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As ISE 2026 approaches, we’re highlighting some of the companies exhibiting on the show floor and previewing what they plan to showcase in Barcelona. This interview is with Appspace‘s Pete Schmied, chief executive officer.

Q: What’s driving your decision to exhibit at ISE 2026, and what are you hoping attendees take away from your presence this year?

A: ISE remains one of the most important global forums for conversations about AV, workplace technology, and how people actually experience the office. For Appspace, that makes ISE a must-attend event. As we move into 2026, debating hybrid work policies feels like looking in the rearview mirror. The workplace leaders I talk to are focused on making time in the office more intentional and more effective. The challenge is not attendance. It is alignment. People, spaces, and communication need to work together in a way that feels natural rather than forced. That also means understanding how employees actually use space, and using real data to make smarter decisions about utilization and investment.

Our goal at ISE is to show how that alignment comes to life. We want attendees to leave with practical ideas for turning everyday workplace moments into better experiences. Digital signage, space management, and internal communication all play a role in that. When they work together, the workplace starts to function the way people expect it to.

Q: What solutions or experiences are you unveiling in Barcelona that showcase how your company is evolving?

A: At Appspace, we have always focused on making the connection between digital tools and physical spaces feel seamless rather than stitched together. This year, we are taking that further. A key example is our integration with Microsoft Places. We extend Microsoft’s native workplace experience beyond the desktop and into the office itself, bringing maps, availability, and booking intelligence onto kiosks and digital signage. Employees can find a desk near teammates, locate a meeting room, or navigate the office without opening another app or pulling out a laptop.

We are also showcasing native integrations with VergeSense and XY Sense. By bringing real-time occupancy data directly into Appspace, organizations can automatically release no-shows, support smarter bookings, and give employees visibility into how busy spaces actually are before they arrive. That means fewer empty rooms, fewer wasted trips, and fewer “where is everyone?” moments. Alongside this, we are showing how AI fits naturally into the flow of work. Our AI assistants and insights capabilities help employees and administrators ask real questions and take action. Whether it is finding information, understanding space usage, creating content, or booking a workspace, AI in Appspace is designed to be useful rather than performative. It connects insight to action inside the platform without adding another tool or interface. Together, these experiences reflect how Appspace is evolving to meet the realities our customers face every day.

Q: Where is your biggest growth or momentum coming from as we move into 2026 — new markets, partnerships or product categories?

A: Our strongest momentum is coming from convergence. We are seeing increased demand from organizations seeking alignment among internal communications, AV, IT, and facilities teams around a single workplace strategy. Customers are looking to simplify their environments while gaining better insight into how people use spaces and consume information. Partnerships play a major role in that momentum. Our work with Microsoft and leading sensor providers allows customers to extend the platforms they already rely on, rather than introduce new systems.

At the same time, interest in workplace intelligence continues to grow. Leaders want data that helps them make better decisions about space, collaboration, and employee experience. That combination of platform depth, strong partnerships, and practical intelligence is driving our growth as we head into 2026.

Q: For someone walking the show floor with limited time, why is your booth worth the stop?

A: Because we show how everything fits together. We help teams orchestrate the workplace, not manage it in pieces. At our booth, attendees will see realistic workplace scenarios in action, starting with the latest innovations in digital signage. From AI-generated content and intelligent orchestration across screens and channels, to booking a space in Microsoft, navigating the office on a kiosk, and publishing targeted messages across apps and intranets, it all works as one connected experience.

With enterprise-grade content management, AI-assisted creation, and flexible hardware options like the Amazon Signage Stick, organizations can deploy secure, high-performance signage more easily and cost-effectively than ever before. Everything else builds from there. If you have heard plenty of talk about smart workplaces but have not seen how they function day-to-day, our booth is worth a stop. We focus on real workflows, not theory. You will walk away with ideas you can actually use. The giveaways do not hurt either.

Q: Any sneak peeks or big announcements you can hint at before the show?

A: We are continuing to push deeper into automation and workplace intelligence, removing manual steps so employees can focus on the work that matters. At ISE, we will preview new ways for workplaces to respond in real time to how people use them. That includes triggering actions based on presence, behavior, and context, without adding complexity for IT or facilities teams. The focus is less on flashy announcements and more on removing friction from everyday work, not just adding another layer of technology. Our team is ready to show attendees how this approach moves from strategy to execution, without adding complexity.