CEDIA Expo announced it is partnering with the Interactive Multimedia & Collaborative Communications Alliance (IMCCA) to host the AI Lab focused on deploying AI in real-world integration scenarios at CEDIA Expo 2026, taking place this September in Denver.
Hosted by Kevin Kieller and David Maldow, known as the ‘AI Chefs,’ the AI Lab will give attendees a practical, interactive look at how AI can be applied across integration workflows. Focusing on popular AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini, lab conversations will compare AI agents and services, evaluate audio, microphone and video capabilities, explore prompting workflows and AI-generated image creation and demonstrate how different platforms align with specific business and customer use cases. Featuring side-by-side comparisons, live demonstrations and practical guidance, AI Lab will be open for attendees to stop by at the IMCCA Lab in Booth 1101.
“AI is the most consequential technology advancement of our time, but the rapid pace of change has created complexity and confusion,” says Jason McGraw, group vice president and show director, CEDIA Expo. “The IMCCA AI Lab will help cut through the noise by giving integrators an opportunity to understand how AI can be applied within custom integration. This is exactly the type of education and insight our community expects from CEDIA Expo.”
Who are the AI Chefs?
As AI Chefs, Kieller and Maldow bring a unique blend of technology expertise, industry analysis and practical AI experience to help professionals understand how artificial intelligence can be applied in real-world business environments.
Kieller is a recognized unified communications and collaboration technology strategist, co-founder and lead analyst at EnableUC, and a frequent industry voice on collaboration platforms, Microsoft Teams, Copilot, AI and workplace transformation.
Maldow is the founder and CEO of Let’s Do Video and specializes in video collaboration, conferencing and workplace technologies. Together, they created the AI Chefs concept to move conversations about AI beyond hype and into practical experimentation, helping professionals compare tools, understand emerging AI capabilities and discover “recipes” for using AI to improve productivity, communication and business outcomes.
“Through the AI Chefs project, we wanted to create a hands-on, approachable way for people to explore AI. Not just as a technology, but as a capability that can help solve real-world challenges,” states Kieller. “CEDIA Expo brings together some of the most forward-thinking professionals in technology integration, and we’re excited to engage with an audience that is actively shaping the future of connected environments. This is an opportunity to move beyond the AI conversation and focus on how integrators can apply these tools today.”
IMCCA at CEDIA Expo
The IMCCA is a professional organization focused on advancing collaboration technologies, unified communications, and immersive meeting experiences. Through education, research and industry collaboration, IMCCA serves as a resource for professionals seeking to design and implement more effective, engaging and connected environments for communication and collaboration.
“We’re pleased to once again partner with Emerald to bring the latest advances in collaboration, communication and workplace technology to the CEDIA Expo audience,” remarks Carol Zelkin, executive director, IMCCA. “Our goal is to help the industry move beyond hype and better understand how these technologies can be applied in real-world environments.”
Learn more about registration at CEDIA Expo.