For CEDIA, exhibiting at CEDIA Expo/CIX is about more than maintaining a presence on the show floor. According to CEDIA Global President and CEO Daryl Friedman, the annual event serves as a platform to advance the organization’s core mission while providing opportunities to engage directly with members, industry partners and the broader design and build community.
Advocacy, Connection and Education on Display
Friedman says CEDIA’s participation in the show is guided by the association’s three pillars: Advocacy, Connection and Education.
“Advocacy is showcased through the CEDIA Smart Home Awards, where we elevate the work of smart home professionals and reinforce the value of our industry,” Friedman says.
The connection component comes through face-to-face interactions with members throughout the week, whether during educational sessions, informal networking opportunities or conversations on the show floor.
“From friendly games of pickleball to conversations on the booth, we’re able to exchange ideas, gather feedback, and strengthen relationships that shape our work year-round,” he says.
Education remains another major focus of CEDIA’s presence at Expo. Through the CEDIA Education Conference, the association delivers training, certification opportunities and professional development programs designed to support industry professionals at various stages of their careers.
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Creating Collaboration Across the Design-Build Community
Beyond integrators, CEDIA has increasingly used Expo as a platform to engage architects and interior designers. Friedman points to the organization’s Smart Home Tech & Design Program as one of the most impactful ways it connects with the design community.
“The program elevates their knowledge and confidence in smart home technology, and inspires them to incorporate these elements into their projects,” Friedman says.
That effort extends into the education program, where the Design & Build track offers classes tailored to both integrators and design professionals. According to Friedman, creating shared learning environments has helped strengthen collaboration between trades and encourage a more team-oriented approach to residential projects.
“In addition, the CEDIA Education Conference features a robust Design & Build track with classes tailored specifically for both integrators and designers,” Friedman says. “By intentionally creating shared learning environments, we’ve been able to strengthen collaboration between trades and help foster a team approach to residential projects.”
The Value of In-Person Conversations
While CEDIA communicates with members throughout the year through phone calls, emails and virtual meetings, Friedman says the in-person nature of Expo provides unique value.
“There truly is no substitute for in-person interaction,” he says. “Being together at CEDIA Expo allows us to build deeper relationships and gain candid, real-time feedback that directly shapes our programs and initiatives.”
The event also serves as an opportunity for CEDIA’s global staff to gather in one place, helping align teams and initiatives that support members around the world.
“CEDIA Expo is also a rare opportunity for the global CEDIA team to come together in one place,” Friedman says. “That internal collaboration strengthens alignment and energy across our organization, which ultimately benefits our members.”
How the CEDIA Town Hall Became an Expo Staple
Among the organization’s biggest successes at Expo has been the launch and continued growth of the annual CEDIA Town Hall. Introduced in 2022, the session was designed to create an open forum for discussion around key industry issues.
“What began as an ambitious new idea quickly exceeded every attendance and engagement expectation we set,” Friedman says. “The response confirmed that our members value open dialogue and direct access to leadership and industry experts.”
Since its debut, the Town Hall has become a recurring part of CEDIA’s Expo programming, addressing topics ranging from advocacy and workforce development to consumer awareness and design-build collaboration.
“The Town Hall has since become a cornerstone of our presence at Expo,” Friedman says. “Each year, we convene a panel of experts to tackle a critical issue facing our industry.”
Over the years, Friedman says the success of the session has reinforced the importance of creating opportunities for candid industry discussion.
“Over the years, we’ve found that when we create space for honest conversation around the issues that matter most, the industry shows up in a powerful way,” he says.
Having exhibited at all 35 editions of CEDIA Expo, the organization continues to view the event as a venue for bringing together integrators, manufacturers, designers and industry leaders while advancing conversations that shape the future of the smart home channel.