…the Teams, the Partners, the Media, and the Extraordinary Wildwood Plus Crew Who “Pushed Beyond” at ISE 2026.

ISE 2026 will go down as one of the most ambitious and impactful editions ever. Not being in Barcelona for the show this year was incredibly tough. As many of you know, I needed to stay close to home this year, and I’m endlessly grateful to everyone who stepped in so effortlessly while I focused on what mattered most. Their support, both professional and personal, has meant everything.

Even watching this awesome event from the UK, the scale, energy and global momentum were unmistakable. It was a real testament to the people who power this industry and refuse to stand still.

Image Credit – Integrated Systems Europe

To the ISE Team…

Thank you for delivering an event that once again set the standard for the global AV landscape. With 92,710 attendees (!), more than 1,700 exhibitors, deep‑dive content across every technological vertical, and a show theme rooted in ambition Push Beyond you created an environment that inspired, challenged, and connected the world’s best.

The result? A truly world‑class showcase of innovation, craft and collaboration, yet again breaking records. There has been A LOT of fantastic coverage on the show – and if you missed it – check out Integrated Systems Europe where you can find all the stories!

Image Credit – Integrated Systems Europe

To AVIXA & CEDIA, the Organisations Behind the Show’s Heart… 

ISE isn’t just a trade show, it’s a partnership. And year after year, AVIXA and CEDIA curate the soul of the event through programming, community engagement and global leadership.

I am honoured to co-lead the UK AVIXA Women’s Council and every year at ISE, it is a chance to meet up, support other women and allies in this vibrant industry, making new connections and hearing inspiring experiences.

A new initiative this year was the inaugural AVIXA Women in AV Collective (which made such a powerful statement this year) to the countless AVIXA Council meetups, broadcast sessions, strategic gatherings and community‑building activities, the AVIXA presence was felt everywhere as a true reflection of their commitment to elevating the people of our industry.

CEDIA’s ongoing leadership and presence ensured that integrators, technical specialists, residential professionals and innovators had a home within the show; one grounded in expertise, education and excellence. The CEDIA Smart Home Stage and its Education programme was packed with insightful, entertaining and inspiring content.

Image Credit – Integrated Systems Europe

To the Content Teams…

The education, summits & conferences programme this year was nothing short of exceptional and yet again, provided delegates with a phenomenal choice of learning and development. The depth, ambition and relevance of the sessions pushed far beyond product to focus on the skills, insights, foresight and professional development our industry needs to SPARK growth.

From AI and interoperability to immersive experience design, future‑ready infrastructure, sustainability and creative technology, the wide and varied content programme delivered knowledge that will ripple well beyond the show floor. A huge thank‑you to every organiser, speaker, educator, moderator and content curator who invested their expertise into making the programme such a standout success.

To the World’s Media… 

Thank you for amplifying the stories, the technology and, most importantly, the people of our industry. Through coverage, interviews, features and analysis, you ensured the pulse of ISE reached far beyond the halls of Fira Barcelona. Managing the onsite Press Office is an honour and getting to connect in person with the editors, publishers, journalists, photographers, videographers, commercial teams that we talk to all year round is awesome.

Your work brings global visibility to the show, our clients, partners, councils and communities. It ensures the innovation and human brilliance of this sector is seen, understood and celebrated across borders and industries.

And Finally…The Biggest Shout‑Out

To the Wildwood PLUS Team – I could not be prouder. This year, you Pushed Beyond in every sense:

• Managing the press room with absolute professionalism and warmth
• Supporting the ISE Press team, media and agencies and partners throughout the week
• Ensuring every Wildwood client felt represented, looked after, and set up for success
• Showing up across the halls, meetings, content rooms and media channels with energy, insight and heart
• Living and breathing the spirit of this year’s theme, not just meeting expectations, but pushing beyond and surpassing them
• Making connections and enjoying new business conversations – just awesome!

You embraced the intensity, the opportunities, the pressure, the pace and you delivered. With humour, with grit, with passion and the trademark Wildwood “we’ve‑got‑this” attitude that makes our team so special.

Even from afar, watching you shine was one of the proudest moments of my career. This year, you didn’t just work hard…you lived our Wildwood CORE Values in every step of the journey.

In a Year Defined by “Push Beyond” Wildwood Plus Truly Did

Thank you to every single one of you.
Thank you to all our partners for trusting us.
And thank you to this incredible industry for always striving higher.

Here’s to the stories told, the relationships built, the clients supported, and the boundaries broken. Here’s to ISE 2026, and to everything it will spark next.

A Momentto Celebrate…

Contact Wildwood Plus today to discover how we can support your event

Get in touch today

Trade shows account for a huge 40% of B2B marketing budgets, according to research gathered by Trade Show Labs. A significant investment, however they can be perfect platforms for business development, industry networking and positive exposure. But the bustling environment of trade shows is competitive, with numerous companies vying for the attention of attendees. So, how do you maximise your investment and ensure your company’s products, services and innovations are seen by the people that matter? Two words… public relations.

Maximising Exposure

Likely one of, if not the core goal of exhibiting at a trade show is getting as many eyes on your company booth, products and services as possible. This is what public relations (PR) agencies have been built to do for their clients, and a trade show can represent an ideal opportunity to bring one on board. So, how do they help make such an impact?

Industry trade shows and exhibitions are often a hotbed of journalists and media representatives looking to get a handle on the news of the day. PR agencies worth their salt can leverage their connections to ensure that a company story can cut through the noise and get noticed. The mechanisms vary, but for example at Wildwood Plus, we offer the entire gamut of journalist liaison for our clients; arranging executive interviews (both traditional and video), facilitating press conferences, background briefings, and ensuring that press materials reach the right people at the right time.

The reason PR agencies can do this is because of the strength of their media and industry relationships, and they recognise how these connections can significantly enhance the brand awareness and credibility of their clients. Agencies know how to pitch stories in a way that grabs journalists’ attention, making it more likely that a company will be featured in trade show coverage.

Compelling Content

Timing and content of announcements at trade shows can also make a substantial difference in their impact. Again, at Wildwood Plus we excel in crafting compelling content, ensuring it’s issued at the most opportune moments. As we’re in the unique position of not only representing regular industry exhibitors at trade shows, but also several trade shows themselves, such as Integrated Systems Europe (ISE), kbb Birmingham and Decorex, we understand the dynamics of on-site news cycles and can therefore strategise for maximum client exposure. But don’t just take our word for it…

“We’ve worked with Wildwood Plus on kbb Birmingham for over five years, and always been really impressed with their media contacts in this sector which has helped our coverage grow ten-fold since we started working together. They are a creative and professional team that come to us with new ideas and additional ways in which we can progress the show, essentially becoming a central part of our event team. We’re really looking forward to working with them again on the next event.”

– Sam Fisher, Events Director, Informa Markets (kbb Birmingham & Decorex)

Enhancing and Protecting Perception

Trade shows also offer an excellent opportunity to enhance brand perception. PR can facilitate this by helping to create a cohesive and compelling show narrative that aligns with your company’s wider business goals. The output(s) of this can take many forms, but includes everything from press kits and media outreach, through to social & digital strategies and on-site support.

By managing a company’s public image and messaging, PR agencies do their utmost to ensure the brand is portrayed in a positive light. Consistent and professional representation is also vital should unexpected issues arise during a fast-paced trade show environment. Whether it’s a technical glitch, negative press or any other unforeseen event, having experts on-hand which can swiftly and effectively mitigate potential damage and even turn a negative into a positive is worth its metaphorical weight in gold.

A Trusted Communications Partner

In the competitive landscape of trade shows, the support of a skilled and trusted PR agency can be a game-changer. From building media relationships and strategically issuing announcements, to enhancing brand presence and managing crises, the right partner can provide assurances that a company’s significant trade show investment gets the return it deserves.

If you want to enhance your company’s visibility and success at your next trade show, get in touch with Wildwood Plus today. We have over 30 years of experience representing exhibitors and exhibitions across build, design and technology shows in both Europe and North America.

As the CEO & Managing Director of Wildwood Plus, I had the distinct honour of serving as a judge for the PRCA DARE Awards this year.

This experience has not only been incredibly rewarding but also highlighted the significant role that industry award schemes play in promoting excellence and innovation within the PR and communications sector.

Celebrating Excellence and Innovation

Industry award schemes like the PRCA Dare Awards are essential for several reasons. Firstly, they provide a platform to celebrate the outstanding work being done by professionals and agencies across the industry

These awards recognise the creativity, strategic thinking, and dedication that go into crafting successful PR campaigns. By acknowledging these efforts, we not only celebrate individual and team achievements but also set benchmarks for excellence to which others can aspire.

Encouraging Best Practices

One of the key benefits of participating in award schemes is the opportunity to showcase best practices. As PR agencies, we are often focused on promoting our clients and their successes. However, it is equally important to take a step back and reflect on our own work. Preparing award entries can be time-consuming, but it is a valuable exercise in self-assessment and improvement. It encourages agencies to critically evaluate their strategies, outcomes, and overall impact, leading to continuous growth and development.

Inspiring the Industry

The diversity and quality of entries I reviewed as a judge for the PRCA Dare Awards were truly inspiring. From innovative digital campaigns to impactful community engagement initiatives, the submissions demonstrated the incredible talent and creativity within our industry. It was heartwarming to see how agencies are pushing the boundaries and finding new ways to connect with audiences.

This spirit of innovation not only drives the industry forward but also inspires others to think creatively and strive for excellence

Identifying Award Schemes and Crafting Entries

Identifying the right award schemes for your agency or client is crucial. At Wildwood Plus, we have successfully identified and participated in various award schemes, many of which are run by industry publishers and associations.

Crafting entries for such awards involves highlighting the innovative solutions and measurable impact of the projects. For Panasonic Heating & Cooling, we focused on showcasing the energy efficiency, sustainability, and overall performance of their installations, backed up with installer and customer testimonials.

Our Successes

Wildwood Plus has a track record of success in various award schemes.

Our entries for Distech Controls and Panasonic Heating & Cooling have been recognised for their excellence in several industry award schemes; for Panasonic we achieved 14 award wins during 2024/25 out of 16 created and submitted.

The category wins included, Collaboration of the Year, Public Sector Project of the Year, Best Residential heat pump project, Domestic Energy Saving Product and Heat Pump Product of the Year to name a few.

These accolades not only validate our efforts but also motivate us to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation and excellence in our industry.

And for Distech Controls we won the i8moressive IBcon Digie Award for Best AI Tech innovation for its Resense Move.

Award schemes are not just a way to boost your ego or show off your achievements. They can also have tangible benefits for your business, such as increasing your visibility, enhancing your reputation, attracting new customers, and motivating your staff.

My Experience as a Judge

Judging the PRCA Dare Awards was a deeply enriching experience. It provided me with a unique perspective on the breadth and depth of work being done across the PR and communications landscape. The process involved evaluating a wide range of submissions, each with its own unique approach and impact. It was a privilege to witness the passion and dedication that went into each entry.

While the task of judging was challenging due to the high calibre of submissions, it was also incredibly rewarding. It reinforced the importance of recognizing and celebrating the hard work and creativity that define our industry. I encourage all PR agencies to take their own advice and get involved in award schemes. By doing so, we not only promote our own achievements but also contribute to the collective growth and advancement of the industry.

Conclusion

Industry award schemes like the PRCA Dare Awards play a crucial role in celebrating excellence, encouraging best practices, and inspiring innovation within the PR and communications sector. My experience as a judge has been a testament to the incredible talent and creativity that exists within our industry. I look forward to continuing to support and celebrate the amazing work being done by PR professionals and agencies around the world.

Thank you for reading, and I hope to see many more inspiring entries in the future!

Tips for Effective Communication

We are living in an uncertain world. No one knows what is going on in the short- or long-term future, but as lockdown restrictions start to ease, Lorraine Nugent of Wildwood PR gives us her top tips for effective communication.

Lorraine recently took part in The Marketing Club webinar outlining 5 Top Tips…

1:  Stay Positive – NOW is the time to COMMUNICATE

Some of you may be wary about even thinking about marketing and communications, especially if finances have taken a hit during COVID-19.  However, now is the time to stay positive, keep communicating (wisely) and focus on being ready to build back up again.

2:  DON’T FORGET your team

Communication is even more important now –  not only for your external audiences – but also for your team.  If you have furloughed staff, don’t forget that whilst they cannot work for you, nor generate income, you still need to keep in touch and be available to answer questions they may have. Consider the team’s mental well-being and arrange some social interactions – may be a team quiz night or a Zoom virtual party.  These are uncharted territories and you need to bring out the best in your team, now more than ever before.

3:  Set the TONE

It is important that you show that you understand what your team, and your customers are going through.  Don’t forget your USPs – but set it in the context of the challenging times we are all experiencing. A little empathy and understanding goes a very long way – and no-one wants to be ‘sold to’ by brands seen to be taking advantage at this time.

4:  Get active – blogging and social media:

Google loves new, well-written content. If you don’t already run a blog on your website – get blogging.  With people working from home, less time being spent on travel and little in the way of social activities, your audience is captive – and very actively browsing the internet looking for advice, education, hints and tips – as well as entertainment.  So think about sharing your experience on your social media platforms with some interesting, useful and engaging content.

5:  MEASURE the impact and evaluate, change direction if required

Measurement is so important when it comes to evaluating the impact. In terms of brand awareness, it’s good to look at the number of articles you have achieved and where they have been placed, are they in your key publications? What is the focus of the coverage – is it a product piece or is it a longer, thought leadership piece? As well as looking at the coverage it is important to see how that coverage is creating demand generation, are people visiting your website from links used in the PR campaign, are they clicking through to download white papers or taking advantage of training you are highlighting at the moment?  You can then use this data to adapt your messaging and improve engagement levels.

Communicating effectively is an ongoing process, you must always evaluate and change direction if required – especially during these challenging times.

To find out more about what we do click here