News & Trends

Every June, the global AV industry converges on North America for InfoComm, the world’s premier gathering of over 30,000 AV innovators, integrators, and end-users. This year, the experience has been rebuilt from the ground up. With a newly transformed focus on real-world collaboration and connected ecosystems, navigating the future of AV tech has never been more immersive. Read on to see why this year’s show is an absolute must for AV professionals at all levels.

1. A Fully Reimagined Experience

InfoComm 2026 has replaced passive product displays with interactive, human-centered environments. Moving away from technology for technology’s sake, InfoComm 2026 focuses on practical, real-world applications. Jenn Heinold, SVP of Exhibitions for the Americas, recently discussed this shift with AVIXA TV's Backstage Pass host, Samantha Powell.

“InfoComm has really evolved, and we’ve done that in a very meaningful and mindful way,” Heinold explained. “We’re focusing on how do we best serve our end user community alongside the channel and what new experiences we can bring to the show because AV is such a hands-on technology, and we want to provide more and more of those opportunities.”

The transformation was born out of a year-long skunkworks project she nicknamed "InfoComm Reimagined." Everything from themed exhibit areas and a revamped show app to flagship keynotes open to all attendees reflects this deliberate change in the event’s "vibe," creating a floor characterized by a renewed emphasis on user needs and solutions that address how the tech stack is actually being used in real-world environments.

2. Immersive Environments Replace Isolated Products

InfoComm 2026 shifts the focus from isolated hardware on pedestals to fully interoperable environments. Rather than viewing standalone “black boxes,” attendees will be able to see how different technologies function within complete workflows. The life-like settings allow visitors to observe exactly how the systems communicate in high-stakes professional environments.

This shift directly addresses feedback from the end-user community. As Heinold shared, “I talked to quite a few end users when I started with AVIXA, and one of the themes I heard was ‘I don’t go to InfoComm for a black box, I come for full room solutions.’”

By showcasing the technology within simulated classrooms, corporate offices, and live production spaces, the show bridges the gap between standalone products being displayed and fully integrated real-world installations. Attendees don’t have to wonder how a product might fit their environment; they can see firsthand how individual components fit together in a holistic solution that can solve their operational challenges.

3. Purposeful Navigation – Work vs. Play

The 2026 show floor has also been logically reorganized around the way AV solutions are actually thought of and implemented. The approach replaces traditional product groupings with an intentional experience that aligns with real-world solutions and outcomes. By navigating through application-based environments rather than booth numbers, attendees can maximize their time and focus on the solutions that are most relevant to them.

The approach is anchored by two primary halls at the Convention Center. Heinold explained the philosophy behind this split: “We decided to lean into AVIXA’s tagline, ‘Together we change the way people experience the world.’ With that thought in mind–literally how people experience the world– she and her team came up with “Work” and “Play.”

The North Hall serves as the “Play” zone, housing solutions for live events, broadcasts, eSports, and fan engagement. The Central Hall is the “Work” zone, focused on conferencing, collaboration, digital signage, and enterprise AV solutions. The framework of an application-driven layout transforms a massive exhibition space into a purposeful, results-oriented live experience of witnessing the technology in action for attendees.

4. Application Hubs as Immersive Anchors

To further enhance the contextual experience, Jenn and her team have introduced Application Hubs as the main anchors for the show’s exhibit space. Three hubs serve as experiential anchors that blend storytelling with functional design to serve as operational ecosystems. Attendees can step into these curated environments to see exactly how the systems perform in specific real-world scenarios.

Three distinct hubs have been established for the show:

• The Pitch: A high-energy live production environment in the North Hall that explores solutions for fan engagement and real-time event logistics.
  
• Smart Workplace Hub: A collaboration-centric space in the Central Hall that showcases the next generation of hybrid work and connected meeting rooms.
  
• Retail Experience Hub: A customer-focused environment in the Central Hall that highlights how digital signage and interactive AV solutions transform the retail buying experience.
  

These hubs go beyond merely showcasing the tech stack; they reveal how the technology streamlines workflows and drives measurable business results. By visiting these spaces, attendees can gain a clear understanding of how implementing these solutions in their own organizations can achieve results.

5. The Stars Align: AV Scores Big with the World Cup

There is a unique serendipity to the timing of InfoComm 2026, which coincides with the kickoff of the FIFA World Cup. A walk-through of the Pitch Hub will drive home showcasing how professional AV tech is the power behind one of the biggest moments in sporting history. Many of the systems on the show floor, from the large-format LEDs and immersive audio networking to complex broadcast infrastructure, are the very technologies that enable the tournament’s global reach.

This convergence promises to give the show a heightened level of immediacy. Attendees will be able to get a hands-on look at the technological systems being pushed to their limits under the scale and pressure of a worldwide audience. Seeing these solutions in action within the hub will afford a unique perspective on what these systems are capable of doing as the whole world watches, in short, serving as a live case study for the entire industry.

6. Keynotes Open to Everyone

Knowledge sharing is a cornerstone of InfoComm, and for 2026, the most influential voices in the industry will be more accessible than ever. For the first time, flagship keynote sessions will be open to all attendees, including those with expo-only passes. This “democratization” of thought leadership ensures that every visitor has the opportunity to learn from the visionaries who are leading the future of enterprise AV technology.

This year’s lineup focuses on the convergence of AV, IT, and Artificial Intelligence:

• Espen Løberg (Cisco): Will present “Powering the Modern Workplace with Connected Intelligence,” which delves into how integrated infrastructure enables seamless user experiences.
  
• Ilya Bukshteyn (Microsoft): Will present “Exploring the Future of AI-Powered Collaboration,” which focuses on how intelligent systems are redefining hybrid environments.
  

By opening these sessions to the entire community, InfoComm 2026 is fostering a more inclusive environment where ideas can be shared as a “big-stage experience” across everyone in the industry.

7. AI-Powered Personalization

With hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of products, navigating InfoComm at Las Vegas’ sprawling convention center can be a daunting task. To address this, the 2026 event leverages enhanced AI-powered planning tools built directly into the My InfoComm platform. The all-new, improved show app is a handy digital concierge, providing intelligent recommendations that align with each attendee’s specific professional goals and industry focus.

The app delivers:

• Personalized Recommendations: A tailored list of exhibitors and sessions based on your needs and interests.
  
• Curated Agendas: AI-generated schedules designed to optimize your time and avoid planning fatigue.
  
• Improved Discovery: Suggestions for relevant sessions or technologies that you might have otherwise overlooked.
  

By reducing planning effort, the AI tools built into the app allow you to spend less time looking at your phone and more time engaging with the people and technologies that matter most to your career.

8. A Navigation Co-Pilot for the Show

Building on the theme of time saving and efficiency, the newly-enhanced app also introduces a revolutionary “co-pilot” feature, so navigating the show floor is easy. You’ll have access to mobile navigation with GPS-style functionality within the convention center. The navigational co-pilot provides turn-by-turn directions to help you move efficiently between booths, sessions, and lounges, ensuring that you spend your energy on networking and learning rather than on show logistics.

For newcomers and seasoned veterans alike, this enhancement dramatically improves attendee satisfaction. It allows for faster discovery and lets you hit every item on your “must-see” list without the stress of getting lost. For an event that spans two massive halls and hundreds of exhibitor booths and events, the new Copilot feature is an essential tool for a productive show experience.

9. A Seamless Experience for All Attendees

InfoComm 2026 prioritizes user-centered experience and accessibility, ensuring that the show is welcoming to both seasoned professionals and those who are new to the field. As AV increasingly overlaps with IT, education, and corporate communications, the show is intentionally structured to help professionals from any sector quickly orient themselves and find value.

10. A Collaborative Community That Welcomes You

The primary reason people return to InfoComm year after year is the experience of joining with the AV community. Relationship building remains at the forefront of the show, with many long-term partnerships beginning with a simple conversation in a booth or at a concession stand. This year, finding your place at the show is easier than ever.

“We do a lot of themed meetups during the event that you can view on the website. If you want to find your tribe, that’s a great place to start," Heinold explained. "This is a really warm and welcoming community. Just remember you’re with friends at InfoComm, even if you’re a first-timer or new to the industry.”

Watch the Interview and Sign Up Now

For anyone looking to understand the future of collaboration, communication, immersive experience design, and connected technology, there may be no more important place to be this year. To hear more directly from Jenn Heinold about the vision behind this year’s transformation, watch the full interview on AVIXA TV. Then head to Infocommshow.org to register to experience the world’s most vital Pro AV show.