SMART STAGE

State of the Industry

Get a 360-degree view of the custom integration market from the people shaping it. In this annual industry roundup, leaders from top CI organizations share insights on market health, major challenges, and the trends set to define the next year. Expect candid perspectives, data-driven analysis, and a clear-eyed look at where the industry is headed.

Moderator: Zachary Comeau

Panelists: Jim Pearse, ProSource; Patrick McCarthy, Azione; Chris Whitley, Ellipsys; Hank Alexander, Oasys; Jon Robbins, HTSA; Daryl Friedman, CEDIA

Beyond the Spec: Designing Atmosphere Together

Too often, AV and lighting are brought in at different stages of a project — leading to missed opportunities, duplicated work, or clashing ideas. This session featuring Rebecca Nambiar of John Cullen Lighting and Scott Smith of Arche Lighting Group explores how true design synergy between integrators and lighting designers can elevate not only the outcome, but also the client experience.

This candid conversation dives into how AV and lighting professionals can stop working in parallel and start working together. Expect real-world stories, practical takeaways, and a renewed appreciation for the craft behind both disciplines. Specs alone don’t create magic — atmosphere does. This session goes beyond hardware and wiring to focus on the feeling of a space, and how lighting and AV come together to shape that emotional response.

Speakers:

Rebecca Nambiar, John Cullen Lighting and Scott Smith of Arche Lighting Group

IMCCA State of the Collaboration Industry Panel

Speaker: David Danto