341: ISE 2026 Preview Episode with the HETMA and Higher Ed AV Crew

Higher Ed AV Podcast
Episode 341

Joe Way welcomes a packed house of HETMA leaders and volunteers to keep the pre-ISE 2026 hype rolling—this time with a full crew heading to Barcelona and a bigger presence than ever: two booths, expanded media coverage, and a brand-new stop on the itinerary, the EdTech Congress.

Together, the group breaks down what attendees (and the folks following from home) can expect from ISE’s massive show floor, how HETMA is curating a higher-ed experience overseas the same way it does at InfoComm, and why this year is a pivotal “bridge” year as ISE and EdTech Congress move toward deeper integration in 2027. Along the way: practical survival tips (shoes, strategy, and navigation), sponsor/content plans, community events, and—because it’s HETMA—plenty of laughs.

Guests Featured

• BC Hatchett — Director of Classroom Technology, Vanderbilt University; HETMA Co-Founder
• Erin Maher-Moran — IT Manager for Classroom Technology, Johns Hopkins University; HETMA Chair
• Troy Powers — Support Team Lead, Northwestern University; HETMA Vice Chair
• Dustin Myers — Manager of Technology Support, John A. Logan College; HETMA Two-Year At-Large Board Member
• Teddy Murphy — AV Systems Engineer / AV Team Lead, University of Pikeville; HETMA One-Year At-Large
• Atkins Fleming — Assistant Director for Learning Spaces, Texas State University; HETMA Treasurer
• Chris Kelly — Senior IT Support Specialist, Creighton University; HETMA Advisory Board Chair
• Ryan Gray — Joins late; shares excitement for EdTech Congress + real-time coverage

What You’ll Learn / Key Topics1) The Big Picture: Why HETMA is “Going Bigger Than Ever” at ISE

• From “backpack + lockers” guerrilla mode to a full booth presence
• Why HETMA’s mission overseas is the same as at InfoComm: community, connection, and curation
• How HETMA serves both audiences:
  • the people at the show
  • and the higher-ed community back home who can’t travel

2) ISE for First-Timers: What to Expect + How to Navigate

• ISE is massive (and feels like it) — plan intentionally
• Practical navigation “aha’s”:
  • the second floor as the fast route
  • jumping outside between halls to move quicker
• Tactical show-floor advice:
  • Start away from the main entrance mob (Hall 8 / work backwards)
  • Dedicate time blocks per hall (don’t rely on “wandering” like smaller shows)

3) EdTech Congress: Why It Matters

• HETMA expands beyond “just AV” to broader EdTech and learning spaces
• EdTech Congress is described as a “European EDUCAUSE-style” experience (in spirit)
• This year is a transition year: separate events/locations, but building toward a combined future
• HETMA’s role: bridge the gap, meet new communities, and amplify what higher ed needs

4) The Next AI Event: A Bigger Conversation Than “AI Cameras”

• Discussion on AI thought leadership and why nobody has the whole answer yet
• Why the event structure matters: leadership/ethics + technical/workshop paths
• The goal: spark real conversations and help the industry shape what comes next

5) Higher Ed AV Media On-Site: How the Coverage Works

• Sponsor prep: collecting focus points before the show (what to look for, what’s new, how to stand out)
• On-site interviews and content: booth sit-downs, tours, sponsor spotlights
• Exploring ways to expand reach (including possible multi-language coverage)
• The promise: if you follow the coverage all week, you’ll feel like you “were there”

6) Booth Experience: What to Expect When You Visit HETMA

• Two HETMA booths: one at EdTech Congress, one on the ISE show floor
• ISE booth number called out in the episode: Booth 2W400
• What happens at the booths:
  • meet the crew, ask questions, get pointed to the right halls/booths
  • live content + quick interviews + “what are you seeing?” moments
  • swag (and the idea of “special swag” if you visit both booths)

7) Community: Why the Week Starts Before the Show Starts

• Pre-show social time matters: it sets the tone and makes sure nobody feels alone
• Saturday community kickoff options mentioned: golf + spa day vibe
• End-of-week tradition: a higher-ed-only Friday dinner to close it all out

8) Barcelona: The City is Part of the Experience

• BC shares why Barcelona is a favorite: the blend of old + modern, the pace, the food, and the vibe
• Lighthearted travel talk: language expectations, friendliness, and yes… chicken nugget debates

Practical Takeaways (ISE Survival Checklist)

• Bring truly comfortable shoes (and maybe backups)
• Don’t try to “see everything” — you can’t; plan your halls
• Use the second floor for fast movement
• Consider hitting less-crowded halls first and working backward
• If you can stay later in the week, Friday is calmer for “walk the booths” time
• Start your day with your people: find HETMA early (Booth 2W400 on the show floor)

Notable Moments / Fun Bits

• Troy reveals custom HETMA sneakers for the show (loud by design)
• The crew jokes about HETMA “micro-planning” (aka: making Joe be organized)
• Swag culture: ISE has less booth swag than InfoComm… so HETMA fills the gap
• The “packed house” energy: seven guests + a late cameo = classic controlled chaos

Calls to Action Mentioned

• Watch/listen and follow coverage all week—HETMA is bringing ISE to the people in real time
• If you’re in town early, connect for community events
• Visit both HETMA booths (EdTech Congress + ISE show floor) for the full experience

Links Mentioned (as spoken in the e