Moving on from 2025, the Audio Visual (AV) world is expected to become both more powerful and more complex. Here at Clarity, our goal is to avoid the guessing game of what 2026 has in store for AV and help planners and production teams understand what’s changing and why it matters. So, we teamed up with our CEO Brian Lagestee to hear some of his insight and predictions for AV in 2026.
At Clarity Experiences, we’re not just watching trends, we’re shaping them. In 2026, the AV world is evolving faster than ever. With over 30 years of experience in the AV industry, our CEO, Brian has motivated Clarity to have a focus on immersive attendee experience, creative content, and seamless execution with the overall goal to maximize engagement and elevate technology in ways that are unforgettable. He distinguishes the difference between “experience” and “equipment” to be the leading factors to consider for AV in 2026.
Brian says experience is the sum of how every person at your event connects, understands, and remembers what they saw and heard. While flashy visuals and crisp sound are vital, it’s the accessibility and impact that reaches people whether they’re in the room or halfway across the world. Here’s how Brian breaks down the predictions for the experience side of AV:
These reasons alone are why Clarity focuses not just on using the best equipment and technology, but also on orchestrating experiences that feel inclusive and memorable for every guest.
As our CEO Brian Lagestee puts it, “You need to see and hear, anything else is extra.” At the end of the day, no matter how advanced AV technology becomes, the foundation remains the same: people need to see and hear. If you don’t get those basics right, even the most creative concept can fail. Here’s Brian’s big predictions on AV equipment for 2026:
Smarter LED displays and next-gen lighting engines are already integrating higher brightness, richer contrast, and truer color reproduction, enabling visuals to pop while minimizing power draw and structural weight.
In 2026, the industry isn’t just about chasing novelty for the hell of it, it’s optimizing equipment to remove friction, enhance accessibility, and elevate every participant’s experience.
We at Clarity are ahead of the game for the latest AV trends and are ready to take on your event. If you want to utilize a team that masterfully puts your vision on stage, we’d love the opportunity to work with you!
Not always. LED has come a long way and is often the go-to for high-impact visuals, bright rooms, and flexible stage designs, but projection still has a place. For breakout rooms, content-heavy presentations, or shows where budget efficiency matters, projection is definitely a good fit. In 2026, the “best” choice isn’t about the trendiest technology, it’s about working with the client and matching the display to the room, content, and audience experience.
Earlier than most people would think. The biggest AV wins happen when teams are involved in early event design and not just a few weeks before show day. Early AV collaboration helps avoid the last-minute “oh-shoot” moments from power issues, sightline challenges, WiFi limitations, and budget limitations. Plus, planning early allows time to use tools like showflows, renders, and technical previews so everyone’s aligned before anything gets built.
The AV upgrades that deliver the strongest ROI are the ones audiences actually notice and remember after the fact. High-quality audio (so people can clearly hear), solid visuals (LED or projection done right), reliable network connectivity, and smarter show control all top of the list.
Planning, testing, and communication. It’s as simple and complex as you want to make it, but AV surprises usually come from late decisions, unclear expectations, or unknown venue limitations. To avoid them, lock in technical plans early, schedule rehearsals, and make sure planners, presenters, and executives are aligned on what the end goal looks like.