Press Room

FAIRFAX, Va., January 29, 2026 – At ISE 2026, AVIXA will unite the AV community with dynamic gatherings, including the first Women in AV Collective, and meetups for AVIXA Councils and broadcast AV enthusiasts. In addition, Xchange LIVE will be the hub for interactive sessions on topics from immersive art to environmental social governance.

On Thursday, February 5, AVIXA will host its inaugural Women in AV Collective centered on the theme “Leading Beyond Limits. Empowering Through Connection.” Presented by the AVIXA Women’s Council, this program will feature a keynote, panel discussion, and networking reception. Attendees will hear inspiring stories from women who have overcome barriers in the AV industry, underscoring AVIXA’s commitment to elevating women's leadership, visibility, and allyship across the global AV industry. This celebration of leadership, collaboration, and growth across every role, region, and segment of the AV industry will provide a space for breaking boundaries and making profound connections.

“This event perfectly encapsulates the AVIXA Women’s Council mission – to provide a global community for supporting and empowering women who work in pro AV and technology,” said Sarah Joyce, Chief Global Officer, AVIXA. “I encourage everyone to attend and meet all the groups represented here. It is a fantastic opportunity to build community, make meaningful connections, and be inspired by the collective power and influence of women in the AV industry.”

The event begins at 14:30 with award-winning writer, director, and speaker Sam Grierson delivering the keynote. A recipient of the Anna Kennedy Autism Hero Award for the Arts, her work explores neurodivergence, gender, identity, and queerness through film and audio drama. Grierson wrote and directed The Programme, which has received accolades at prominent women’s film festivals. Her latest film The Pause explores menopause, identity, and job loss in the age of AI. 

Following the keynote, Sam Phenix, a leader in the display technology and AV industries and former Chair of the AVIXA Board of Directors, will be joined by a panel of trailblazing voices in the pro AV industry. After the panel, attendees will have the opportunity to explore diverse perspectives and find opportunities to build relationships during the networking reception, hosted in partnership with COITT (Colegio Oficial Ingenieros Tecnicos de Telecomunicacion).  

The AVIXA Women’s Council is sponsored by Diversified and Shure. 

The event is free to attend. Learn more and register. 

More Forums to Connect the AV Community

On Tuesday, February 3 at 15:00, at Xchange LIVE (3Q150), the panel discussion “Elevate Your Impact Through AVIXA Councils” will explore how Council involvement can shape careers, expand networks, and drive innovation in the AV industry. Past and present Council leaders will share inspiring stories on why being a part of AVIXA Councils is a worthwhile investment of time. Immediately following the panel, all Council members and supporters are invited to an all council meetup in the AVIXA Lounge (3R200) for continued conversation and connection.

On Wednesday, February 4 at 16:00, attendees are invited to join AVIXA’s Board of Directors, Leadership Search Committee (LSC), and members for a reception at Xchange LIVE. 

On Thursday, February 5 at 12:00, the AVIXA TV Studio (EA900) will host a Broadcast AV Meetup where attendees can get an up-close look at the studio and discuss everything broadcast AV production with the studio’s technicians.

Also on Thursday, Xchange LIVE will host a Data Partner Meetup at 16:00 for a discussion on industry prospects for 2026, including highlights from AVIXA’s first quarter buyer study, the Market Opportunity Analysis Report (MOAR). This is an invite-only event. To register your interest, complete this form. 

Interactive Sessions to Inspire

Xchange LIVE is the hub for interactive sessions on topics from immersive art to environmental social governance for all four days of the show. Highlights include:

On Tuesday, February 3 at 11:15, the session “The Art of Immersion: Exploring Creative Content in Digital Spaces” will examine the contrasts between creative/artistic and commercial approaches to immersive content, providing valuable insights for both technical and creative professionals interested in the future of digital experiences.

In addition, the AVIXA Sustainability Task Force will host a session on Tuesday at 12:00 to break down sustainability into simple, actionable steps. From setting up an internal strategy to embedding sustainability in project design and building greener partnerships with customers and suppliers, this session is a roadmap to making sustainability achievable, not overwhelming.

On Thursday at 12:15, the session “Accessible AV Designs for Classrooms” features experienced technology managers sharing insights and experiences on designing accessible AV systems, with an emphasis on integrating intuitive user interfaces to support diverse needs and learning styles. 

On Friday February 6, the Xchange LIVE programming will be hosted by frame:work, a community of live and virtual pixel makers. The sessions include a guided Notch mini build, an AI storyboarding lab, and a discussion on technical challenges in immersive storytelling. 

View the full Xchange LIVE schedule. 

To learn more about AVIXA’s programs at ISE, visit www.avixa.org/ISE. 

Check out AVIXA TV’s podcast Backstage Pass for ISE news leading up to the show.

Photos: 
Sam Grierson
Xchange LIVE

About AVIXA
AVIXA is the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association, producer of InfoComm trade shows around the world, co-owner of Integrated Systems Europe, and the international trade association representing the audiovisual industry. Established in 1939, AVIXA has more than 3,000 enterprise members representing over 20,000 AV professionals, including manufacturers, systems integrators, dealers and distributors, consultants, programmers, live events companies, technology managers, content producers, and multimedia professionals from more than 80 countries. AVIXA members create integrated AV experiences that deliver outcomes for end users. AVIXA is a hub for professional collaboration, information, and community, and is the leading resource for AV standards, certification, training, market intelligence, and thought leadership. Visit www.avixa.org.