In an industry that constantly preaches “experiences” over specs and products, the opportunity to actually get hands on products, hear the most high-fidelity audio systems on the market and see the latest display technologies in fully realized environments still carries significant weight.
For many integrators, that kind of immersion remains difficult to replicate through spec sheets, webinars or virtual demos alone.
At events like CEDIA Expo/CIX, that experience comes into focus through purpose-built demo rooms, large-scale video installations and side-by-side product comparisons that allow attendees to evaluate performance in context. Whether it’s stepping into a dedicated home theater, interacting with a fully integrated lighting and shading system, experiencing tunable and architectural lighting scenes, or seeing whole-home control platforms orchestrate audio, video, climate, security and energy management, these moments provide a clearer understanding of how disparate technologies come together as a cohesive system.
Just as important, that hands-on access is paired with direct interaction with the people behind the products—engineers, product managers and support teams—giving integrators the ability to ask deeper questions, validate design decisions and better understand how lighting, control, networking and entertainment systems will ultimately translate into real-world projects.
Where Did Integrators Get Their Hands Dirty at CEDIA Expo/CIX 2025?
Jess Engleking, manager at Soundings Fine Audio, says the ability to experience complete systems firsthand is difficult to replicate elsewhere, especially when it comes to high-performance audio and home theater.
“We really value being able to hear the enclosed theater rooms on demo from various manufacturers,” Engleking says. “Many times this is the only chance we have to audition the products on display as a full system.”
Engleking adds that the show also creates efficiency in evaluating multiple partners at once.
“CEDIA also allows us to visit multiple vendors in a short amount of time,” he says. “Often, this show is the only time that our team is able to interact with another full team and not just our local sales rep.”
That emphasis on face-to-face engagement is echoed by Daniel Saldivar, installer and Lutron programmer at Monterey Technology Solutions, who says the in-person element continues to drive attendance.
“One of my favorite parts of CEDIA is the ability to be face to face with our reps, vendors, and other potential company partnerships,” Saldivar says.
Jim McDonough, owner of SimpliFi Technologies, LLC, says those interactions extend beyond networking and into a deeper understanding of the products and companies integrators rely on.
“Essentially, physical interaction with product and programs—seeing, touching, hearing A/V product—and meeting the people who design, engineer, promote and distribute the products we specify and service is instructive and impactful in a way that ‘remote learning’ and ‘virtual’ interaction can never be,” McDonough says.
From Inspiration to Implementation
While product discovery remains central, attendees describe how those experiences often translate directly into business decisions.
Engleking says that seeing and hearing a complete system can be a turning point for internal alignment.
“Their theater room allowed the rest of our team to hear a complete system and understand the vision we/I had for the brand at our location,” he says. “After hearing the demo my team was fully bought-in to the business plan.”
For others, the impact is more operational. Saldivar points to a connection made on the show floor that led to immediate changes within his company.
“My company met with Pro Vision and immediately after CEDIA we signed up and now have improved our service protocol,” he says.
Education sessions also continue to leave a lasting impression on attendees, often shaping how they approach their businesses long after the show ends.
“An age ago… I attended a business session on ‘time management’ and have put elements of the recommended practices to use ever since,” McDonough says.
Sarah McFadden, system designer at Custom Innovations, says more recent sessions focused on collaboration have also delivered practical value.
“The designer-integrator relationships class was very informative,” McFadden says. “I learned so much about how to build relationships with designers and architects through good listening skills and transparent communication.”
Technology Trends on Display
Attendees also pointed to several technology categories that stood out during the 2025 show, particularly as manufacturers continue to push the boundaries of scale and performance.
“The emphasis on big, really big, and ridiculously big video was impressive,” McDonough says, while noting that adoption may vary depending on the residential market.
McFadden similarly highlights the growing visibility of emerging technologies on the show floor.
“Video walls were most impressive and all the talk about AI was super insightful,” she says.
At the same time, attendees are keeping a close eye on how these trends will translate into real-world applications.
“We have seen a surge of new products in the audio networking space,” Engleking says. “With the advent of ‘audio’ routers and switches, we feel that this space will grow into an area of high-performance.”
A Long-Term Industry Touchpoint
For some attendees, the value of the show is best understood through its long-term impact on their careers.
“I attended Expo ’93 in Dallas solo and in subsequent years took owners, sales and installation staff to the show,” McDonough says. “After considerable industry shakeout… I’m wrapping up the ninth year with my own operation.”
Others point to more recent examples of growth tied to insights gained at the event.
“Our company has been more active with our local AIA and Chamber of Commerce,” McFadden says. “We’ve been gaining leads and exposure from the various events we’ve been attending.”
Are You Ready for CEDIA Expo 2026?
As integrators look toward future events, many expect the show to continue reflecting broader shifts across the industry while maintaining the elements that have made it a consistent touchpoint. CEDIA Expo/CIX 2026 is primed to do just that, with show organizers laser-focused on highlighting emerging categories and trends with focused programming and content.
“Just taking it all in,” McDonough says, describing his typical approach to the show floor. “Scope the floor … visit with our most important vendors and suppliers and hit what commands additional attention in the time left.”
Even as technologies evolve and business models shift, attendee feedback suggests the core value remains consistent: a place where integrators can evaluate products, strengthen relationships and gain insights that carry forward into their day-to-day operations.
For many in the channel, that combination continues to make the event a recurring part of how they run and grow their businesses.