Some conferences leave you with a notebook full of ideas. Others leave you with a suitcase full of business cards. The Pan-American Audio Educators Conference and Sound:check Xpo 2026 in Mexico City somehow managed both.
Held alongside Sound:check Xpo, one of the largest professional audio and live production events in Latin America, the conference brought together educators, manufacturers, and industry leaders from across the Americas to discuss one thing we all have in common: educating the next generation of audio professionals.
Representing Abbey Road Institute at events like this is always a privilege, but it was also a reminder of just how global our industry has become. Despite everyone coming from different countries, institutions, and teaching backgrounds, many of the conversations centred on exactly the same challenges. How do we teach AI responsibly? How do we keep curriculum relevant in an industry that’s evolving so quickly? And perhaps most importantly, how do we make sure students leave education genuinely ready for the real world?
Over the course of the conference, there were some brilliant discussions and presentations from people who have shaped our industry. Led by John Krivit, founder of Hey Audio Student and organiser of the conference, legendary engineer Lenise Bent, mastering engineer and Berklee Head of Artistic Technology Jonathan Wyner, immersive audio specialists Michael Romanowski, Claus Trelby and NPR Tiny Desk’s Josh Rogosin, alongside educators from universities and institutions across North, Central and South America. It was one of those events where every conversation seemed to spark another idea.
Being held alongside Sound:check Xpo made the experience incredibly valuable. The exhibition itself is huge and brings together thousands of professionals from across the music, broadcast, live sound and entertainment industries. The opening morning featured a walkthrough of the floor led by a Mariachi band, setting the show off with a bang! Walking the room, seeing the latest technologies and listening to the incredible programme of masterclasses really reinforced just how fast our industry continues to move. From immersive audio and studio design to live production, AI and artist development, there was something around every corner.
One particular highlight was watching Abbey Road’s Mirek Stiles presenting to a packed audience, sharing stories from inside Abbey Road and exploring the history and evolution of recording. With a live connection to Abbey Road and the Audiomovers team, it highlighted the ease of international connection and collaboration regardless of where you’re based and who you’re working with.
Aside from the conference sessions, one of my personal highlights was participating in the SoundGirls Mexico mentoring event. Spending time with young women and students who are building careers across every area of audio was incredibly rewarding, and hearing their experiences, ambitions, and questions reminded me why initiatives like this are so important. Discussing the challenges and encouraging them to build their confidence and take risks is an important conversation to have.
What I probably hadn’t anticipated, as it was my first time, was just how welcoming everyone would be. Within a couple of hours, it felt less like a conference and more like a community. There was a genuine willingness to share ideas, compare experiences and talk honestly about what works, what doesn’t, and what we’re all trying to improve. Those are usually the conversations that stay with you long after you’ve flown home.
Events like this are a brilliant reminder that Abbey Road Institute is part of something much bigger than our own network of schools. We’re contributing to a global discussion about the future of audio education while continuing to learn from and collaborate with educators and industry professionals worldwide.
I came back with plenty of ideas, a lot of inspiration and, admittedly, a slightly heavier suitcase than when I left. A huge thanks to Jorge Urbano and Natalia Urbano, whose generosity in inviting and hosting us was greatly appreciated.
Shout out to John Krivit, Michael Romanowski, Kelly Pribble, Ruth Basurto, Mirek Stiles and Michael Beinhorn for a brilliant night at the Lucha Libre. And to all the brilliant speakers and guests we spent time with, including Lenise Bent, Chrissy Tignor, Andres Mayo, Martin Muscatello, CJ Lewis, Josh Rogosin, Marc Urselli, Ken Candelas, Jonathan Appell, Julio Monroy, John Escobar, Rick Allen, Sean McLaughlin, Barry Rudolph, Carolina Anton, Leslie Gaston-Bird, Ximena Carstensen, Claus Trelby, Rocco DeRosa, and anyone else I forgot to mention.
And to the teams at Sala de Audio, SAE Mexico City, and Tech de Monterrey for welcoming us to your brilliant facilities.
If you’d like to discuss collaborating with Abbey Road Institute at any of our existing locations, working with our team, or licensing in a new city, please get in touch at licensing@abbeyroadinstitute.com, and we’ll be very happy to speak with you.
