Key Things to Know:
- Smart Stage programming runs Wednesday, Sept. 2 through Friday, Sept. 4 on the CEDIA Expo show floor in Denver.
- Six exhibitor-sponsored sessions cover video walls, AI, energy management, outdoor systems, immersive entertainment and light commercial work.
- Sponsors include Infratech, Josh.ai, Just Video Walls, Kaleidescape, Savant and SONOS.
- Speakers include integrators, manufacturers and editors from CE Pro and Commercial Integrator.
- CEDIA Expo returns to Denver Sept. 1-4, 2026.
What Is the CEDIA Expo Smart Stage?
The Smart Stage is a program of short, focused sessions held right on the CEDIA Expo show floor, where integrators can hear directly from experts between booth visits. Over three days, sessions dig into the technologies changing projects, the business shifts reshaping operations, the workforce moves driving growth and the trends defining strong work across the channel. Programming runs Wednesday, Sept. 2 through Friday, Sept. 4.
What Will the Video Wall Session Cover?
The “Beyond the Big Screen: Video Walls and the Rise of Extra-Large Displays” session looks at where video walls and extra-large displays make the most sense on real projects. Sponsored exclusively by Just Video Walls, it runs Wednesday, Sept. 2 from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Panelists will walk through installation considerations, viewing distances and use cases that range from large living spaces and sports lounges to dedicated media rooms. The focus stays practical: how integrators position these displays to deliver video experiences that go well beyond a traditional television.
How Is AI Entering the Equipment Rack?
The “When Smart Homes Get Smarter: AI Enters the Rack” session examines how AI is moving into AV, security and control platforms and what that means for system design. Co-sponsored by Josh.ai and Savant, it runs Wednesday, Sept. 2 from 3:15 to 4 p.m. with Alex Capecelatro, CEO of Josh.ai, and Craig Spinner, executive vice president of Savant. Panelists will look at how integrators can prepare for homes where technology interprets the environment rather than simply responding to commands.
“As AI moves from something people talk about to something clients expect in their everyday lives, integrators have a real opportunity to lead,” says Capecelatro. “The most exciting applications of AI aren’t about replacing the expertise integrators already bring to a project. They’re about making homes more intuitive, personal and responsive, while creating new ways for integrators to deliver value to their clients. CEDIA Expo is an important place to have these conversations, share what’s working today and help the industry understand where things are headed next.”
Why Does Energy Management Matter for Integrators?
Energy management is becoming one of the biggest growth opportunities in custom integration, and the “How Energy Management Is Reshaping the Smart Home” session breaks down why. Sponsored exclusively by Savant, it runs Wednesday, Sept. 2 from 1:15 to 2 p.m. The session explores how energy management can open new revenue streams, strengthen client relationships and position a business for the next phase of the smart home.
What Is the Outdoor Opportunity Session About?
The “The Outdoor Opportunity: Building One Cohesive System from Structure to Control” session brings four outdoor disciplines onto one stage to show what a unified outdoor living system looks like. Sponsored exclusively by Infratech, it runs Wednesday, Sept. 2 from 2:15 to 3 p.m. Panelists represent structure, enclosure, comfort and control:
- Jennifer Kimble, senior marketing manager, StruXure (structure)
- Arthur James, founder and president, Progressive Screens (enclosure)
- Michael Conway, director of national accounts, Infratech (comfort)
- Perry Fox, COO and co-founder, Bond Home (control)
The discussion covers how to spec an outdoor system, how to sell it and how integrators can own the conversation from day one.
How Do You Design Immersive Entertainment Experiences?
The “Designing Immersive Entertainment Experiences” session explores the details behind high-end home cinema and how today’s audio and video advancements help a room “feel real.” Sponsored exclusively by Kaleidescape, it runs Thursday, Sept. 3 from 2 to 2:45 p.m. Zachary Comeau, executive editor of CE Pro, moderates a panel that includes Michael Kobb, principal engineer of user experience at Kaleidescape; Phil Holland, filmmaker at PHFX; Juan Reyes, executive director of 8KA; and Rob Budde, product manager at JVC.
“Creating an immersive entertainment experience is about much more than just assembling high-performance technology; it’s about bringing the right elements together to create an experience that feels effortless and memorable,” says Kobb. “The Smart Stage gives integrators the opportunity to consider the entire experience, from technology and content to room design, and think about how these elements can come together to create something truly exceptional.”
Can Residential Integrators Move Into Light Commercial Work?
The “From Homes to Main Street: Scaling to Light Commercial Projects” session shows how residential integrators can step into light commercial markets without the missteps that derail early jobs. Sponsored by SONOS, it runs Thursday, Sept. 3 from 1:15 to 1:45 p.m. Restaurants, fitness studios, retail stores and offices increasingly want the same technologies integrators already install in homes. Speakers include Shawn Hansson, CEO and founder of Logic Integration, and Dan Ferrisi, group director of content and editorial at Emerald.
When and Where Is CEDIA Expo 2026?
CEDIA Expo 2026 returns to Denver from Tuesday, Sept. 1 through Friday, Sept. 4. Smart Stage sessions run Sept. 2-4 on the show floor, alongside product discovery, education and networking for the residential and light commercial integration community. Register today!