Published to Whisper Club: June 1, 2026 ID: TBW2178
Analyst(s): Dr. Doreen Galli
Photojournalist(s): Dr. Doreen Galli
ABSTRACT:
“This Whisper Report investigates which media workflow is AI changing fastest? It distills expert perspectives from NAB Show 2026, spotlighting the workflows where AI is compressing cycles and reshaping execution across teams—signaling where attention should shift next. Cited experts : Tony Abrahams AI Media, Carl Rutman Brightcove, Glen Wastyn Freepik..”
Published to Whisper Club: May 26, 2026 ID: TBW2133
Analyst(s): Dr. Doreen Galli
Photojournalist(s): Dr. Doreen Galli
Abstract:
“This Whisper Report investigates What’s the killer XR use case no one sees coming? Across CES, three very different XR stories emerged — one surprising, two accelerating. Together they reveal why XR’s real breakthrough may not be where everyone expects. Cited experts: Paul Standford, Haply; David Sniderman, Mapbox; Daisuke Takoze, Gakugeki.”
“Informatica World 2026 brought together enterprise visitors focused on data governance, AI readiness, and data management as Las Vegas hosted enterprise data and analytics conversations shaping how organizations prepare trusted data foundations, enable AI agents, and drive business impact through governed, high-quality data pipelines and scalable ecosystem execution across increasingly complex digital environments.”
The Conference
Informatica World brought a community of approximately 2000 data management and governance experts to discuss governance in the age of AI.
Cautions:
Friendly reminder: this research provides examples of what was shared with us at the event, not an evaluation, validation, or recommendation of the given technology.
Just because a technology can do something in general doesn’t mean it will work in your environment or in a governed fashion. It is critical to validate a technology including its false positive and error rates.
If one believes you can put garbage in an AI solution and magically with get Gospel out, AI will greatly disappoint you. In practice, thinking you don’t have to clean up your data before deploying AI doesn’t align with reality. TBW Advisors LLC was able to catch an exclusive interview with Informatica’s Keynote Speaker and VP of Product, Sumeet Agrawal. Specially we asked him what’s the most exciting news he had to share at this event. For those that know data, it was no surprise. It is all about Data Governance and their Informatica’s Cloud Data Governance Catalog (CDGC) and a system of truth. The intent of the CDGC is to enable metadata and catalog information directly to AI agents. Now AI agents can plug into and leverage the data governance solutions already in place.
If we cannot put garbage in, we must first fix that data problem so we are not starting with garbage. DataSwitch wants you to know, data migration doesn’t have to be painful. DS Data Maps focuses on data lineage and traceability. This enables one to have visibility during the migration. They also lean in on data democratization with their engineering agent. This agent is designed to streamline data access through simplifying complex data engineering tasks. Their Newest Innovation is ‘Switchi’. Switchi enables data migration into the Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud without Power Center being required.
Bringing their deep data experience based out of Washington DC Incept Data Solutions is an Informatica Platinum Partner. Their core focus is all about data management including governance and data quality. Whether your organization need help with integration, or data governance or AI readiness, they are there to serve. Incept can engage through outsourcing, complimenting your team or staffing them with temporary or permanent staff.
Now that are data is AI ready, one can start thinking about business impact. Miracle Software Systems provides the Rapid Innovation Prototyping Service or RIPS. RIPS is designed to help your organization move from piloting to a prototype to less than 6 weeks. With a history of working with SMB all the way to Fortune 100, this Detroit based company also has your connector needs covered.
With over 1000 certified Informatica Professionals, Accenture was onsite and ready to help your business. Their portfolio of services spans data ingestion and integration, master data management (MDM), data curation and ensuring data products are ready for business. With today’s current data demands, they firmly believe this practice will continue to grow strong.
Cognizant was on hand to share their four key focus areas with Informatica’s clients needing assistance. Specifically, data management, outcome-based solutions, AI development and strategic collaboration. Their primary theme is focused on delivering outcome-based solutions. Now who doesn’t want an great outcome?
Taking a trip down memory lane, Informatica World brought us back to the very first TBW Advisors’s Conference Whispers: Informatica World 2019. In the meantime, we have grown by leaps and bounds and Informatica was just acquired by Salesforce. Gone were the orange competitions we were so touched to observe. In came the blue wash of Sales Force. Speaking to many attending during lunch, it seemed internally, the closer the employee is to hands on data engineering the more excited they were about the acquisition. Data governance and master data management have always been Informatica’s strength making them a great talent acquisition purchase. A majority of the customers also seemed quite excited about the acquisition. Being a vendor hosted event, registration was efficient and a full lunch was served! For those who were still hungry, Mandalay Bay Food Court was fully open. Enjoy the walkabout to and through expo hall. We always try to bring you fresh vendors in our coverage but you will recognize many brands in the walkabout from our coverage of other data events such as the Put Data First.
We once again live streamed from on site. On Wednesday requesting those attending to find me to answer Questions for Whisper Reports, to introduce all to TBW Advisors LLC, and requesting assistance. Specifically, I requested assistance on your favorite videos for my syndicated segment on the May 23rd nationally broadcast edition of Computer Talk Radio.
We conducted research for Six additional forthcoming Whisper Reports for our clients. The playlists are unlisted but available with the video version to be distributed via YouTube Whisper Club upper tier membership area on our YouTube Channel.
Readers and viewers wishing to experience the entire event are encouraged to view the Conference Whispers: Informatica World 2026 Playlist in its entirety. The playlist will be sited in the end screen, description, and as a pinned comment of the video edition.
The video edition will conclude with gratitude towards those that contributed and a montage of responses to Bonus Question, “What’s the best part about attending the Informatica World live in Las Vegas?”.
Informatica has been purchased by Salesforce and is being integrated into their Data 360. As such no word on if Informatica World will once again return to Las Vegas or if it will be folded completely into Dreamforce.
*When vendors’ names are shared as examples in this document, it is to provide a concrete example of what was on display at the conference, not an evaluation or recommendation. Evaluation and recommendation of these vendors are beyond the scope of this specific research document. Other examples products in the same category may have also been on display.
“Licensing Expo 2026 brought together enterprise visitors focused on brand licensing, IP management, and merchandising strategy as Las Vegas hosted global retail, media, and marketing conversations shaping how brands extend, protect, and monetize intellectual property through AI, partnerships, and fan-driven experiences in an increasingly digital, connected marketplace for future growth and competitive differentiation across industries.”
Conference
Licensing Expo 2026 had over 410 companies exhibit at this year’s gathering. Over 130 of the exhibitors were experiencing their first ever Licensing Expo event.
Over 12,500 industry professionals attended spanning retailers, manufacturers, brands, and marketers. Over 78 countries were represented among the 28% of global visitors.
Cautions
Friendly reminder: this research provides examples of what was shared with us at the event, not an evaluation, validation, or recommendation of the given technology.
Movie theaters hosting YouTube Live streams and replays? Screeny is looking to help fans of the same channel get together and enjoy content together In Real Life (IRL). If you have ever wanted to meet new friends and enjoy some really amazingly popular influencer content, the answer might just be your closest movie theater!
While many licensing products have been upgraded to include AI features, MyMediabox is an AI-first platform. Designed with AI in mind at the beginning, AI is not a clumsy bolt-on within the platform but carefully leveraged for results. These results come in the form of rapid feature expansion and operational efficiency for users. Product reviews and style compliance a burden? No more. Requiring advanced natural language search? In their AI-first world, you get efficient workflows.
If you simply need a US Agent to facilitate merchandise licensing partnerships, Creative Licensing Corporation is able to assist – globally. Working with an incredibly diverse portfolio, JRL Group was onsite with their 27 years’ experience. Featuring clients from famous motorsport brands, corporate brands, to educational brands, JRL Group is prepared to make the difference. If you view licensing as a strategic tool, LMCA would like to share their 40 years of experience with you. Their client-first strategy starts with the business needs. Those needs then turn into a strategic plan with tactical goals to execute against.
Are you a brand owner who needs help with copyrights and patents? Need help with licensing agents, and licensees who use the brands? Dependable Solutions has all your brand needs covered throughout the lifecycle of a brand. They can assist at the copyright and patent stage of branding. Likewise they have licensing agents who can represent the brand outbound and licensees that desire to use brands. In addition, they handle the end-to-end management of the brand approvals, distribution, royalty tracking, and forecasting.
Bringing 30 years’ experience, Octane5 describes their impact as licensing ecosystem wide. They serve the consumer, licensee and the licensor. In the management arena they cover the marketplace to contracts, approvals, royalties, and audits. No matter which direction, Octane5 believes they offer best in class in every direction.
Breaking all previous records, Licensing Expo 2026 had over 410 companies exhibit at this year’s gathering. Over 130 of the exhibitors were experiencing their first ever Licensing Expo event. The 12,500 industry professionals spanning retailers, manufacturers, brands, and marketers. Over 78% countries were represented among the 28% of global visitors. Interestingly over 49% of the visitors hold global decision-making power. Enjoy our video of getting to the exhibit and the walkabout in the event space. Given the complex licensing and the high value brands, we were not allowed to do an Expo Hall walkabout. The Mandalay Food Court for all to enjoy.
We once again live streamed from on site on Tuesday requesting assistance on your favorite videos for my syndicated segment on the May 25th nationally broadcast edition of Computer Talk Radio.
We conducted research for additional forthcoming Whisper Reports for our clients. The playlists are unlisted but available with the video version to be distributed via YouTube Whisper Club upper tier membership area on our YouTube Channel.
Readers and viewers wishing to experience the entire event are encouraged to view the Conference Whispers: Licensing Expo 2026 Playlist in its entirety. The playlist will be sited in the end screen, description, and as a pinned comment of the video edition.
The video edition will conclude with gratitude towards those that contributed and a montage of responses to Bonus Question, “What’s the best part about attending the Licensing Expo live in Las Vegas?”.
Next Year’s Conference The Licensing Expo will once again return to Las Vegas and will be held at the Mandalay Bay on May 25-27, 2027.
*When vendors’ names are shared as examples in this document, it is to provide a concrete example of what was on display at the conference, not an evaluation or recommendation. Evaluation and recommendation of these vendors are beyond the scope of this specific research document. Other examples products in the same category may have also been on display.
Industry Whispers: Tech Accessibility That Actually Works brings together leaders in assistive technology, AI‑powered accessibility, and user‑centered design to mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day. This practical conversation explores how accessible technology improves usability, expands reach, and performs at scale—drawing on lived experience, enterprise platforms, and broadcast‑grade solutions.
TBW2190
Apologies but NO AI Notetakers allowed. This is a copyrighted event. All Rights Reserved.
Featuring:
Tony Abrahams co-founded AI-Media in 2003 and has led the company as CEO from inception, through a period of significant transformation. Driven by a passion for technology and inclusion, Tony has steered AI-Media from its origins in human-based captioning to becoming a global leader in AI-powered language solutions. He was the force behind the acquisition of EEG, a U.S.-based tech company whose innovations – including the LEXI automatic captioning engine and iCap delivery network – have been central to AI-Media’s shift toward real-time, scalable captioning and translation technology. Today, AI-Media’s solutions help broadcasters, enterprises, and governments deliver accessible content to audiences worldwide.
Victoria Essner is a legally blind assistive technology coach, job accommodation specialist, caregiver advocate, international best selling author and TEDx Las Vegas Speaker. With fifty five years of experience with vision loss and more than thirty one years of professional expertise, she has dedicated her life to helping blind and visually impaired individuals build confidence, independence, and success through accessible technology.
Victoria has trained thousands of individuals, as well as supported families, educators, and employers in creating inclusive environments where people can thrive. Her work combines practical training with compassion and clarity, empowering others to move from frustration and fear to confidence and freedom.
Keith M. Sedor is an Apple Certified Macintosh Consultant supporting Mac users for over 20 years. A member of both the Apple Consultants Network & the Apple Certification Alliance, Keith supports both corporate & consumer Mac users in the entire state of New Jersey (plus border areas of Pennsylvania & New York.)
After a lengthy career supporting Mac users in the corporate sector that began with a 5 year stint at MacWarehouse in 1989, Keith took his passion for Apple & helping people with their Macs to a new level, when he started his own Mac consulting firm, Computer Consultants Group, back in 2006, when many of his clients began to refer to Keith as… ‘My Mac Guru’.
When Keith isn’t doing something Apple or Mac related, he is still the consummate nerd, with a lifelong love of both Star Trek & Star Wars, cars, consumer electronics, holiday baking, and he’s a total foodie!
With a lifelong passion for entertainment, coupled with his love of music, Keith was enticed to pursue his interest in being a radio DJ, after a chance encounter (at the age of 6) with legendary DJ, Don Imus, sparked the creation of his long-running college radio show, ‘Anything Goes’ with Keith M. Sedor (“Where ANYTHING can happen… and USUALLY does!”).
Keith also spent much time on stage in leading roles in numerous community theater productions throughout the years.
These days, Keith enjoys spending his free time with his ever-growing family. Keith resides in New Jersey with his wife, Deirdre, and their daughter, Quinn… who loves watching ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ and ‘Star Wars Rebels’ with her Daddy, while gleefully awaiting the arrival of her new sibling, this Halloween!
This Whisper Report investigates What’s the next gaming tech that will change how we play? Drawing on signals from the gaming floor, the analysis hints at emerging technologies quietly reshaping production, interaction, and player intelligence. Cited experts: Justin Cosnett (Continent 8 Technologies), Will Shuckburgh (eCOGRA), Chris Chuang (Relay), Wanor Franca (CCT), Erik Regan (Plotline), Matt DeLaura (Seon), Phil Simpson (fullstory).
This Whisper Report investigates how will robotics in packaging reshape enterprise ops? It explores how flexibility, efficiency, and human–machine collaboration are quietly redefining operations on modern packaging floors, based on firsthand industry perspectives from the field. Cited experts: Mike DeGrace, Universal Robots; Mike Wolf, Signode; Rich Parkhurst, KUKA; Mike Renzetti, Robotunits Inc.; Brett Olson, SICK Sensor Intelligence; Brand Winer, Cognex.
The event featured over 12,000 transportation stakeholders, 2400 fleet operators and over 400 exhibits.
Cautions
Friendly reminder: this research provides examples of what was shared with us at the event, not an evaluation, validation, or recommendation of the given technology.
Friendly reminder: this research provides examples of what was shared with us at the event, not an evaluation, validation, or recommendation of the given technology.
Just because a technology can do something in general doesn’t mean it will work in your environment or in a governed fashion. It is critical to validate a technology including its false positive and error rates.
Voltra enables end-to-end energy management via a software solution. This solution integrates into your charging infrastructure, cellular connectivity, battery storage, and solar generation. The data from this integration is leveraged for advanced diagnostics and streamlined deployment.
FractalEV charges and optimizes your fleet. You no longer have to use an unintelligent charging station for your fleet. FractalEV integrates asset management tooling directly into the charging hardware station. This integration enables management of power loads and data across multiple units. As a Level 2 hardware manufacturer, your fleets will be fully charged overnight as is required at the enterprise level.
If you are moving to electrification, it is not just your fleet that needs updating. You must update your facilities. That update will require the assistance of a professional engineer. Fortunately, ACT Expo had professional engineering firms on hand such as Colliers Engineers. Colliers Engineering specializes in local coordination including the critical steps of coordination with the local municipalities and jurisdictions, an often-forgotten step.
Total cost of ownership of your fleet weighing you down? Burns & McDonnell would like to help you through any power transition to maintain business advantages. With 130 years as an engineering construction firm, they are a top power contender across the USA. From coast-to-coast they have worked with utilities leveraging offices in all 50 states and across Canada.
Triz Engineering is offering what they call, “Engineering Certainty” through an OEM vehicle designed for you from the ground up. This customized commercial vehicle is designed to fit your needs and processes. The resulting product is designed to meet your requirements as opposed to imposed requirements. This enables the vehicle to simply slip into your fleet issue-free.
If you are a smaller to mid-size OEM or even a start-up and in search of an electrification control unit, Ecutron was in Expo Hall. Ecutron was excited to share that their flexibility in terms of cost and timelines enables them to even serve the start-up market. To top it off, their support assists customers in successfully moving through the entire process.
In need of a natural gas fuel system? Hexagon was excited to share their system for heavy-duty trucks. Specifically, the range enables most sleeper cab use cases with travel up to 1200 miles or 1900 kilometers on a single fill. With flexible installation, Hexagon can go behind the cab OR on the rails depending on the exact truck leveraged. We were also able to capture an exclusive summary of when Hexagon discussed leveraging the right fuel for the right applications.
After 40 videos including a livestream and over a dozen fact checks, our coverage of ACT Expo 2026 closes. ACT Expo featured over 12,000 transportation stakeholders including 2400 fleet operators and over 400 exhibits. Registration and badge pick-up was quite efficient even as Expo Hall was ready to open. The event was hosted in West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Enjoy the walkabout to and through expo hall. ACT Expo made the choice to allow one of the few rooms with an overhead view of the entire expo hall to be used as the press room. Enjoy the View!
Those at the booth excitedly shared, there was no fluff at the event. Everyone who they met and spoke with was there to do business. While no details specific attendance numbers were shared at press time, the hosting organization excitedly shared there were a lot of people. The body language seemed to indicate a lot more than expected. Perhaps, recent historical events creating a surge in demand for fleets to consider advanced clean technologies. One of the more interesting features was the ride and drives. Located around the LVCC West Hall Vegas Loop Drive, it was fascinating to watch with all the huge truck cabs driving around in circles.
We always try to bring you fresh vendors in our coverage. Given we always lean towards the enterprise, you will recognize many brands in the walkabout from our coverage of other events that had some related technology such as the Manifest 2026, SEMA AAPEX, and even CES. For research on really-large vehicles, we recommend our coverage of CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026.
We once again live streamed from on site. On Tuesday requesting those attending to find me to answer future Whisper Report Questions, to introduce all to TBW Advisors LLC, and requesting assistance. Specifically, I requested assistance on your favorite videos for my syndicated segment on the May 9th nationally broadcast edition of Computer Talk Radio.
We conducted research for four additional forthcoming Whisper Reports for our clients. The playlists are unlisted but available with the video version to be distributed via YouTube Whisper Club upper tier membership area on our YouTube Channel.
Readers and viewers wishing to experience the entire event are encouraged to view the Conference Whispers: ACT Expo 2026 Playlist in its entirety. The playlist will be sited in the end screen, description, and as a pinned comment of the video edition.
The video edition will conclude with gratitude towards those that contributed and a montage of responses to Bonus Question, “What’s the best part about attending the ACT Expo live in Las Vegas?”.
The ACT Expo will once again return to Las Vegas and will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center on May 17-20, 2027.
*When vendors’ names are shared as examples in this document, it is to provide a concrete example of what was on display at the conference, not an evaluation or recommendation. Evaluation and recommendation of these vendors are beyond the scope of this specific research document. Other examples products in the same category may have also been on display.
This Whisper Report investigates What Fintech problems are you solving in 2026? Drawing insight from on-the-ground conversations at Fintech Meetup 2026, it surfaces the pressures shaping next‑gen financial platforms and the bets leaders are quietly making. It previews how scale, trust, and automation collide before outcomes are obvious. Cited experts: Peter Daunton (Sokin), Kunal Datta (Unit21.ai), Jack Chawla (interface.ai), Liam Reaume (Sardine).
This Whisper Report investigates the question, “What’s your biggest access control challenge?” Researched at ISC West in Las Vegas, the report analyzes challenges driven by fragmented systems, persistent legacy technologies, and incomplete integrations. It finds that access control risk increasingly stems from interoperability gaps and response readiness rather than tool availability alone. Insights are drawn from Ed Hendricks of Keri Systems, Joshua Hartman of Hartman, and Peter Evans of Xtract One.
