InfoComm 2026 felt different: less specs, more real problem-solving
InfoComm 2026 focused more on solving real-world problems rather than just showcasing specifications. The event highlighted a shift towards practical applications and solutions in the Pro AV industry. Attendees discussed innovative approaches to addressing industry challenges.
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Key takeaways
Shift in focus from specifications to problem-solving at InfoComm 2026.
Increased emphasis on practical applications in the Pro AV industry.
Discussion on innovative solutions to industry challenges.
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You ever walk out of a movie theater and say to yourself, "Dang, that was good"?
That was me this year at InfoComm. Sans movie theater, obviously.
I'm sitting back in an office now, recovering a little bit, because the body does not hang on quite like it used to. But I'll say this: this is probably the first time in three or four years that I've left InfoComm feeling this optimistic about where the industry is headed. A lot of years you leave and it's like, cool, saw some new products, saw some good people, had a few good conversations. That's all fine. That's part of the deal. But this year felt (good) different.
Less specs, more real problem-solving
The conversations I found myself having were way less about specs and new releases, and way more about use cases, facilities automation, building operators, integrator partners, installer partners, and the actual problems people outside of our industry are asking us to help solve. Healthcare, hospitality, entertainment, education, corporate, you name it. It felt like more folks are getting to the place of, "Hey, maybe the thing is not that we make cool products. Maybe the thing is that those products help solve real problems for people who do not talk about AV all day."
Buyers do not care about specs the same way we do. They care if something helps them run a space better, support their team, create a better experience, or make the job easier.
And that's a pretty healthy place for us to be, in my opinion. We're a very smart industry, but we're also a very technical industry, and that does not always translate cleanly to the people we serve. So seeing manufacturers, service providers, installers, and partners having more verticalized, problem-solving conversations was honestly pretty refreshing.
AVIXA leans into the creator side of the industry
The other thing that jumped out was how much AVIXA leaned into the creator side of the industry this year. Creator stations, ring lights, microphones, podcast setups, AVIXA TV, people walking around with phones and cameras. All of that stuff changes the feel of a show. It gives more people a way to talk about what they're seeing, what they're learning, and what this industry actually does outside of the usual AV bubble.
Easily one of my top two or three InfoComms of the last decade. I'll give it a 9.2 out of 10.
So yeah, I may need a couple more ice baths in the morning, but I left way more refreshed than I expected. Great show. Great conversations. I don't really know what gets it to a 10, so I'm leaving a little room there. Next year is Orlando though, so the humidity may start docking points before we even get badges.
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About the author
Ben Thomas serves as Head of Pro AV at MarketScale, where he leads content and media strategy for the pro AV sector. With over 15 years of award-winning experience across large-scale events, network television, OTT platforms, and podcasting, he has guided major B2B brands including Intel, Sennheiser, Samsung, and Philips to billions of content interactions. He holds a B.A. in Mass Communications and is recognized for his expertise in podcast hosting, public speaking, marketing, and content strategy.
