ISE 2026 took to the skies for the first time with a spectacular 600-drone show. This impressive combination of technology, creativity and artistic expression offered an audiovisual experience for all audiences, lighting up the sky each afternoon above the South Access of Fira de Barcelona Gran Via.
Produced by LANG AG, this perfectly synchronized light-and-sound spectacle featured advanced drone choreography and a dynamic visual narrative. The performance was accompanied by live musicians, an opera singer and a digital artist, who interacted with the ISE South Access welcome screen, creating an inspiring multisensory experience.
ISE was a key event for us that year, and the 2026 edition was special. Together with the show organizers and our long-standing partner RealTime Department, we developed an activation at the South Access that highlighted the potential of drone shows. Creative design, digital signage and synchronized drone flights were naturally integrated to deliver an inspiring experience. For us, this project was a statement of innovation and collaboration in live communication, and we were delighted to bring it to life with the right partners, said Marta Germes, Head of Event Drones at LANG AG.
For more technically minded visitors, the Drone Show represented a unique opportunity to see cutting-edge audiovisual innovation in action. Real-time data processing, high-precision automation, advanced drone control systems and immersive display technology came together to create a striking performance. Live footage of the 600-drone formations was synchronized with real-time graphics on the ISE South Access welcome screen, a 193 m² transparent LED display powered by MUXWAVE and RealTime Department, which served as a dynamic and perfectly orchestrated backdrop. The result demonstrated how technology, collaboration and creative storytelling can transform public spaces into immersive experiences.
 |
 |
“The main challenge of the project was live synchronization. The drones, the visual content on the transparent LED screen, and the live music and sound all had to be perfectly aligned”, explained Christoph Gockel, Managing Director of RealTime Department. “With very little time between official approval and the start of the show, close coordination between all parties involved was essential. Especially on the opening night, with an opera singer, pianist and violinist, the ISE South Access became a truly special nighttime experience”.
These spectacular drone shows were supported by DAMM, as well as sponsors Absen, Christie, MA Lighting and Clay Paky.
For more than twenty years, ISE has been dedicated to redefining the boundaries of imagination and achievement within the industry. That year, we elevated that mission — literally — by taking our vision to the sky for the first time in the event’s 22-year history. The 'Drone Show' was a showcase of the innovation that defines our community, demonstrating what can be achieved when artistic creativity meets technological innovation. We were delighted to present this extraordinary show in Barcelona and invite everyone to be part of an unforgettable week in which possibilities went beyond any ceiling, explained Mike Blackman, Managing Director of Integrated Systems Events.
Discover the full ISE 2026 experience
ISE 2026 was much more than a professional trade show: it was a full week of exploration, innovation, culture and connection.
Through immersive events, powerful digital tools, exclusive visitor benefits and spectacular activations across the city, ISE invited every attendee to take their experience beyond the exhibition venue and into the heart of Barcelona.
