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Tommapalooza

Tom Doherty, CEDIA’s co-founder, first elected President and 2001 Lifetime Achievement recipient, is the Tom in Tommapalooza, and creator of the namesake “learning festival” that will take place during this year’s CEDIA Expo. As Director, New Technology Initiatives for HTSA, Tom came up with this tongue-in-cheek name after being inspired by attending the Coachella and Lollapalooza music festivals. He saw the ever-rising demand for training from HTSA members who were adding lighting design and fixture sales (as well as new categories like health and wellness), and knew a curated “learning festival” would be the ideal solution.

This first Tommapalooza was held at an offsite location during CEDIA 2019 two days prior to the opening of the Official CEDIA Expo show floor. HTSA and CEDIA Expo worked together after the 2019 event to bring this “learning festival” officially inside the 2020 CEDIA EXPO—but then COVID happened and the show had to be cancelled.

HTSA and Emerald are very excited to finally host Tommapalooza 2021 at this year’s CEDIA EXPO. HTSA members will once again arrive days before the official CEDIA EXPO to attend HTSA education sessions on lighting, health and wellness and advanced selling skills, as well as to attend an in-person HTSA Member Meeting.

CEDIA Expo has recognized HTSA’s leadership around the expanding growth of the lighting category and has worked with HTSA and Tommapalooza 2021 to put together WEDNESDAY INDUSTRY EDUCATION DAY. This program includes lighting design training delivered by Peter Romaniello, IALD, as well as a host of other compelling sessions and panel discussions. The Tommapalooza 2021 INDUSTRY EDUCATION DAY will be held on Wednesday, September 1st and is open to all attendees of this year’s CEDIA EXPO 2021. All sessions are free of charge, but require advanced registration as seats for these sessions are limited.

Founded in 1998, HTSA is led by Executive Director Jon Robbins, Tom Doherty, Director, New Technology Initiatives and Keith Esterly, Chief Learning Architect. The industry’s only member driven trade consortium, HTSA provides access to the best vendors, programs, education, emerging technologies, financial advantages and events to the finest of dealer members in 40 states with over 150 showrooms across the US and Canada.

Tommapalooza 2021 Keynote Address

Tuesday, August 31 4:15PM – 5:15PM

Sagamore 6, Indiana Convention Center

Sponsored by: Crestron

A special Tommapalooza 2021 Keynote Address, sponsored by Crestron, will be delivered by Mike Wimmer. Mike recently made worldwide press when he graduated from both high school and college in the same week—as a 12-year-old.  His work in artificial intelligence and machine learning has already gained the attention of the military and, to date, he has completed six contracts with the United States Special Operations Command, receiving numerous awards for his efforts.  Additionally, Mike has been invited to address conventions, schools and podcast audiences including Mensa, IEEE Berlin, DataRobot’s More Intelligent Tomorrow Series, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.  Learn from Mike and gain insights into what our industry will be providing to our Custom Integration clients in the future!

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