Master the Future of Custom Integration at the Smart Stage

If you want to understand where this industry is really headed, this is where you need to spend time at CEDIA Expo/CIX 2026.

The Smart Stage is where custom integrators, dealers, manufacturers, designers, architects and business leaders come together to share what’s actually happening in the field — what’s working, what’s changing, what needs to change, and what’s coming next. Here’s a taste of what you’ll learn:

What’s Changing in Technology:
From AI and energy management to video displays and lighting, the pace of innovation isn’t slowing down. These sessions help you cut through the noise and understand what’s actually impacting projects today – and what clients will be asking for tomorrow.

Business Growth and Workforce Solutions:
Labor shortages, shifting margins, new service models – the business side of integration is evolving fast. Hear how companies are adapting, building stronger teams and finding new paths to growth.

Celebrating Innovation and Excellence:
Through awards programs like the Best Booth Awards, CE Pro BEST and CE Pro Home of the Year Awards, you will see how trends and innovations are being recognized and celebrated, offering inspiration and benchmarks for your own projects.

View the 2026 Smart Stage schedule below.

Smart Stage Schedule

TIME	SESSION
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM	State of the Industry: Where Custom Integration Is Headed Next CEDIA and the industry’s leading buying groups have a unique view into how the custom integration market is evolving. In this session, leaders from across the channel discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping integrator businesses today, from workforce shortages and training needs to emerging technology categories and shifting project scopes. Drawing on insights from their members, panelists will share where integrators are finding growth, what pressures they are facing, and how the industry is preparing for the years ahead.
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM	When Smart Homes Get Smarter: AI Enters the Rack Artificial intelligence is moving beyond voice assistants and beginning to shape how technology behaves inside the home. From intelligent cameras and adaptive audio to automated system behaviors and smarter control platforms, AI is introducing a new layer of intelligence to residential AV systems. In this session, panelists examine how AI is being applied across AV, security and control platforms, what it means for system design, and how integrators can begin preparing for homes where technology doesn’t just respond to commands but actively interprets the environment.
11:45 AM – 12:15 PM	Energy Management: Why Energy is the Real Issue Behind Smart Home System Issues When smart home systems fail, control platforms often get the blame. But in many cases, the real culprit is power. As homes add more connected technology, clean and reliable power is becoming a critical foundation for system performance. This session explores why energy management is gaining importance in custom integration projects and how technologies like power conditioning, battery storage and intelligent load management are helping integrators deliver more reliable systems.
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM	Beyond the Big Screen: Video Walls and the Rise of Extra-Large Displays Screen sizes in residential projects continue to grow, and integrators now have options that extend far beyond even the largest consumer televisions. Ultra-large TVs, direct-view LED displays and video wall systems are opening new possibilities for delivering truly massive visual experiences in the home. This session explores where these technologies make the most sense, from large living spaces and sports lounges to dedicated media environments. Panelists will discuss installation considerations, viewing distances and how integrators are positioning extra-large displays and video walls to create statement-level video experiences that go well beyond the traditional television.
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM	How Do You Want Your Audio to Look? Architectural speakers, hidden subwoofers and design-friendly audio systems are redefining how sound fits into modern homes. Instead of dominating a room visually, today’s audio systems increasingly disappear into the architecture while delivering higher performance than ever before. This session explores the technologies and design philosophies shaping the next generation of residential audio.
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM	Upsell Enablers: Lighting & Shading as the Front Door Lighting and shading are increasingly the entry point to projects that later expand into networking, audio, video and whole-home control. In this session, integrators and manufacturers discuss how lighting positions companies earlier in the design process, strengthens relationships with architects and interior designers, and creates recurring upgrade opportunities for years after the initial install.
4:00 PM – 4:45 PM	CE Pro BEST Product Awards The presentation of the CE Pro BEST Awards, honoring the very best products and technologies being deployed in the custom integration market.

TIME	SESSION
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM	Manufacturer CEOs Panel: Forecasting the Next Five Years of Custom Integration Executives from leading manufacturers discuss where the custom integration industry is heading. Topics include new technology categories, shifting consumer expectations, the role of AI and energy management, and how integrators can position their businesses for growth in a changing market.
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM	AI for Integrators: The Tools that Save Hours Every Week Artificial intelligence is already reshaping how integration companies operate, and most of the impact is happening behind the scenes. From proposal generation and documentation to service diagnostics and marketing automation, integrators are quietly using AI tools to run more efficient businesses. This session explores the real tools companies are deploying today and where AI can actually reduce labor pressure in a workforce-constrained industry.
11:45 AM – 12:15 PM	Cultivating Talent: CEDIA’s Role in Shaping the Next Generation of Integrators The smart home and integration industry is only as strong as the talent that powers it. Join us for a panel discussion exploring how CEDIA is taking an active role in building the next generation of skilled professionals — from the classroom to the job site. Discover how partnerships with organizations like FIRST Robotics and SkillsUSA are connecting young people with real career pathways in our industry and learn what CEDIA is doing to broaden and diversify the talent pipeline for years to come. Whether you’re a business owner looking to grow your team or a passionate advocate for the future of the trades, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM	Immersive Home Cinema: Marrying Sound with Sights Truly immersive home cinema installations evoke the feeling of really being there by deeply engaging the senses – not only with visuals but also, and crucially, with superb audio. This session will explore the secrets behind high-end home cinema and how it utilizes today’s audio advancements to truly “feel real,” envelop the viewer and allow them to disappear into the action.
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM	From Homes to Main Street: Scaling to Light Commercial Projects Restaurants, fitness studios, retail stores and offices increasingly need the same technologies integrators already deploy in homes. But commercial projects come with different expectations around reliability, networking, service agreements and design workflows. This session explores how residential integrators can successfully enter light commercial markets while avoiding the common mistakes that derail early projects.
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM	Commercial Integrator’s Integration Awards/CE Pro Home of the Year The presentation of the Integration Awards, honoring the very best projects and applications across the country and around the world.
4:00 PM – 4:45 PM	Women to Watch 2026 Celebrating the third annual CE Pro Women to Watch issue and honoring the women named to the 2026 class.

TIME	SESSION
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM	Eyes That Think: The Rise of AI-Driven Intelligent Security Cameras, sensors and security systems are getting smarter, with AI able to detect faces, shapes, vehicles and license plates while giving homeowners clearer, more actionable insight into what’s happening at the front door and around the property. This session will explore how advances in AI-driven analytics, edge processing and system integration are transforming residential security from simple monitoring into proactive protection. Panelists will examine real-world deployment strategies, privacy considerations, opportunities for recurring revenue and how integrators can position intelligent security as part of a broader connected-home ecosystem that includes automation, lighting and access control.
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM	Get Your Foot in the Door with Design-Build In many high-end residential projects today, the first conversations about technology are happening long before an integrator is even invited to the table. Architects, interior designers and builders are increasingly shaping how technology fits into the home, from the placement of displays and speakers to the integration of lighting, shading and infrastructure. Integrators who understand how to collaborate effectively with these partners are finding themselves involved earlier in projects, gaining greater influence over system design and ultimately delivering better outcomes for clients.
11:45 AM – 12:15 PM	C.I. Industry’s March on Washington Join CEDIA in the nation’s capital for a day of meetings with legislators and policymakers to advance the smart home industry. This Smart Stage session will discuss the day and explain how CEDIA members can join the movement in Washington in March 2027. Learn how you can be part of real change and advancement of our industry, and have a once in a lifetime experience as a policy advocate.
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM	Trendspotting: What Influencers Saw at CEDIA Expo/CIX 2026 Join leading industry influencers as their share their takeaways from the exhibit hall. Hihglighting technologies, product launches and innovations that generated the most buzz. This fast-paced panel discussion explore the key trends shaping the future of the industry and the standout products that caught their attention.
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM	Best Booth Awards Celebrate the most creative, engaging and visually impressive exhibit booths from this year’s exhibit hall. In this awards presentation, the booths that stole the spotlight will take to the stage to accept awards for their standout design, innovation and unforgettable experiences.