LAS VEGAS, NV — The professional audiovisual and pro-audio industries have reached a critical juncture. As the bright lights of the Las Vegas Convention Center prepare to illuminate the latest technological breakthroughs, a more immediate clock is ticking for manufacturers and innovators. Tonight, Friday, June 12, at 11:59 PM, the window for nominations for the prestigious Mix Best of Show Awards at InfoComm 2026 will officially slam shut.
What began as a standard call for entries has transformed into a high-stakes race for recognition. Due to unprecedented industry demand and a surge in late-stage product reveals, the initial deadline was extended to accommodate the influx of cutting-edge technology. However, organizers have confirmed that no further extensions will be granted. For the brands shaping the future of sound, video, and integrated experiences, the next few hours represent the final opportunity to secure a place in the spotlight of one of the world’s most influential trade events.
Main Facts: The Final Call for Innovation
The Best of Show Awards, hosted by Future PLC’s leading B2B brands, represent the pinnacle of achievement within the InfoComm ecosystem. While thousands of products are showcased on the expansive floor of the Las Vegas Convention Center, only a select few are recognized for their excellence in engineering, innovation, and practical application.
The awards are divided among several of the industry’s most respected publications, ensuring that every niche of the AV market is evaluated by subject matter experts. These brands include:
- Mix: Focusing on professional audio, recording, and live sound reinforcement.
- Sound & Video Contractor: Targeting the integration and installation market.
- AV Technology: Focusing on the end-user experience and enterprise-level AV management.
- Digital Signage: Evaluating the latest in visual communication and display tech.
- Tech & Learning: Assessing the impact of AV in the education sector.
- ITPro: Bridging the gap between traditional AV and the IT infrastructure.
- Installation: Providing a global perspective on system design and implementation.
For Mix magazine specifically, the focus remains on the "Pro" in Pro Audio. In an era where immersive audio, networked signal distribution, and AI-driven processing are redefining the sonic landscape, the Mix Best of Show Awards serve as a barometer for where the industry is headed.
Chronology: The Road to InfoComm 2026
The journey to tonight’s deadline began nearly a year ago, immediately following the conclusion of the previous cycle. The AV industry operates on a rigorous R&D schedule, with InfoComm serving as the primary North American launchpad for summer and Q3 releases.
Late 2025 – Early 2026: Development and Teasing
Leading manufacturers in the loudspeaker, console, and software sectors began teasing "Project X" or "Next-Gen" solutions. Behind closed doors, engineering teams worked to integrate new protocols—such as advanced iterations of Milan/AVB and Dante—into their hardware.
April 2026: The Initial Call for Entries
Future PLC opened the nomination portal, inviting companies to submit their technical specifications, use-case scenarios, and high-resolution imagery. The initial response was robust, reflecting a post-pandemic industry that has fully regained its momentum.
May 2026: The Surge and the Extension
As the original deadline approached, the editorial teams noted a significant uptick in submissions. Many companies, citing supply chain stabilization and the finalization of firmware updates, requested additional time to ensure their entries reflected the "show-ready" version of their products. In response to this "industry demand," the deadline was moved to Friday, June 12.
June 8–11, 2026: The Pre-Show Frenzy
With InfoComm set to begin in Las Vegas, the "Best of Show" buzz reached a fever pitch. Marketing departments worked overtime to refine their pitches, knowing that a "Best of Show" logo is one of the most powerful tools in a product’s post-launch marketing arsenal.
June 12, 2026 (Today): The Final Hours
As of this morning, the portal remains open, but the 11:59 PM cutoff is absolute. The editorial teams are already beginning to organize the judging schedules for the show floor.
Supporting Data: Why the "Best of Show" Recognition Matters
The value of an InfoComm Best of Show award extends far beyond a trophy or a certificate. In a crowded marketplace, third-party validation from a brand like Mix provides a quantifiable boost to a product’s lifecycle.
Market Reach and Visibility
According to internal data from Future PLC, award winners are featured in post-show digital "Best of Show" guides that reach an audience of over 150,000 industry professionals. This includes system integrators, live sound engineers, CTOs, and facility managers who use these guides as a "shortlist" for future procurement.
The "Signal-to-Noise" Ratio
With over 600 exhibitors expected at InfoComm 2026, the average attendee or media representative cannot physically vet every new product. The Best of Show program acts as a filter. For Mix, the judging panel consists of veteran editors and active sound engineers who evaluate products based on:
- Innovation: Does the product solve a problem in a new way?
- Feature Set: Is the technology robust and reliable for professional environments?
- Ease of Use: Can a working professional integrate this into their workflow without a steep learning curve?
- Value: Does the product offer a strong return on investment for the end-user?
Economic Impact
Historical data suggests that products bearing the "Best of Show" seal see a 15-20% higher engagement rate in lead generation during the three months following the show compared to non-awarded competitors in the same category.
Official Responses: Perspectives from the Editorial Board
While the identity of the judges is kept confidential to ensure an unbiased process, representatives from the participating brands have spoken about the significance of this year’s competition.
"The caliber of entries we’ve seen so far for the Mix category is staggering," noted a senior editorial spokesperson for Future’s AV group. "We are seeing a massive shift toward software-defined hardware. It’s no longer just about the physical fader or the driver; it’s about the ecosystem. The extension was a necessary move because the industry is currently in a state of rapid evolution, and we wanted to make sure we didn’t miss the ‘next big thing’ simply because a firmware build was 24 hours late."
The editorial team also emphasized the rigorous nature of the judging. Unlike other awards that may be based solely on submitted paperwork, the InfoComm Best of Show Awards involve on-site verification. Judges walk the floor, speak with the product managers, and, where possible, get hands-on time with the gear. This ensures that the winners aren’t just "paper tigers" but are functional, high-performance tools ready for the field.
Implications: What This Means for the AV Industry
The closing of tonight’s deadline marks the end of the "hype" phase and the beginning of the "validation" phase. The implications of this year’s awards will likely be felt across several sectors of the industry throughout 2026 and 2027.
1. The Rise of Spatial Audio in Pro-AV
For the Mix audience, the 2026 awards are expected to be dominated by spatial audio solutions. As immersive sound moves from the recording studio into corporate boardrooms, themed entertainment, and houses of worship, the products that make this transition seamless are likely to take home the top honors.
2. Sustainability as a Competitive Edge
Industry insiders suggest that judges are increasingly looking at the "green" credentials of nominees. Products that offer lower power consumption, recyclable materials, or longer lifecycles are gaining favor. In 2026, being "the best" also means being the most responsible.
3. The Convergence of IT and Audio
With ITPro and AV Technology joining Mix in the judging process, the "Best of Show" winners will likely reflect the total convergence of the industry. A microphone is no longer just an acoustic transducer; it is an endpoint on a network. The winners tonight will be the companies that understand this duality.
4. Post-Show Momentum
For the winners, the announcement (typically made during or immediately after the show) triggers a wave of global publicity. For those who miss the deadline tonight, the cost is not just the entry fee—it is the lost opportunity to be part of the definitive narrative of InfoComm 2026.
Conclusion: The Clock is Ticking
As the sun sets over the Nevada desert, the pressure is on. Manufacturers have only a few remaining hours to finalize their entries, upload their documentation, and make their case for why their technology deserves to be crowned "Best of Show."
The link to the official registration portal remains active until the stroke of midnight. For the editorial teams at Mix, Sound & Video Contractor, and the rest of the Future PLC family, the work is just beginning. For the industry at large, the results of tonight’s deadline will define the "must-see" list for the thousands of professionals descending upon Las Vegas next week.
Time is up. The deadline is tonight. The future of AV is waiting.
