and more cost-effective generation of geospatial data through LuxCarta’s AI-based tools, we help customers scale up and respond more quickly to emerging security situations while developing high-quality datasets for future modelling and simulation applications.”

In addition to situational assessment and operations planning applications, Antycip and LuxCarta see strong potential to expand the use of AI-generated terrain and object data into distributed simulation, digital twin and immersive training environments. This collaboration reflects Antycip’s broader strategy to integrate best-of-breed partner technologies within its simulation and synthetic environment ecosystem, enabling defence customers to combine operational data, visualisation and simulation capabilities within coherent and locally supported solutions

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PMA Research Tracking shows positive growth in May PMA Research (PMA), the worldwide market information experts on large displays, have published their latest sellthrough tracking reports on large-format flat panel displays being sold by leading North American PC/IT and AV Distributors who typically serve commercial markets. Sales of large-format (32” and up) flat panel displays sold through the U.S. distribution channel grew slightly in May following a substantial drop in April. Hospitality television sales drove much of the growth in May. Hospitality TV sales jumped 11% month-over-month in May and were responsible for most of the volume and revenue growth last month. Sales were still down year-over-year against a particularly strong 2025, where buying spiked ahead of the looming tariffs in the spring of 2025. Models 65-inches and higher captured nearly 20% of the market share, up 3 points from last year. In addition, volume and revenues for desktop monitors (32” and up) grew 14% yearover-year in May. Year-to-date, volume and revenues were almost 10% ahead of January through May 2025 despite the tariff-induced boost in sales last year. Education and corporate buyers account for most of the increase in sales for this product segment.

AVIXA partners on professional audio training AVIXA can now offer online audio training from SynAudCon, the leading provider of practical, real-world audio education to professionals at every stage of their careers. “Adding the trusted audio training from SynAudCon to our education offerings advances our commitment to serving the AV community,” said Pam Taggart, Vice President of Content Creation, AVIXA. “This agreement creates a seamless pathway to professional audio education and helps build stronger technical

foundations, supporting talent development across the pro AV industry.”

“This partnership harnesses AVIXA’s extensive experience for providing training for the pro AV industry with our courses that cover the fundamental principles that all audio technologies are built upon,” said Pat Brown, President of SynAudCon. “This partnership is a big win for the audio community worldwide.” The following four SynAudCon online courses are available for purchase through AVIXA: •How Sound Systems Work: Designed for those who are new to audio or do not have any formal training. This course will help individuals understand the principles and terminology that apply to all sound systems.

•Principles of Audio: A concise overview of the key technical audio principles, with topics addressed according to their relevance and application highlighting industry best practices while exploring system troubleshooting techniques and broadening your overall understanding of more complex audio principles.

•Transformer-Distributed Loudspeaker Systems: An exploration on how transformers are used for signal distribution and how they affect the applied voltage and current, as well as how they reflect the connected impedance.

•Digital Signal Processing: An introduction to the universal principles behind the DSP processes, helping learners deploy DSP solutions quickly and effectively. This course is ideal for professionals preparing for any manufacturer’s DSP training course.

These four online training courses feature animations, analogies, interactive calculators, and demonstrations with technical concepts related to principles used in everyday applications. Purchase of SynAudCon training also includes a one-year membership to SynAudCon’s forums, where audio professionals from around the world discuss audio-related ideas. This training includes 90 days of on-demand access allowing professionals to learn at their own pace and revisit course materials whenever needed. These courses are not included with AVIXA membership.

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Broadcast Solutions acquires BFE .Broadcast Solutions GmbH, a leading systems integrator and provider of innovative solutions for the broadcast media industry, is acquiring BFE Studio und Medien Systeme GmbH. This transaction strengthens Broadcast Solutions’ position as one of Europe’s leading providers of broadcast, media and communications systems, and is specifically expanding its service portfolio to include in-depth expertise in the areas of studio and production technology, media IT, control centre and control room systems, and customised hardware and software development. As an independent company and an established brand with offices in Mainz and Vienna, BFE will become part of the Broadcast Solutions Group. The existing shareholders, Martin Dempf and Sven Hesselbach, will continue to jointly manage the company as managing directors. Peter Dinkel and Doris Hartl will continue to lead BFE in Vienna as managing directors. Customers and partners will not experience any changes to their points of contact, ongoing projects or services. They can continue to rely on the same level of reliability and continuity as before.

“With the acquisition of BFE, we are consistently pursuing our strategic growth course. In recent years, there has been only minimal overlap between the two companies’ service portfolios, but today they complement each other perfectly in technological terms. Together, we are creating the conditions to support our clients even more comprehensively in the future with the planning, implementation and further development of sophisticated broadcast, media and communications infrastructures,” explains Stefan Breder, Co-CEO of Broadcast Solutions. The demands placed on technical infrastructure in the media industry are undergoing a fundamental shift. IP-based production platforms, cloud technologies, automation and artificial intelligence are increasing the level of integration in modern systems as well as the complexity of projects. There is a need for technology partners who can cover all phases of a project – from consultancy and development through to system integration, implementation and continuing support – under one roof.

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This is precisely where this acquisition comes in. Broadcast Solutions and BFE have complementary areas of expertise.

The merger creates an integrated offering that uniquely combines system integration, engineering expertise, vertical integration and long-term service. This enables both companies to expand their ability to provide holistic support to clients in the planning, implementation and further development of complex technology infrastructures. Broadcast Solutions will bring its extensive experience in the planning and implementing of complex broadcast infrastructures to the partnership. The company is a global leader in the development and construction of outside broadcast (OB) vans and in the manufacture of specialised vehicles. Furthermore, it possesses extensive expertise in IP-based production environments, cloud architectures and large-scale international projects.

BFE complements this portfolio with its many years of experience in the development and implementation of bespoke studio, production and media solutions. It also possesses particular expertise in the areas of media IT, workflow integration, control centre and control room systems, and the development of customised hardware and software solutions. Going forward, customers will benefit from a significantly expanded portfolio of technologies and solutions, additional engineering and development capacities, and greater implementation capabilities for complex national and international projects. At the same time, the tried-andtested structures, technological specialisations and close customer support of both companies will be retained.

“Broadcast Solutions is the right partner for BFE to continue our development in the long term. Being part of an internationally successful group of companies opens up additional technological and international opportunities for us. At the same time, our brand, our corporate culture and our close relationship with our customers will remain intact,” says Martin Dempf, Managing Director of BFE Studio und Medien Systeme GmbH.

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Pro AV Solutions opens new Sydney Showroom Pro AV Solutions has opened its new Sydney showroom in Surry Hills, creating a working workplace technology environment where clients, consultants, designers, and technology partners can experience how workplace technology is designed, delivered, supported, and managed throughout its lifecycle. Developed as a partner space with Profile Systems, the showroom reflects the way modern workplaces are evolving. Rather than presenting technology as a collection of individual products, the space brings together collaboration settings, meeting environments, personal workstations, support models, and partner technologies in a fully operational workplace experience.

The new showroom responds to a shift Pro AV Solutions is seeing across the Australian market, with organisations moving beyond standalone meeting room projects and towards more considered workplace technology environments. Clients are increasingly focused on user experience, consistency across spaces, ease of support, platform integration and how technology performs after handover. This shift also aligns with Pro AV Solutions’ lifecycle-focused approach, helping organisations move beyond individual technology projects to environments that are designed, delivered, and actively managed over time.

Anthony Jeffcoat, CEO of Pro AV Solutions, said the showroom reflects the company’s broader approach to helping organisations make more confident decisions about workplace technology. “Clients are no longer looking at workplace technology as a collection of individual rooms or prod-

ucts. They want to understand how these environments will support their people, how they will perform after handover and how they can be managed consistently over time,” said Jeffcoat. “Our Sydney showroom gives clients a practical way to experience those decisions before they commit to them. It allows us to have more meaningful conversations about user experience, standards, supportability and longterm value, rather than starting with equipment alone. Many workplace technology decisions are difficult to make from drawings, specifications, or product demonstrations alone.

The showroom enables organisations to experience complete workplace environments, compare different approaches and make more informed investment decisions before technology is deployed”.

The showroom includes a range of working environments designed to demonstrate different aspects of workplace AV and collaboration technology. These include executive meeting areas, huddle spaces, a control hub, an innovation lab, a town hall and broadcast space, and persona-based workstations. Each area has been created to show how technology is experienced in practice, not just how it appears in a specification. The boardroom environment demonstrates executive communication, privacy, audio clarity, control and multi-participant collaboration. The huddle space shows how smaller meeting areas can deliver a consistent and simple user experience without unnecessary complexity. The town hall space has been designed to support collaborative discovery sessions, executive communication, streaming

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and broader organisational engagement.

As part of the showroom experience, Pro AV Solutions is also demonstrating One Connect, the company’s workplace technology platform that provides visibility, governance, and ongoing management across a customer’s technology estate. A dedicated control hub demonstrates Pro AV Solutions’ lifecycle approach to workplace technology. The space shows how systems can be monitored, managed and supported after installation, helping clients understand the importance of visibility, supportability and ongoing performance. Jeffcoat said this long-term view is becoming more important as meeting rooms and collaboration spaces become part of the broader technology environment. “A successful project is not only about what happens on day one, but whether the technology continues to work well for the people using it every day,” he said. “That requires clear design decisions, disciplined delivery and the right support model after handover. The showroom helps clients see that full picture.”

The space also features persona-based workstations that demonstrate how different work styles and user needs can be supported. These settings reflect the growing role of personal workplace technology, from office-based professionals to hybrid workers and remote-enabled contributors. Jeffcoat said the showroom supports a more outcome-led conversation with customers. “As organisations place greater emphasis on workplace experience, operational resilience and long-term technology performance, the Sydney showroom gives them a place to move beyond products and focus on outcomes,” he said. It helps customers make more confident technology decisions, while giving us the opportunity to build long-term partnerships around the way their environments are designed, used and supported.”

The showroom has been designed for client briefings, partner demonstrations, consultant walkthroughs and media visits. It gives organisations a space to explore workplace technology options, test different environments and consider the operational requirements that sit behind the final user experience. For Pro AV Solutions, the showroom is also part of a broader focus on lifecycle technology partnership. This includes supporting clients from early discovery and design through to delivery, management, monitoring and ongoing support.

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Digital Projection appoints Axion Displays for strategic sales and support Digital Projection, a brand of Delta Electronics and a pioneer in high-performance projection technology, announced a strategic sales and service partnership with Axion Displays GmbH. Under this new agreement, Axion Displays will serve as Digital Projection’s dedicated partner in the following designated territories: • United Kingdom & Ireland • SouthWest Europe: Italy, France, Switzerland, Spain, and Portugal.

• Middle East: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Iraq. • North Africa: Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. The partnership is designed to provide local markets with enhanced access to Digital Projection’s award-winning projectors, backed by Axion Displays’ deep regional expertise and robust service infrastructure.

Bringing together former key members of the Digital Projection EMEA team, the new setup ensures a deep understanding of the product range and unmatched technical expertise. Backed by a strong relationship with Digital Projection’s parent company Delta, the Axion Displays team provides customers with a seamless end to-end experience of the sales cycle. John Liu, Group Head of the Display Solution Business Unit (DSBU) at Delta Electronics, Inc., said, “Strengthening regional customer engagement and technical expertise is an important part of Digital Projection’s longterm display solutions strategy. The Axion team has a long history of championing the Digital Projection brand. With

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their deep level of technical expertise and familiarity with our technology, we are confident they will harmonise and further develop the sales and service function, ensuring customers benefit from exceptional local support and specialized application expertise.” Commenting on the new setup, Dirk Siedle, general manager at Axion Displays says: “By combining world class projection technology with Axion Displays’ comprehensive market knowledge and service excellence, we are ensuring that customers and users in these regions receive the highest level of support and innovation.”

LEA Professional announces new partnership with AVL Alliance Propelling its mission of domestic expansion forward, LEA Professional today announces its new partnership with AVL Alliance, a Rocky Mountain region-based manufacturer’s representative. This partnership will bring LEA Professional’s extensive technology catalogue, featuring industry-leading intelligent IT solutions, best-in-class DSP, and smart power management, to customers throughout Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, and parts of Texas. AVL Alliance brings over 25 years of experience in live production and integration to the partnership.

Through this partnership, AVL Alliance will represent LEA Professional’s award-winning Network Connect series of professional amplifiers and companion Dante Connect series featuring Dante and AES67 connectivity. These series enable integrators to utilize cloud-based remote control,

monitoring, notifications, and more from any internet-enabled device, allowing them to stay connected anywhere in the world. “We are fully dedicated to connecting our customers with top-notch technologies, and LEA is a perfect match,” said Nick Dressler, Principal and Owner of AVL Alliance.

“The Rocky Mountain region offers abundant opportunities, and LEA has the capabilities to deliver the highest quality to meet this demand.”

LEA Professional’s smart amplifiers are the most feature-rich amplifiers available in the industry — featuring onboard 96kHz DSP, LEA Cloud connectivity, WebUI, third-party API control, real-time load monitoring, Lo-Z/70V/100V selectable by channel, event, and fault monitoring, high-efficiency power design, over 3,000 speaker tuning presets, and LEA’s advanced amplifier control software, SharkWare.

“This partnership with AVL Alliance will significantly strengthen LEA’s presence in the Rocky Mountain region and beyond, and we eagerly anticipate the positive impact it will bring,” said Scott Robbins, Vice President of Sales at LEA Professional. “By collaborating with companies like AVL, we can expand our growing footprint and better serve present and future customers.”

TVD opens outdoor AV Experience centre TVD Group has officially opened its dedicated Outdoor AV Experience Centre at its Bolton headquarters. The new facility provides existing and prospective customers, consultants, project specifiers and commercial end users the opportunity to experience the latest outdoor AV technologies and integrated solutions first-hand. Developed over the winter and now fully operational, the purpose-built outdoor environment has been designed to demonstrate TVD’s holistic approach to AV integration, focusing on operational and commercial benefits of integrated solutions rather than individual products. Visitors can see how professional displays, outdoor LED, audio, networking, control systems and supporting infrastructure work together to create engaging, reliable outdoor spaces for hospitality and leisure venues.

The Outdoor AV Experience Centre features an evolving portfolio of leading technologies, including outvue and ProofVision weatherproof televisions, TVC outdoor display enclosures, Philips High Bright 24/7 displays and a striking 3.5m x 2m outdoor LED wall. Audio is delivered through Audac outdoor loudspeaker systems, integrated with Symetrix control solutions to showcase ease of use for operators and

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high-quality sound performance across a variety of outdoor environments. “Our original Experience Centre has always been about helping customers visualise what’s possible,” said Lucia Maguire, Managing Director at TVD Group. “The addition of our Outdoor AV Experience Centre gives customers, consultants and specifiers the opportunity to experience AV technologies operating cohesively in a real-world environment. They can compare different solutions, ask technical questions and understand how every element can work together to deliver the best outcome for each project.”

Experiencing displays outside the showroom allows visitors to accurately compare their performance in natural daylight, where it matters most. Experience professional outdoor audio and gain a deeper understanding of the practical considerations involved in designing successful outdoor AV installations. From networking and infrastructure to mounting, control and long-term reliability, the Experience Centre demonstrates every stage of a complete outdoor solution.

The facility illustrates how outdoor AV can help transform underused external areas into revenue-generating destinations capable of hosting live sport, entertainment, background music and special events throughout the year.

Whether the requirement is extending digital signage outdoors, enhancing an external terrace, creating a destination entertainment space or improving customer engagement, visitors can experience proven technologies working together in a realistic environment while discussing project requirements directly with the team.

The Outdoor AV Experience Centre at TVD Group’s Bolton headquarters is now, whatever the weather. The team are looking forward to welcoming existing and prospective customers, consultants, project specifiers and commercial end users to explore the latest integrated outdoor AV technologies and discuss how professionally designed outdoor AV solutions can transform outdoor spaces into revenue generating hubs of customer engagement.

Barco expands UK channel with AED distribution Barco has announced the appointment of AED UK as a distributor for its projection portfolio in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Building on a long-standing relationship between the two companies, the agreement expands AED’s role beyond rental services and gives customers in the region local access to Barco’s professional projection solutions, sales support, and technical expertise.

Under the agreement, AED UK will support customers as a local sales and distribution partner for Barco’s projection portfolio, providing increased stock availability, technical support, and customer service capabilities across the UK and Ireland. Customers will also benefit from access to AED’s extensive dry-hire projection fleet, one of the largest in Europe, offering additional flexibility for rental and staging projects of any scale. This gives event professionals, rental companies, and production partners in the region direct access to a broad and flexible pool of Barco projection solutions, supporting projects of any scale with speed and reliability.

The agreement builds on a long-standing collaboration between Barco and AED in mainland Europe, where both companies have consistently supported customers with high-performance visual solutions for live events, immersive experiences, and large-scale productions. This momentum

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was further reinforced earlier when AED significantly expanded its projection fleet with 32 Barco QDX projectors. As Barco’s next-generation 3-chip DLP platform, QDX is designed to deliver exceptional image quality, high brightness, and long-term reliability, making it a natural fit for demanding rental environments. “AED’s expertise, operational excellence, and extensive fleet make them a natural partner to bring Barco projection technology closer to customers in the UK,” said Domien De Witte, Vice President Sales and Marketing at Barco. “We’re excited to expand that relationship by welcoming AED UK as an official distributor, as it marks an important step in strengthening our partner-first approach in the rental and staging ecosystem and ensuring that the right projection technology is always within reach, wherever projects take shape”.

The timing reflects the evolving needs of the live events and rental market, where dependable projection solutions

BUSINESS Original Syndicate expands leadership

and responsive support are essential to successful delivery of high-impact visual storytelling. By combining Barco’s advanced laser projection platforms with AED’s scale and logistics expertise and large inventory, customers in the UK will benefit from increased flexibility, reduced lead times, and seamless access to premium visual solutions. “We are proud to become a distributor of Barco’s professional projection solutions in the United Kingdom and Ireland,” said Matthew Hart, Managing Director, AED UK. “This agreement reflects the deep trust and shared ambition between AED and Barco, ensuring customers in the UK and Ireland have faster access to industry-leading technology backed by strong local expertise and service.”

Original Syndicate (OGS), the creative technology firm that designs, integrates, and operates communications infrastructure for some of the world’s most demanding organisations, has strengthened its leadership and specialist capabilities with the appointment of three new team members as part of a broader expansion that has seen five strategic hires over the past year. Joining the company are Tyler Baum as Business Development Manager, Michael Hernandez as Head of Production and Bryan ‘Bee’ Washington as Technical Operations Centre Operator. They join Monica Vandehei, Senior Technical Producer, and Cassidy Pearsall, Senior Technical Producer, as part of a broader expansion that reflects OGS’s continued investment in technical expertise, production excellence and client support as the business enters its next phase of growth.

Together, the expanded team brings expertise spanning virtual production, broadcast engineering, live production, LED environments, technical operations and creative technology, further strengthening OGS’s ability to design, deliver and support complex communications infrastructure projects across corporate, entertainment and production environments. “These appointments represent an important step in the continued evolution of Original Syndicate,” said Ben C. Roth, Founder & CEO of Original Syndicate. “As demand for intelligent, integrated communications systems continues to grow, we’re investing in exceptional people with diverse experience across creative production, technical operations and client strategy. Each new team member brings a unique perspective that strengthens how we serve our clients while supporting our long-term vision.”

As Business Development Manager, Tyler Baum will focus on developing strategic partnerships and helping organizations navigate increasingly complex communications technology projects. Drawing on extensive experience across LED volume environments, virtual production and business development, he will work with organisations to identify technology solutions that align with their operational and creative objectives. “Original Syndicate’s philosophy of Signal, Story, System, Control immediately resonated with me,” said Tyler. “The company approaches every project by understanding the client’s goals first and then building the right solution around them. I’m excited to help more organizations embrace technologies that enhance communication while remaining intuitive, scalable and future-ready.”

Michael Hernandez joins as Head of Production, bringing extensive experience in creative production, virtual production and large-scale immersive projects. Having worked across live touring, XR Studios and the launch of Sphere, he will oversee the production systems that support the successful delivery of OGS projects, ensuring teams, workflows and project execution remain aligned from concept through completion. “What attracted me to OGS was the opportunity to work with an incredibly talented team that shares a passion for creativity and innovation,” said Michael. “I’m looking forward to building production systems that enable great ideas to become successful client outcomes while continuing to develop alongside the business.”

Strengthening OGS’s operational capabilities, Bryan ‘Bee’ Washington joins as Technical Operations Centre Operator.

With more than a decade of broadcast engineering experience supporting global sporting events, major streaming platforms and international broadcasts, he will play a key

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BUSINESS

role in monitoring, maintaining and optimizing technical systems for clients. Bryan commented, “I’ve always been driven by solving technical challenges and improving workflows.

OGS stood out because of its willingness to rethink established approaches and continually push technology forward.

I’m excited to apply my experience while working directly with the systems that power our clients’ operations.”

The three new appointments build on the recent additions of Senior Technical Producer Monica Vandehei and Senior Technical Producer Cassidy Pearsall, who have both been instrumental in strengthening OGS’s production and technical capabilities over the past year. Monica Vandehei joined OGS as Senior Technical Producer, bringing a background spanning live events, virtual production and creative technology. Having managed complex production environments across theatre, fashion, television and feature film projects, she works closely with clients to align creative ambitions with practical technical solutions from concept through to implementation. “Every project starts with understanding what success looks like for the client,” said Monica. “What excites me about OGS is the opportunity to bring together the right people, technologies and creative thinking to solve complex challenges from concept through to delivery. It’s incredibly rewarding to help transform ambitious ideas into real-world outcomes.”

Cassidy Pearsall joined OGS as Senior Technical Producer, bringing expertise across live events, virtual production, cinema technology and systems integration. Drawing on experience gained with leading organizations including Disguise and ARRI, Cassidy supports clients with workflow development, technical design and project delivery across a wide range of production and education-focused environments.

“What attracted me to OGS was the opportunity to work across multiple industries and apply ideas from one sector to another,” commented Cassidy. “Every project is different, which means we’re constantly learning, innovating and helping clients realize opportunities they may not have previously considered.”

Collectively, these appointments reinforce OGS’s commitment to building multidisciplinary teams capable of supporting clients from strategic planning and system design through implementation, production and ongoing operations. “As communications technology continues to evolve, success increasingly depends on bringing together creative thinking, technical expertise and operational excellence,” added Ben C. Roth. “These appointments strengthen every stage of that journey and ensure we’re well positioned to support our growing client base as we continue to expand.”

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Kramer commits to price stability and product availability Kramer has announced a global customer commitment designed to help partners and end customers quote with confidence, deliver projects on time, and navigate continued market uncertainty through the remainder of 2026. As organisations continue delivering technology projects against budgets established at the beginning of 2026, many are facing increasing pressure from spiralling costs, supply chain disruption and longer planning cycles. At the same time, many manufacturers across multiple technology sectors have introduced price increases driven by continued volatility in the global semiconductor market. To help customers reduce uncertainty and keep projects moving, Kramer is making two strategic commitments through the remainder of 2026: Price stability and improved product availability.

As part of a global initiative, Kramer will maintain current pricing across the vast majority of its product portfolio through the end of 2026, helping customers and partners continue delivering projects within approved budgets and quote future work with greater confidence. PC-based products — including VIA collaboration devices, Control Brains and Management devices — are excluded from this commitment due to the continued volatility of processors, memory,

BUSINESS

by unprecedented global demand for semiconductor technologies supporting AI infrastructure and data centre expansion. “The AV industry is closely tied to the wider semiconductor ecosystem,” he said. “Demand for silicon-based components continues to outpace supply across multiple industries. We expect that imbalance to continue before capacity gradually catches up over the next twelve months.

While we can’t control every market condition, we can control how we respond to it.” The initiative reflects Kramer’s long-standing commitment to building strong partnerships with customers, distributors and system integrators by combining technology innovation with practical business decisions that support successful project delivery. “Innovation will always remain central to Kramer,” Yron added. “But great partnerships are built not only through technology, but through the decisions we make when our customers need us most.”

operating system licensing and other computing components.

Alongside its pricing commitment, Kramer is making a strategic investment in inventory across key, high-demand product families to improve product availability and support faster delivery. By increasing inventory levels, the company aims to reduce delivery uncertainty, help customers move more quickly from quotation to deployment, and minimise project delays. “We understand the pressures our customers and partners are facing, with many of them working within budgets that were approved months ago, even as market conditions continue to change,” said Gilad Yron, CEO of Kramer.

“We believe a technology partner should do more than deliver innovative products. We should also help customers navigate uncertainty wherever we can. While costs continue to rise across our industry, we’ve made the strategic decision to maintain pricing across the vast majority of our portfolio through the remainder of 2026 while investing in greater product availability,” Yron added. “It’s our way of sharing the burden with our customers and partners, helping them plan with greater confidence and keep their business moving.”

Yron believes the wider market will continue to experience supply chain volatility for at least another year, driven largely

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TECHNOLOGY

LARA Wizard touchpanel gets major configuration upgrade Lightware is introducing the biggest update yet to the LARA Wizard Touchpanel configuration experience, designed to help integrators work faster while delivering a more professional end-user interface. The update focuses on practical improvements that reflect common room setups, with more control, clearer visuals, and easier deployment. A key addition is Dual Display Control, allowing integrators to configure two video outputs from a single touchpanel, with independent display settings per output. This supports the most common real-world spaces where two monitors either the same type or different types are used, removing the need for workarounds.

The Wizard also adds Light and Dark themes via a simple in-Wizard switch, helping match the touchpanel UI to ambient lighting or brand preference while keeping buttons and labels readable. For stronger visual identity, Custom Company Branding is now supported, with logo upload, preview, and delete fully integrated directly within the Wizard. To streamline configuration before deployment, the update introduces a Live Touchpanel Preview in a pop-up window. Integrators can confirm layout, spot label mistakes, and verify branding before generating and uploading any files to a device.

New Room Control Buttons support up to four toggle buttons with live status feedback, using GPIO, Serial, Ethernet, or CEC control. This enables end users to manage room equipment such as lights, displays, or projectors directly from the touchpanel. In addition, Scheduled Display Shutdown adds a time-of-day power-off option for automatic shutdown at a specific time (for example, end of business hours), alongside the existing timer-based option. The update also extends Smart Auto-Select to both outputs, intelligently routing active sources to displays to reduce manual switching and im-

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prove meeting start. A refreshed UI design completes the release with a modern, professional look, including dual source selection for up to four inputs, room control blocks, and clean Light/Dark scene rendering.

TECHNOLOGY

Jabra expands Evolve3 range for different workstyles Jabra, has announced three new additions to the Jabra Evolve3 range, expanding its professional headset lineup designed to deliver consistent call quality across desk-based, open-office and hybrid or flexible workstyles. The new Evolve3 65 Flex, Evolve3 65 and Evolve3 45 provide professional voice pickup, in-call ANC working together with Sidetone and audio optimised for AI-powered collaboration tools to a broader range of users. Designed for different workstyles, the new models include a compact, foldable boomless design for hybrid workers and two boom-arm versions optimised for in-office workers in noisy environments, helping organisations better match headset choice to how people actually work.

Jabra research found that 73% of employees struggle to hear other participants in hybrid meetings, reducing the effectiveness of conversations and collaboration. As voice becomes a more important input not just for meetings but also for AI tools such as speech-to-text, meeting summaries and other voice-powered workflows, inconsistent voice pickup becomes both a communication issue and a productivity barrier. The expanded Evolve3 range addresses that challenge by offering organisations purpose-built headset options for different workstyles, delivering more consistent audio performance across the workforce for both human collaborations and AI-powered conversations.

While each model is tailored to specific work environments, all three share the same foundation of Jabra ClearVoice technology and in-call ANC for precise voice pickup to support professional call performance and concentration. Built for business, all models offer secure Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity and centralised device management through Jabra Plus Management and Jabra Xpress, enabling easy deployment and management at scale. Each model is optimised for different communication and mobility needs: •Jabra Evolve3 65 Flex: Optimal for hybrid or flexible professionals - Built for professionals moving between locations and shared workspaces who need professional audio performance in a more portable design. Features a foldable, mic arm-free design with enhanced outdoor voice pickup and Adaptive ANC for professional call quality on the move.

•Jabra Evolve3 65: The default choice for noisy open ofices - Built for professionals working in busy open-office environments who need a higher level of concentration support. It

provides advanced noise cancellation with Adaptive ANC and 3-mic voice pickup technology for professionals who need deep focus in shared spaces, while maintaining clear voice pickup during calls.

•Jabra Evolve3 45: Best for desk-based callers - The lightest on-ear headset in the Evolve3 range, built for professionals who spend most of their day at a desk either in the office or at home. It prioritises lightweight comfort, simple usability and reliable call clarity for frequent conversations and fatigue-free wear.

At the premium end of the range, Jabra Evolve3 75 and Evolve3 85, launched earlier this year, are designed for the most demanding communication environments, combining advanced noise cancellation, immersive audio performance and a premium, high-quality design for enhanced comfort and durability. Together, the full Evolve3 range now provides purpose-built headset options for every modern workstyle to supersede the Jabra Evolve2 range, launched in 2020. “The way people work has changed dramatically, but many companies are still trying to solve every communication challenge with the same headset,” said Calum MacDougall, President at Jabra. “Desk-based callers, open-office professionals and hybrid workers all face different communication demands and design requirements. When audio performance doesn’t match how people work, it becomes harder to deliver a consistent call experience across the workforce, which impacts both conversations and AI tools increasingly built around voice.” Jabra Evolve3 65 Flex, Jabra Evolve3 65 and Jabra Evolve3 45 will be available globally in Black from September 2026.

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TECHNOLOGY

D-Tools biggest wave of new capabilities in platform history D-Tools has announced D-Tools Cloud Release #100. This milestone release delivers 66 improvements, more new capability than any release since the platform’s 2018 debut, spanning payments, sales reporting, inventory and project drawings. Many of the improvements came directly from customer requests, and together they make D-Tools Cloud faster, clearer, and more complete at every stage of the integration business lifecycle. “This release ships more meaningful new functionality than at any other point in our history,” says G Paul Hess, CEO of D-Tools. “It’s a clear marker of our commitment to elevate D-Tools Cloud from a set of point tools into the one platform that supports every part of running an integration business, from the first sales conversation through design, fulfilment, service, and cash flow.”

Cash flow is the lifeblood of a small business. Even profitable integrators can struggle when cash isn’t on hand as bills come due. Release #100 attacks that problem directly with Accelerated ACH Deposits, a new next-day funding option in D-Tools Payments. Once enabled and a client’s ACH payment is verified, funds arrive in one business day instead of four, closing the gap with credit card settlement speed. This is a global setting that includes confirmation dialogs and invoice status badges, and it carries a processing fee of 0.8%.

Release #100 also sharpens invoicing clarity: Paid invoices now show clients their own payment-method details, and invoice summaries have been redesigned across digital and PDF formats to clearly break out totals, payments, fees, refunds, and balance due. A new QuickBooks Online and Xero filter shows at a glance which invoices have been pushed to accounting, and which still need to be linked, across Purchase Orders, Change Orders, and Billing, reducing the risk of duplicate or untracked entries.

Release #100 improves sales reporting for better visibility.

Opportunities now display an overall total, the Opportunity Dashboard includes subscriptions, and the “won” flow accounts for service contracts and subscriptions alongside one-time project revenue. The Sales Results module receives the largest set of upgrades: a new default “Total” revenue view that combines project, service contract, subscription, and service call revenue without double-counting; new date-range presets; a cleaned-up Lost Opportunities gadget; and a new drill-down Details view exposing the underlying

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opportunities, service calls, and change orders behind any number. Sales Forecast receives parallel improvements, including clearer labels, an improved 12-month projection window, corrected tooltips, and subscriptions now folded into forecast totals. Not every stocked product warrants an individual serial number and QR label. Hybrid Inventory gives integrators accurate tracking without over-managing low-value stock, letting them mix Units tracking (individual asset records) and Pools tracking (quantity only) at the individual product level instead of forcing an all-or-nothing choice across the catalogue. Hybrid Inventory builds on Inventory Asset Management (IAM), the award-winning perunit tracking solution D-Tools Cloud launched earlier this year.

A new Product Tracking Mode lives on the product itself and can be switched individually or in bulk, with a changeguard dialog that protects data integrity by blocking any mode switch while a product has assets or quantities allocated, checked out, or reserved, and explaining why. Nearly every inventory workflow now handles both modes side by side, including checkout, check-in, stock transfers, quantity adjustments, service-call allocation, bulk updates, and project-item reservation, with color-coded pills marking the distinction at a glance. CSV import and export support mixed catalogues in a single file. Release #100 makes the Interconnect Diagrams module, launched last fall, more branded, flexible, and production-ready for client-facing documentation: •Documentation and branding: a new customizable Cover Page provides a reusable, editable first page for project documentation; the Title Block Editor gains a dedicated canvas toolbar; and a new Title Block Manager centralizes creating, editing, sharing, and defaulting title blocks account wide.

TECHNOLOGY

Epson launches EB-L270F laser projector for collaborative learning

•Faster drawing workflows: users can now create multiple distinct wired connections between the same two devices. A new Connection View scopes a diagram to specific systems and locations for focused AV and network documentation.

•Tighter output and integration: diagram exports now use a standardized filename format across PDF and PNG, and proposals can open Plan View diagrams with the correct title block already applied, directly from quote and opportunity attachments. This tightens the link between design work and the proposal a client actually sees.

• New D-Tools Cloud Status Page Delivers Real-Time Service Transparency Alongside Release #100, D-Tools has launched a public status page at status.d-tools.cloud, giving customers real-time visibility into the health of D-Tools Cloud applications, APIs, integrations, and document services. The page displays live operational status for each core service area, 90-day uptime history, and a full incident and maintenance log. Customers can subscribe to receive notifications via email, SMS, Slack, or Microsoft Teams the moment an incident is created, updated, or resolved, reinforcing D-Tools’ commitment to reliability and transparency as more integrators run their entire business on the platform. D-Tools Cloud Release #100 is available now to all D-Tools Cloud subscribers. For more information or to schedule a demo, visit www.d-tools.com.

Epson has launched the EB-L270F, a new Full HD laser projector designed to give education institutions and businesses a bright, reliable and cost-effective alternative to flat panel displays. Developed for classrooms, lecture spaces and meeting environments, the EB-L270F delivers 5,200 lumens of brightness and scalable projection up to 310 inches. This makes it particularly well suited to collaborative learning, where lesson content, shared ideas, digital resources and group work need to be clearly visible to every student in the room. Unlike fixed-size flat panel screens, large-scale projection allows educators to create a display that fits the learning space, rather than limiting content to a smaller screen area. This helps improve visibility across the classroom, supporting whole-class participation and making it easier for students to engage with shared content, whether they’re viewing presentations, videos, lesson materials or collaborative work.

The EB-L270F combines native 1080p resolution with laser reliability and flexible installation options. It can be installed on the ceiling, floor or wall and can also be mounted on a lighting track, giving schools and businesses greater freedom to adapt their display technology to different rooms and teaching styles. Brendan Hoare, Epson Europe, said: “Education spaces are changing, and display technology needs to support more collaborative, flexible and engaging ways of teaching. The EB-L270F gives schools the ability to create bright, large-scale Full HD displays that every student can see clearly, while offering the reliability, low maintenance and installation flexibility that education environments need.”

The EB-L270F also supports Epson’s wider commitment to reliable, lower-maintenance laser projection. With mercury lamp projectors set to exit the market in February 2027 due to RoHS regulations, the EB-L270F provides a competitive 5,200-lumen-class laser solution for organisations moving away from lamp-based technology. The projector offers flexible content source options including HDMI, local content playback via memory card, optional wireless connectivity and Miracast via the ELPAP11 adaptor. It is also compatible with Epson software including Epson Creative Projection, Epson Projector Content Manager, Epson iProjection and Epson Projector Management, helping users create, manage and share content more easily (ELPAP11 adaptor required).

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FEATURE

Can AV save the British pub?

As editor of AV News and one time pub owner, Bryan Denyer is uniquely qualified to write this report. Let us start with the macro question of why British pubs have slumped into a steep decline in the last 40 years? There are multiple reasons. The downturn of British pubs – and other hospitality businesses – is driven by their economic model being squeezed from all sides at the same time as social habits shifted dramatically. The core reasons fall into four interconnected categories: rising costs, changing drinking behaviour, long term structural decline and policy pressures. So, what is the future for these institutions? And can AV play a part in turning around the decline?

British pubs are closing because costs (wages, energy, business rates, taxes) have risen faster than profits, while people increasingly drink at home or choose other social spaces.

Closures are not sudden — they’re the continuation of a century long decline, now accelerated by post pandemic pressures and recent legislation. Costs have surged across almost every item of pub operator’s budgets. Employment costs jumped after the 2025 Autumn Budget, adding an estimated £322.5m to hospitality payrolls. National Living Wage rose to £12.71/hour in April 2026, squeezing margins further. Energy bills and supplier costs have increased sharply since 2022, making small pubs especially vulnerable. Even pubs that are busy often cannot turn a profit because the margin on a pint is too thin once overheads are accounted for.

Recent policy changes have removed or reduced reliefs. The 40% retail, hospitality and leisure relief ended on 31 March 2026. New business rate multipliers offer only partial help, with no long term commitment. Alcohol duty changes have added further pressure. Even pubs doing decent levels of trade find their profits are wiped out by disproportionate tax burdens. The result is an acceleration in an already longterm structural decline starting as far back as before the First Worlds War: in 1904 there were 100,000 pubs in Eng-

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land and Wales. By 1950, this figure had declined to 73,500.

The current total is 45,000 but this is shrinking by at least 60 pubs every month. There are currently 426 pubs listed for sale across Great Britain.

Societal changes Rising costs and taxation are clearly major factors in pub closures, but these factors are exacerbated by societal changes. The UK has become a predominantly home drinking nation - three quarters of all alcohol consumption now happens at home, driven by cheap prices of alcohol in supermarkets.

Younger consumers drink less alcohol overall and prefer cafés, restaurants or alcohol free venues. Attitudes towards drinking and health have changed with gyms, escape rooms, cinemas, gaming, and online communities competing with traditional pub culture. This migration away from pubs with given further impetus by the Covid-19 pandemic, which resulted in significant turnover losses in 2020–21, debt accumulation from emergency loans and lasting behavioural shifts in favour of home entertainment.

While the commercial implications of declining trade are apparent, the social

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combine with traditional pub hospitality. Consumers are prioritising experiences that boost wellbeing and justify discretionary spend. For example, combining pub style hospitably with QSR derived catering has proved to be successful by offering value led menus, convenience and strong brand loyalty.

While the combination of drinking and fast food seems to be at odds with the societal trend in favour of wellness, formats that emphasise local engagement and social connection are outperforming the sector. Community pubs, neighbourhood cafés and hybrid café workspace venues all benefit from stable local footfall and diversified revenue streams.

Pubs are cheap!

roles of the pub are still much needed. For example, the role of pubs as informal community centres, hubs of support networks and intergenerational meeting places. This suggests that, while the core alcohol-based function of the pub has largely had its day, an unsatisfied demand for some form community hub still exists. The question is what unifying function will replace or supplement drinking at the core if these new style institutions?

The ‘pub’ of the future?

While pubs and mid-range restaurants are particularly impacted by economic decline, other sectors continue to experience significant growth. The differentiating factors cluster around experiences, value, and flexible formats. xperience led venues, premium food halls, quick service restaurants, hotels, and outdoor activity attractions are currently the fastest growing parts of UK leisure and hospitality. Demand for ‘memorable experiences’ is rising faster than demand for physical products. Examples of growth areas include immersive entertainment venues, themed bars and restaurants and competitive socialising (darts, mini golf, bowling, VR arcades. Fortunately, many of these concepts

Entrepreneurs seeing to enter the market may be attracted by the fact that pub properties are cheap right now, despite the declining revenues from those operated on traditional lines. Britain’s current pub for sale stock boasts a total market value of £159.8m, with the average pub commanding a price tag of £375,000 across Britain. The Southwest is home to the largest number of pubs currently on the market, with 82 establishments up for sale, accounting for 19.2% of all listings across Great Britain. The region is also home to the highest total market value, with pubs currently listed carrying a combined asking value of more than £40.2m. Wales ranks second, with 69 pubs currently available for sale and a combined market value of £20.4m, whilst Yorkshire and the Humber places third for availability with 50 listings. Together, the Southwest and Wales account for more than a third of all pubs currently listed for sale across Great Britain. Whilst the Southwest dominates in terms of availability, London is home to the highest average pub asking price. Pubs currently listed in the capital command an average price of £695,000, considerably higher than the national average of £375,000. The Southeast ranks second at £549,975, followed by the Southwest at £490,000. At the other end of the market, Yorkshire and the northeast offer the lowest average asking prices at £225,000, followed by Scotland at £260,000 and Wales at £295,000.

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FEATURE

Creating experiences While many of these properties for sale come fully equipped for traditional pub operations, the costs of supplementing these with solutions geared to creating experiences for new audiences and a wider cross-section of the public. Pro AV solutions have the potential to move beyond simple displays and sound systems, to immersive, intelligent, and personalised experiences. For example, offering the services of a business centre, can now involve integrating AV with IoT devices, 4K and 8K displays, LED video walls, interactive screens, and immersive digital environments. Larger hospitality venues are investing heavily in advanced AV for entertainment, conferences and events, including high-quality video conferencing, intelligent cameras, beamforming microphones, and integrated collaboration platforms to support hybrid events.

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are emerging as tools for visitor engagement with virtual tours, destination previews, immersive attractions, and event experiences.

Cloud-connected AV systems enable centralised monitoring, remote troubleshooting, analytics, content management, and software updates across multiple locations. Integrated cloud solutions are becoming a core technology trend in hospitality. Properties that combine AI, smart-room technology, immersive displays, and cloud-managed AV systems are likely to gain a competitive advantage over the next 5–10 years. Hospitality venues can use AV technology to shape the entire customer journey -from attracting visitors to encouraging them to return. The most effective AV strategies focus on creating memorable, seamless, and personalised experiences rather than simply adding more kit.

For ‘pub’ read ‘fun hub’ The biggest shift is that AV is no longer just a support function. It is becoming a strategic tool for enhancing customer satisfaction, creating memorable experiences (that cannot

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be experienced at home), generating diversified revenue and improving operational efficiency. Digital signage – both indoor and outdoor – is fundamental in signposting the ‘fun hub’ as something different. To complete the operational functions of the ‘fun hub’ AV systems can be integrated with booking systems, loyalty programmes which can be made more engaging by showing personalised offers. The effectiveness of these and other initiative offers is measurable sing data produced by AV solutions to continuously improve operations. Examples of available data include footfall patterns and dwell time. Combined with sales and customer feedback, these insights help operators refine layouts, promotions and programming.

Successful hospitality AV Ultimately, the most effective AV strategies don’t simply entertain—they reduce friction, create memorable moments and personalise the experience. When customers associate a venue with convenience, atmosphere, and consistently high-quality experiences, they’re more likely to return and recommend it to others. AV technology for this application should work consistently without requiring guest intervention. Content should be easy to update for events, seasons, or promotions. AV should support staff and enhance service, not replace personal interaction. IT should be possible to track outcomes such as customer satisfaction, repeat bookings, average spend, event attendance, and social media engagement.

Channelling investment into a business that is already struggling is never a straightforward choice, but identifying opportunities to diversify, while utilising a pre-existing asset can certainly make sense when the cost is relatively low, allows for flexible deployment, offers opportunities to attract new audiences and generate supplementary revenues any such investment must surely make sense. One segment of the hospitality sector that is enjoying unparalleled success is

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FEATURE

the ‘sports bar’, leveraging the interest in fitness, health and competition. The ‘sports bar’ tag is applied to everything from a screen and a Sky subscription in the local boozer to a high-end state-of-the-art AV installation in The Box chain of venues.

Located on Shaftesbury Avenue, the Box is a 7,200sq ft venue transformed into a sports bar in accordance with the brand’s signature mantra ‘Watch, Play, Party’. Spread across three floors, the venue will host a packed calendar of live sporting events, including NFL games, football, Formula 1, rugby and cricket. The Box Piccadilly also offers a range of competitive socialising games on the mezzanine level, including Electric Darts and Shuffleboard, and three Superbox karaoke rooms spread across the ground and basement floors. The London branch joins existing locations in Leeds city centre, Birmingham, Headingley, Nottingham, Sheffield and Manchester. AT a reported cost of £4 million, the Box scale of development is way beyond most pub operators, but

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brewery-tied pub groups are actively pursuing the sports bas opportunity. Green King, for example, plan to open 30 such outlets this year.

Sports venues of a different kind provide pub operators with another option in the form of esports arenas or sports cafes or bars. The number of venues currently stands at 120 but is likely to grow significantly. Trailblazers in the market include the Platform chain which operates 3 venues (London Shoreditch, Canary Wharf, Birmingham). Meltdown London chain is also part of the esports scene which currently numbers 12 independent establishments. Other potential growth markets for pub operators seeking to diversify include cinema clubs, karaoke clubs and recording / video streaming clubs. Themed nights and performances in pubs have surged by 21.4% in the last year. These again demand a measure of investment in audio-visual solutions but again offer the promise of a diversified customer base and additional revenue streams.

AV for efficiency An additional benefit of operating businesses that are built around a digital infrastructure is that data is generated as a byproduct of operations. Data gathered includes customer data includes bookings, preferences, and profiles. All of which is helpful in delivering a personalised service. Transaction data can include payments, food and beverage purchases, and refunds. Importantly feedback data includes

reviews, ratings, complaints and survey responses. All of this coexists with marketing data and loyalty-program activity, which helps with planning campaigns and promotions. In conclusion, AV, not only provides the means of widening the customer base and business activities, it also provides the data which helps to ensure efficient and profitable operations.

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APPLICATION

Vanessa Paradis and her team put Spectera handheld to the test For Vanessa Paradis’ 2026 tour, the audio team around monitor engineer Matthieu Speck have adopted Sennheiser’s Spectera wireless system, including the new SKM handheld transmitter. The tour is visiting an exciting mix of big arenas, large indoor venues and festivals, so the team was looking for a system that would be reliable, with stable RF and transparent audio – in brief: capable of building complete trust with the artist from the very first soundchecks.The set-up for this tour includes two Sennheiser Spectera Base Stations, complemented by a backup unit, and 28 SEK bodypacks.

Two Spectera handheld microphones handle the vocals; the monitoring is operated at 96 kHz. Eight Neumann MCM 114 clip-on microphones pick up percussion and brass, while four MKH 8018 stereo shotgun microphones capture the audience ambience.

For Matthieu Speck, the main challenge was to integrate a new technology into a demanding live production. For Vanessa Paradis, who usually sings with wired microphones, adopting a wireless microphone represented a significant step. “Vanessa has sung with wired microphones her entire career; this is the first time she has accepted using a wireless mic on stage. Quality and reliability are a must,” points out Speck. This level of expectation shapes the entire approach to the tour. Spectera is seen as a solution that safeguards the connection between the artist, the musicians, and the production team, ensuring continuity in an environment where each show presents its own constraints. One of Spectera’s key advantages lies in its special wideband technology which allows both bidirectional audio and control data to be carried within a single RF channel using time slots. This replaces the traditional RF coordination approach and significantly simplifies set-up and operation. “The Sennheiser WMAS technology replaces the traditional frequency plan. It is an extremely stable and more intuitive approach,” explains Speck.

The time savings with wideband are particularly evident when fast set-ups are required, especially at festivals. Nelly Robert, RF manager of the tour, benefits from a significantly simplified workflow for RF set-up, as well as for deploying packs and preparing the microphones. The absence of repeated manual synchronisation allows the team to focus more on stage control, soundchecks and listening. The tour sees the system deployed in a wide range of environments: large venues, festival set-ups, coexistence with other RF wireless systems, and frequent changes of location. In this context, RF robustness is critical. Speck highlights the range and reliability he has already observed on the road: “Spect-

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era links are even more robust than we imagined before the tour. The range is excellent — even at the very top of the Zénith arena in Lille, France, we were unable to break the link, no matter whether the SKM handheld or the SEK bodypack was used.” The system also works seamlessly with the SK 6000 used for backline communications, confirming its ability to integrate into a complex RF architecture without compromising operational reliability.

On stage, ease of use plays an important role for the acceptance of a new wireless system. On their SEK bodypacks, the musicians can make the most important settings themselves, reducing demands on the engineering team and improving their daily workload. This autonomy still has some boundaries thanks to the Remote Lock function that allows Nelly Robert to lock critical functions remotely during the show. This means the system strikes a balance between user freedom and operational safety: musicians gain comfort, while the engineer retains control of essential parameters.

In-ear monitoring is one of the areas where the change is most noticeable. For Speck, quality is now retained right through to the end of the signal chain. “Before Spectera, the weakest link in the audio chain was wireless in-ear transmission. We’re fortunate to have excellent consoles and high-performance tools across the board, and now we can maintain that quality all the way through. It’s a major step forward,” he says. The move to digital transmission at 96 kHz brings greater definition and a more precise stereo image.

APPLICATION

Speck compares this evolution to moving from a standard-definition video image to the sharpness and detail of 4K. This transparency, however, introduces an additional demand: the system reveals everything that is sent through it.

Precision therefore not only becomes a convenience for the performers but is also required from the monitor engineer.

For Vanessa Paradis, in-ear monitoring must not isolate her from the energy of her audience. Capturing ambience therefore plays an important role, with four MKH 8018 stereo shotgun microphones on the job. The tiers are captured with two MKH 8018 set to narrow XY stereo, the stalls are picked up by two 8018s set to wide XY stereo. This set up reproduces a coherent and natural sound image of the venue without compromising mix clarity. “I have never before achieved such good coherence in ambient capture; this has improved so much,” notes Speck.

Instrument capture relies on eight Neumann MCM 114 microphones, used on congas, bongos, saxophones and trombone. These sound sources are very demanding in respect of their dynamics and spectrum, which is why FOH engineer Julien Decarne ran various trials during rehearsals. Combined with the SEK bodypacks, the MCM 114 allow a precise, detailed and musical reproduction without sounding harsh. This consistency across the signal chain, from capture, to transmission and monitoring, directly contributes to the musicians’ listening experience.

MPM AUDIOLIGHT is the service provider and rental com-

pany for Vanessa Paradis’ set-up, and sees Spectera as a concrete response to the requirements of productions, sound engineers and technicians. David Nulli, Operations Director at MPM AUDIOLIGHT, emphasises that the investment in Spectera is part of a strategy of keeping abreast of technological developments and reflects the company’s confidence in the quality of Sennheiser products: “As the Spectera system was in high demand among our customers right from its launch, and given the long-standing trust we have in the quality of Sennheiser products, we did not hesitate to invest in this solution at an early stage.” There are also operational benefits for MPM AUDIOLIGHT: Faster preparation in the warehouse, simplified setup, and efficient deployment on site. This speed contributes to greater peace of mind for the teams and allows them to focus on the real challenges of the show.

David Nulli believes that Spectera is set to become the new standard for demanding productions, thanks in particular to its flexibility, reliability and alignment with the expectations of the high-end market. Vanessa Paradis’ tour is part of the Spectera Pioneer Program. For Speck, this programme has established a direct dialogue between touring engineers and Sennheiser’s development teams. “With the Spectera Pioneer Program, we can communicate with the people writing the code… it has broken down that barrier between the development engineers of a brand and the engineers and technicians on the ground like us,” he says. This exchange, notably via Discord, facilitates field feedback, adjustments and a better understanding of real-world operational constraints. The speed of updates, such as version 1.3, which can be installed in a matter of minutes, reinforces the impression of a system designed for the fast pace of live productions.

Ultimately, the most important validation remains the artist’s. Vanessa Paradis quickly approved the sound definition in her in-ears, thereby confirming that the system met its main objective: building trust. “Once that’s sorted, you create trust. My aim is for her to enjoy being on stage — that’s when I know I have done my job,” says Speck. Decarne is also very pleased with the sound quality of Spectera: “Vanessa’s voice is remarkably clear and precise. This allows me to maximise intelligibility and ensure that every word is perfectly understood by the audience.” On Vanessa Paradis’ 2026 tour, Spectera stands out for its ability to make operations smoother, musicians more autonomous, the engineering team more efficient and the artist more at ease. In a live setting, it is precisely when technology takes a back seat that its value becomes clear.

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TVC prescribes digital signage upgrade for Orford pharmacy Commercial AV and digital signage integrator TVC Technology Solutions has completed a bespoke healthcare communications project for Orford Jubilee Pharmacy in Warrington.

The project delivered a multi-screen digital signage network designed to enhance patient engagement and promote healthcare services throughout the site. Located within Orford Park Primary Care Centre, Orford Jubilee Pharmacy required a modern digital communications platform capable of promoting an expanding range of NHS and private healthcare services while maintaining a professional environment suited to a busy community healthcare setting.

Working closely with the pharmacy team, TVC designed and installed a comprehensive digital signage solution incorporating multiple 55-inch commercial displays, Android cloud network players and a centralised content management platform. The system enables real-time content updates and remote management across all displays, providing the pharmacy with a flexible and scalable communications platform. The signage network is used to promote Pharmacy First consultations, vaccinations, blood pressure monitoring, contraception services, seasonal healthcare campaigns and general patient information, allowing content to be updated instantly in response to changing priorities and service offerings.

One of the project’s key challenges involved the installation of high-visibility displays within the pharmacy frontage. Due to the presence of external security shutters, TVC developed a bespoke mounting approach that enabled displays to be positioned precisely between the window and shutter space without affecting visibility or operational functionality. The resulting digital shopfront creates a prominent visual presence capable of communicating healthcare messages throughout the day and evening while maximising exposure to passing footfall. Further enhancing the installation, TVC supplied and installed a 76-inch ultra-wide stretched display above the pharmacy’s main service counter. The display provides a highly visible focal point for healthcare messaging and promotional content while demonstrating the effective use of specialist display formats within compact healthcare retail environments.

B-Tech mounting solutions were used throughout the site, enabling displays to be integrated around shelving, consul-

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tation areas and customer spaces while maintaining a clean and professional finish. Elliot Shepherd, Technical Sales & Projects Coordinator at TVC Technology Solutions, commented: “Healthcare is becoming an increasingly important market for digital signage. Pharmacies need to communicate a growing range of services and health initiatives, and digital signage provides the flexibility to keep information current while creating a more engaging customer experience. This project demonstrates how carefully designed AV solutions can deliver real value within healthcare environments.”

The completed installation provides Orford Jubilee Pharmacy with a future-ready communications platform while highlighting the growing role digital signage is playing within community healthcare settings. The project showcases how modern AV technologies can be successfully deployed to support patient communications and service promotion within the pharmacy sector. TVC Technology Solutions, a division of the TVD Group, was established in 1996 by Jim Brown along with his sons, Matthew and Daniel. Starting from humble beginnings in a shop in Leigh, the company has become one of the largest suppliers of audio-visual solutions and domestic appliances across the UK and EIRE. As an employee-owned business specialising in the supply, installation, and maintenance of audio-visual products, TVC is known for its personalised approach, offering high levels of customer service and products tailored to meet client needs.

The company’s strong relationships with its partners enable it to deliver bespoke, future-proof, turnkey solutions suitable for any industry or environment. TVC provides custom audio-visual solutions to a wide range of sectors, including hos-

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pitality, hotels, holiday parks, retail, leisure, betting and gaming, healthcare, public and education, and specialised markets such as luxury yachts and places of worship, so its products have a reputation for client satisfaction and reliability.

Absen brings the world’s first AI art museum to life Through its ongoing collaboration with media artist Refik Anadol, Absen’s COB LED technology forms the visual backbone of ‘Dataland’, the world’s first AI-themed museum of fine arts, housed within Frank Gehry’s THE GRAND LA in downtown Los Angeles. Dataland, co-founded by media artist Refik Anadol and his wife and partner Efsun Erkilic, opened its doors on 20th June as the world’s first museum dedicated entirely to AI-driven fine art. Located within THE GRAND LA, the architecturally celebrated mixed-use complex designed by Frank Gehry, the museum spans approximately 35,000 sq ft, including five galleries totalling around 25,000 sq ft and roughly 10,000 sq ft of dedicated hardware infrastructure built to support its data-driven artworks.

Bringing large-scale generative art to life inside a landmark architectural space presented a distinct set of demands.

The museum’s inaugural exhibition, “MACHINE DREAMS: RAINFOREST”, is powered by the Large Nature Model, an AI system that transforms millions of images, bird songs and weather recordings into a continuously evolving, multi-sensory installation. Delivering that experience meant sourcing display technology capable of rendering ultra-high-resolution, colour-accurate imagery across both wall and floor sur-

faces, withstanding continuous visitor footfall, and integrating seamlessly into Gehry’s architecture without compromising the art or the space around it. To meet these requirements, Absen’s COB LED technology was selected across the museum’s galleries, delivering more than 330 sqm of display in total, including a dedicated Absen LED floor screen. Built on chip-on-board technology, it embeds LED chips directly onto the display substrate for a smoother, seam-free surface, finer detail at close viewing distance, and the structural durability needed for a screen designed to be walked across as well as watched.

Blackbox, Absen’s value-added distributor (VAD) for the project, supported every stage of delivery. From advising on optimal product selection and defining precise specifications during the design phase, through to on-site installation, commissioning and ongoing after-sales support. That continuity of service was instrumental in ensuring seamless delivery from concept to opening day. The installation marks the latest chapter in a multi-year collaboration between Absen, Blackbox and Refik Anadol, whose previous projects with the brand include a large-scale fluid AI installation at a museum in Turkey (2022), illuminated vertical pillars inside the AKBANK headquarters lobby in Turkey (2024), and a joint exhibition booth at the ISE trade show in Spain (2025).

With Absen’s display technology at the centre of the experience, visitors to Dataland are immersed in artwork that shifts and responds in real time, supported by a low-carbon approach to both the AI model’s operation and the museum’s wider footprint. The result is a seamless fusion of art, architecture and technology that reflects Dataland’s ambition to redefine what art can mean in the age of AI. “We have only processed permitted and clearly sourced data since 2020,” explains Refik Anadol, co-founder of Dataland, on the studio’s approach to working ethically with AI. He has described the museum’s core mission as one “to redefine the concept of art in the age of AI”, viewing the technology as a tool that unlocks new artistic possibilities rather than a shortcut around them.

“The entire museum uses high-definition LED screens to create a fully immersive experience, with seamless transitions and vibrant, delicate colour that completely reshapes the traditional gallery format,” says Laura Luo, President of Absen North America, reflecting on her visit to Dataland.

“We are no longer standing outside the artwork looking in – we become part of it. It’s a completely new artistic perception, and I was genuinely moved by the experience.”

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Clear-Com upgrades communications for ‘Jeopardy!’ & ‘Wheel of Fortune’ When ‘Wheel of Fortune’ and ‘Jeopardy!’ needed to upgrade their wireless communications system, they turned to ClearCom FreeSpeak wireless for their iconic television productions. Audio Masterpiece’s Gary Vahling, who has worked in the professional audio industry since the early 1990s, served as the lead systems partner for the project. Known for his meticulous preparation and hands-on testing approach, Vahling made sure the communications system was fully validated before deployment, minimising risk and guaranteeing reliability once it reached the studio floor.

Chris Savage, Technical Manager and project lead for both shows, oversaw the system design and installation. “Both shows share a control room but have stages that are effectively miles apart due to walls, pathways, and even parking lots,” Savage explained. “We needed a system that could handle extensive travel between the control room and the stages without a single dropout, and that’s exactly what we achieved.” The production team on ‘Wheel of Fortune’ requested a more flexible and channel-rich system to accommodate a technically savvy crew with increased monitoring needs. Clear-Com integrated a combination of FreeSpeak II and FreeSpeak Icon systems, leveraging Bluetooth-enabled beltpacks for maximum ease-of-use, even for executives with minimal technical experience.

For ‘Jeopardy!’ reliability and streamlined communication were equally critical in supporting the show’s fast-paced production environment, where timing, contestant coordination, and precision cueing are essential. The Clear-Com setup provides dedicated wireless coverage across the stage and production areas, giving crew members instant, uninterrupted communication throughout tapings. The system now supports 30 FreeSpeak II beltpacks and 6 Icon beltpacks for ‘Wheel of Fortune’ and ‘Jeopardy!’ with easy intersystem connectivity. The upgrade also included Arcadia Central Station, allowing full interoperability with existing Dante-enabled audio networks. This approach enabled lighting and PA crews to continue using legacy FreeSpeak II beltpacks while taking advantage of FreeSpeak Icon’s advanced capabilities. “The goal was a system that would last for years and scale with evolving production needs,” said Savage. “The team at Clear-Com, working closely with our Partners, delivered a solution that was simple and useful. From control room to stage, operators experienced zero downtime, even during high-pressure live productions.”

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PPDS has announced that its range of Philips MediaSuite 1

TVs has been chosen to deliver seamless access to a virtually limitless world of personalised digital entertainment at one of Italy’s most tranquil and picturesque five-star hotels, the Bellevue Syrene. Housed in the popular tourist destination of Sorrento in Southern Italy, and offering breathtaking views of the Bay of Naples, the cliff edge Bellevue Syrene is a truly remarkable boutique destination, offering the perfect blend of historical heritage and modern luxury to guests.

With 51 guest rooms and suites, each meticulously designed with a sophisticated blend of modern and antique furnishings, the hotel owners sought to modernise its ageing and restrictive television system by investing in a new ‘state of the art’, fully connected and centrally managed hospitality display network.

In partnership with trusted local integration specialist, Meginet, key requirements for the project included exceptional 4K UHD display quality and the ability to provide guests with a personalised entertainment experience, offering seamless access to their preferred streaming services, apps and on demand content from the comfort of their room.

Concluding extensive market research, a fleet of 70 4K UHD Philips MediaSuite TVs – ranging from 43” to 65” – was

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unanimously selected and installed inside all hotel rooms, with additional units added for larger suites. Delivering a new benchmark for in room entertainment while placing guests firmly in control of their viewing experience, one of the standout features influencing the hotel’s decision was the inclusion of the cast feature built directly into Philips MediaSuite TVs. First introduced on Philips MediaSuite in 2019, this allows guests to wirelessly share their favourite movies, TV shows, music, photos and even business presentations directly from their personal devices to the TV. The Philips MediaSuite TVs solution offers a simple and intuitive user experience, with guests able to securely connect their smartphone or tablet to the TV using a unique QR code and instantly cast content from their preferred streaming services, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, at the touch of a button. Philips MediaSuite TVs also provide guests with access to thousands of apps, games and entertainment options, creating a familiar and personalised home from home experience. Philips MediaSuite TVs also provide the Bellevue Syrene’s AV and IT teams with complete control over the hotel’s display network using PPDS’ CMND platform. Centrally managed and fully customisable to reflect the hotel’s unique brand identity, the platform enables regu-

lar software updates, security enhancements and new features to be scheduled and deployed remotely as they become available, reducing maintenance demands.

All TV login information is also automatically deleted upon checkout – rather than manually – adding further time and cost efficiencies. Furthermore, Bellevue Syrene staff can now enhance their direct communications with guests either on a collective or personalised basis, by effortlessly creating and displaying content on the TV screen, such as welcoming messages, in house information, check out details, marketing, and more. The installation of Philips MediaSuite has achieved all expectations from the hotel owners, staff, and guests, delivering advanced and future proofed experiences while upholding the high standards of traditional luxury hospitality. Claudio Napolitano, General Manager, Hotel Bellevue Syrene, commented: “When it comes to digital entertainment and information technology and communications services, we always choose partners capable of providing valuable, reliable and cutting edge technologies. Enabling us to offer our guests a truly complete and memorable stay.”

Vittorio Acampora, CEO, Meginet, added: “Our partnership with PPDS for Philips Professional Displays is a key factor that enables us to invest in joint strategies. Providing us with a solution that combines technological innovation with ease

Volksoper Wien reimagines opera with projection-driven storytelling Austrian opera house, Volksoper Wien, is one of Vienna’s most sophisticated venues for musical entertainment. Hosting thirty productions throughout its annual season, the theatre is renowned for its exceptional opera, operetta, musicals, and ballet performances. The 2025/2026 program features Mozart’s opera, The Magic Flute – the classic tale of the prince on a quest to rescue a princess. While the story may be a familiar one, Volksoper’s immersive production offers a fresh experience.

From the minds of artistic director Lotte de Beer, The Magic Flute blends traditional storytelling with innovative technology, using video projection to create an array of fantastical settings. Requiring precise projection mapping and real-time tracking, Stage Precision’s SP software proved to be the essential tool that brought the opera to life. Typically, theatres rely on handcrafted set pieces carried onto the stage throughout the performance by cast and crew, each one unique to the specific production and scene. While there

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APPLICATION is beauty in this tradition, it is a time-consuming practice for a venue staging some thirty different productions per year.

“For The Magic Flute, the idea was to design the backbone of the set with projections,” says Christian Allabauer, head of Volksoper’s lighting and network technology team. “This would allow us to move through the story, transitioning between scenes and settings almost immediately and with minimal intervention from the crew.”

During a previous production at Volksoper, a similar approach was attempted, using a single projection surface to cover the entire stage. “While the result was adequate, we aimed for a more flexible and intricate front projection for The Magic Flute, one that would rely on the interaction between projections and stage machinery,” Allabauer explains.

Rather than a single surface, six individually moving projection screens were deployed, fitting together like puzzle pieces. “All differing in shape and size, the projection screens must move together in perfect synchronisation in front of an eager audience of 1,300 people,” he states. “The challenge here was ensuring that the video content would align with the moving surfaces without slipping or hitting the back of the stage. We could not allow for any mistakes that might take the audience away from the immersive performance.”

The accurate scaling of the projection surfaces required the detailed mapping and tracking capabilities of SP. Having attended an SP training session the year prior, Christian Allabauer was already well-acquainted with its advanced feature set. To find a solution that was the right fit for this production, the Volksoper team consulted with local theatres, who strongly recommended SP. “We benefited greatly from the expertise of Stage Precision’s service team, who proved to be an essential asset during the early stages of the project,” Allabauer recollects. “They helped us establish the foundations of the system, which relied on the relationships between stage machinery, positioning data,and projections.”

Three ETC EOS APEX lighting consoles serve as the venue’s central control platform, from which the lighting and multimedia teams manage all lighting, and visual elements, selecting which content should be played and when. Once SP was integrated into this workflow, it became the core of the entire motion tracking system, enabling all content and positioning data to be tracked and managed efficiently. The secret to SP’s tracking capabilities lies in its advanced tracking and mapping features. “To accurately synchronise video content with the projection surfaces, we need to have complete visibility at all times,” reveals Allabauer. “Individual scaling and full control of any single parameter, that’s where SP excels compared to other platforms; we can map and build the entire AVLM (audio, visual, lighting, and media) system without limitations in a single control interface, taking into account the real-world environment and adjusting parameters to ensure we have an accurate target for the projections.”

Already part of the stage machinery, sensors attached to flybars – from which the projection surfaces hang – transmit their real-time position to SP using the PosiStageNet (PSN) protocol. “Within SP the positioning data is tracked and merged with the lighting control data, then forwarded to the media servers, which manage the content and send the video signal to the projectors,” continues Allabauer. “Due to the large scale of the system, some delays were to be expected.

Thanks to SP’s filtering abilities, the prediction filter allowed us to compensate for system latency and gave the required accuracy to make the magic work.”

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Designed by an external content creation team, the video content was inspired by the drawings of Volksoper’s resident set designer. “In our interpretation of The Magic Flute, the story unfolds within the sketch book of a thirteen-year-old boy,” describes Christof Hetzer, who developed the artwork and set design for the production. “We imagine that he uses pens and brushes to create a fantasy-world. We thought it would be really magical if the audience could not only dive into the sketchbook at the beginning of the story, but also witness how the ideas of the imagined artist turn into moving characters who interact with evolving landscapes that materialise before their eyes.”

The careful combination of vivid colours and animated sketches transport audiences into this fairytale-like world.

Kinetic video projections allowed the team to develop a production that celebrates the craft of storytelling while eliminating many of the technical roadblocks that come with conventional stage design – and SP was the root of this success.

The in-house lighting and multimedia team is stationed at the lighting desk to manage the AVLM elements each night.

“My role now is to oversee the tracking feature, which is critical for the flawless execution of the entire production,” says Allabauer. “With SP at the heart of the system, we can ensure that the video and projection surfaces move in perfect unison, giving us full control over the performance. It has

APPLICATION see how SP bridges the gap. The prediction filters, in particular, were the key to compensating for the natural inertia of the system with multiple layers so that the content doesn’t lag behind. It always sounds so easy in theory, but there is so much meticulous fine- tuning that goes into a setup like this, and SP helped us cover all bases.”

Since the integration of SP at Volksoper, other productions have requested to experiment with SP’s unified AVLM and sensor tracking workflows to transform the stage into a range of dynamic and imaginative settings. With the infrastructure already in place, Volksoper Wien has the flexibility to scale up or down, changing only the video content and the movement of the projection to create entirely new productions.

“With this approach we have not only simplified the set design, but we have developed a powerful storytelling tool that ignites the curiosity of audiences,” Allabauer concludes.

“Whether it’s opera, ballet, or musical, with SP we can enrich every performance, weaving classic storytelling with forward-thinking technology.”

d&b A-Series meets strict sound requirements for basketball

proven to be an indispensable tool for realising this unique artistic vision.”

While the initial setup took longer than a traditional production due to the technical innovations, Allabauer and the Volksoper crew have since become well-versed in the management of the system. “Without the need for heavy, largescale props and set pieces to be carried onto the stage, we can run the show smoothly with minimal intervention. The actors can focus on delivering their performance, the crew can manage the scene changes discreetly from off-stage, and the audience remains fully immersed in the experience.

The audience is often unaware of the complexity behind the interactions they witness, as they are fully engrossed in the world we’ve created.”

Lighting designer Alex Brok illustrates, “In the field of lighting design, the integration of motion tracking can be a key factor in the conceptualisation of designs that utilise video, with the objective of achieving movement in accordance with the dynamics of the scene”.

“As a video artist, the creative vision is only as good as the technology that ultimately brings it to the stage,” comments content designer, Roman Hansi. “Mapping six moving screens with centimetre- precision is a massive undertaking – and honestly, without Stage Precision, this production wouldn’t have been technically feasible. It’s impressive to

Officially known as the Telekom Center Athens, this indoor venue in Greece is the largest multipurpose space in the country, hosting a varied programme of shows and events as well as being home to the Panathinaikos BC AKTOR team.

With retractable seating and flexible configuration possibilities, the 19,000-seat venue has very specific demands for sound coverage – demands met by d&b’s A-Series augmented array.

What management company White Veil required was a sound system capable not only of delivering clear, consistent audio coverage across the whole audience area – regardless of the event type – but which could ensure independent zonal control (for example, court area, retractable stands, lower and upper seating tiers) so that only those areas needed for each event would be active. To allow for fast transition between configurations, access to zone control needed to be via preset scenes. On top of that, the system had to be lightweight enough to meet the roof’s load limitations. To come up with a solution to meet these needs they turned to Athens-based systems integrator and audiovisual specialist, Telmaco. They, in turn, knew that d&b’s products could rise to the challenge. Telmaco’s CEO Vassilis Kyriazis explains, “The system had to deliver sufficient SPL and clear, consistent, full-range coverage across the entire audience area for all event types. We needed an average of 100dB(A) over 90% of seats, with ±3 dB uniformity and a 37Hz–18kHz frequency response – combining all this output and precise directivity with a system that could fit with the low structural capacity.”

Project completion was initially planned for summer 2026, however, once the arena was selected to host the EuroLeague Final Four in May 2026, the deadline was brought forward. The challenge of achieving such high acoustic performance, while keeping structural weight to a minimum, was now compounded by the project’s shortened implementation window. To make it happen, Telmaco imported a detailed 3D model into d&b’s ArrayCalc software, enabling

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d&b’s Education and Application Support team to design the sound system and support the commissioning on site, including the setup of the required operational scenarios in d&b’s R1 Remote control software. “ArrayCalc gave us a solid idea of where and how we would achieve our targets,” according to Andreas Zantzas, AV Design Engineer at Telmaco, “and it helped us speed up tuning of the system after the installation was completed.”

Beyond design and commissioning, d&b’s custom solutions team produced bespoke rigging frames specifically for this project, allowing the line arrays to be deployed exactly as required by the venue’s structural and coverage constraints.

The system is based around 14 flown main arrays of ALi60 / ALi90, centrally suspended on custom d&b frames. These consist of four arrays serving the outer corners, four extended to lower positions for the retractable seating behind the baskets, four for the court-level side seating and another two arrays aimed at the playing area, also covering the courtside seating. These are complemented by 10 Vi-GSUBs flown directly behind the main arrays in cardioid configuration. Further ALi90 and ALi60 cabinets provide delay for the central and corner areas of the upper tier, while 18 8S cabinets provide under-balcony fill. “The low weight of the A-Series was key,” says Zantzas. “It let us reach the required SPL, output and directivity while staying well within the roof’s rigging and load-bearing limits.”

Control of the entire system is via d&b R1 from a dedicated PC, handling both scenario presets and system monitoring.

Custom snapshots were configured for easy, straightforward operation by the end user. Furthermore, the system is connected to the existing public-address/announcement system, to relay emergency signal when required. White Veil – Telekom Centre Athens CEO Ilias Vrisis: “The new d&b system has transformed the arena’s audio performance by delivering outstanding sound quality and consistent coverage throughout the venue. It has significantly enhanced the experience for both audiences and performers.”

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K-array delivers sound at altitude for iconic Alpine venue Perched high above the historic town of Kitzbühel, Restaurant Hochkitzbühelbei Tomschy has established itself as one of the most vibrant destinations in the Austrian Alps, seamlessly blending panoramic dining with ahigh energy aprèsski atmosphere. By day, the venue welcomes guests for relaxed meals overlooking the surrounding peaks, while at weekends it transforms into a bustling DJ-led social hub drawing crowds from across the region. This dual identity, coupled with its sensitive Alpine setting surrounded by neighbouring lodges, created a complex audio challenge.

The need to deliver powerful, high-quality sound while maintaining strict control over noise dispersion. Owner Christoph Tomschywas looking fora system that could effortlessly transition between refined background music and full-scale DJ performance without compromising clarity or breaching local sound regulations.

Working in close collaboration with integrator LiveWire, leading Italian audio manufacturer K-array offered a solution that places precision and control at its core, ensuring the venue could operate confidently across both indoor and outdoor environments. Inside the main lounge, the design had to contend with acoustically reflective materials including wood flooring and glass partitions, while still achieving consistent coverage and musical clarity. K-array addressed this through the deployment of multiple Python KP52discreet-

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line array loudspeakers, whose controlled vertical dispersion reduces unwanted reflections and maintains intelligibility even at higher levels. This approach allows the space to function equally well as a relaxed dining area and a high energy DJ environment. Additional Dragon KX12 loudspeakers positioned near the DJ booth provide the necessary headroom and impact for live performances. A combination of Thunder KS1 and KS3 subwoofers delivers low frequency reinforcement that is both powerful and tightly-controlled, focusing energy where it is needed without overwhelming the room.

Dedicated monitoring ensures DJs can perform comfortably without excessive stage volume, reinforcing the system’s balance between performance and control. The outdoor terrace presented an even greater challenge. Withsweeping views across the Alpine landscape, it is highly exposed to environmental conditions and subject to strict local noise limits. Here, K-array’s directional loudspeaker technology proved critical. Python KP102 column loudspeakers were selected for their ability to deliver controlled horizontal coverage with narrow vertical dispersion, directing sound precisely towards the terrace while minimising spill into the surrounding environment. Complementing this, Rumble KU315 subwoofers are strategically positioned to reinforce bass within the venue boundary, reducing low frequency propagation beyond it. This careful orchestration ensures that guests experience a full and engaging soundscape without excessive volume levels, even during peak après-ski mo-

ments.

Environmental durability was another key consideration.

Alpine conditions, including snow, wind, UV exposure and rapid temperature fluctuations, place significant demands on installed systems. K-array’s marine-grade treatment ensures long-term reliability, with the system at bei Tomschy already demonstrating resilience through extreme weather conditions, from heavy snowfall to intense sun exposure.

Central to the project’s success is the system’s intelligent control and processing infrastructure. Powered by a KommanderKA68 amplifier with integrated DSP, the system allows precise tuning across all zones, including crossover management, delay alignment and level control. A Q-SYS platform provides intuitive operation, enabling staff to switch seamlessly between different usage scenarios such as daytime dining, après-ski gatherings and DJ events. This ensures consistent sound quality while maintaining regulatory compliance, supported by dynamic sound limiting and zoning capabilities that keep the audio focused. The collaboration between K-array and Livewire was instrumental in delivering a solution tailored to the venue’s unique requirements, balancing technical performance with discreet integration and ease of use. As Trevor Davison, company director at LiveWire explains, “Mountain venues like bei Tomschy demand a very precise approach to sound design. Using K-array’s controlled dispersion loudspeakers, we were able to deliver an energetic DJ environment while ensuring sound remains focused within the venue and in harmony with the surrounding Alpine community.” Today, bei Tomschy stands as a reference point for high-performance audio in challenging hospitality environments. Guests can enjoy a seamless transition from ambient dining to vibrant entertainment, supported by a sound system that delivers both impact and precision. For Christoph Tomschy, the outcome reflects the essence of the venue itself. He says: “bei Tomschy isa truly special place where at 1,700 meters above sea level, we offer guests an experience like no other. During the day, people dine and take in the breath-taking views over the stunning Alpine peaks, then by night the DJ takes the stage and the whole place comes alive. The K-array system is at the heart of it all, giving us the precise and powerful audio we wanted while still respecting the beautiful environment we are so proud to be part of.”

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Meyer and the Black Crowes’ ‘Southern Hospitality’ Tour The Black Crowes are back on the road this summer for the “Southern Hospitality Tour,” a 41-city run across the U.S. and Canada in support of ‘A Pound of Feathers’, the band’s 10th studio album. Delivering the tour’s sound is a Meyer Sound PANTHER line array provided by Bay Area-based rental house and integrator UltraSound. For UltraSound project coordinator Jason Mills, the challenge was to design a single system capable of serving diverse venue sizes from 3,000 to 30,000 seats. “The band is playing a smattering of arenas, and then mostly amphitheatres,” he says. “It’s easier for the guys on tour to scale back than it is to scale up.”

The Meyer Sound system centres around 18 PANTHER line array loudspeakers per side, with LYON line array loudspeakers in out-fill arrays of 16 per side covering extended side seating in larger venues. Six 1100-LFC low-frequency control elements per side fly above the stage, with 12 additional ground-stacked units, all configured in cardioid. Six LEOPARD line array loudspeakers handle front fill. Mills used UltraSound’s archive of Meyer Sound MAPP 3D files from previous tours at the same venues to inform the flexible design.

Systems engineer David Williams manages day-to-day refinements on the road. “He can look at the venue in the morning before load-in, get on MAPP 3D right away, and adjust easily, with predictions day-to-day for that specific venue and any specific challenges that come up,” Mills says.

Rigging logistics are also straightforward. “It’s easy to deploy, it’s easy to scale,” he adds. “The riggers have no problems with it.” Veteran front-of-house engineer and production manager Tim “Quake” Mark brought 48 years of experience to his first tour deployment with PANTHER. For Mark, PANTHER addressed both performance and the increasingly unforgiving economics of touring. “PANTHER intrigued me because of the weight savings and the capability of it,” he says. “With the size of the P.A. I have now, I save 20,000 pounds. That’s a huge help with fuel.”

When it comes to sound, Mark has clear goals. “I want to paint on the console, not on the P.A.,” he says. “PANTHER just sounds pretty, right out of the box. I don’t have to do as much to it as I have to do with other systems.” He says he is also impressed with PANTHER’s consistent coverage. “I can go up into that bleacher a hundred feet from me, and it’s still covering everything,” he says. “That’s the beauty of PAN-

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THER.” To preserve a stereo image, Mark configures the LYON outfill arrays in an alternating left-right sequence. The cardioid 1100-LFC configuration gives the system the lowend impact the tour needs while helping keep sub energy under control onstage. “Instead of them facing straight on or straight downstage, we’ve gone to turning them out,” says Mills. “Even in the cardioid pattern, that controls the rejection a little bit more right into where Chris Robinson is standing. He doesn’t want to get bothered with the sub energy.”

“The name’s Quake,” Mark says. “I don’t look for a punch. I want to shake your pant legs. I drive the band with a bass player, all the time.” He says the PANTHER system supports a philosophy he’s shaped in decades behind the console.

“My job as a front-of-house guy is not to create. Mine is to interpret and reinforce you in the room. After I do that, then I sit down and I can mix.” The “Southern Hospitality Tour” continues through August 20 at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, CA.

Christie Griffyn projectors power immersive full dome Orlando Science Centre has unveiled its newly renovated 8-story dome theatre. The Dome by Dr. Phillips Charities, featuring a Christie RGB pure laser projection system that transforms the former IMAX venue into a versatile immersive theatre with stunning 8K content for educational program-

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ming, giant-screen presentations, live planetarium experiences, and special events. Christie partner SSIA Technologies consulted and installed the systems. At the heart of the installation are eight Christie Griffyn 4K35-RGB projectors configured in a fulldome projection system that delivers bright, high-resolution imagery across the theatre’s newly resurfaced dome. The Dome also includes an inset Christie CP4435-RGB pure laser cinema projector for 3D science, nature and space movies.

The renovation marks a significant evolution for one of the Science Centre’s signature attractions, creating a flexible theatre environment that can showcase a wide range of content while preserving its connection to astronomy and science education. “One of our primary goals was to replace our aging film projection system with the best solution available for our guests,” said Stephen Holt, Vice President of Facilities & Exhibits, Orlando Science Centre. “Working with our consultant and project partners, we identified a state-ofthe-art projection and audio solution that would allow us to create immersive experiences for years to come. The result is a venue that can support everything from live planetarium shows and giant-screen films to educational programming and special events.”

“We were tasked with delivering a solution that met stringent requirements for resolution, brightness, image quality, and overall performance,” said George Barnett, Co-CEO and Founder at SSIA Technologies. “The Christie Griffyn projec-

tors enabled us to achieve those goals while overcoming the physical constraints of an existing IMAX theatre. The combination of image quality, reliability, and flexibility made them an ideal fit for this application.” Installing the projection system presented unique challenges. Four Griffyn projectors and the CP4435-RGB cinema projector were housed within the theatre’s existing projection gallery, while four additional Griffyn units required custom placement at the front of the dome to ensure complete image coverage. The installation team also worked within tight physical spaces while coordinating with ongoing construction activities throughout the renovation. Despite those challenges, the project was completed in time for the theatre’s public opening.

The renovated theatre seats more than 300 guests and serves as a multipurpose immersive venue rather than a traditional planetarium. While astronomy programming remains an important part of the theatre’s mission, the upgraded projection system enables a much broader range of educational and entertainment experiences. The Science Centre also invested heavily in content creation as part of the project, ensuring visitors would immediately experience the full capabilities of the new venue. “Technology is only as good as the content it presents,” said Annette Sotheran-Barnett, Co-CEO/Founder at SSIA Technologies. “Orlando Science Centre recognised that from the beginning. They made content development a priority, creating experiences that showcase both the technology and the stories being told.

When audiences see real-time astronomy visualisations and immersive fulldome content running on this system, they immediately understand what’s possible.”

One highlight is an introductory dome presentation, custom-produced by SSIA, which showcases the projection and audio systems while offering visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the technology powering the experience. “Any time that presentation is running, I find myself stopping to watch it,” added Holt. “It highlights the effort that went into creating the dome experience and showcases the incredible range of content that can be presented in the space. It leaves guests excited about what they’re about to see.” The theatre officially opened this month, beginning a new chapter for one of Orlando Science Centre’s most recognisable attractions.

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National Museum of Qatar renews with Panasonic and HIVE HIVE and Panasonic have helped deliver one of the world’s most technologically ambitious immersive museum experiences at the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ), where more than 170 HIVE media engines drive 128 Panasonic 20,000 lm 4K projectors across a series of large-scale projection environments. The deployment processes more than 21 billion pixels of visual content every second, bringing Qatar’s history, culture and future ambitions to life through immersive storytelling.

Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, the National Museum of Qatar is renowned for its striking desert rose-inspired architecture and immersive visitor experience. The museum’s galleries combine cinematic projection, artefacts and exhibition design to guide visitors through Qatar’s journey from prehistoric landscapes and early settlements to the nation’s modern development and future vision.

Delivered in partnership with Secuoya QFC & BGL audiovisual, the installation represents one of the largest HIVE deployments to date, with 172 Beeblade media engines supporting projection mapping and synchronised playback across ten galleries. To bring Qatar’s history and culture to life, the museum is also currently upgrading all 128 of its Panasonic projectors to the latest PT-RQ25K 4K DLP laser technology – each equipped with HIVE’s embedded technology via the SDM slot. This approach eliminates the need for external media servers and extensive cabling, reducing installation complexity, cost and potential points of failure. Pedro Jiménez Train, Operations Manager at Secuoya QFC & BGL audiovisual, said: “HIVE’s media servers proved to be an outstanding solution for a project of this scale and complexity. The platform is intuitive to operate, integrates seamlessly with the wider AV architecture and delivered significant rack space and installation efficiencies. What stood out most was HIVE’s collaborative, solutions-driven approach.

Large-scale permanent projection environments inevitably present technical challenges, and the team consistently worked alongside us to find practical and reliable solutions throughout the project.”

At the heart of the system is a distributed playback architecture comprising 150 Beeblade Pluto media engines, 30 Beeblade Minima media engines and 14 Beehive enclo-

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sures. Together, they deliver 8K 10-bit HEVC playback, projection mapping and site-wide scheduling, ensuring synchronised content playback across the museum’s immersive galleries. Projection alignment and blending are managed using VIOSO software, while HIVE’s platform provides centralised monitoring, reporting and control to simplify longterm operation.

The visual experience is to be delivered by 128 Panasonic PT-RQ25K 3-Chip 4K projectors installed throughout the museum’s immersive galleries, projecting cinematic content across complex curved architectural surfaces and exhibition environments. With 20,000 lumens capability, the PTRQ25K provides approximately double the light output of the PT- RQ13K projectors being phased out as part of the upgrade programme. This additional performance headroom allows the museum to operate the projectors at substantially lower output levels while maintaining exceptional image quality. “When the museum opened in 2019, immersive cultural attractions were still relatively rare,” said Anthony Molloy, Division Head MEA at Panasonic Projector & Display. “Today, immersive experiences are commonplace, but the National Museum of Qatar remains one of the pioneering examples of how technology and storytelling can be combined at scale. Specifically, the upgrade to PT-RQ25K projectors provides significantly greater brightness than the

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worldwide. Mark Calvert, CEO of HIVE, said: “One of the biggest achievements of the project was simplifying what had previously been an extremely complex projection environment. From the visitor’s perspective the experience is visually richer than ever, but behind the scenes the system is now far easier to operate, maintain and scale long term. The National Museum of Qatar stands as a benchmark for immersive cultural experiences worldwide and we’re proud that HIVE technology plays such a central role in bringing that vision to life.”

Jazz clubShure brings pristine audio to ‘Upstairs at Ronnie’s projectors it is replacing. This improves energy efficiency, reduces operational demands and helps extend the lifespan of the installation. Combined with HIVE’s distributed media architecture, which simplifies content management, monitoring and control across the entire site, the result is a highly efficient and future-ready platform for immersive storytelling.”

Unlike many projection-mapped attractions, visitors can approach the projected surfaces directly, placing exceptional demands on image quality and system performance. Purposely filmed for DLP content, the films, captured largely in 8K resolution using multi-rig camera systems, are projected across dynamically curved gallery walls and architectural surfaces at monumental scale, creating a seamless blend of architecture, content and storytelling. The deployment demonstrates how modern media server technology can support large-scale immersive environments while simplifying installation, operation and long-term maintenance. Processing more than 21 billion pixels of visual content every second, the system enables the museum to deliver cinematic storytelling across multiple galleries while maintaining synchronised playback and consistent image quality throughout.

For HIVE, the project represents a major milestone and a powerful reference for immersive cultural installations

Ronnie Scott’s, London’s legendary Soho jazz club, has turned to Shure to deliver the audio backbone of ‘Upstairs at Ronnie’s’, its newly redeveloped live music room. The venue, which sits above the club’s famous downstairs stage, has been built from the ground up with a single ambition: to create the greatest small live music venue in the world. Designed to seat 140 guests, ‘Upstairs at Ronnie’s’ combines world-class technical specification with intimacy, pairing a Yamaha S3X Grand Piano and d&b sound system with a fully digital Shure microphone and monitoring signal chain built around SLX-D+ and Axient Digital PSM. The result is a room engineered to put performers and audiences closer to the music than ever before.

The club set out to create a purpose-built room that complements its main stage while offering a different experience, one where every design decision, from acoustics and sightlines to equipment selection, is focused on sound quality, comfort and connection. “With Upstairs at Ronnie’s, we set ourselves the somewhat audacious goal of creating the greatest small live music venue in the world,” says Charlie Dale, Technical Manager at Ronnie Scott’s. “We wanted a space where artists and audiences could feel even closer to the music, with every element of the design focused on sound quality, comfort and connection.”

The redevelopment gives the club the platform to support a far broader range of performances than would traditionally

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be associated with a small jazz club. Monday nights host a classical series presented by violinist Lizzie Ball and the club’s artistic director and house pianist James Pearson; Wednesdays focus on jazz vocal performances followed by a vocal jam night for emerging and established singers alike; and the venue’s long-running Friday night Cuban music session continues a tradition stretching back well over a decade. Audio quality was central to the brief from the outset.

Ronnie Scott’s has long held a reputation as a great-sounding venue, and that standard needed to extend seamlessly into the new room – whether reinforcing the most intimate performances or supporting the club’s Monday Classical series, where every nuance of the performance needed to be faithfully reproduced. “The quality of the audio for both audiences and musicians on stage was of utmost importance to us when designing the venue,” Dale explains. “For many of the shows, our goal is to make the PA as audibly invisible as possible, while also needing the ability to have a more vibey and in-your-face sound for shows that require it.”

Reliability was equally critical. The club is open 362 days a year, often staging between two and four shows daily, placing significant demands on every piece of equipment in the building. “We also needed to make sure the equipment we chose was as robust as possible,” Dale continues. “Working with trusted brands within the industry such as Shure, d&b and Yamaha was essential to achieve these goals. All these brands have proven track records of providing high-quality gear that is built for the rigours of everyday use, in a small footprint but powerful enough package for a 140-capacity room with as varied a lineup of acts as we get Upstairs.”

Given the requirements for pristine audio quality and dependable hardware, Shure was a natural fit for the project.

“Shure was the obvious choice to work with,” says Dale.

“They have been at the top of the game for mics and RF gear for a long time for a reason. No musician or engineer from anywhere in the world will be upset if you offer them an SM58 or SM57 as a first or second choice of microphone for most applications.”

Upstairs at Ronnie’s deploys Shure SLX-D+ for microphones and Axient Digital PSM for in-ear monitoring, giving the venue a fully digital signal chain from mic to monitor.

‘Upstairs at Ronnie’s’ runs four channels of Axient Digital PSM, with the system also allowing the team to monitor RF quality and settings directly from the console over the venue’s Dante network. “Using SLX-D+ and Axient Digital PSM for mics and monitoring allows us to have a high-quality,

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completely digital signal chain from mic to monitor, while also allowing us to monitor the RF quality and settings of the mics in our console over the Dante network – which is a must in a sound booth with limited space to have a laptop with Wireless Workbench open all the time,” Dale says.

The venue’s Axient Digital PSM system also benefits from Shure’s recent firmware update introducing Single Carrier (SC) Narrowband, a new digital transmission mode designed to give engineers a more familiar and dependable RF setup without the need for complex coordination or advanced antenna configurations – well suited to a fast-paced room running multiple shows a day. The club also praised the installation and commissioning support provided by the Shure UK team. “Working with the UK Shure team is always a great experience, and this time is no different,” Dale adds. “A huge thanks must go to Stuart Moots and Peppe Mallozzi for organising the installation, and to Jack Drury and Andrew Francis for commissioning the installation for us, including making sure we had the latest firmware on all the equipment and that our Dante network was rock solid.”

Since opening, the venue has drawn praise from artists for the quality of sound both on and off stage. “We have had nothing but compliments from artists about how good Upstairs sounds, both on and off the stage,” says Dale. “Having pristine audio for our artists is a key priority for us, so that every act can be confident that they can produce the show they want to put on to the highest standard possible.” That

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INFiLED brings interactive LED experience to the world’s tallest hotel

includes the option of stereo in-ear monitoring, an increasingly common request even within the jazz world, giving artists greater choice over how they perform and monitor themselves within such an intimate setting.

For Ronnie Scott’s, Upstairs represents an expansion of a reputation built over decades downstairs, giving the club two venues of exceptional quality under one roof and a platform to introduce newer artists to the standard of venue more typically reserved for established names. “Having Shure as a partner in this is wonderful,” Dale concludes. “Both Shure and the club have long-standing, sterling reputations for audio quality, so working together to bring our shows to life is a no-brainer for us. For our engineers, knowing that they have the ability to offer rock-solid RF mics and IEMs to artists makes that side of gigs smooth and stress-free, and our artists know that they can rely on us and the tech we have, so they can focus on their music.”

Stuart Moots, Director of Market Development at Shure UK, adds: “Ronnie Scott’s is one of the most iconic and respected jazz venues in the world, so supporting ‘Upstairs at Ronnie’s’ with our wireless and monitoring technology is a project we’re incredibly proud to be part of. Seeing our gear underpin a club with this level of heritage; while also helping it open the door to new artists and new audiences, is exactly the kind of partnership that reflects what Shure stands for.”

Ciel Dubai Marina rises 377 metres above the Dubai waterfront as the world’s tallest hotel. Its 82-storey tower, part of the IHG Vignette Collection and managed by The First Group Hospitality, houses 857 rooms and 147 suites in a structure designed to be as architecturally striking inside as it is on the skyline. The lobby is the first point of contact for every arriving guest, and the INFiLED LED screens installed there were purpose-built to make that first moment count. The installation was delivered by Huda Lighting, a regional lighting solutions provider with over 25 years of experience across the hospitality, retail and commercial sectors in the Middle East, North Africa and the UK. Working in close collaboration with the Ciel team from the design phase onwards, Huda Lighting was responsible for delivering an interactive LED feature that integrated seamlessly with the curved architecture of the lobby wall. “The objective was to create a distinctive user experience from the moment visitors enter the lobby, with a design that integrates seamlessly with the wall’s curvature,” says Khaled B. Alami, managing director at Huda Lighting.

“The content follows a movement-based theme, dynamically responding as people approach, and it also supports touch interaction for an engaging, immersive experience.

“The INFiLED installation combines panels from two complementary series. Flat WP Series modules are paired with curved WP Wrap Series panels, the latter providing a 120-degree arc that follows the natural contour of the lobby wall, to create a unified LED screen surfacemeasuring3.6 x 6.75m.

The complete LED display operates at a 1.25mm pixel pitch and 800nits of brightness, delivering sharp, vivid imagery in the conditions of a premium hotel lobby with high ambient light, and keeping power consumption low without compromising on visual performance”. The WP Wrap Series brings distinct design advantages to the combined installation. At just29.5mm in edge thickness, the LED panels sit flush against the wall rather than protruding into the space.

Front-access modules allow servicing to be carried out without disturbing the surrounding lobby, while the series is rated for 24/7 continuous operation, ensuring reliable performance in an environment where the display is never switched off. In its default state, the LED screen responds to

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guests as they cross the lobby. The same LED screen also adapts readily for event use. In late 2025, it was reconfigured to support a brand activation visit by actor Jason Momoa, who used the hotel to promote his Meili Vodka brand, demonstrating the flexibility that a fully manageable LED screen brings to a venue of this kind. “It’s a complex installation due to the constraints of the space, and it combines both flat and concave modules,” says Alami. “We’re proud of the final result and delighted to see hotel guests enjoying this large-scale interactive LED screen.”

The interactive LED installation sits within a broader guest experience at Ciel Dubai Marina that includes one of the world’s highest rooftop infinity pools, soaring atriums and panoramic views across the Dubai skyline and Arabian Gulf.

By placing an INFiLED LED display at the heart of the arrival experience, the hotel has added a genuinely interactive dimension to the moments that matter most. Whether welcoming a guest for the first time or serving as the centrepiece of a brand event, the screen is built to handle anything and everything.

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APPLICATION RAUDA initiative sets blueprint for centralised AV Universities are under increasing pressure to deliver consistent, technology-enabled learning experiences across multiple campuses, often while managing growing AV estates with limited IT resources. And the technology isn’t just a nice-to-have. Recent data indicates that 25% of faculty in North America and Europe have considered leaving an institution over poor technology; for students, that number rises to 33%. For Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina in Colombia, a historic institution founded in 1893, addressing these challenges became a priority. It responded by launching RAUDA, an ambitious initiative designed to centralise and standardise audiovisual infrastructure across its campus network. Thanks to the groundbreaking approach, the institution is becoming a pacesetter for higher education institutions seeking to modernize and future-proof the student experience.

With locations in Bogotá, Pereira and Valledupar, the university had developed a diverse AV landscape over time, designed to support both in-person and hybrid learning for undergraduate and graduate students across a wide array of disciplines. The institution relied on a mix of technologies, including classroom touchscreens and commercial displays in halls and reception areas, with systems managed independently. This fragmented approach made it difficult to maintain consistency across learning environments and shared spaces, along with limited visibility into system performance and slowed response times when issues arose.

To address this, the university launched RAUDA, an AV network initiative designed to centralise and standardise AV infrastructure across its campuses while creating a more efficient foundation for future growth. The goal was not only to improve day-to-day operations, but also to enable more consistent experiences for both faculty and students. Working with system integrator Merge, Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina implemented the first phase of the RAUDA project by deploying a centralised AV over IP (AVoIP) architecture across its sites. Classrooms, auditoriums, meeting spaces and digital signage endpoints were connected into a unified network, allowing content to be distributed and managed more flexibly across locations. A key focus of the project was the ability to monitor and control systems in real time from a single platform. By introducing centralised management tools alongside its AVoIP infrastructure, the university gained improved visibility into performance across its AV estate, enabling faster diagnostics and reducing the need for on-site interventions.

The impact has been felt both operationally and from a user experience perspective. Centralised control has helped streamline support workflows and reduce incident response times, while delivering more consistent and reliable AV performance across campuses. According to the university, this has translated into improved availability of learning spaces and a smoother experience for both staff and students. The new infrastructure has also unlocked additional capabilities, particularly in the area of digital signage. The university can now manage and update content in real time across high-traffic areas, supporting more agile and targeted communication with students and visitors. César Andrés

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Rodríguez Ángel, National Director of Technological Innovation at Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina, commented: “Kramer gave us the ability to centralise and simplify AV management across campuses while delivering a more reliable and consistent experience for users.”

From the integration perspective, the project also highlights the growing importance of scalable, centrally managed AV systems in the education sector. As universities continue to expand their digital capabilities, solutions that combine AVoIP distribution with cloud-based monitoring and control are becoming increasingly critical to maintaining performance and efficiency across complex environments, with an emphasis on reliability and security. The completed project leveraged a range of solutions, including: •Kramer KDS-EN7 encoders and KDS-DEC7 decoders for content distribution.

• VIA GO 3 devices for wireless presentation and collaboration.

•KC Virtual Brain 5 and Panta Rhei for system management, monitoring, and control.

•VSM on Cloud for centralized, cloud-based management.

•Dedicated network infrastructure built around Netgear M4250 switches.

•TP-583TXR units for transmission support.

With the first phase of RAUDA now complete, Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina has established a foundation for further expansion and demonstrates how well-planned, centralised AV strategies can support long-term digital transformation in higher education. Higher education continues its global adoption of advanced audiovisual technologies for teaching, learning, collaboration, and even research, and Kramer AV is proud to be at the forefront of the innovations powering the next generation of learners worldwide.

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K-array crafts an invisible soundscape for Tokyo’s BAR DANRO Tucked away in Ebisu, one of Tokyo’s most refined neighbourhoods, BAR DANRO is the kind of venue that rewards those who seek it out. Conceived around a luxury vintage concept, it combines the allure of a hidden speakeasy with the polished elegance of an upscale hotel lounge. At the heart of the space sits a stone fireplace, a focal point around which guests settle into plush sofa seating and relax with a carefully crafted drink, enveloped in warmth and quiet sophistication. In a space this precisely curated, every element had to earn its place, including the audio.

The brief set by interior design firm cafe.co was unambiguous. Deliver high-resolution sound without compromising the beauty of the interior. Speakers would need to disappear, either wall-mounted or entirely hidden, to preserve the visual integrity of the luxury vintage aesthetic. It was a set of requirements that pointed unmistakably toward K-array. cafe.co first encountered K-array at a trade show, where the brand’s ultra-slim form factors and sonic performance caught their attention. When the designers began specifying the audio system for BAR DANRO, they approached Tokyo-based integrator SURD Co., Ltd – whose team members

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have more than 15 years of experience with K-array – initiating a close collaboration between integrator and designer.

By the time SURD was formally engaged, cafe.co’s interior design was already complete. This focused the team’s energy entirely on how to introduce a world-class audio system without leaving a visual trace. “K-array was the right solution from the outset,” says Keita Kawakami, sales executive at SURD Co., Ltd. “The products gave us the freedom to be creative with placement because their form factors are so discreet, and the acoustic results exceeded what we had initially anticipated. “The system is distributed across several distinct zones, each with its own acoustic character and design requirements. In the main bar area surrounding the fireplace, SURD specified Vyper KV25 II ultra-slim line array loudspeakers alongside Rumble KU26 subwoofers. The intention here was to create a pronounced music presence at individual tables. It had to be immersive enough to subtly veil cross-table conversation and heighten the sense of intimacy, without being overly intrusive.

One detail speaks to the care taken in the design. Close to the entrance, a Vyper KV25II is installed at a height of 160 cm,

meaning guests are met by K-array sound from the moment they enter the bar. The full experience unfolds from there. In the two VIP areas, where speaker invisibility was the overriding priority, SURD turned to the Lyzard KZ1 I miniature line array speakers and TruffleKTR24 compact subwoofers. Both products feature minimalist profiles that allow them to disappear almost entirely into the surrounding interior. Guests in these private rooms have independent volume control and can mute the sound entirely if they prefer, giving them a degree of autonomy that befits the venue’s high-end hospitality ethos. For the remaining spaces, including the restrooms, kitchen, and corridors, GC5 and GC3ceiling speakers were selected for their combination of acoustic performance and visual unobtrusiveness. The entire system is powered by five amplifiers, distributing audio from the music source across all zones. Bar staff manage the sound in the main area, while VIP guests control their own environments independently. To ensure even, high-quality coverage in a space with reflective surfaces, variable occupancy, and ambient noise, SURD applied a professional-grade calibration methodology, the same measurement-microphone approach used in concert halls and high-end performance venues.

The outcome has been warmly received with many guests, including audio engineers and industry professionals, responding with genuine enthusiasm for the system’s clarity and dynamics. “BAR DANRO is a perfect expression of what K-array’s products are designed to achieve,” says Alessandro Saudelli, sales manager at K-array. “The combination of our Vyper and Lyzard line array speakers with the Rumble and Truffle subwoofers, complemented by our GC ceilings peakers, enabled SURD to create a fully distributed audio environment that is invisible to the eye but impossible to ignore with the ear.

When design integrity and sonic performance come together at this level, the result speaks for itself. “The products’ impact, when thoughtfully installed and precisely calibrated, consistently exceeds initial expectation. In a bar where every detail has been curated to evoke a particular feeling, the sound system has become one of its most quietly powerful elements.I

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Puy du Fou España upgrades its 360-degree projection system Puy du Fou España historical theme park located near Toledo, Spain, has upgraded its projection system for “El Último Cantar,” with the acquisition of nine Christie Griffyn 4K35RGB pure laser projectors for the show’s immersive 360-degree projection system. The new installation forms part of Puy du Fou España’s ongoing technology upgrade and continuous improvement programme for its 2026 season, during which the park expects to welcome more than 1.9 million visitors after closing 2025 with record attendance figures.

Opened in 2021 and recognised by IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry, as “Best Show in the World,” “El Último Cantar” tells the story of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, better known as El Cid Campeador, one of the most legendary figures in Spanish medieval history. The show combines moving scenery, live performance, and immersive projection in a unique rotating theatre. The production features six stages arranged around a moving grandstand. Projection plays a key role in the visual storytelling, extending the physical limits of the scenery and surrounding the audience with high-resolution images that move with the grandstand and follow the dramatic evolution of the story. “Projection is a natural extension of the scenery and allows us to break beyond the physical limits of the traditional stage to create total audience immersion,” says José Antonio García, technical director of Puy du Fou España. “Just before the curtains open to reveal each stage, the projected images show a scene similar to the one the audience is about to discover, creating a seamless visual continuity between projection and physical set.”

The installation combines 15 Christie projectors, including the eight new Griffyn 4K35-RGB, to create the 360-degree immersive environment across moving curtains and large-format projection surfaces measuring approximately 12 metres high by 20 metres wide (39 ft x 65 ft), while four Christie 4K30 projectors project onto a large rear screen.

“These new systems offer greater stability, image quality and operational efficiency, while also reducing maintenance and noise, optimising performance and service life without increasing energy consumption,” says García. “The elimination of mercury lamps and the long life of the laser light source fit perfectly with our environmental responsibility plans.” The Griffyn 4K35-RGB features 3DLP technology, native 4K resolution (4096 x 2160), 36,500 ISO lumens and a pure RGB laser illumination source with up to 25,000 hours of operation at full brightness. The projector also delivers premium colour reproduction, supporting Rec. 709, DCI-P3 and up to 98% of the Rec. 2020 colour space.“One of the projector’s main features is the electronic colour convergence adjustment, which allows us to align the three primary colours pixel by pixel using the remote control,” explains García. “We are also very satisfied with the RGB laser technology, particularly the purity of colour, the sharpness of textures, and the way the projected image integrates visually with the stage lighting.”

To preserve the scenic illusion and prevent projected images from spilling onto the physical sets or audience, the show uses positioning systems that track the movement of its mobile stage elements in real time. “The intent of the projection is to immerse the audience in the story,” adds the park. “At certain moments, it also adds scale to the scenes and, at

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others, creates a stronger sense of speed.”

Marcos Fernández, regional sales manager at Christie, added: “Puy du Fou has trusted Christie for more than 15 years for some of its most ambitious productions, both in France and Spain, and we are proud to continue supporting the technological evolution of its shows.” He adds: “El Último Cantar” is a magnificent example of how projection can be organically integrated into scenic storytelling to create deeply immersive experiences. The Griffyn 4K35-RGB projectors provide the brightness, colour fidelity, stability and efficiency required for such a demanding environment.”

The collaboration between Puy du Fou and Christie began in France in 2009 and was later extended to the Spanish park, where Christie projection technology has been used since the launch of El Sueño de Toledo in 2019. Over the years, Puy du Fou España has incorporated various Christie models, including the HS, GS, Boxer and Griffyn Series, consolidating a projection infrastructure designed for largescale immersive shows.

Luxury Bali ocean front venue deploys Crest by the waves Morabito Art Villa in Bali has built its reputation on delivering unforgettable experiences. By deploying a complete Crest Audio solution, the luxury beachfront destination has elevated every performance, every event and every guest interaction with premium sound designed for one of the world’s most demanding hospitality environments Nestled on Bali’s spectacular southwest coastline, Morabi-

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to Art Villa has earned an international reputation as one of the island’s most distinctive luxury hospitality and entertainment destinations. Blending boutique accommodation, fine dining, exclusive private events and vibrant nightlife, the oceanfront venue attracts guests from across the world seeking an experience that is every bit as memorable as its setting.

Whether hosting internationally renowned DJs, live performers, private celebrations or sophisticated sunset gatherings, every event revolves around atmosphere. Music plays a central role in shaping that experience, creating the energy that seamlessly carries guests from relaxed afternoons into vibrant evenings.

As the venue continued to evolve, management recognised the need for an audio system capable of delivering exceptional performance across its diverse indoor and outdoor spaces, while standing up to the demanding environmental conditions of a beachfront location.

Creating a world-class sound experience at Morabito Art Villa required far more than simply increasing volume.

The venue needed concert-quality performance for headline entertainment while maintaining the warmth, detail and musicality expected within a premium hospitality environment. Audio also needed to transition effortlessly between lounge sessions, private functions, live performances and high-energy DJ sets, all while providing consistent coverage across multiple entertainment zones.

Adding to the challenge was the venue’s location just metres from the Indian Ocean. Salt air, humidity and changing weather conditions create an unforgiving environment for professional AV systems, demanding equipment capable of

delivering reliable performance night after night.

To meet these requirements, Morabito Art Villa deployed a complete professional audio solution centred around Crest Audio technologies.

The installation combines Crest Audio Versarray Pro line array systems with powerful CA 218 subwoofers to produce impressive low-frequency impact alongside smooth, detailed full-range reproduction. Additional Crest Audio CPL+ loudspeakers and Peavey SP4 loudspeakers provide flexible coverage throughout the venue, allowing the system to adapt effortlessly to everything from intimate lounge sessions to large-scale entertainment events.

Crest Audio Pro-LITE amplifiers and PCX digital loudspeaker management processors complete the installation, providing advanced DSP processing, crossover management, equalisation, time alignment and system protection. Together, the technologies create a fully optimised system that delivers consistent tonal balance, exceptional clarity and reliable performance throughout every part of the venue.

For Akshay Vaidya, Director Asia Pacific at Peavey Commercial Audio, the project demonstrates Crest Audio’s ability to deliver premium sound in one of the industry’s most challenging environments.

“Morabito is an exceptional venue, located in an exceptional setting right by the ocean,” he said. “We’re thrilled to see Crest Audio systems powering such an iconic destination and delivering a premium audio experience for guests in a demanding outdoor environment just metres from the ocean. The ribbon tweeters really shine through, providing exceptional clarity and power that perfectly complements the venue’s atmosphere.”

Since the installation, Morabito Art Villa has further strengthened the immersive atmosphere that has become synonymous with its brand.

Guests now enjoy powerful, crystal-clear audio that enhances every performance while preserving the sophisticated ambience expected of a luxury beachfront destination.

Consistent coverage throughout the property ensures music remains engaging without becoming intrusive, allowing visitors to move effortlessly between dining, socialising and dancing while experiencing the same premium sound quality wherever they are.

According to the Villa’s General Manager, Tony Moutran, the difference has been immediate. “Since upgrading to Crest Audio, the vibe and atmosphere have significantly improved,” he said. “The sound is crystal clear, and we’ve received many compliments from guests about the performance of the system. We’re very happy with our choice.”

Kit list • Crest Audio Versarray Pro line array systems • Crest Audio CPL+ loudspeakers • Crest Audio Pro-LITE amplifiers • Crest Audio PCX digital loudspeaker management processors • Peavey SP4 loudspeakers • Crest Audio CA 218 subwoofers

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Aetria sets sail on board RRS Sir David Attenborough The RRS (Royal Research Ship) Sir David Attenborough, operated by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), is one of the world’s most advanced polar research vessels. Designed to support scientific work in some of the planet’s most challenging environments, the ship provides extensive onboard research facilities and a range of mission critical operational systems. As part of a planned technology refresh, BAS sought to modernise its onboard KVM and visual control capabilities with a system that could integrate seamlessly with the vessel’s distributed displays and video walls.

Datapath was brought into the project at an early stage to help evaluate requirements and confirm whether Aetria could meet the specific operational objectives. This engagement included a combination of remote consultations, in person meetings, and demonstrations of the Aetria platform.

BAS then entered a collaborative design phase with Datapath’s sales, pre sales, and network engineering teams to develop a solution capable of supporting the vessel’s unique technical environment. With the vessel subject to tight docking schedules in the UK, initial hardware was purchased and commissioned at BAS headquarters, allowing teams to learn about the system before the vessel docked and installation was completed. Midwich and Logicalis supported the purchase process, and training was provided to BAS on how to commission Aetria, with the Datapath team supporting remotely when equipment was then moved onboard.

The deployment comprises 11 Aetria Workstations and makes use of three VSN Series video wall controller platforms to integrate video and data sources onto the vessel’s displays. Four VSN300 systems were configured to support operator-focused visualisation, while VSNMicro 600 systems were deployed on decks 5 and 8 and a VSN V3 system on deck 3, providing greater expansion capacity and higher numbers of 4K outputs to support larger and more complex displays on board. Across these platforms, the installation incorporates six Image4K graphics cards, 17 IQS4 IP video splitters, 12 VisionSC A2 capture cards, and three ActiveSQX2 encode/decode cards. The system is supported by two Aetria Network Managers with unlimited licensing, configured as a high-availability pair for additional redundancy measures. Aligo RX100 receivers and Aligo TX100 KVMover-IP transmitters complete the installation, enabling flexible and centrally managed visual operations. “Datapath was

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extremely helpful with the installation and ensured everything was implemented to a high standard,” says Kinzie Orton, HPC Solution Architect for British Antarctic Survey.

“We’re extremely impressed with the Datapath equipment, and the feedback from users is that the system is robust and very easy to use. The system has already been used on its first outing to support Antarctic science, and the ship is now on its way deep into the Antarctic ice for its second deployment, where it will be used to control a variety of science systems” “It was a pleasure working with the British Antarctic Survey team,” says Adam Marsden, Sales Manager at Datapath.

“They had a very clear understanding of what they needed to achieve and communicated this effectively, enabling our pre sales and networking teams to produce a design that delivered the desired outcome. Aetria was well suited to the RRS Sir David Attenborough due to its configurability and display flexibility, supporting the scale and number of inputs required for advanced scientific operations. All Datapath hardware was custom built to order at our UK headquarters, ready for installation. This flexibility we offer, combined with security, reliability, and ongoing support, allowed us to meet the requirements of this prestigious project.”

APPLICATION

VITEC Powers Matchday Innovation at Bayer Leverkusen VITEC’s IPTV and digital signage solution at BayArena has uprated the stadium’s media infrastructure, enabling seamless, low-latency video delivery and future-ready digital signage across one of Germany’s most modern football venues.

The flexible, scalable platform supports a wide range of content sources and legacy hardware, ensuring exceptional experiences for fans, VIPs, and staff alike, while laying the groundwork for next-generation fan engagement and operational efficiency. BayArena, home of top German Bundesliga football team Bayer 04 Leverkusen, is renowned for its commitment to delivering an outstanding matchday experience.

To maintain this reputation, the club’s technical team, TecArena Plus, identified the need to upgrade their aging video head-end infrastructure. The previous system had reached end-of-life, prompting the search for a solution that could support a wide range of content sources and deliver seamless, low-latency video to hundreds of screens throughout the venue.

TecArena Plus faced several challenges in its search for a new head-end system. The stadium required a platform ca-

pable of ingesting and distributing satellite, SDI, HDMI, and IP sources - including live match feeds, broadcaster signals such as Sky, DAZN, and Amazon, as well as custom event content. With approximately 600 screens and displays— ranging from concourse video walls to VIP lounge TVs—the solution needed to be flexible and compatible with both legacy and future hardware. Operational efficiency was also a priority, with the team seeking a system that was intuitive for technical staff and robust enough to support evolving digital signage and fan engagement initiatives. After a thorough evaluation of available technologies, TecArena Plus selected VITEC’s advanced head-end solution for its flexibility, reliability, and scalability. The deployment included a suite of VITEC equipment: eight G4512 RF gateways for satellite broadcast distribution, a C1210 chassis, sixteen Diamond OG encoders for SDI live input sources, two OG-X chassis, four Diamond-H encoders for SDI and HDMI live input sources, and a Prism transcoder for IP video sources. The system is supported by a three-year Gold Support package, ensuring ongoing reliability and peace of mind.

An 80x80 SDI video router distributes signals to all encoders and enables seamless switching between live match feeds, broadcaster content, and in-house productions. Content is distributed to approximately 600 screens, including multi-screen walls in concourses, VIP lounges, meeting rooms, and press areas. While legacy media players remain in use, the infrastructure is ready for future upgrades. The system delivers a minimum of HDMI (Full HD) resolution, with the capability to ingest and downscale 4K sources as needed, and potential to upgrade to 4K in future. The VITEC solution delivered immediate and long-term benefits for Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Installation was rapid, with the system operational within three days during the offseason, thanks to pre-configuration by VITEC Germany. “The transition to VITEC was very easy. Installation was quick, and the system is much more comfortable for us,” says Philip Poerschke, Project Engineer Media Technology at TecArena Plus. “We can now deliver live content to any screen in the stadium with minimal delay, and the flexibility for future upgrades is a huge benefit.”

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Diamond-H encoders provide sub-second latency for live events, dramatically improving the experience for VIPs and event guests. The user interface is also more intuitive than the legacy system, streamlining content management for technical staff. The infrastructure is future-ready, supporting advanced digital signage, personalised fan experiences, and scalable upgrades as new technologies emerge. Stakeholder feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with minimal technical issues and robust support from VITEC. “When the system works, nobody talks about it, which is the best feedback you can get,” says Wolfgang Seßmann, Director Strategic Management, added: The VITEC solution just works.” Bayer 04 Leverkusen and TecArena Plus are exploring new ways to leverage the VITEC platform, including advanced digital signage, personalised VIP experiences, and further integration with fan engagement technologies. The stadium’s AV infrastructure is now future-fit, ready to support the next generation of matchday innovation.

INSERT PIC with caption: VITEC’s IPTV and digital signage solution at BayArena has uprated the stadium’s media infrastructure, enabling seamless, low-latency video delivery and future-ready digital signage across one of Germany’s most modern football venues.

WorkspacePhilips Unite LED brings collaboration to local government PPDS has announced that its advanced Philips Unite LED 6000 Series All In One solution has been selected to deliver ‘transformational’ meeting room capabilities and experiences at the upgraded Leer Municipal government offices in Germany. Leer Municipal – based in the Rathaus – serves as the central administrative hub for the town of Leer, a short drive from the Dutch border in the historic region of East Frisia. It serves as the seat of local government where the mayor and administration oversee key decisions, manage local services, and handle civic matters for the community. As part of its ongoing focus on improving operational performance and workplace efficiency, the Leer Municipal team set out to modernise its central meeting room with a new visual solution that leverages the latest innovations in display technology and collaboration functionalities. Working with local integrator, LS IT & Media, the requirements were clear: to take presentations, council work, and hybrid meetings to the next level.

Concluding extensive fact finding and site visits, the 135” Philips Unite LED 6000 Series All In One display from PPDS was immediately identified as the standout choice to achieve

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the team’s high expectations and ambitions. Built for reliability, the Philips Unite LED 6000 Series AIO – which is designed for fast and hassle free installation – was selected, in part, due to its outstanding image quality, reliability, and focus on energy efficiency and business sustainability. With full HD resolution, 900 cd/m² brightness, and a fine 1.5mm pixel pitch, the display delivers outstanding image quality even in bright environments, with even the smallest details – such as numbers on a spreadsheet – presented with crystal clear quality.

The rich colour depth, wide viewing angles, and durable design offered by the Philips Unite 6000 Series All In One make it particularly well suited for municipal meeting spaces with demanding visual requirements. The integrated media player, broad connectivity options – including HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C, and audio – and the included wall mounting system ensure flexible use and smooth integration into existing setups. Supporting the Leer Municipal team’s focus on sustainability, the 135” Philips Unite LED 6000 Series AIO has been created with business sustainability in mind, consuming less energy versus comparable models, including just 0.5 watts in ‘ultra-low’ standby mode. This feature not

only helps in lowering operational costs but also supports sustainability goals by reducing environmental impact and total cost of ownership.

PPDS Partner, LS IT & Media, oversaw the entire process, from planning and component selection through to installation and commissioning, ensuring seamless alignment with the full meeting room solution. Providing an unmissable and highly versatile centrepiece, the overall solution also incorporates a professional AVer PTZ camera for hybrid collaboration, two Sennheiser TeamConnect Ceiling Medium ceiling microphones for comprehensive room audio coverage, a high performance conferencing PC, and Dante audio technology for lossless signal transmission. Together, these elements create a meeting environment that combines exceptional visual performance with advanced audio and video conferencing capabilities.

The installation has added significant value for the city of Leer, including enhanced visibility for all participants, seamless hybrid meeting support, clear voice capture without the need for table microphones, and expanded functionality such as recording and AI powered transcription via tools like tucan.ai. The modular and scalable AV infrastructure also ensures the system is well prepared for future needs. Eckhard Groen, a member of the management team at LS IT & Media, commented: “With the Philips 135” Unite LED wall as the visual centrepiece, a modern, high performance meeting room was created that sets new standards for the Leer Municipal committee work. “The high quality image quality of the Philips Unite LED All In One, combined with professional audio and video technology, enables efficient, transparent, and contemporary council workspace.”

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Wesco announces Brian Soloway as gulf region leader Wesco International has announced that Brian Soloway has joined the company as Vice President of Sales for the Gulf region across the industrial, construction, OEM and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) segments.

This role is critical to accelerating growth in one of Wesco’s most strategically important markets. Soloway brings more than 20 years of leadership experience across industrial, automation, OEM and MRO environments, with a strong track record of running complex P&Ls, building scalable sales organisations and leading through transformation. Most recently, he served as Vice President of U.S. Sales for Rittal, an industrial automation business, where he led a national sales organization, owned a large P&L and worked closely with engineering and operations to drive growth through specification influence, channel strategy and execution discipline.

The Gulf region represents a significant growth opportunity for Wesco, with a disproportionate impact across national and global projects due to the concentration of EPCs, suppliers and customers. As the company continues to strengthen alignment, reduce complexity and sharpen execution in the region, Soloway’s leadership will help: •Drive disciplined, profitable growth across all customer segments •Strengthen supplier engagement and advocacy •Improve coordination across sales, technical sales and operations •Build a high performing, accountable sales organization

Jigsaw24 appoints Alan Henry as head of sales Jigsaw24 has appointed Alan Henry as Head of Sales for Media and Entertainment, reinforcing its continued investment in helping broadcasters, production companies and content creators navigate an increasingly connected media technology landscape. As broadcast, production, cloud and IT continue to converge, Alan’s appointment further strengthens Jigsaw24’s ability to deliver strategic solutions that help customers adopt new technologies with confidence. Alan joins Jigsaw24 with more than 25 years of experience across the broadcast and media technology industry. Most recently at

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ES Broadcast, he has also held senior positions at Grass Valley Miranda, Paragon Bank, Barco and Snell & Wilcox. His background spans manufacturing, systems integration and media finance, giving him a unique perspective that enables him to bridge technical and commercial conversations and help customers make informed technology investments that deliver long-term value.

In his new role, Alan will lead Jisgaw24’s Media and Entertainment sales strategy, building on the company’s strong foundations while supporting customers as increasingly integrated broadcast, IT and cloud-based workflows continue to shape the industry. Over the coming months, he will focus on strengthening the existing sales strategy, deepening both customer and technology partnerships while driving the next phase of growth. “Alan’s breadth of experience across every stage of the broadcast technology supply chain makes him an outstanding addition to our leadership team,” says Abdul Terry, CRO at Jigsaw24. “He understands not only the technology our customers rely on, but also the commercial and operational challenges they face. As the industry continues to evolve, his expertise will help ensure we’re delivering the strategic guidance and end-to-end solutions our customers need.”

“I’ve known Jigsaw24 and many of the people within the business for a long time, so when the opportunity came up, it felt like a natural next step,” said Alan. “After speaking with the leadership team, it was clear there was a shared vision for where the business is heading. It’s an exciting challenge, and I’m looking forward to building on the excellent work that has been done by Lee Ballinger, while helping drive the next phase of growth.”

PEOPLEWATCH

ZetaDisplay Austria appoints Marcel Schramm as country director ZetaDisplay is strengthening its position in the Austrian market with the rebranding of Peakmedia, acquired in 2023, as ZetaDisplay Austria. The transition marks the next phase of integration into the wider ZetaDisplay organisation and is further strengthened by the appointment of Marcel Schramm as Country Director. Since joining the team in Ebbs in Austria, Peakmedia has continued to deliver innovative digital signage solutions across the DACH region and Easten Europe, supporting customers with strategic consulting, software, hardware integration, content and managed services.

The rebrand marks the next step in the integration of the Austrian team into ZetaDisplay, uniting its established local presence with the scale, expertise and international capabilities of one of Europe’s leading full-service digital signage providers.

As the successor of founder and previous CEO of Peakmedia, Jonas Wilhelm, Marcel Schramm joins ZetaDisplay Austria with extensive experience across the technology and communications sector, bringing specialist expertise in collaboration solutions and digital signage. In his new role, he will lead the Austrian business and support customers in creating more engaging, connected and data-driven experiences. Marcel Schramm, Country Director, ZetaDisplay Austria said: “Peakmedia has built a strong reputation in Austria by combining close customer relationships, deep technical expertise and a focus on delivering measurable business value. As part of ZetaDisplay, our customers now benefit from the strength of a global organisation while continuing to receive the local expertise and support they value.”

By combining Peakmedia’s market knowledge with ZetaDisplay’s wider capabilities, including enhanced managed services, global project delivery and our proprietary Engage Suite software platform, we can offer customers a more complete end-to-end solution. This combination creates a unique position in the Austrian market, where we can bring together technology, software and service expertise to help

businesses create more connected customer experiences.

We also see significant growth opportunities in areas such as retail media, building on our long-standing experience supporting leading retailers including SPAR.” Daniel Nergård, CEO at ZetaDisplay comments: “The DACH region and Eastern Europe are a strategically important market for ZetaDisplay, and we are committed to building on the strong foundation established. This strategic move allows us to create new opportunities for sustainable growth while maintaining a strong focus on delivering value for our customers. Marcel is an experienced and highly respected leader with a hands-on mentality and a strong track record of helping organizations use technology to create meaningful customer experiences. The appointment follows a period of continued growth and investment across Europe, including the expansion of ZetaDisplay’s operations in the UK and the continued development of the full-service positioning in its DACH business.”

ZetaDisplay appoints Ian Brimer as country director for the UK ZetaDisplay has appointed Ian Brimer as Country Director for the UK, bringing extensive leadership experience in digital technology, operational transformation and business growth to support the company’s next phase of expansion.

Ian joins ZetaDisplay with extensive experience leading commercial growth, developing high-performing teams and delivering large-scale digital transformation programmes across the transport sector. Throughout his career, he has successfully built multi-million-pound sales pipelines, strengthened commercial operations and guided organisations through periods of sustained growth and international expansion.

His experience spans integrating acquired businesses, standardising operations across multiple countries and leading global teams across Europe, North America and Australia. By developing scalable processes and collabora-

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tive teams, Ian has consistently helped organisations grow while maintaining operational excellence and customer focus. As Country Director, Ian will lead ZetaDisplay’s UK business, working closely with customers, partners and the wider European leadership team to continue strengthening the company’s position across key sectors including transport, retail and retail media. The appointment comes as ZetaDisplay continues to invest in its UK business, building on its position as one of Europe’s leading full-service digital signage providers.

Also joining ZetaDisplay UK is Simon Basford as Operations Manager, where he will lead the company’s UK operations and continue strengthening its project delivery capabilities. Simon is responsible for building and leading the delivery team, working closely with customers to ensure every project is delivered to specification, within commercial scope and to the highest standards. Since joining the business, he has established new operational infrastructure and introduced streamlined processes to support the next phase of growth. He also collaborates closely with colleagues across Europe to strengthen technical infrastructure, enhance service delivery and elevate customer support across multiple markets, helping to create a more connected and scalable operational model.

ZetaDisplay combines strategic consultancy, creative services, proprietary software, managed services and technology expertise to deliver connected digital experiences across retail, public environments and workplaces. Its continued focus on scalable operations and international collaboration supports customers with consistent delivery across complex, multi-market projects. Ian Brimer, Country Director, ZetaDisplay UK, said: “A business is built on its people, and what struck me immediately was the passion, expertise and ambition across the ZetaDisplay UK team and the wider Group. There is a genuine commitment to delivering exceptional solutions for customers while continuing to shape the future of our industry. I’m looking forward to getting to know our existing customers, building new relationships and working closely with colleagues across the Group to continue driving growth in the UK. There are significant opportunities ahead, particularly within the rail sector where ZetaDisplay has already demonstrated its expertise delivering complex, mission-critical digital signage and commerce media solutions. Combined with our Engage Suite software platform, strong hardware partnerships and extensive experience remotely managing large-scale digital networks, we’re in a fantastic position to help transport operators modernise passenger communications. Equally, retail media continues to present huge opportunities, and ZetaDisplay’s experience and innovation in this space provides an excellent platform for future growth.”

Daniel Nergård, CEO at ZetaDisplay, comments: “Ian brings extensive commercial and operational leadership experience from the European transport technology sector, having successfully delivered digital passenger experience and data-driven platform solutions for rail operators across multiple international markets. His track record of building high-performing teams, integrating businesses and supporting sustainable growth makes him an excellent fit for ZetaDisplay as we continue to expand our UK business. We’re delighted to welcome Ian to the team and look forward to the impact he’ll make for both our customers and our people.”

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Scott Pollard joins PlexusAV as regional sales manager PlexusAV, the professional AV division of Sencore, providing a suite of human-focused AV-over-IP solutions, has announced the appointment of Scott Pollard as Regional Sales Manager for the UK, Ireland and Nordics, reinforcing its commitment to partners and customers as demand for flexible, interoperable AV solutions continues to grow. After spending the early part of his career in electrical and electronic engineering, Pollard transitioned into the AV industry just over 25 years ago, beginning in systems integration and customer installations. This led to a variety of technical distribution and commercial roles, supporting customers with system design, demonstrations, training and sales across multiple technologies and markets.

Steven Cogels, global director of business development at PlexusAV confirmed “We are delighted to welcome Scott to PlexusAV. He is exceptionally well respected in the industry and has already had excellent success in selling PlexusAV products within his previous role with Onemedia, our UK Distributor. We could not have asked for a better-connected and committed individual to join our expanding team. As our product portfolio continues to grow and our commitment to IPMX and open standards accelerates, Scott’s expertise and relationships will be invaluable in strengthening our position across the region.”

Scott Pollard stated “Having worked closely with the PlexusAV team and their solutions over the past two years through

EVENTS distribution projects, I’ve seen first-hand the quality, flexibility and innovation behind the technology. Representing a brand I genuinely believe in was a natural next step, and I’m looking forward to working with partners across the UK, Ireland and Nordics to help deliver open-standard AV solutions that give customers greater choice and flexibility.” Pollard’s role will focus on supporting end users, consultants, integrators and distribution partners across the region. This includes customer training, project workshops, proof-of-concept development, system design support and helping customers identify the most effective commercial and technical strategies for their projects Cogels continued, “Scott’s appointment reflects PlexusAV’s continued investment in the region and our commitment to supporting customers with the expertise they need to deliver successful AV-over-IP projects. His technical knowledge and strong relationships throughout the channel will be a tremendous asset as we continue expanding our partner network and helping organisations adopt open, interoperable AV solutions.”

PPDS strengthens Nordic leadership with the promotion of Jonas Fjeld PPDS, the exclusive global provider of Philips Professional Displays and complementary solutions, has announced the promotion of Jonas Fjeld to Business Manager Nordics. Part of a broader organisational realignment designed to support future growth and deliver more localised, tailored service and support to partners and customers, Jonas has been appointed to the newly created role after joining PPDS in August 2025 as Country Sales Manager for Philips Professional Displays in Norway. With more than 15 years of top level AV/ IT sales and management experience under his belt, including a decade working at two of the world’s leading manufacturers and distributors, Jonas has consistently demonstrated the leadership and expertise required to support the company’s continued growth across both local and international markets and through all verticals.

Reporting to Jae O Choi Park, EMEA Commercial Head at PPDS, Jonas’ expanded role now covers Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Estonia, and the Baltics. He will be responsible for leading the sales and commercial strategy across all products and solutions – including Philips LED and Videowalls, Signage, ePaper and interactive displays, professional and hotel TVs, and solutions – driving growth and strengthening brand presence in each country. Working closely with his team, including Lilly Janson, Sales Manager Finland and Baltics, Peter Bystrom, Sales Manager Sweden, and Peter Thurner, Sales Manager Sweden, Jonas will also focus heavily on further strengthening and expanding channel relationships with distributors, system integrators, AV/IT partners, designers and architects, ensuring PPDS remains at the forefront of future project tenders.

Commenting on his appointment, Jonas said: “Since joining PPDS, I have believed strongly in what we can achieve with our portfolio and talented team. We have built strong momentum in Norway, and I am proud to now take on this expanded role. There are significant opportunities ahead across the Nordics, and together we will continue to strengthen PPDS’ position in the market.” Jae added: “Jonas has

demonstrated strong leadership and a clear ability to develop and execute strategies that deliver results. His deep understanding of the Nordic region made him the natural choice for this role. On behalf of PPDS, I wish him every success.”

Powersoft appoints new sales managers Powersoft has announced the appointments of Ondrej Sedlacek as Central, East Europe and Nordics distribution sales area manager and Juan Moreno as South America distribution sales area manager, strengthening the company’s global distribution network and its commitment to partner support across two key territories. Sedlacek joins with more than 30 years of experience in the professional AV industry, having built a career spanning product management, service leadership and international sales. His most significant regional posting came during nearly a decade as regional manager for the Nordics and CEE at Biamp Systems, where he was responsible for business across 33 countries. He has also served as head of global sales at CUE, international sales manager at AV Media Systems, and, most recently, sales manager at Simpleway.

Over the course of his career, Sedlacek has developed business in more than 80 countries, tripling revenue in under five years, opening more than 20 new sales channels, and managing major enterprise accounts including Volkswagen Group, Schaeffler, Nestlé and PVH. In his new role at Powersoft, he will focus on strengthening and expanding the company’s distribution network across the CEE and Nordic territories, with a particular emphasis on the installed sound market across verticals like corporate, hospitality, education, and transportation. Commenting on his appointment, Sedlacek states, “Powersoft has long stood out to me as one of the true innovators in our industry. They’re an engineering-driven company with a clear vision, from pioneering en-

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ergy-efficient amplification to today’s complete systems approach. What attracted me most is the combination of world-class technology, a strong partner-focused culture and a genuine ambition to grow.” He adds, “In many ways, this role feels like a homecoming. I spent nearly a decade developing these same markets, and I could not imagine a better brand to return with. I am delighted to join the team and look forward to bringing Powersoft even closer to our partners across CEE and the Nordics.”

Juan Moreno brings more than 15 years of experience in the professional audio industry, with a focus on business development, sales and channel management across Latin America. He has held roles at both Shure and Sennheiser, developing distribution networks and building long-term partner relationships across the region. During his time at Shure, he supported major international events including Viña del Mar, Lollapalooza and the Latin Grammy Awards, working closely with distributors, rental companies, system integrators, and audio professionals across the live entertainment sector. At Sennheiser, he developed markets with limited brand presence, driving significant sales growth through strategic channel expansion.

In his new role, Moreno will work with Powersoft’s distribution partners across Latin America to identify new business opportunities and expand the company’s reach across key vertical markets including live entertainment, fixed installations, hospitality, sports venues, and corporate AV. Technical training and closer engagement with consultants, integrators and end users across the region will also be a central priority. Moreno states, “What attracted me to Powersoft is its reputation for innovation and engineering excellence. The company has consistently challenged industry standards with technologies that deliver outstanding performance, efficiency and reliability. Joining Powersoft represents an exciting opportunity to work with a brand that is shaping the future of professional audio while collaborating closely with partners across Latin America to create new opportunities and deliver real value to customers.”

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Wildstone appoints Paula Aramburo to new role reated post of Head of Delivery as it prepares to further expand its presence in Spain. The company entered the country’s outdoor advertising market in 2022 via the acquisition of Redext Group. Since then, it has established agreements with leading media operators, including Impact OOH and Alpha Publicidad Exterior. It currently owns and leases out more than 1,650 outdoor advertising panels in the country, with its portfolio including the largest roadside digital billboard in Spain.

Aramburo brings to the firm more than 20 years’ experience in multinational environments, with expertise spanning product engineering, technical development and project management. She joins from JCDecaux, where she was Director of Engineering and Development, managing product development projects and leading multidisciplinary technical teams. Prior to that, she spent 12 years at CEMUSA, the outdoor advertising arm of FCC – Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas that was acquired by JCDecaux in 2015. In her new role, Aramburo will oversee delivery of the company’s digitisation project in the country. Wildstone has led the conversion of classic billboards to digital screens in the UK and aims to replicate its success in this area in Spain.

Paula Aramburo, Head of Delivery, said: “I am excited to join Wildstone at such a pivotal point in its expansion journey in Spain. The company has already gained a significant market share in the country and it has clear potential to grow much further thanks to its entrepreneurial spirit and strong success in other markets.” Jill Hebden, Group Delivery Director for Spain, said: “We’re really pleased to have brought someone with Paula’s experience and passion for outdoor advertising into the business. We believe her unique combination of technical, project management and digital transformation skills make her the ideal choice to achieve Wildstone’s aim of not only growing its footprint here but also further digitising this portfolio.”

Wildstone has hired Paula Aramburo for the newly created post of Head of Delivery as it prepares to further expand its presence in Spain.

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ISE 2026 Hackathon empowers the next generation The Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) Hackathon returned in 2026 for its second edition, building on the success of its inaugural year and further establishing itself as a key initiative connecting students, startups, and industry leaders.

Working against the clock in an intense, high-energy environment, participants collaborated in teams to address industry-relevant challenges across three tracks: Sustainability, Innovation, and Cybersecurity. In under 48 hours the students developed forward-thinking solutions with the guidance of expert mentors and direct access to the technologies and insights across the ISE show floor. The unique setting of ISE once again proved central to the experience.

By engaging directly with exhibitors and industry professionals, teams were able to validate ideas in real time and translate concepts into practical, scalable solutions.

Across all three tracks, participants highlighted how direct exposure to the ISE ecosystem expanded their thinking beyond the classroom. One Cybersecurity Track winner described the experience as “designing for the industry standing right in front of you,” with immediate feedback enabling teams to refine ideas and ensure practical relevance from the outset. Sustainability Track winners credited direct interaction with exhibitors was key to shaping their solution, providing valuable insights into emerging technologies and practical applications, helping them develop a solution grounded in real-world feasibility. Similarly, Innovation Track winners pointed to the show floor as a key source of inspiration, encouraging them to rethink conventional processes and develop more engaging user experiences.

Following the intensive development phase, teams presented their final solutions at the Innovation Park Pitching Stage, with winners announced on the final day of the show.

“Designed for the brave and forward-thinking, the ISE Hackathon is where young talent tests its limits and turns skills into real AV solutions,” said Pablo Vega, Co Coordinator of the ISE Hackathon. Projects addressed key industry challenges, including sustainable and inclusive AV solutions, AI-driven innovation, and securing increasingly connected systems. Presenting to industry professionals proved both challenging and rewarding. What began as a nerve-wracking experience quickly translated into valuable direct engagement with experts, building confidence, validation, and insights into real-world industry expectations. “The success of the ISE Hackathon in its second year reflects the growing

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demand for initiatives that connect emerging talent with real industry challenges,” said Mike Blackman, Managing Director of Integrated Systems Events. “By providing a platform for collaboration, creativity, and hands-on learning, we are helping to develop the future skills of the AV industry.”

Winning ISE Hackathon teams included: • Sustainability Track (sponsored by Philips Professional Displays): Daniil Larkovskiy, Volodymyr Baranov, Alisa Turan, Mishti Ramnani (EU Business School) • Innovation Track (sponsored by Sociedad Española para la Transformación Tecnológica - SETT): Librada Morales Parrilla, Mariona Sillaurren Piera, Serena Wilson, Xavier Súñer Rubió (CETT_UB Tourism & Hospitality, Universitat de Barcelona) • Cybersecurity Track (sponsored by Hikvision): Veronika Borysiuk, Anora Azimova, Josep Aguilera, Marc Joaquin Serra (EU Business School & Esade) Commenting on the role of industry engagement, Xavi Marlasca, Co-Coordinator of the ISE Hackathon said: “For partners and sponsors, the Hackathon provides direct insight into the next generation of professionals, their priorities, and their approach to real-world challenges. It also creates connections between students, startups, and the AV industry, reinforcing ISE’s role in supporting talent development across the sector.”

EVENTS Spark builds on successful debut for 2027

Beyond the competition, the Hackathon continues to influence career paths and perspectives. Participants reported gaining a deeper understanding of the breadth of opportunities within the AV industry, particularly in areas such as AI, sustainability, and cybersecurity. For some, the experience has already shaped academic and career ambitions, inspiring further study or sparking interest in AV careers. Others highlighted how the Hackathon demonstrated the importance of combining technical expertise with creativity, empathy, and user-focused design to drive meaningful innovation. With its second edition delivering strong results, the ISE Hackathon has firmly established itself as a key initiative in addressing the AV industry’s skills gap and fostering future talent.

Aligned with the wider mission of the ISE Foundation’s commitment to allow long-term industry growth through talent development, the Hackathon creates practical, industry-connected opportunities that bring together education and innovation. It transforms ambition into action, giving students hands-on experiences, confidence and access to leading industry players. Returning in 2027, the ISE Hackathon will continue to serve as a launchpad of innovation, equipping the next generation of AV professionals with the skills to collaborate and tackle tomorrow’s challenges headon. ISE returns to Fira de Barcelona, Gran Via, from 2–5 February 2027.

Spark 2026, powered by Samsung, launched at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) as a new event designed to connect the creative and production communities shaping the future of content and immersive experiences. Creators, brands, broadcasters, agencies, in-house teams and production innovators came together to explore creative practices and how modern content is designed and produced across live, filmed and immersive experiences.

Taking place in Hall 8.1 of Fira Gran Via, Spark featured four high-impact partner activations, thirty content sessions and sixty-three speakers, including keynotes from Jordan Schwarzenberger, Netflix and 0207 Def Jam. Launched by ISE in response to accelerating market convergences and the rapid expansion of creative-technology sectors, Spark connected the people shaping how content is conceived, commissioned and produced across broadcast, live experiences, immersive media and corporate communications.

Spark showcased emerging creative formats while also bringing creative, production and technology teams together earlier in the process, creating space for new ideas, workflows and production models to emerge before they reach the mainstream.

Headline sponsor Samsung showcased The Wall for Virtual Production (IVC Series), offering a hands-on window into next-generation production environments and the evolving language of virtual storytelling. Mark Taylor, Head of Vertical Markets at Samsung Display Solutions, Europe said: “What’s exciting about Spark is bringing together different manufacturers, speakers, and end users to really show what’s happening in the broadcast space right now and where it’s going next. There were great talks across all four days, including discussions around the future of virtual broadcast, and that convergence trend is only going to continue. For us, meeting new end users and having those conversations is one of the main reasons we come to shows like this.”

Alongside Samsung, MoSys, 3Cat, and Lab of Tomorrow delivered a series of immersive installations and live demonstrations that translated emerging production capabilities into working environments. Lab of Tomorrow’s ‘Floating Sky’ installation expanded the creative possibilities of live experience design, while 3Cat’s interactive three-screen cube, inspired by ‘Manairons’, transformed a gaming narrative into a physical in-person experience. MoSys presented its ‘Mostudio’ solution on Samsung’s The Wall LED technology, demonstrating how their democratised, automated studio workflows are reshaping production possibilities, placing virtual production in the hands of non-technical creators.

Together, these installations highlighted a clear shift: production technology is no longer just enabling creativity; it is actively reshaping it. Tobi Tungl, Chief Marketing Officer at CTI, said: “Spark felt like such a natural way to show up at ISE. Being part of the speaker session programme gave us a chance to connect directly with people in the room. It made it easy to be part of the conversation in a way that felt approachable and direct.” Joris Himpens, General Manager at Lab of Tomorrow, added: “Spark creates a powerful platform where emerging technologies meet the creative community that brings them to life. For Lab of Tomorrow and our members, it was an inspiring environment to exchange ideas with innovators, brands and creators who are all exploring how technology can redefine the future of entertainment.”

Across four days, Spark became a meeting point for crea-

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tive and technical leaders redefining how modern experiences are produced, distributed and consumed. The inaugural edition confirmed strong demand for a platform that brings creativity, content production and technology together earlier in the process, enabling collaboration before formats reach the mainstream. Discussions explored the impact of AI, virtual production, immersive media and evolving workflows on how content is conceived, commissioned and delivered, positioning these developments as part of an integrated production system rather than standalone tools.

Alongside its industry role, Spark also contributes to talent development. Aligned with the ISE Foundation pillars, it connects emerging talent with companies across the AV and creative technology ecosystem, creating early exposure to real-world workflows, technologies and industry expectations.

Mike Blackman, Managing Director of Integrated Systems Events, said: “Spark proved there is clear demand for a space where creative industries and production technology meet earlier in the production lifecycle, where formats are defined, commissioning decisions are shaped, and production models are established.” Following its successful launch, Spark is scaling up for 2027, moving to the Fira Montjuïc venue to meet growing demand and unlock a broader, more ambitious programme. The move will support a broader content programme, larger-scale installations, increased participation and more immersive experience-led formats.

Spark 2026 reflected a major industry shift: the growing convergence of creative production, technology infrastructure and immersive experience design. Spark enters its next chapter on 3–4 February 2027 at Fira de Barcelona, Montjuïc.

IMCCA to host AI Lab for integrators at CEDIA Expo CEDIA Expo continues to reinforce its role as the industry’s leading destination for discovering emerging technologies, connecting with brand partners and peers, and gaining the insights needed to shape the future of integration. As part of that commitment, CEDIA Expo is partnering with the Interactive Multimedia & Collaborative Communications Alliance

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(IMCCA) to host the AI Lab focused on deploying AI in real-world integration scenarios at CEDIA Expo 2026, taking place this September in Denver.

Hosted by Kevin Kieller and David Maldow, known as the AI Chefs, the AI Lab will give attendees a practical, interactive look at how AI can be applied across integration workflows.

Focusing on popular AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, lab conversations will compare AI agents and services, evaluate audio, microphone, and video capabilities, explore prompting workflows and AI-generated image creation, and demonstrate how different platforms align with specific business and customer use cases. Featuring sideby-side comparisons, live demonstrations, and practical guidance, AI Lab will be open for attendees to stop by at the IMCCA Lab in Booth 1101.“AI is the most consequential technology advancement of our time, but the rapid pace of change has created complexity and confusion,” said Jason McGraw, Group Vice President and Show Director, CEDIA Expo. “The IMCCA AI Lab will help cut through the noise by giving integrators an opportunity to understand how AI can be applied within custom integration. This is exactly the type of education and insight our community expects from CEDIA Expo.”

Kieller and Maldow bring a unique blend of technology expertise, industry analysis, and practical AI experience to help professionals understand how artificial intelligence can be applied in real-world business environments. Kieller is a recognised unified communications and collaboration technology strategist, co-founder and lead analyst at EnableUC, and a frequent industry voice on collaboration platforms, Microsoft Teams, Copilot, AI, and workplace transformation.

Maldow is the founder and CEO of Let’s Do Video and specializes in video collaboration, conferencing, and workplace technologies. Together, they created the AI Chefs concept to move conversations about AI beyond hype and into practical experimentation, helping professionals compare tools, understand emerging AI capabilities, and discover “recipes” for using AI to improve productivity, communication, and business outcomes. “Through the AI Chefs project, we wanted to create a hands-on, approachable way for people to explore AI. Not just as a technology, but as a capability that can help solve real-world challenges,” said Kieller. “CEDIA Expo brings together some of the most forward-thinking professionals in technology integration, and we’re excited to engage with an audience that is actively shaping the future of connected environments. This is an opportunity to move beyond the AI conversation and focus on how integrators can apply these tools today.”

The IMCCA is a professional organisation focused on advancing collaboration technologies, unified communications, and immersive meeting experiences. Through education, research, and industry collaboration, IMCCA serves as a resource for professionals seeking to design and implement more effective, engaging, and connected environments for communication and collaboration. “We’re pleased to once again partner with Emerald to bring the latest advances in collaboration, communication, and workplace technology to the CEDIA Expo audience,” said Carol Zelkin, Executive Director, IMCCA. “Our goal is to help the industry move beyond hype and better understand how these technologies can be applied in real-world environments.”

CEDIA Expo will return to Denver from Tuesday, September 1, to Friday, September 4, 2026.