News & Trends

December wrapped up the year with the kind of stories that remind you just how fast the AV world keeps moving. There were major business shake-ups, a headline-grabbing installation, new leadership moves, and some developments around certification and education. Immersive experiences continued to push creative and technical boundaries as the calendar rolled forward toward 2026. December highlighted an industry that’s evolving, experimenting, and laying the groundwork for what's to come. 

1. Daktronics Bolsters MicroLED Capabilities With X Display Company IP and Assets

Daktronics has acquired the intellectual property, equipment assets, and technical expertise from X Display Company Technology Limited. The acquisition is intended to accelerate its MicroLED and MicroIC display development and strengthen its competitive position in advanced display technologies. 

2. M-Cube Unveils World’s Longest Immersive LED Gallery in Italy

M-Cube has transformed Galleria Bombi in Gorizia, Italy, into the world’s longest immersive LED gallery, featuring a 390-foot curved LED installation with 148 million pixels and ultra-high-definition imagery, blending advanced display technology with digital art as part of the city’s European Capital of Culture 2025 program. 

3. AVIXA Certification Costs Now Eligible for U.S. 529 Education Savings Plans

AVIXA certification exams and related preparation courses are now qualified expenses under U.S. 529 education savings plans following recent legislative changes, allowing pro AV professionals to use tax-advantaged funds for fees associated with CTS, CTS-D, CTS-I, and ANP credentials. 

4. Clear-Com Named Official Intercom Partner for NAMM’s 125th Anniversary Performances

Clear-Com will return as the official intercom partner for the Yamaha Grand Plaza Stage at the 2026 NAMM Show, powering live-production communications for performances and demonstrations during the event celebrating the show’s 125th anniversary. 

5. Registration Opens for 2026 NAB Show in Las Vegas

Registration is now open for the 2026 NAB Show, scheduled for April 18–22 (exhibits April 19–22) at the Las Vegas Convention Center, with expanded programming focused on sports media, the creator economy, AI, and evolving broadcast workflows. 

6. Viral Tidal Wave Billboard Signals Next-Gen Immersive Digital Signage

A video of a giant Hollywood billboard promoting Disney’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians that drenches onlookers with simulated waves and fog went viral, illustrating a new era in which digital signage blends high-impact visuals, synchronized audio, and environmental effects to create truly immersive experiences. 

7. Nanolumens Strengthens Leadership With Two Strategic Hires

Nanolumens has tapped Ryan Fowler as Federal Segment Leader and Tim DeLaere as Control Room Segment Leader to expand its presence in the federal and command-and-control markets and accelerate adoption of its high-performance LED visualization solutions. 

8. New Report from SMPTE Gives Update on AI and the Media

SMPTE® has partnered with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) to release an in-depth document on AI and its impact on media. 

Conclusion

Companies are restructuring, investing, and repositioning while technology is getting more immersive and more ambitious. And professionals across the industry are finding new ways to learn, certify, and specialize. As we head into 2026, AV is creating new environments, and if December 2025 is any indication, strap yourself in because the new year is going to be an exciting one.

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