Universal AV Connex 2026: People, Places, Technology and the Future of Workspace.

At this year’s Universal AV Connex, the industry came together to showcase the latest advancements shaping collaboration, communication, and connectivity. From intelligent meeting room solutions to cutting-edge display technology, manufacturers and distributors demonstrated how AV is continuing to evolve across corporate, education, and public sector environments.

The video showcases the event perfectly – for those that want to know a little more take a look below at at the brief synopsis from each manufacturer.

Connex Conversations: Beyond Hybrid and the Future Workplace

Kicking the show off right at Connex 2026, the seminar “Beyond Hybrid: Why the Workplace of the Future Starts with People, Not Desks” set the tone for a day of insight and discussion.

The session shifted the focus from hardware to human experience, exploring how organisations are rethinking the workplace—moving beyond fixed desks and traditional hybrid models to create environments centred on collaboration, wellbeing, and flexibility.

Held in a relaxed, networking-driven setting, attendees had the opportunity to connect, share perspectives, and consider how the technology showcased throughout the day ultimately supports people-first workplace design.

Panasonic

Audiologic: Scalable Audio & Assistive Technologies

Audiologic showcased a diverse ecosystem of audio and accessibility solutions.

The Q-Sys rack system stood out for its ability to simulate multiple room scenarios, offering a practical way to demonstrate system design tailored to different environments.

Accessibility was a key theme, with Williams AV’s Auracast technology enabling next-generation assistive listening, scalable from single rooms to large venues.

Also featured were Genelec IP loudspeakers, highlighting the distinction between install-focused and live production models, and integrated solutions from Shure, including IntelliMix systems and Microflex wireless setups for both small and medium spaces.

ScreenBeam: Wireless Collaboration Without Barriers

ScreenBeam continues to push wireless presentation forward with standards-based connectivity.

Their solutions allow users to connect Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS devices directly to displays or Microsoft Teams Rooms—without dongles, apps, or subscriptions.

New features also extend beyond presentation, introducing digital signage, messaging, and alert capabilities, making the platform more versatile for enterprise and education environments.

HikVision LED Display: Flexible, Scalable Visuals

LED technology was a major highlight at Connex 2026, with solutions designed for adaptability across diverse environments.

Hikvision led the way with advanced LED solutions, demonstrating modular Poster LED displays that can be used as standalone units or combined into seamless large-format installations, perfect for universities, conference venues, and event spaces requiring flexible deployment.

High-resolution COB LED cabinets showcased ultra-fine pixel pitch performance, delivering crisp, immersive visuals for corporate, education, and public sector applications. Meanwhile, flexible LED panels enabled curved and custom-shaped installations, opening up creative possibilities for retail, experiential, and branded environments.

These displays underscored how modern LED technology is not only more adaptable but also capable of delivering high-impact visual experiences across multiple sectors.

AVer: Intelligent Camera Tracking for Every Space

AVer highlighted its comprehensive camera portfolio, designed to suit everything from small meeting rooms to large lecture halls.

The new TR535 tracking camera brings multi-presenter detection into focus. It intelligently prioritises speakers and dynamically adjusts as presenters move in and out of frame, perfect for educational and collaborative environments with multiple contributors.

Their ecosystem also includes matrix and tracking solutions, enabling seamless integration between cameras and microphones for a more automated experience.

Sony: Visual Excellence & AI-Driven Imaging

Sony presented a strong mix of display and imaging innovation.

Their latest professional displays feature deep black, anti-glare coatings with brightness levels up to 700 nits, delivering excellent visibility even in challenging lighting conditions.

The Spatial Reality Display introduced immersive 3D visualisation without the need for glasses, while the SRG-A40 AI tracking camera demonstrated intelligent presenter tracking, removing the need for manual camera operation in lecture and presentation environments.

Top-Tec: Flexible, Design-Led Learning Spaces

Top-Tec focused on adaptable furniture solutions for education.

Products like the Arc Animate collaborative table and Orion wireless teaching podium emphasise mobility through battery-powered operation.

The Aurora lectern, developed with DDA considerations, combines accessibility with customisation, featuring adjustable worktops and integrated AV components.

Clevertouch: Integrated Meeting Room Ecosystems

Clevertouch showcased a complete meeting room solution suite.

Their Edge interactive display integrates a 4K camera, microphone array, and occupancy sensors creating an all-in-one collaboration hub.

Supporting products included room booking panels with emergency alert capabilities, and interactive totems for wayfinding and information delivery demonstrating how AV can extend beyond the meeting room.

Architectural Audio: Designed to Be Heard, Not Seen

Our next seminar saw Universal invite partner Habitech to deliver a CPD-accredited, one-hour seminar exploring how world-class brands are transforming commercial spaces through architectural audio and integrated technology. The session highlighted how thoughtfully designed audio and lighting can enhance customer experiences while remaining discreetly integrated into the architecture of a space.

Attendees learned how to seamlessly integrate technology into design, define high-quality commercial audio experiences, use audio and lighting as key elements for spatial solutions, and create cohesive architectural designs that elevate the overall customer experience.

Roomz: Data-Driven Workspace Management

Roomz is redefining workspace efficiency with wireless booking and analytics tools.

Their battery-powered room booking displays integrate with major platforms like Microsoft and Google, while occupancy sensors provide real-time and historical data on space usage.

Combined with their MyRoomz software, organisations can make informed decisions to optimise workplace utilisation.

Blustream: Wireless AV & Intelligent Control

Blustream presented a strong mix of wireless AV and control solutions.

Their latest platform enables app-free wireless connectivity, while also supporting USB device sharing, allowing remote access to cameras, microphones, and soundbars.

Enhanced control comes via new AV over IP modules, offering automation features such as system resets, display grouping, and preset configurations, all managed via cloud-based tools.

Ashton Bentley: Integrated Meeting Room Design

Ashton Bentley demonstrated fully integrated meeting room environments.

Their solutions combine furniture, AV, and control into a single ecosystem, with features like retractable connectivity, built-in control panels, and acoustic integration.

Their AV over IP platform supports high-bandwidth distribution and multi-view displays, making it ideal for complex environments like control rooms and large collaboration spaces.

Audio-Technica: Professional Audio Solutions

Audio-Technica showcased a range of commercial audio systems.

Highlights included the ATDM-1012 digital smart mixer and System 20 Pro wireless system, alongside partner solutions from Allen & Heath and Optimal Audio.

These systems are designed to deliver reliable, high-quality audio across corporate and education environments.

Jabra: Scalable Video Collaboration

Jabra focused on scalable video solutions.

The PanaCast 40 is tailored for small spaces, while new room scheduling tools and partnerships with Huddly extend their reach into larger meeting environments.

Their ecosystem now supports spaces ranging from small huddle rooms to large conference setups with up to 22 participants.

Yealink: AI-Powered Meeting Experiences

Yealink continues to expand its all-in-one meeting room solutions.

Their latest Microsoft Teams Room systems integrate AI-driven features with professional audio and video, including ceiling microphones and speakers, delivering a seamless and intelligent meeting experience.

CUK Group: Distribution Across Leading AV Brands

CUK Group highlighted its role as a distributor, showcasing a portfolio that includes brands like Arthur Holm, Renkus-Heinz, Netvio, Angekis, and PureLink.  Their presence reinforces the importance of distribution in bringing diverse AV solutions together under one roof.

Sennheiser: Advancing Audio Accessibility

Assistive listening and advanced audio solutions were a key theme.  Pan Acoustics demonstrated Auracast-based systems, while Sennheiser showcased products like the TeamConnect Ceiling and SpeechLine systems, designed for clear, intelligible communication in meeting and learning spaces.

BenQ: Display & Wireless Presentation

BenQ presented a trio of solutions aimed at collaboration and signage.  The InstaShow VS20 enables wireless presentation, while their latest interactive displays and Pantone-validated signage solutions ensure accurate, high-quality visuals across applications.

Optoma: Visual Solutions for the Modern Workplace

The Optoma team were excited to showcase their award-winning visual solutions, giving attendees the chance to experience them in person.

On display was the ProScene FHDC135 COB All in One LED Display, an acclaimed 1080p COB LED solution that delivered stunning brightness, seamless large format visuals and effortless setup, making it the perfect centrepiece for premium corporate spaces.

Also featured was the ZK1320 4K Laser Projector, a powerful, razor sharp 4K UHD projector designed for exceptional performance in professional environments.

For flexible installation, the Ultra Short Throw CTA28 Snorkel Lens offered incredibly short throw distances, ideal for challenging spaces where every inch counts.

And that’s a wrap on another incredible Universal AV Connex. What an event!

A Connected Future for AV

Universal AV Connex 2026 made one thing unmistakably clear: the AV industry is accelerating toward a future that’s more connected, more intuitive, and more intelligent than ever before. From true plug and play simplicity to powerful AI driven automation and adaptable, design forward hardware, every innovation points to one goal: delivering seamless, frictionless user experiences.

At the same time, the tools available to integrators are becoming more sophisticated and scalable, making it easier than ever to design, deploy, and evolve AV environments that keep pace with changing needs.

As organisations continue to rethink how their spaces function and inspire, the ideas and technologies showcased here do not just hint at what is next, they define it. The future of AV is connected, and it is already taking shape.

Until Next Year – Planning is Already Underway