InfoComm, North America’s largest skilled audiovisual commerce present, drew 30,998 verified attendees to the Orange County Conference Middle in Orlando. Whereas general attendance elevated 2.4% from final yr’s 30,271, worldwide participation dropped from 23% to 18%, with Canada exhibiting the steepest decline.
“There was a small however vocal group from Canada who didn’t attend for geopolitical causes,” mentioned Jenn Heinold, senior vp of expositions, Americas, at AVIXA, which organizes the occasion. “Others felt that was shortsighted, saying we’re all one neighborhood.”
Organizers mentioned this yr’s present attracted 10% extra patrons who interacted with the 817 exhibitors. The main target was on showcasing the newest AV expertise, however conversations additionally included tariffs, provide chain volatility, and expertise shortages.
AVIXA opened the convention with a panel titled “Navigating the Regulatory Horizon: Key Adjustments Impacting the Professional AV Business,” moderated by Sean Wargo, vp of market insights at AVIXA.
“There was peak uncertainty heading into spring,” Wargo mentioned. “With tariffs being proposed at unprecedented ranges, many firms had been cautious.”
Each executives mentioned that the present’s June timing helped ease some pressure. “If InfoComm had taken place in April, the temper and turnout might need been very completely different,” Wargo mentioned.
Shifting International Panorama
Latin America emerged as a progress space as China’s numbers held regular and attendance from Europe dipped barely.
“We’re seeing momentum within the area,” mentioned Heinold. She credit focused advertising and marketing and AVIXA’s new regional occasion set for October as a feeder for the U.S. present. “We’ve additionally seen exhibitors more and more view Latin America as a key alternative, particularly in response to U.S. tariffs.”
Some exhibitors opted to ship leaner groups, reflecting warning amid broader financial uncertainty. “In instances like this, firms maintain their advertising and marketing spend, however cut back a bit on journey,” Heinold acknowledged. “That’s why we’re particularly pleased with our attendance progress yr over yr. The standard attendees, the patrons, we’re up.”
Wargo argued that commerce exhibits stand to profit from geopolitical uncertainty, with deal making particularly essential right now. “When uncertainty rises, commerce exhibits grow to be much more important,” he mentioned. “They provide an area for patrons and sellers to deal with pricing, sourcing, and planning head to head. In the event you’re not there, uncertainty lingers.”
As InfoComm prepares for its 2026 return to Las Vegas, organizers say they’re centered on adapting to shifting world dynamics whereas persevering with to serve a quickly evolving trade.
Study, join, and get impressed — with the occasion trade’s who’s who.
September 15 – NEW YORK CITY
