Ron Callis

  Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how businesses operate, yet many integration firms
remain uncertain about where AI can deliver meaningful value in their day-to-day operations.
Beyond marketing or content creation, AI tools are increasingly being used to improve internal
workflows, streamline communication, and enhance productivity across multiple areas of the
business.
In this interactive workshop, Ron Callis will guide participants through practical ways integration
companies can begin leveraging AI to improve operational efficiency and decision-making.
Drawing from real-world applications currently being deployed across integration firms,
attendees will explore how AI can support tasks such as meeting summaries, proposal
refinement, project documentation, internal communication, and strategic planning.
Participants will gain hands-on exposure to simple frameworks for integrating AI into everyday
business workflows and will leave with practical ideas they can immediately apply within their
organizations.
Rather than focusing on technical complexity, this session emphasizes practical implementation
and real-world business impact.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will learn how to:
● Identify operational areas where AI tools can improve productivity and efficiency.
● Implement simple AI workflows for documentation, communication, and decision
support.
● Develop a structured approach to introducing AI tools within their organization

  Builders, architects, and interior designers remain among the most valuable sources of project referrals for integration firms. Yet many integrators approach these relationships informally, relying on occasional introductions rather than a deliberate strategy for building long-term partnerships.
In today’s competitive environment, successful integration companies are increasingly developing structured strategies to collaborate with trade partners earlier in the design process and position themselves as trusted technology advisors.
In this session, Ron Callis explores how leading integrators transform casual industry connections into consistent referral pipelines. Drawing on decades of experience working with integration firms, this session outlines a framework for identifying high-value partners, establishing trust with design professionals, and creating mutually beneficial relationships that generate ongoing opportunities.
Participants will also learn how digital reputation, professional positioning, and collaborative communication influence how builders and designers choose their technology partners.
By building a deliberate referral engine with the design community, integrators can dramatically increase the quality and consistency of the projects entering their pipeline.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will learn how to:
● Identify and prioritize high-value builder, architect, and designer relationships.
● Position their integration firm as a trusted technology advisor during early project planning.
● Build structured partnership strategies that generate recurring referral opportunities.

  The custom integration industry is entering a new era of digital discovery. While referrals remain a primary source of project opportunities, today’s clients rarely contact a company without first researching them online. Increasingly, that research is happening through AI-powered tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity, which summarize and recommend businesses before prospects ever visit a website.
For integration firms, this shift presents both risk and opportunity. Companies that fail to adapt their digital presence may find themselves absent from AI-generated recommendations, while businesses that understand how AI evaluates companies can significantly improve their visibility.
Drawing on insights from hundreds of integration firms across North America, Ron Callis will explore how AI-driven research is reshaping the customer discovery process. Attendees will learn how modern buyers evaluate integration companies online, what signals influence AI-generated recommendations, and how integrators can adapt their marketing strategies to remain visible in this evolving environment.
This session provides a practical framework for helping integration firms strengthen their digital authority and ensure their businesses continue to appear when prospective clients research technology partners.