Sound thinking, as Audio Collaborative 2025 champions connection, curiosity and industry transformation

In a year defined by rapid shifts in audio, entertainment and intelligent listening, Futuresource Consulting’s Audio Collaborative 2025 brought the entire industry together. Taking place on 12th November at London’s Soho Hotel, it presented a day of expert perspectives, generous knowledge-sharing and rare cross-sector conversation. 

The event attracted global leaders spanning hardware, software, automotive, cinema, broadcast, content creation, research, retail and more. For many, Audio Collaborative 2025 felt uniquely alive, where the audio world spoke with many voices, and one shared purpose. 

The day the industry walls came down

This year’s programme covered everything from AI in hearables to in-car immersion, hearing health, creator economics, retailer models and the business of audio, all supported by a rich blend of keynote presentations, Futuresource market insights and multi-disciplinary panels. 

For Qualcomm Technologies, who has participated in the event for several years, Audio Collaborative plays an important role in their industry engagement. 

“It really is collaborative, open, and very honest,” said Andrew Laister, Staff Product Manager of Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd. “Futuresource manages to pull in respected individuals from every corner of the audio world and bring them together in the same room. We’re sharing, challenging and exploring together. It’s rare these days, and it’s exactly why we get behind this event year after year.” 

Other Qualcomm Technologies speakers echoed the sentiment. Blair Werp, Product Manager, Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd., speaking on the hearing-health panel, added, “Seeing different viewpoints interlock, and sometimes clash, is incredibly productive. It stimulates new ideas for product development. Whether it’s in the car, the living room or the ear, we’re all solving the same problems. We’re looking at how people interact with sound, and events like this reshape how we think.” 

A seldom-seen industry connection

As Gold Sponsor, HARMAN also played a prominent role in this year’s conversations, particularly across automotive and spatial audio topics. “For us it’s hugely powerful to be here,” said Mathias Johansson. “You get this full cross-section of what’s happening, across streaming, content creation, manufacturers, retail and automotive, as well as the hard data that ties it all together. It’s all grounded in facts, not just opinions. Bringing the entire audio chain into one place for a day creates a networking opportunity that’s genuinely valuable.” 

Attendees repeatedly highlighted the event’s strength of expertise. 

“It’s unusual today to find an event where all the panellists and moderators are true experts, and the audience is, too,” said Mike Jbara of Lenbrook Media Group. “I found myself having coffee with people I’d never normally meet. Everyone’s learning, everyone’s growing.” 

Elfed Howells, co-founder of Elevear, also noted the uniqueness of the format, saying, “It’s incredibly condensed. All the key people are here, big brands, small innovators, retailers, researchers, all in one place. You get the tech view, the business view, and the creative view. There are very few events like this happening anywhere in the world.” 

A conference for the entire audio universe

“Futuresource’s Audio Collaborative is different,” said Krestian Pedersen from DALI. “It stands out. It’s not just engineering, and it’s not just business. It’s holistic, giving attendees a feel for the entire industry, and a space where you can actually talk, actually learn, and actually take something meaningful back to your team.” 

That sentiment was reflected across creators, brands and retailers alike. “Thought-provoking, actionable and brilliantly curated,” said Ollie Tiramuragan Collard, founder of Founded & Grounded. “You walk away full of ideas, and with a clearer understanding of how to act on them.” 

“As we celebrate wrapping up the 12th edition of this event, we are proud to see it go from strength to strength, drawing together voices from every corner of the industry. Our mission with Audio Collaborative has always been to foster genuine collaboration and to champion unique and thought-provoking perspectives that push our industry forward. This year's exceptional lineup of speakers reflects not only the momentum of the event, but also our commitment to staying firmly on the pulse of a rapidly evolving audio industry,” added Carl Hibbert, Director of Research, Futuresource Consulting. 

The road to 2026

As audio continues to reinvent itself across devices, content, cars, health, and AI, events like Audio Collaborative matter more each year. Futuresource aims to create the conditions for progress, by combining open minds, open discussion and a shared commitment to better experiences for listeners everywhere. Plans are already underway for Audio Collaborative 2026, with Futuresource promising an even broader programme, even more global voices and deeper explorations into the technologies shaping the next era of listening. 

To express interest in Audio Collaborative 2026, please visit here.  

On-demand sessions are available to download here. 

Press Contact: Nicola Finn, Marketing Manager, Futuresource Consulting, nicola.finn@futuresource-hq.com