CEDIA Expo 2023, and its co-located event, Commercial Integrator Expo 2023, emphasized an increased desire for custom systems integration industry professionals to reconnect with hundreds of exhibitors to explore new trends, products and application solutions on the energized trade show floor. After all, CEDIA Expo is the custom installation industry’s leading event. At CEDIA Expo 2023, lighting control, automation, security and outdoor technology took center stage as the hottest categories in the custom installation industry. Let’s look at a few key trends and innovative product introductions from this year’s emerging market categories.
Lighting Control
Smart lighting systems are growing in popularity among luxury and high-end residential consumers. A recent CE Pro Deep Dive positioned the market segment as a ‘red-hot category’ for custom installers, too. The growing category enables integrators to earn more profits, extend the scope of their projects and forge partnerships with important trade partners. As a result, it’s no surprise that CEDIA Expo 2023 featured a wealth of new lighting trends and technologies, including innovations from Crestron, DMF Lighting, Environmental Lights, Lutron, Proluxe by American Lighting, Savant, WAC Lighting/AiSPIRE and Vantage.
Lutron, one of the industry’s most popular brands in the market sector, emphasized the lifestyle benefits of its human-centric tunable lighting and motorized shading systems. Meanwhile, WAC Lighting introduced new luxury lighting fixtures for indoor and outdoor sites, including solutions from their in-house brand, AiSPIRE. WAC Lighting demonstrated the latest innovations with an eye-opening activation, the AiSPIRE Experience Room.
AI and Automation
Scott Steinberg, futurist and innovation expert, kicked off CEDIA Expo 2023 with a riveting and through-provoking keynote. Steinberg discussed the current and future implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the custom installation industry. Steinberg encouraged the audience to think about their morning routing – from the sound of an alarm to breakfast on the counter. While it seems like a scene from “Back to the Future,” Steinberg believes we might not be so far off. The AI theme continued throughout the shows with thought-provoking seminars and engaging panels that discussed how new opportunities will emerge as AI transforms many aspects of residential and commercial system applications.
AI-powered smart home systems can learn from user’s behaviors and preferences to create personalized automation routines. As the custom installation industry anticipates new advancements in AI and automation, many key manufacturers in home automation have expanded their offerings, increasing functionalities, feature sets, integration capabilities, end-user experience and more.
Control4, an automation brand within Snap One, released the latest version of its operating system and showcased new controllers, including the Halo Touch. Additionally, Savant introduced Savant Home Manager, a home management tool created to simplify, enhance and expand user experience beyond traditional mobile apps, in-wall devices and remote controls.
Security
The increased convergence in smart home and security industries has been evident in recent years. CEDIA Expo 2023 spotlighted the growing trend as more security, surveillance and access control manufacturers collaborate to provide interoperable solutions to expand cross-platform automation functionality for consumers.
Ring highlighted a unified approach to smart home integration by emphasizing native integrations with Alexa-based solutions, such as Echo, Fire TV, Alexa Auto and Amazon eero, and third-party platforms, including a new integration with URC. Meanwhile, Kaadas unveiled the KA227-V Smart Video Doorbell-Smart Lock, which combines a smart doorbell and a door lock. The combination of a doorbell and door lock enables users to answer the doorbell, verify the person via a 1080p camera, and open the door within a single platform.
Outdoor Technology
For custom installers, the premium they were able to charge during the pandemic has waned, but the demand for outdoor installations remains strong. According to CE Pro’s 2023 Outdoor Technology Deep Dive, the number of outdoor installations completed by custom installers increased over the last year. This year, custom installers anticipate their outdoor business to continue to thrive, with a 7.8% average revenue growth rate predicted. As industry professionals anticipate continued growth in outdoor technology, CEDIA Expo 2023 proved to meet the increased demands with new technologies for outdoor environments.
Destination Outdoors, an outdoor oasis highlighting the hottest A/V technology, returned to CEDIA Expo 2023 and the activation was sizzling with new trends for outdoor spaces. Coastal Source, a manufacturer of outdoor audio and lighting systems, partnered with Draper At Home, a manufacturer of residential window shades and audiovisual equipment, and Just Video Walls, a manufacturer of dvLED video walls, digital signage, video processors and digital video content, to host Destination Outdoors.
Notably, Just Video Walls made their grand entrance with an installer-focused perspective and a range of spec and custom microLED models. Just Video Walls’ unveiled a spec line consisting of pre-configured sizes and custom offerings depending on the job and application, tailored to meet clients’ specific needs or requests. Meanwhile, Draper featured FlexShade ZIP, a motorized, wind tunnel-tested roller shade that resists wind, weather, and insects to create a comfortable outdoor space.
Final Thoughts
According to CE Pro’s September 2023 article, “CEDIA Expo 2023 Day 1: Initial Thoughts from the Show Floor”, CEDIA Expo 2023 put forward some of the most eye-catching innovations in the smart home industry. As industry trends, such as lighting, automation, security and outdoor technology, continue to evolve and emerge, attendees credit new products and innovations as a top objective for attending CEDIA Expo. For others, their goals include keeping up to date with market trends and industry networking. Overall, the show floor was filled with celebration, as noted by CE Pro, among custom installation professionals, industry-leading manufacturers and industry organizations.
If you missed CEDIA Expo 2023, or you’re interested in learning more about the latest trends and technologies, we’ve recapped the excitement from the show floor. Learn more: https://www.youtube.com/@cediaexpo2239
CEDIA Expo 2024 and Commercial Integrator Expo 2024 will take place September 4–7, 2024, at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, CO. To learn more about CEDIA Expo, please visit cediaexpo.com. Keep up with the latest news from CEDIA Expo on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and YouTube.