Leoni Conway - My ISE 2026 experience

When Live Events Production student Leoni Conway found out she had been awarded one of just three international travel bursaries from AVIXA, it marked the start of an experience she describes as “a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

The bursary covered flights, accommodation and access to Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) in Barcelona - one of the world’s leading exhibitions for AV and live technology professionals.

We caught up with Leoni when she got back from Barcelona to hear all about her ISE experience.

When you first found out you’d won the trip to ISE Barcelona, what was your reaction?

To be honest, I was expecting there to be a lot of applicants, so I didn’t expect to win the trip. It was a huge opportunity that I knew I couldn’t pass up.

For anyone who doesn’t know, how would you describe ISE and why it’s such an important event in the industry?

ISE is one of the biggest AV and live technology exhibitions in the world. It consists of eight halls of huge brands and innovations. It showcases the development of live technologies, and the future of events. It represents the future of live technologies, which is something I’m looking forward to becoming a part of. 

What were your first impressions when you arrived at ISE?

I was quite overwhelmed when I first arrived. I’ve been to trade shows and conferences like PLASA and The Conference at Lititz before, but nothing of the scale of ISE. There’s so much happening everywhere. The scale of it made me realise just how big the industry is, and also brands that you never thought would integrate into the industry as much as they do.

What was the most exciting or memorable thing you saw while you were there?

The most memorable thing I saw was how advanced the technology is now. Especially the LED setups and immersive spaces. 

Were there any brands, technologies or demos that really stood out to you?

We had a look at Samsung’s new 3D technology. Both the quality and the setup of it was so impressive.

Did you get the chance to speak to people working in the industry? What was that like?

I did! I managed to catch up with some industry friends, which is always good fun! I also shared the experience with a student from Manchester Met University. We had never met before arriving at the airport, which can often be quite daunting, but it forces you to push yourself out of your comfort zone and connect with other people in similar stages of their career as you are. She was lovely and we had a lot more in common than I was expecting. It’s great to meet new people and make new friends with similar interests and aspirations.

What would you say to another ALT student thinking about getting involved in opportunities like this?

I’d say to take every opportunity with both hands. Even if you feel unsure or not quite ready, sometimes pushing yourself to feel ever so slightly uncomfortable for a little while can help you build your confidence. It also means you get to see some really cool new tech. 

Why do you think students should say “yes” when opportunities like this come up?

Because you never know where it could take you and what it could bring. Yes, it may not guarantee any jobs straight away, but keeping your options open and building up your knowledge and network also builds your understanding of the industry. Even if you’re still figuring out what you want to do, it shows you many options you may never have even considered.

Did you get time to explore Barcelona whilst you were there and if so, what was your favourite part?

Yeah, I got to explore some of the city, try new foods and see new places. I enjoyed walking around the city and feeling the atmosphere

If you had to sum up the trip in one sentence, what would it be?

A once in a lifetime opportunity that gave me inspiration, motivation, and opened my eyes to how big and exciting the live events industry really is.

As Leoni’s experience shows, opportunities like this go far beyond the show floor. They challenge you, inspire you and open doors you may not have even realised were there. At the Academy of Live Technology, we’re incredibly proud to see our students embracing experiences that broaden their horizons and shape their futures.

If this hands-on, industry-focused approach to learning sounds like the right fit for you, explore our range of degrees or book onto one of our upcoming Open Days to see it all in action.