Insights There’s More to Workplace Technology Than Choosing the Right Kit Deepi Sekhon 7 min read The BoomSpace team attended NeatFest 2026 in London to hear from manufacturers, workplace technology providers and collaboration specialists about what’s next for meeting spaces and workplace technology. Last week, I attended NeatFest 2026 in London, a workplace collaboration and AV technology event for Neat’s UK and Ireland partners. It gave me the opportunity to hear from manufacturers, software providers and workplace specialists, see what they are developing and catch up with people from across the industry. There was plenty to take in. Neat, Microsoft and Sound Control Technologies shared more about what they are working on, while Ashton Bentley, Kramer, UMA, Comeen, Alleo and Appspace brought different perspectives on meeting spaces and the wider workplace experience. I came back with lots of notes, but it wasn’t one particular product that stayed with me. One presenter described outdated meeting rooms as a “cable graveyard”, and the phrase stuck with me. It raised a smile, but it also described a frustration many people will recognise. Nobody wants to begin a meeting by sorting through cables, changing inputs or trying to work out which control does what. People want to walk into a room, connect quickly and get on with the conversation. A recurring theme throughout the day was reducing friction and making meeting rooms easier for people to use. People just want it to work That sounds straightforward, but there can be a lot happening behind the scenes to create such a simple experience. The room, network, meeting platform, audio, displays and controls all need to work together. The experience also needs to feel familiar and dependable, whether someone is joining from the office, another location or remotely. The best workplace technology often feels almost invisible to the person using it. That doesn’t mean the expertise behind it has disappeared. It means the technology has been properly considered, designed and integrated around the people and the space. One solution doesn’t fit every organisation One thing I found particularly interesting was how many conversations focused on bringing more workplace functions into a single platform. We heard about workplace apps, digital signage, occupancy data, room monitoring and platforms designed to give organisations greater visibility and control. There are clear benefits to making workplace technology easier to use and manage, but every organisation is different. A growing business may need something very different from a large organisation operating across multiple locations, with different user groups, existing technologies, meeting platforms and security requirements. What works for one meeting space may not suit a boardroom, divisible environment, town hall or client-facing suite. That is why workplace technology decisions shouldn’t begin with a predetermined product or one-size-fits-all solution. They should start with the client, how people use the spaces, what is already in place and what the organisation needs to achieve. Discussions around AI increasingly extended beyond meeting rooms into workplace analytics, occupancy data and operational insights. AI needs to add real value As expected, AI came up throughout the day. We heard about intelligent camera framing, live interpretation, automated notes, rooms that respond to how people use them and platforms designed to identify issues before users notice them. There is plenty of potential, but clients don’t need another AI label. They need to understand what it will genuinely improve. Will it make meetings easier? Will it reduce disruption? Will it help internal teams manage rooms more effectively? Will people understand it and trust it? There are also practical considerations. Introducing another platform, agent or source of data may bring additional security, governance and management requirements. AI should solve a genuine problem or create meaningful value. If it simply adds another layer to manage, it deserves a closer look. The best support doesn’t stop at remote monitoring Remote device management was another major theme at NeatFest. Being able to monitor equipment, adjust settings and identify issues remotely can make workplace technology support faster and more proactive. This can be particularly valuable for organisations managing several meeting rooms, offices or locations. But good support is about more than dashboards and alerts. There are times when an experienced AV engineer needs to visit the site, inspect the room, test the complete system and understand what users are experiencing in the real environment. Training matters. Documentation matters. User confidence matters. So does knowing there is a team you can speak to when something doesn’t work as expected. At BoomSpace, remote and on-site support work together. Technology can make support more efficient, but people build trust, accountability and long-term relationships. That is why BoomCare AV support and maintenance combines proactive care and remote visibility with preventative maintenance, experienced engineers and site visits when they are needed. Successful meeting spaces start with understanding how people will use them, not simply selecting the technology. Choosing the right kit comes later When clients first speak to us, the conversation rarely starts with a particular product. It normally starts with a challenge. A meeting room isn’t working as it should. Different rooms provide inconsistent experiences. Existing technology no longer suits the way people work. A business may be growing, moving office, planning a workplace fit-out or reviewing how its spaces are being used. Before recommending workplace technology, we need to understand: what the client wants to improve who will use the spaces and how which systems and meeting platforms are already in place how the technology will be managed and supported what security and governance requirements need to be considered how the solution may need to adapt over time That understanding allows us to recommend the right combination of meeting room technology, workplace applications and AV services, rather than fitting the client around a predetermined product. Our meeting room AV solutions are designed around how people collaborate, how each space needs to perform and how the complete environment will be supported over time. BoomSpace works across Microsoft Teams Rooms, Zoom, Google Meet, Webex and BYOD environments, depending on the client’s standards and requirements. The value is in making it all work together New products will always attract attention at AV industry events, and there were some interesting developments at NeatFest. But clients aren’t simply buying equipment. They are investing in reliable meeting spaces, better collaboration and technology their teams can use with confidence. Our role at BoomSpace is to help make that happen. We consult, design, integrate and support intelligent audio visual solutions around the needs of each client. We take ownership, work closely with internal IT, workplace, facilities and project teams, and stay involved beyond installation. That means our clients have an AV partner that understands their environment, knows what they are trying to achieve and works as an extension of their team. This reflects BoomSpace’s established service position: accountable end-to-end delivery, a user-focused approach and support that is treated as a foundation rather than an add-on. What I brought back from NeatFest NeatFest was a useful opportunity to see what manufacturers and workplace technology providers are working on, ask questions and hear different views from across the industry. There is a clear push towards simpler, more intelligent and more remotely managed meeting spaces. There are also more platforms, applications and AI capabilities for clients to consider. My main takeaway was reassuringly straightforward. The kit matters, but it is only one part of the experience. The real value comes from understanding what the client needs, asking the right questions, choosing technology for the right reasons and having trusted people who can make it all work together. Related Reading AV Trends We’re Seeing Across Workplaces, Meeting Spaces and Client-Facing Environments A broader look at the workplace and meeting room trends shaping modern organisations. AV Trends article What Enterprise AV Needs to Get Right Next Steve Larkins’ CEO perspective on governance, standardisation and support at enterprise scale. Enterprise AV insight When Growing Businesses Outgrow ‘Good Enough’ AV A practical look at how growth can expose inconsistent meeting rooms, unclear ownership and workplace technology that has become difficult to support. Growing business AV insight If this feels familiar, let’s talk. Whether you’re reviewing meeting room technology, planning new collaboration spaces or trying to create a more consistent workplace experience across multiple locations, we’re happy to share our thoughts. Explore Our Case Studies
