CEDIA Expo 2023 and its co-located event, Commercial Integrator Expo 2023, emphasized an increased desire for tradeshows, conferences and events to connect industry professionals. The event, a celebration of excitement for residential and commercial channel professionals, was bustling with highly engaging exhibits, interactive educational opportunities and invaluable networking opportunities.

Patrick Laidlaw, director of business development for WAC/AiSPIRE Lighting, noted, “CEDIA Expo 2023 was an event to remember! The attendance was high, the spirits were well, and the conference center had an overall optimism. It felt good to get people back together for a common cause of integration!”

Here’s the rAVe coverage of CEDIA: https://www.ravepubs.com/cedia-expo/
Here’s the rAVe Coverage of the CIX Show: https://www.ravepubs.com/commercial-integrator-expo/

CEDIA Expo and Commercial Integrator Expo Reiterated the Value of In-Person Interactions
CEDIA Expo and Commercial Integrator Expo 2023 allowed custom integration manufacturers to reconnect and re-engage with manufacturer’s representatives, distributors, dealers and integrators to drive businesses forward. It’s undeniable that face-to-face meetings and casual conversations, which would otherwise be difficult to happen through other means, provide increased value for attendees and exhibitors to form meaningful relationships. CEDIA Expo and Commercial Integrator Expo 2023 provided a platform to fuel those conversations, leading to mutually beneficial business engagements for attendees and exhibitors.

Mike Mazzeo, brand manager for Audio Advice, attended for the first time. Mazzeo said, “CEDIA Expo is an amazing event to see some of the latest and most impressive products and network with some of the biggest names in the industry. My first time was a blast, and I can’t wait to return!”

The show floor creates a platform for by-chance interactions that traditionally wouldn’t happen via email, over a video meeting or a casual phone call. The co-located show floor provided an invaluable opportunity for industry professionals to connect across various events, including educational training, programming features and special events, and a platform for industry professionals, especially first-time attendees, to forge new relationships throughout the residential and commercial audiovisual community.

CEDIA Expo and Commercial Integrator Expo Provide a Platform for Engaging Activations
Best-in-class demonstrations touting the latest technology trends are a staple to any industry trade show. CEDIA Expo and Commercial Integrator Expo proved to be no exception. From high-quality home theater rooms to immersive outdoor patios, the co-located trade show provided a first-hand look for industry professionals to experience the endless possibilities for virtually any residential or commercial space.

Erik Buss, technician and installer for Harmonic Series, Inc., called the event a “Candy Store” for audiovisual enthusiasts.

Destination Outdoors, an outdoor oasis highlighting the hottest A/V technology, took center stage as one of the most engaging activations. Coastal Source, Draper At Home and Just Video Walls teamed up to showcase their product lines that withstand harsh, year-round outdoor environments. Jon Bowman, vice president of operations for Coastal Source, reiterated the value of providing a highly-engaging activation with the latest outdoor technology. Bowman said, “CEDIA Expo continues to bring the right dealers to our booth. Working with the Emerald staff to develop our Destination Outdoors sponsorship has been a pleasure, with dealer traffic increasing yearly.”

Additionally, Trinnov Audio, a French company specializing in home theater audio processors, was applauded with one of the most captivating engagements on the show floor. Their demonstration, a project six years in the making, combined best-in-class technologies to create one show-stopping activation.

Chuck Back, managing director for Trinnov Audio, explained, “Our plans were ambitious: to present to the custom installation industry a luxury home cinema revealing the ultimate in audio, video and design quality… In partnership with six industry-leading manufacturers, we made presentations to over 1,000 visitors during the three days. There is no other event in the United States that provides this level of opportunity in terms of the quality and the number of qualified attendees.”

CEDIA Expo and Commercial Integrator Expo’s Educational Opportunities Continue to Fuel Industry Growth
CEDIA Expo and Commercial Integrator Expo provide attendees with educational opportunities through educational conference programming to gather knowledge to accelerate their businesses forward. Designed to inspire industry professionals to think more broadly about how they approach their business, CEDIA Expo and Commercial Integrator Expo introduced new, thought-provoking seminars, engaging panels and interactive workshops that explore new opportunities through emerging trends and professional development.

Jason Stevenson, owner of Automated Living, reiterated the value and importance of education at CEDIA Expo. Stevenson said, “Education and certification are key to our industry’s growth and accountability as times change. Attending CEDIA Expo gives you the ability to take advantage of classes, certifications as well as seeing products all at the same event. Anyone serious about this career path should be taking advantage of this.”

The educational programming provided attendees with insights on various emerging technologies, including audio, artificial intelligence, light commercial, and lighting, to name a few. Attendees gathered business advice through new, relevant courses on everything from incorporating new products into their sales pitches to growing profits from products they’re selling. Most importantly, CEDIA Expo and Commercial Integrator Expo’s educational programming forged new connections between peers, manufacturers, opportunities and ideas while leading the industry with training on new markets and emerging technology.

CEDIA Expo and Commercial Integrator Expo proved to have something for everyone with outdoor activations, high-quality sound rooms and theaters, and interactive booths, while revealing the endless possibilities for residential and commercial industry professionals. The co-located event provided education on emerging trends and business opportunities, insights on new technologies, networking and collaboration opportunities with industry peers, and engaging activations from the industry’s leading brands.

CEDIA Expo 2024 and Commercial Integrator Expo 2024 will take place September 4–7, 2024, at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, CO.