The Ebner Media Group has announced a strategic realignment of its event and media architecture, positioning "leat" as the central horizontal platform for the entertainment and experience technology sectors. This transition marks a significant departure from the company’s previous model of maintaining multiple independent sub-brands, such as AVcon, and signals a move toward a more integrated industry ecosystem. The transformation will culminate in the upcoming leat con 26, scheduled to take place from October 6 to 8, 2026, at the Hamburg Messe. For the first time in its history, the convention will occupy three exhibition halls, reflecting the rapid growth and increasing technological convergence within the DACH (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) market.
The decision to consolidate various brands under the single "leat" umbrella is a direct response to the evolving nature of the experience technology market. In recent years, the boundaries between live entertainment, corporate AV installations, and broadcast production have blurred. Modern event formats are increasingly complex, requiring a seamless interplay between diverse technical disciplines—from immersive audio and sophisticated lighting to high-speed networking and cloud-based signal processing. By moving toward a horizontal platform model, the Ebner Media Group aims to eliminate traditional industry "silos," fostering a collaborative environment where cross-disciplinary innovation can thrive.
The Evolution of leat con: From Networking to Industry Benchmark
The trajectory of leat con serves as a barometer for the health and dynamism of the European experience technology sector. The event originated in 2021 as a specialized networking gathering designed to reconnect professionals in the wake of global disruptions to the live event industry. Despite its modest beginnings, the format resonated with a community seeking more than just a traditional trade fair; participants were looking for a venue that prioritized dialogue, practical application, and a holistic view of technology.
Between 2021 and 2025, the event experienced consistent year-on-year growth in both exhibitor participation and attendee numbers. The 2026 iteration represents a milestone in this chronology, as the convention expands into Halls A1, A2, and A4 of the Hamburg Messe, covering a total exhibition area of 23,000 square meters. This expansion is not merely physical but also conceptual. The rebranding includes a modernized visual identity, logo, and a streamlined nomenclature that reflects a forward-looking, tech-driven aesthetic.
The shift from a publisher-centric model to a platform-centric model is a strategic pivot for the Ebner Media Group’s leat unit. Historically, the unit operated through specialized publications and niche events. The new horizontal approach acknowledges that the end-users—whether they are venue operators, production companies, or system integrators—now require integrated solutions rather than isolated products.
A Five-Hub Architecture: Defining the Value Chain
Central to the new brand identity is a restructured architectural framework comprising five distinct hubs. These hubs are designed to represent the entire value chain of the experience industry without hierarchical distinction. This structure allows for clear categorization while facilitating the "horizontal" exchange of ideas across different sectors.
Live Tech: The Core of Performance
The Live Tech hub remains the cornerstone of the convention, focusing on the traditional pillars of event production: audio, lighting, rigging, and video technology. As live performances become more data-intensive, this hub will highlight the transition from analog workflows to fully networked environments. Key topics expected for 2026 include the integration of high-resolution LED surfaces and the continued evolution of spatial audio in live settings.
Stage Tech: Innovation in Scenic Design
Making its debut at leat con 26, the Stage Tech hub addresses the specialized needs of theater production, stage construction, and scenic technology. This area will showcase advanced control systems, automated machinery, and structural engineering solutions. The inclusion of Stage Tech reflects the growing demand for sophisticated kinetic elements in both permanent theater installations and temporary touring stages.
Broadcast: The Convergence of Media and Live
The Broadcast hub focuses on the technologies enabling content creation and distribution. As live events increasingly double as broadcast productions—driven by the rise of high-quality streaming and hybrid event formats—this hub will cover signal processing, remote production, and IP-based workflows. The emphasis here is on the bridge between the physical venue and the digital audience.
Install: Integrating the Built Environment
The Install hub targets the fixed-installation market, including corporate AV, digital signage, and smart building integration. This sector has seen massive growth as hybrid work models and interactive public spaces become the norm. This hub will explore how technology can be seamlessly integrated into architecture to create permanent, high-impact brand experiences.
Communicate: The Infrastructure of Connectivity
The Communicate hub serves as the foundation for the other four, focusing on the network and communication technologies that enable modern experience tech to function. This includes everything from intercom systems and 5G connectivity to Dante and NDI protocols. Without the robust infrastructure showcased in this hub, the complex interdependencies of modern event tech would be impossible to manage.
Programmatic Expansion and the neo summit
The 2026 convention is set to offer a significantly expanded educational and interactive program. Organizers have planned seven distinct stages that will host a variety of formats, including keynote speeches, panel discussions, and community-driven workshops. The focus is shifting toward "interdisciplinary" content—sessions that address challenges from multiple perspectives rather than focusing on a single technical niche.
Key thematic pillars for the 2026 program include:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): Exploring how generative AI and machine learning are optimizing production workflows, from automated lighting cues to real-time video rendering.
- Immersive Formate: A deep dive into augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and spatial computing as tools for audience engagement.
- Sustainability and Safety: Addressing the regulatory and ethical requirements of modern event production, including occupational safety and green touring initiatives.
- Business Models: Analyzing the shift toward "As-a-Service" models in the AV and broadcast sectors.
In addition to the main convention floor, leat con 26 will host the "neo summit," a premium conference format focused exclusively on AI and the future of work within the event industry. This summit is intended to provide high-level strategic insights for decision-makers and creative leads who are navigating the rapid digital transformation of the sector.
Strategic Vision and Market Implications
Marcel Courth, Managing Director of Unit leat, emphasized that the rebranding is about more than just aesthetics; it is about reflecting the reality of the market. "Innovation, practice, and networking create the best experiences when they happen together," Courth stated. He noted that the goal of the horizontal platform is to strengthen the DACH market’s competitiveness on a global scale by fostering an environment where small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and global players can interact on equal footing.
Industry analysts suggest that this move by Ebner Media Group is a calculated response to the consolidation trends seen in the global trade fair market. By creating a unified, multi-disciplinary event, leat con is positioning itself as a more efficient alternative to smaller, specialized fairs. For exhibitors, this means access to a broader range of potential clients—for instance, a lighting manufacturer in the Live Tech hub may find new opportunities with system integrators from the Install hub.
Anna Habenicht, Head of Content & Platform at leat, explained that the 2026 theme, "Ignite. Together.", was chosen to symbolize the "spark" of innovation and the community-driven nature of the industry. "Ignite stands for what trade fairs can truly achieve: a place for real encounters, real products, and real conversations," Habenicht noted. The "Together" aspect underscores the convention’s role as a facilitator for a community that has become increasingly fragmented by rapid technological change.
Logistics and Accessibility
The choice of Hamburg Messe as the venue continues a long-standing partnership between leat and the city of Hamburg. As a major media and logistics hub, Hamburg provides the necessary infrastructure to support an international convention of this scale. The use of Halls A1, A2, and A4 allows for a logical flow of traffic between the five hubs and the various presentation stages, ensuring that even with 23,000 square meters of space, the event maintains the "community feel" that has been its hallmark since 2021.
Tickets for the event are scheduled to go on sale starting June 5, 2026. The organizers are offering various tiers of access, including day passes and full convention tickets, as well as specialized packages for the neo summit.
As the experience technology industry moves toward the latter half of the decade, the consolidation of leat into a horizontal platform represents a significant shift in how industry knowledge is curated and shared. By integrating live tech, stagecraft, broadcast, installation, and communication under a single banner, leat con 26 is set to provide a comprehensive roadmap for the future of human experiences in the digital age. The industry will be watching closely to see if this unified approach can indeed bridge the gap between disparate technical disciplines and ignite a new era of collaborative innovation.
