Futuresource reveals full Audio Collaborative 2026 agenda as leading audio brands join annual industry summit

Cinemo, Qualcomm Technologies, HARMAN, DTS, Analog Devices and THX Ltd. confirmed as sponsors, as Audio Collaborative 2026 brings the industry together to debate the forces reshaping audio 

03/11/2026, ST ALBANS: Futuresource has unveiled the full agenda and sponsor line-up for Audio Collaborative 2026, bringing together world-leading audio brands, technology companies and industry experts for a day of discussion and collaboration. 

Taking place on Wednesday 11 November at the Ham Yard Hotel in London's Soho, the event will spotlight the conversations making waves across the industry, including AI, immersive audio, generational consumer behaviour and the connected vehicle.   

This year’s event welcomes Cinemo as headline sponsor, Qualcomm Technologies as principal sponsor, and HARMAN and DTS as event sponsors, with Analog Devices and THX Ltd. also joining the line-up. 

Presentations, panels and networking will run across the day, with registration and breakfast beginning at 09:00 and the first session commencing at 09:30. Sessions close at 17:00, followed by a drinks and canapés reception until 19:00. 

Carl Hibbert, Futuresource's Research Director, will open the event with introductory remarks and industry context, before welcoming Richard McDonald, Futuresource's CEO, to the stage. 

Guy Hammett, Futuresource's Head of Audio, and Elliott Ross, Futuresource's Director of Insights, will commence the sessions with the flagship Audio Industry & Consumers in Numbers presentation, setting the scene with the latest market data and consumer insight. From there, the programme will move across some of the biggest themes shaping audio today, from commercialising innovation and changing consumer behaviour to immersive experiences, AI and the connected car.  

Audio Collaborative 2026 agenda 

Opening remarks 
Carl Hibbert (Futuresource)  

Welcome from Futuresource CEO 
Richard McDonald (Futuresource) 

Audio Industry & Consumers in Numbers | Presentation 
Guy Hammett (Futuresource), Elliott Ross (Futuresource) 

From Breakthrough to Business: Turning Audio Innovation into Revenue | Panel 
Dave Watkins (Chair, Futuresource), Matt Soczywko (Resonant Co.), Marcos Simon (Independent), Elfed Howells (Macroblock) 

The Future Listener: Winning Gen Z in the Age of Convenience | Panel 
Rasika D’Souza (Chair, Futuresource), Roscoe Williamson (MassiveMusic), Sarah Yule (Orange Amps) 

Morning networking 

DTS Keynote | DTS:X Automotive Audio: Same Speakers. Better Sound. | Presentation 
Martin Walsh (DTS) 

The Connected Cabin: When the Car Becomes the Best Seat in the House | Panel  
Sponsored by Cinemo 
Guy Hammett (Chair, Futuresource), Abe Silhan (Cinemo), Martin Walsh (DTS), Ian Hubbard (Warwick Acoustics) 

Immersive Audio: Hype, Habit or the Next Must-Have? | Panel 
Carl Hibbert (Chair, Futuresource), Peter Brown (THX Ltd.), Matthew Hawn (Compass, Map & Key) 

Lunch 

Cinemo Keynote | Beyond Multiroom: Playback Without Borders | Live Demo 
Abe Silhan (Cinemo) 

Ecosystem-Led Audio: Platforms, Partnerships & Power | Panel 
Rasika D’Souza (Chair, Futuresource), Steven Hoyle (HARMAN), Hong Lam (Tymphany), Goli Khonsari (GNK Advisory) 

Pro & Consumer Convergence: When the Studio Comes Home | Panel 
Sponsored by HARMAN 
Grant Youngman (Chair, Futuresource), Mark Hockey (HARMAN), Andrew Cresswell (ICEpower), Paul Wylie (Futuresource) 

Afternoon networking 

The Personal AI Era: Why Audio Will Become the Natural Interface for AI | Presentation 
Andrew Laister (Qualcomm Technologies) 

AI in Audio: Intelligence, Inclusion & the Future of Hearing | Panel 
Sponsored by Qualcomm Technologies 
Dave Watkins (Chair, Futuresource), Blair Werp (Qualcomm Technologies), Jacob Hooker (Analog Devices), Gunnar Hauksson (Treble) 

Closing remarks 
Carl Hibbert (Futuresource) 

“Audio is moving into a particularly interesting period,” says Carl Hibbert, Research Director, Futuresource. “AI, new platform dynamics and changing consumer expectations are creating opportunities right across the value chain, but they are also raising important questions about where the industry places its bets. Audio Collaborative is about getting the people shaping those decisions into the same room, sharing different perspectives and having the conversations that move the market forward. With the breadth of speakers and partners joining us this year, we’re looking forward to an especially strong day of debate.” 

Cinemo to demonstrate the connected media ecosystem 

As headline sponsor, Cinemo will take a prominent role in the programme, delivering a keynote and live technology demonstration. 

Cinemo is set to showcase how its technology creates a seamless, synchronised media ecosystem across different screens, speakers, device types and operating systems. The demonstration will show devices dynamically joining and controlling a shared playback session while maintaining precise audio and video synchronisation. 

Going beyond familiar multi-device scenarios, the keynote will also explore new possibilities enabled by this level of interoperability and how connected media experiences could evolve across an entire product portfolio. 

Attendees will also be able to experience Cinemo technology beyond the stage, with the company hosting a dedicated demo during the event. 

Abe Silhan, Vice President Sales at Cinemo, says:  

“The future of audio depends on how seamlessly devices, platforms and streaming services work together to deliver the listening experiences consumers expect. We make it possible by enabling brands to integrate once and access a wide range of content services, with effortless playback across operating systems, devices, and more. At Audio Collaborative we will demonstrate how our latest innovations are breaking traditional boundaries.” 

Six sponsors confirmed for 2026 

Qualcomm Technologies returns as principal sponsor, continuing its long-standing involvement with the event. Andrew Laister, Staff Product Manager at Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd, will explore how premium audio, AI and micro-power Wi-Fi connectivity are converging to create a new generation of intelligent wearables, with voice becoming an increasingly important interface for AI. The presentation will be followed by a wider panel discussion on AI in audio, featuring Blair Werp, Product Manager at Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd, who will discuss how AI is transforming the listening experience through more personalised hearing, intelligent audio processing and contextual listening that can adapt to the user, their environment and what they are doing. 

HARMAN and DTS also join as event sponsors, while Analog Devices and THX Ltd. complete the line-up, contributing to sessions exploring AI-enabled audio and immersive listening respectively. 

A meeting point for the changing audio industry 

Beyond the conference programme, Audio Collaborative provides a meeting point for the wider audio industry. Uniting global brands, emerging businesses, independents and technology innovators, the event seeks to challenge assumptions, champion connections and break new ground across the industry. 

Audio Collaborative 2026 

Wednesday 11 November 2026 
Ham Yard Hotel 
1 Ham Yard 
London  
W1D 7DT 

BOOK YOUR TICKET 

ENDS 

About Futuresource  

Futuresource, established in the 1980s, is a specialist market research firm providing intelligence and strategic insight to global technology and media industries. Its research portfolio provides analysis of ecosystems, devices and platforms across major international markets. 

To learn more, visit www.futuresource-consulting.com. 

About Cinemo 

Cinemo is a global provider of innovative infotainment products designed to create seamless digital media experiences. Its portfolio features award-winning, fully integrated, system-agnostic solutions that combine low footprint with high performance and quality. 

Founded in 2008, Cinemo provides world-leading digital media solutions for the highly demanding automotive market. Trusted by more than 40 market-leading OEMs and over 20 tier-1 suppliers, Cinemo has a strong track record of industry firsts. 

By leveraging its field-proven digital media, cloud, and AI technologies, Cinemo has expanded its range to create the first open cloud ecosystem that connects devices, content, and users. 

Cinemo’s global team of innovative thinkers, representing over 40 nationalities, is dedicated to driving continuous growth and developing digital media solutions that create value for our customers and partners. 

Further information is available at www.cinemo.com. 

Press and event enquiries:
Olivia Lowden
E: olivia.lowden@futuresource-hq.com
Tel: +44 1582 500 199