By: Jaime Theresa Smith, CMP; National Business Development Executive with EventEQ
*With ChatGPT assistance
2025 was the year AV moved from “nice-to-have” theatrical touches to core event infrastructure. Three forces dominated: AI & automation, immersive visuals & spatial audio, and sustainability & security. Expect those threads to deepen in 2026. Think widely deployed MicroLED and creative LED scenic work, spatial/objective-based audio for live events, operational automation (AI camera/lighting/audio control), stronger AV cybersecurity requirements, and continued pressure to reduce event carbon footprints.
6 key trends:
1. AI shifts from “demo” to everyday ops
AI tools began automating camera tracking, live graphics, captioning, and show-control tasks, lowering crew burden while improving consistency.
Expect AI to be embedded in live switchers, AV control systems, and virtual-production pipelines, enabling smarter auto-framing, real-time low-latency graphics, and on-the-fly translations/subtitles. Planners should ask their partners about AI features, latency and editorial controls.
2. LED evolution – bigger, sharper, more creative
Fine-pitch LEDs and the first commercial MicroLED deployments pushed video walls into large-scale scenic design (curved, floor-to-ceiling, interactive).
Costs will continue to fall and MicroLED becomes realistic for premium events/venues in 2026, enabling ultra-high-res canvases, transparent and flexibly displays. Use LED as a storytelling surface, not just a backdrop.
3. Immersive audio goes mainstream
Spatial audio (object-based/3D audio) advanced from studio/broadcast into live event use, for better audience immersion and new creative possibilities.
Expect more events to use spatial audio rigs and venue-integrated array solutions. For experiential sessions, spatial sound will be as important as the visual canvas.
4. Sustainability moves from PR line to production requirement
Event teams accelerated sourcing of low-emission power solutions, greener logistics, and circular-set design. Pilots for battery-stored clean power and efficient LED adoption gained traction.
In 2026, sustainable power, lower-carbon scenic elements, and waste reduction will be line items in AV bids. Expect clients/venues to require data on event carbon and energy sources.
5. Cybersecurity becomes an AV procurement item.
The industry recognized AV systems as networked endpoints. Conferences/expos started adding sessions on AV cyber risk and compliance.
For 2026, AV vendors will need to demonstrate network security, firmware update policies, and compliance with standards (e.g., NIS2/ISO 27001). Planners should demand basic SOC/practice info in proposals.
6. XR, virtual production & hybrid experience polish
XR and virtual production techniques brought cinematic visuals to keynotes and brand experiences. Hybrid audience expectations rose for both quality and interactivity.
Hybrid events will need investment in camera/encoder stacks and higher production values to keep virtual audiences engaged. Virtual production elements (LED volumes, real-time engines) will be used selectively for hero moments.
Practical and actionable implications:
- Include tech evaluation criteria in RFPS
- Ask for AI features (what’s automated vs manual), energy sourcing, cybersecurity measures, and LED pixel pitch/resolution. (See checklist below.)
- Budget for experiential “hero” tech
- Reserve budget for a high-impact LED canvas + spatial audio for one signature session rather than spreading spend thin across many rooms.
- Sustainability scoring
- Give points in vendor selection for renewable power use, recyclable scenic materials, and efficient logistics. Cite expectations up front (kWh estimates, generator alternatives).
- Require cyber hygiene statements
- Request network segmentation plans, patch/update policy, and contact for incident response from AV suppliers.
- Plan for remote production parity
- Insist on separate encoder/backhaul plans, ISO recording, and redundant streams to ensure virtual participants receive equivalent content quality.
Quick RFP / tech checklist you can paste into proposals
- LED video speck: pixel pitch, max brightness (nits), refresh rate, control system, on-site spares.
- Audio spec: mains PA model, capability for object-based/spatial audio, delay/autosync approach, monitor mixes.
- AI/automation: List of automated features (camera auto-tracking, captioning, ad-hoc graphics generation) and manual override details.
- Sustainability: projected event kWh, source of power (grid/renewable/battery), recyclable scenic materials, waste plan.
- Cybersecurity: network architecture diagram, firmware/patch cadence, password policy, vendor SOC/ISO certifications.
- Contingency: redundancy plan for streaming, on-site backup encoders, generator vs. battery backup.
