InfoComm 2026: Modernizing AV Design, What’s Driving Technology Decisions & the Shift to Digital
Posted by Ciara Williams on July 9, 2026
Summary
- ET Group attended the annual InfoComm AV showcase and conference, hosted in Las Vegas, to learn about the latest technology insights, trends and innovations
- InfoComm 2026 highlighted several key shifts shaping the future of AV and workplace technology.
- AI is becoming more embedded in room design, deployment, optimization and support.
- Manufacturers are expanding beyond traditional hardware to offer more complete room ecosystems that include devices, software, monitoring and management tools.
- Google meeting room solutions are gaining momentum, while Microsoft Teams Rooms continue to drive major innovation across certified devices and platform experiences.
- Interoperability is becoming more important as businesses continue to rely on multiple meeting platforms.
- Security, AV-over-IP, workplace data, sustainability and flexible room design are becoming bigger considerations in how businesses plan and manage their technology.
What is InfoComm?
InfoComm is the biggest annual pro-AV showcase and conference in all of North America, catering to technology designers, integrators, consultants, distributors and more. This massive event features specialized trainings, jaw-dropping keynotes and of course, two large halls full of booths and demos from vendors all over the world.
The 2026 show took place in fabu-Las Vegas, surrounded by amazing entertainment, culture and unimaginable architecture (buildings shaped like spheres or guitars, anyone?)
This year we sent our largest group ever to seek out the latest trends, newest tech and modern methods to bring back to our team, so we can make sure we are only offering the best to our customers.
In attendance were members from our Growth and Innovation team, Design and Engineering, Customer Engagement, Project Delivery and our ever popular Vendor Liaison (and top-notch show coordinator who kept our large group in line and on schedule!) to ensure we stay innovative across all stages of our organization.
Here’s what the team learned:
Key Trends from the Show Floor
Manufacturers are building more of their own UC engines
AV is no longer just Audio-Visual anymore, but has grown to encompass the entire collaboration experience, which is both exciting and complex. Today, businesses don’t just need to consider the quality of a camera or clarity of a speaker, but also the compatibility between their hardware, meeting platforms, far-end experience, network and any other applications that may be running in their environment such as digital signage or monitoring software. Most often, collaboration environments are made up of many parts from many vendors in order to account for every part of the experience.
Until now.
Many manufacturers known for selling traditional AV hardware are expanding their scope to incorporate UC compatibility. Over the last several years we have seen increasing convergence between AV and IT as collaboration continues to shift from analog to digital, which means more platforms, applications, security, network and management requirements to consider.
What does this mean?
A lot of manufacturers seem to be moving beyond just hardware peripherals and are now building deeper compute platforms so they can better control the experience, support their own ecosystem, and tie everything into proprietary remote monitoring and management licenses.
This looks like brands such as Crestron, Logitech and Biamp offering full, all-in-one solutions that include audio and video devices, control systems, DSPs (digital signal processors), cable solutions, design assist software, and space monitoring and management systems from one consistent provider.
Why this matters:
One the one hand, this streamlines design and deployment processes, ensures compatibility and consistency, and makes support more seamless by removing typical frictions seen in multi-vendor environments, while also creating more predictable lifecycles.
However on the other hand, this may be leading to more segregation across the industry, meaning it will be harder to integrate third party devices or platforms and could cost businesses more by requiring additional solutions such as interoperability licenses or more complex software integrations to fill any gaps not resolved by these one-and-done vendors.
Increasing demand for Google solutions
Meeting rooms designed for Google Meet are on the rise, and many manufacturers are ready to accommodate. Video conferencing vendors like Logitech, Neat, HP Poly and Sharp were promoting Google room systems and devices, while platform vendors such as Synergy SKY and Pexip are making it easier for non-Google rooms to connect through solutions such as interoperability.
At Sharp’s offsite showroom, they showcased their latest LB3 Series AQUOS BOARD, offering multi-UI support which includes the option to run Google EDLA (Enterprise Device License Agreement). This means that instead of operating from an unofficial “open source” model, this device is Google certified, guaranteeing access to Google Support, an embedded Google Play Store, integrated Google Workspace apps and native Google Android UI.
Though solutions for platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom still took up the majority of the show, Google’s presence was certainly felt and we expect to see more throughout the rest of 2026 into the next few years.
Why this matters:
Unlike many of the collaboration platforms on the market, Google is a web-first meeting solution that does not require additional software or infrastructure changes, while still offering a holistic, integrated suite of workspace applications such as Gmail, Docs, Sheets (Google’s version of Excel), Calendar, Chat and Drive, as well as access to Google Play Store for additional tools such as whiteboards.
This means that Google ecosystems are easy to access and scale, making it an increasingly popular choice for businesses who have limited IT resources, small-to-medium businesses that can take advantage of lower-tier storage and call capacity without requiring additional licensing expenses, or businesses that work in extremely large scale industries that cater to many audiences such as education that want easy scale and customization.
Expansions in the Microsoft ecosystem
Even though platforms like Google Meet are increasing their footprint in the collab space, Microsoft Teams is still where we are seeing the most innovation from vendors trying to remain relevant and competitive in 2026.
There were two key Microsoft insights that stood out at the show:
Q-SYS Room Bar running Microsoft Teams Rooms on PC
Q-SYS is evolving what it means to offer an all-in-one room bar (camera, mic and speaker all in one device) for Microsoft Teams Rooms. Their new RoomSuite Collaboration Bar runs on a built-in Windows PC, which will allow for faster access to new Teams features as they release, simplify room deployment and offer greater design flexibility that has been previously harder to achieve with traditional application-based deployments.
This is because this new device eliminates the need for a separate compute appliance (such as a mini PC) in order to pair peripheral devices which was historically required, since most room bars are android-based, forcing Teams-Rooms-on-Windows users to rely on more complex device configurations.
MDEP is expanding to include more device categories
Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform (MDEP) coming to scheduling panels is another important shift.
MDEP is a Microsoft-built operating system for Teams Room systems and devices such as in-room hardware, collaboration endpoints and digital signage solutions. It’s based on Android but replaces much of the standard Android software stack with Microsoft-managed components that are optimized for enterprise devices.
MDEP represents a large shift in Android-based collaboration devices, because it gives Microsoft much greater control over how Teams-certified Android hardware is built, secured, and managed.
By having MDEP-certified scheduling panels available, this opens the door to expanding Teams Rooms designs—improving consistency, security, and manageability across Android-based Teams peripherals, where previously there were security and compatibility concerns about incorporating non-certified devices.
Why this matters:
Microsoft Teams Rooms are being designed with more secure, reliable devices, built using certified solutions that provide more seamless and feature-full collaboration experiences for end users, while still offering flexibility for both Android and Windows users. Over time, we will see better scalability, manageability and support for long-term growth.
AI and software are becoming part of room deployment
AI is no longer just a meeting feature. It is showing up in setup, tuning, camera framing, audio optimization, diagnostics, and support workflows — all things that can help make deployments faster and easier to manage.
While over the past few years we’ve gotten familiar with in-meeting AI features like auto-framing and speaker tracking, it’s now being incorporated into even earlier stages of room design and deployment, and continues to enhance how we support spaces.
Manufacturers like Crestron and HP have introduced AI design applications that assist with the whole process:
- Validating room layouts
- Device recommendation
- Placement, zoning and POV verification
- Pre-deployment equipment prep and configuration
- Installation alignment tools
- Post-deployment room tuning, optimization and support
Another new standout solution we saw at this year’s show was Pleneo, an AI room deployment platform that can cut down project delivery time from what can sometimes take multiple days into a handful of hours. Pleneo’s platform is an AV and UC vendor agnostic software that leverages AI to design, deploy, monitor and manage rooms for several different collaboration platforms (Microsoft Teams, Zoom, etc.) at scale.
“Every product shares one operating system, one cloud, and one goal: make big rooms feel small.”
Pleneo works by removing manual time and labour from the process, leveraging their RoomOS platform to speed up device selection, automate hardware placement based on room size and shape, auto-generate equipment BOMs (bill of materials), and reduce deployment time by pre-registering device MAC (media access control) addresses that come online the moment they’re connected to power.
This easy deployment is powered by their proprietary on-prem RoomHub box, which performs onsite local audio/video processing, edge computing, communication with RoomOS and coordination between all connected devices.
Pleneo also offers post-deployment room monitoring for support and management.
Why this matters:
For integrators, AI design and deployment assistance will lead to faster device selection, better design validation and make solutions easier to deploy, adjust, manage and support. This will allow us to be more productive by delivering solutions sooner, increasing customer satisfaction and boosting the number of projects we can successfully complete.
For businesses, it means better, more intuitive collaboration solutions that actually save time and money on design and delivery—so you can use your new tech sooner while saving on labour.
Interoperability and platform flexibility are more important than ever
Manufacturers are heavily focused on providing all-encompassing room solutions that enhance platform experiences. Intentionally designed devices and workflows for Zoom Rooms, Microsoft Teams Rooms and Google Meet rooms that are tailored to each individual platform. When used to collaborate within their designated platform, these rooms provide a seamless and productive experience. However, as these platform-specific builds become more popular, another issue has become more apparent:
Businesses still require flexibility to join meetings on other platforms, and leaning too far into differentiation is causing friction due to incompatibility or even complete lockout.
This is why we are seeing a rise in popularity for solutions like Pexip and Synergy SKY that provide interoperability software that unlocks these platform-specific room systems to enable multi-platform connectivity seamlessly, and without unnecessary device workarounds.
We also saw some standout BYOD solutions, like Barco ClickShare’s latest wireless BYOD solution for Microsoft Teams Rooms. Their new next-generation platform enables users to launch and participate in alternative meeting platforms, such as Zoom and Webex, directly from their laptops while seamlessly leveraging the room’s camera, microphones, and speakers. This provides greater flexibility for end users without requiring additional cabling or room configuration changes.
Why this matters:
For manufacturers, there should be more consideration of the need for platform flexibility when bringing devices to the market, before they find their customers looking to competitors who offer the interoperability capabilities they need.
For businesses, when looking to enhance their primary platform experience, it’s important to choose an AV partner that understands the need for added flexibility and delivers solutions that enable that desired friction-free experience.
Security as foundational:
Security is no longer an afterthought to be resolved later. It’s a major consideration that needs to be built into the design from the start. With so many digital, AI and cloud-based solutions, the possible risks are increasing with every new device or platform that hits the market.
Today, more and more businesses are expressing the need to know how security and privacy will be managed and protected before signing off on room designs, and citing specific requirements for certifications from manufacturers such as SOC 2 or GDPR, and data residency concerns.
This adds a whole new layer to how AV designers must navigate how we build rooms, adding considerations such as authentication, compliance and encryption to the process, further solidifying the growing convergence of AV and IT across the industry.
Why this matters:
AV design is no longer just about meeting hardware requirements, but also ensuring that everything we deliver aligns with IT expectations. The most important question has shifted from “does the system work?” to “is the system secure and network-ready?”
AV-Over-IP is becoming standard
Not only are AV designs becoming simpler due to single-vendor systems, but IP-focused solutions are also becoming more common.
Also known as AV-over-IP, manufacturers are prioritizing cleaner installation, simplified cabling and easier scalability by leveraging internet connectivity over traditional LAN or WAN configurations. IP configuration allows for video control, audio control and other data to flow through one single connection point rather than more complex USB or proprietary cabling.
Why this matters:
One connection point is easier to configure, control and collect data from, while leveraging internet makes it simpler to add and/or oversee your devices without complicated matrix switches, fixed endpoints or manual routing.
This allows businesses to cut costs, grow or change environments quickly and promotes more flexibility.
Some other quickfire trends to watch
The workplace is becoming measurable
There continues to be a major shift toward data. Everything in our AV environments is generating insight now—how spaces are used, how meetings run, how systems perform. Businesses are gaining more and more visibility into what’s actually happening in their spaces.
For AV providers, this provides us the ability to be better business partners by making data-backed decisions based on real, validated information. The expectation is no longer that we are just designing and installing equipment, but acting as ongoing technology advisors that deliver long-term success for our clients.
The Smart Workplace
End users have higher expectations of their workplace technology. It’s no longer about whether individual devices work as intended, or how sleek and modern the room is, but how every component comes together to work as one complete, intuitive system. Hardware, platforms, control systems and workflows should be so well integrated they aren’t even noticeable. Businesses want minimal user-interaction with their tech, with rooms that adapt to their users—not the other way around.
Sustainability is at the forefront of decision-making
More and more businesses are evaluating solutions based not only on how well they solve their desired collaboration experience, but are also considering which ones offer the most longevity, lowest energy consumption and highest ROI.
At the rate that new technology is being produced, there is a real desire from businesses to prolong the lifecycle of their technology; both to gain maximum usage and to lower carbon footprints.
We are seeing an increase in solutions on the market that have a more positive impact across the board, offering more sustainable practices from design and install, to support and lifecycle planning.
AV-specific furniture and flexible mounting solutions are becoming more popular
While technology is the engine that makes rooms work, it shouldn’t be the focal point of the space. Businesses want to be able to personalize their spaces and have flexibility when their hardware tools are not in use.
Brands like Leon and Salamander are designing sound equipment and AV furniture solutions such as cabinets, tables and credenzas that bring style and character to the room without compromising the usability or accessibility needed to install and control technology.
And vendors such as Global Mounts Group, Peerless AV and rp Visual Solutions provide mounts, carts, stands and more that make spaces more modular and easier to adapt to other use cases when needed.
But it’s not just about the tech…
All the innovation on the show floor was inspiring and delivered tons of insights to bring back to our team, but what’s most memorable is always the time we get to spend with each other and connecting with members of our extended AV family. We had a great time attending several partner hosted events, which included a night at the famous Las Vegas Sphere to experience the Wizard of Oz in a whole new, immersive way at a VIP event hosted by Crestron, as well as a wonderful private dinner with our friends at Sharp Canada.
And of course, we can’t stop talking about the amazing Nu Disco night hosted by Peerless AV, featuring an amazing blend of retro and modern music, talented dancers, pyrotechnics and everyone dressed in fun, disco fashion.
The ladies on the team also attended the AVIXA Women’s Council Breakfast, featuring keynote speaker and Peabody Award-winning journalist Mariana Atencio. Her presentation, “Real Matters: Building Trust in an Unreal World,” explored the critical role of empathy, authenticity, and meaningful human connection in a world increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence and digital transformation. Mariana shared powerful insights on how organizations and individuals can foster trust, strengthen relationships, and remain genuinely connected while navigating rapid technological change.
Outside of scheduled events, we enjoyed lots of great food (shoutout to the best giant cinnamon roll that was so good we ordered it two days in a row), friendly competition at the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix F1 Drive Experience and just taking in the exciting vibe of the famous city.
What’s Next? (Conclusion)
Each day began at approximately 7:30 a.m. and extended well into the evening, reflecting our commitment to maximizing every opportunity for learning, networking, and relationship-building. The event provided an exceptional platform to strengthen partnerships, deepen industry connections, and collaborate as a team while gaining valuable insights from across the AV industry.
Now that we’re home, it’s time to turn these insights into actions as we continue to design and refine the best AV solutions for our customers.
Stay connected with us:
Follow ET Group on LinkedIn
Subscribe to ET Group’s YouTube Channel
