Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2025 recently concluded, casting a bright spotlight on the advancements and future directions of the stage lighting industry. For stage lighting manufacturers like ourselves, the event, held in Barcelona from February 4th to 7th, was an essential experience, offering a comprehensive view of the latest trends and breakthroughs in our field.
Spotlight on Stage Lighting: The Dedicated Zone
A significant highlight of ISE 2025 was the introduction of a dedicated Lighting & Staging Zone in Hall 6. This marked a pivotal moment, recognizing the increasing importance of stage lighting within the broader integrated systems ecosystem. This focused area became a vibrant meeting point for professionals specializing in lighting, lighting control, and rigging and staging technologies. The dedicated zone provided a more concentrated and valuable exploration of innovations tailored specifically to stage lighting.
Leading the Charge: Key Exhibitors and Product Showcases
The exhibition floor featured prominent industry players such as Adam Hall Group and Robe, each presenting their latest innovations. Adam Hall Group showcased its extensive portfolio across two stands, emphasizing integrated audio, lighting, and control solutions ideal for installation projects. Cameo, a brand within the Adam Hall Group, put the spotlight on its state-of-the-art lighting technologies. Robe also made a strong impression with its new product releases, including the iSTROBE™ and iESPRITE® LTL WashBeam, reaffirming ISE’s vital role for sectors including rental, stage construction, and live events.
Emerging Trends Shaping Stage Lighting’s Future
Several key trends observed at ISE 2025 are particularly relevant for stage lighting manufacturers:
- The Rise of IP Solutions: The growing prevalence of IP-based solutions was unmistakable. Barco, among others, showcased IP solutions designed to enhance media processing and system integration. This trend indicates a clear industry shift towards lighting control and distribution systems that offer greater flexibility, scalability, and efficiency.
- Immersive Experiences Take Center Stage: The demand for captivating and immersive visual experiences is significantly impacting stage lighting design. Barco’s presentation of visualization and image-processing technologies for immersive environments underscores the necessity for stage lighting to integrate seamlessly with other technologies to deliver truly engaging experiences.
- Sustainability in AV: Sustainability is increasingly becoming a core consideration within the AV industry. Discussions around sustainable AV solutions, exemplified by Barco’s Thomas Serbruyns’ session on “Sustainable AV: How Sustainability Triples your Tech Bottom Line,” highlight a growing industry-wide awareness and demand for energy-efficient and environmentally responsible lighting technologies.
Navigating the Future: Opportunities for Manufacturers
ISE 2025 offered stage lighting manufacturers crucial insights into the evolving needs of the market. The identified trends point towards a future where stage lighting will be:
- Deeply Integrated: Designed for seamless integration with broader AV setups through advanced IP-based technologies.
- Intensely Immersive: Engineered to play a key role in creating deeply immersive and captivating visual environments.
- Inherently Sustainable: Developed with a strong focus on energy efficiency and minimizing environmental impact.
