Latest / CE Pro Podcast / CE Pro Podcast #169: What the Team is Cooking Up for CEDIA Expo/CIX 2026

Transcript

CE Pro Podcast #169: What the Team is Cooking Up for CEDIA Expo/CIX 2026 · CE Pro Podcast

• 0:09
  SPEAKER_01: Hey everybody, welcome back to the CE Pro Podcast.
• 0:12
  SPEAKER_01: I am Zach Ricomo, executive editor of CE Pro.
• 0:15
  SPEAKER_01: And with me I have Dan Farisi, the group director of content and editorial for Industrial and Tech at Emerald, and Jason McGraw, who you all know as the show director of CD Expo CIX.
• 0:27
  SPEAKER_01: What's going on, guys?
• 0:29
  SPEAKER_00: Good to see you, Zach.
• 0:30
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to you.
• 0:32
  SPEAKER_01: Pleasure.
• 0:33
  SPEAKER_02: Aloha.
• 0:34
  SPEAKER_02: Happy Friday.
• 0:34
  SPEAKER_02: I know we're recording this on a Friday, and that's why I'm wearing a Hawaiian shirt.
• 0:37
  SPEAKER_02: But uh I'm also dreaming of warmer weather in the spring.
• 0:40
  SPEAKER_02: So after all the snow that many people have had, uh just kind of picturing a warm sunny beach.
• 0:47
  SPEAKER_02: So I'll leave you with that thought.
• 0:50
  SPEAKER_01: I'm right there with you, brother.
• 0:52
  SPEAKER_01: Um so we what is it?
• 0:54
  SPEAKER_01: The end of February, and uh we're what's about six months away from uh CD Expo um 2026.
• 1:01
  SPEAKER_01: Um what's going on with it?
• 1:02
  SPEAKER_01: Um what are we working on?
• 1:06
  SPEAKER_02: Well, the team's been working on a whole lot um since last fall's show.
• 1:10
  SPEAKER_02: Um we are returning to Denver uh this year in uh early September, uh right before the Labor Day holiday weekend.
• 1:18
  SPEAKER_02: And um, you know, we're going back to the same facility, uh, so there'll be a little bit of uh commonality there if you've attended in the past.
• 1:27
  SPEAKER_02: If you haven't been, you know, Denver is a wonderful city to host a convention, especially for CDI Expo and CIX.
• 1:34
  SPEAKER_02: And uh we certainly encourage everyone to make their plans early and think about what they can do before and after the show uh in in the Greater Denver area.
• 1:43
  SPEAKER_02: There's so many great uh parks and activities and uh catch a ball game down the street with the Colorado Rockies, uh, etc.
• 1:51
  SPEAKER_02: But it's a great time, a great experience, and uh it's a great host study uh for the show.
• 1:56
  SPEAKER_02: So we're excited to be returning uh to Denver this year.
• 2:00
  SPEAKER_02: And um, you know, it's gonna be another great event.
• 2:03
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, we're working uh right now with uh Cedia very closely on the programming for the show.
• 2:09
  SPEAKER_02: We're recruiting new exhibitors to attend the show.
• 2:12
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, we're talking about new activities that we're gonna do the show, and I know we'll cover some of those today, but uh we're looking forward to another fantastic event.
• 2:19
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, this literally is the Super Bowl of uh custom systems integration and uh the main event in North America for residential system integrators and those that are doing uh commercial work as well as we're growing uh the commercial side of uh CD Expo, CIX, and uh you know, trying to meet the needs of the channel in the marketplace.
• 2:40
  SPEAKER_02: So we're really excited about this show, and uh things are building up, and registration is gonna open up in early April, so uh just around the corner this spring, and uh we're getting ready.
• 2:52
  SPEAKER_00: Well, there's no doubt, Jason.
• 2:53
  SPEAKER_00: You say it's kind of the Super Bowl, it is the industry show.
• 2:56
  SPEAKER_00: There's no doubt about it.
• 2:57
  SPEAKER_00: And of course, when you're talking about integrators, dealers, they want to check out new products, they want to see all the new technologies they're gonna be speccing, they're gonna be installing.
• 3:06
  SPEAKER_00: Can you kind of give us a sense of the breadth of new products, new technologies you're gonna be able to see at CD Expo CIX, including and especially growth areas or high-intensity markets like lighting, security, energy management, the idea that it's not just gonna be kind of the same technology, but the full breadth of what integrator is going to be designing, specifying, and working with.
• 3:27
  SPEAKER_02: Well, there you go, Dan.
• 3:28
  SPEAKER_02: You just gave a great answer to the to the question uh right in your uh summary there.
• 3:33
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, first and foremost, I mean, CD Expo has been around for several decades.
• 3:38
  SPEAKER_02: It is the premier audio, video, home theater uh show uh, you know, for the professional integrator.
• 3:47
  SPEAKER_02: That will always be the case.
• 3:48
  SPEAKER_02: And that's the the large brands that exhibit at the show.
• 3:52
  SPEAKER_02: Uh they're bringing the best in lighting, uh, video display, control systems, uh, you know, sound systems.
• 4:01
  SPEAKER_02: You know, we have 20 uh audio demo rooms on the show floor and in the convention center meeting rooms.
• 4:07
  SPEAKER_02: You know, where other what other opportunity are you gonna have at any event in North America to see all the top brands showcasing live full-volume demos uh so you can test out their products?
• 4:20
  SPEAKER_02: Um that's you know, fundamental, recurring, great experience every year at CD Expo and CIX.
• 4:26
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but this year, you know, in addition to that core, what we like to call the core AV uh part of the show with the brands and products on the show floor, you know, we're continuing to expand and evolve.
• 4:37
  SPEAKER_02: The show's always evolving just like technology and applications are evolving.
• 4:41
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, you know, clearly AI is on the tip of everybody's tongue.
• 4:45
  SPEAKER_02: You know, how's that uh, you know, working its way into products and applications and solutions uh both for the integrators' businesses and for the customers and the systems, you know, smarter systems that, you know, with sensors recognize that you're in the room, it knows your favorites, it knows what you like to do, it adjusts based on the environment, the lighting, the temperature, uh, monitors your systems for for maintenance and peak performance, uh, energy management, et cetera.
• 5:16
  SPEAKER_02: So we're gonna be talking a lot more about AI this year at the show.
• 5:20
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, we're working with CD on a great uh new keynote that'll be announced shortly, focusing on AI and future technology trends, which we think is is spot on and very uh apropos for today's uh business.
• 5:33
  SPEAKER_02: Um you touched on energy management.
• 5:35
  SPEAKER_02: We're trying to recruit more exhibitors to the show that deal with that, since that's becoming a greater uh uh need and uh demand from uh clients today in their homes.
• 5:46
  SPEAKER_02: I think uh security uh is one in our personal lives and in our workplace lives, you know, whether it's access control, remote monitoring, and even AI plays a big part in security today with facial recognition and monitoring systems from an automated point of view.
• 6:03
  SPEAKER_02: Um we talked about sensors, IoT, Internet of Things.
• 6:07
  SPEAKER_02: Uh we're working with some uh technology alliances to get more of their member uh companies to come to the show and showcase what they're doing with sensors uh in that technology area there and how it's connected to the internet, which of course is now connected to AI.
• 6:23
  SPEAKER_02: So there's there's a common theme here that's weaving through uh a number of the manufacturer's products on the show.
• 6:30
  SPEAKER_02: So we're gonna see a lot more of that on the show floor this year from leading manufacturers, how they're integrating AI into their product suites.
• 6:38
  SPEAKER_02: Um so we talked about security.
• 6:41
  SPEAKER_02: Now, lighting has been a big growth area uh in the marketplace, and certainly at CDI Expo and CIX, we've been getting more and more lighting manufacturers uh showing fixtures and control systems, and also uh window and shade manufacturers on the show because that's also part of lighting control.
• 6:59
  SPEAKER_02: Uh so we're definitely um growing in that way uh on the show.
• 7:03
  SPEAKER_02: We'll have more content there.
• 7:04
  SPEAKER_02: We've been working with CDI on some more lighting programming that'll be offered at this year's show.
• 7:08
  SPEAKER_02: So we're excited about that.
• 7:10
  SPEAKER_02: Um, our team's been reaching out to a lot of new-to-market companies in our launch pad area.
• 7:16
  SPEAKER_02: So we're we're recruiting new companies to the show that you know got their start.
• 7:21
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, we'd love to talk about Josh AI because uh, you know, Alex will tell you, you know, they got their start at the launch pad at CDI Expo some years ago, and now look at them.
• 7:31
  SPEAKER_02: And so, you know, we want to keep trying to help onboard those new to market companies and help showcase them at the show as well.
• 7:39
  SPEAKER_02: Um, so we're excited about that.
• 7:41
  SPEAKER_02: You know, we're trying to get uh some more international brands to come back.
• 7:44
  SPEAKER_02: We've gotten a number of brands from Brazil and a little Brazil pavilion that's been expanding on the show floor, for example.
• 7:50
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, so focusing on new companies, we already have uh you know two dozen new exhibitors signed up for the show, uh, both the US and domestic brands, a variety of different technologies.
• 8:02
  SPEAKER_02: I think the point is that you're gonna see the major brands that you know and love that are there, you know, the the Lutrons, the Sony's, the the Origin Acoustics, um, you know, they're gonna have their great products, uh, AB Pro, URC, uh, the list goes on, Paradigm.
• 8:21
  SPEAKER_02: Um so they're gonna be there at the show.
• 8:23
  SPEAKER_02: They've already committed to the show, they're on the show floor, they're planning their demos and their manufacture product training sessions, but we're also trying to get more uh new manufacturers and new products on the show floor.
• 8:37
  SPEAKER_02: Um, so you know, there's hundreds, all the all the name brands introduce new products and they have them at the show, right?
• 8:44
  SPEAKER_02: So, you know, I know a common uh theme I heard, you know, in the last couple of years away, there's nothing new at CDI Expo and CIX.
• 8:52
  SPEAKER_02: Well, it's just patently false.
• 8:54
  SPEAKER_02: There are hundreds and hundreds of new products that are showcased at the show, and not only from our our big brands, but the new and up-and-comers.
• 9:02
  SPEAKER_02: And so there's so much to discover at the show.
• 9:04
  SPEAKER_02: If you don't come, you're not gonna see that.
• 9:07
  SPEAKER_02: You're not gonna discover it, you're not gonna identify new product lines to pick up from brands that you know you may not be familiar with if you're an integrator.
• 9:15
  SPEAKER_02: So, you know, we're very excited about trying to keep evolving the show to uh touch on new product categories, new technologies, and kind of you know represent what today's marketplace is about for the integrators, for the designers, for the distributors, the reps.
• 9:33
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, this is the industry's channel show.
• 9:36
  SPEAKER_02: This is where the manufacturer can really come out, show the new products, tell their story, educate the channel, and uh make business connections.
• 9:45
  SPEAKER_02: Um, I know Dan, you you you uh did a nice podcast with Michael Restrepo at the last year's show, talking about the serendipity that comes from being at the show and making a business connection.
• 9:57
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, you know, if he wasn't there and hadn't met that person, he wouldn't have had this really great seven-figure uh project that that came to be, you know.
• 10:06
  SPEAKER_02: So um there's so much opportunity there.
• 10:09
  SPEAKER_02: I I'm I'm definitely an optimist, as you can tell, but um I think that's what the power of in-person events is about.
• 10:17
  SPEAKER_02: It's about creating um connections, seeing your old friends, seeing your your manufacturer uh contacts and colleagues, seeing what's going on, keeping impulse of what's going on.
• 10:27
  SPEAKER_02: But it's really truly broadening your horizons and and looking for what's next, um, elevating your game, learning more, and and fundamentally, how do you uh continue to grow your business and your professional uh skills?
• 10:41
  SPEAKER_02: Um I think it's it's uh truly remarkable and such a unique opportunity.
• 10:47
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, piggybacking on that a little bit, um with uh URC, a great, a great um example of this, is that uh you know, at last CD um expo on 2025, they um they got inspired just walking the show floor, having conversations, uh and that and that inspired in uh in AI powered Acadian rhythm um solution uh within their platform.
• 11:09
  SPEAKER_01: Um so to your point, you know, it's just you're not going to like see what's happening in the market and and see this stuff in action if you're not uh going to events like C Dia Expo.
• 11:20
  SPEAKER_01: Um so to the extent, and I know and I know that we're working on a lot of stuff, um, a lot of cool ideas um and initiatives, but uh you know, what what what are we prepared to talk about for new stuff in 2026?
• 11:34
  SPEAKER_02: Absolutely, you know, and we got a lot of great feedback from our post-show surveys, and and over the past fall, you know, we've been meeting directly with many of the leading brands that exhibit at the show to get their feedback, and uh, you know, definitely been hearing from integrators.
• 11:49
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, people want uh a little bit more um excitement, they want some fun, they they want to, you know, get hands-on.
• 11:58
  SPEAKER_02: So we're looking to introduce a number of things this year to kind of address those uh demands and requests.
• 12:05
  SPEAKER_02: And you know, one of the things we're gonna do uh is a skills challenge.
• 12:09
  SPEAKER_02: So, you know, we've got a lot of fantastic integrators and installers out there in the industry, and we want to put them to the test.
• 12:17
  SPEAKER_02: So uh the details are are coming out shortly, and we're partnering with CEDIA on this, but there you just imagine a number of stations where attendees can uh sign up.
• 12:28
  SPEAKER_02: Uh teams from uh different integrators bring your team to compete.
• 12:32
  SPEAKER_02: It's a competition.
• 12:34
  SPEAKER_02: There'll be time trials about you know terminating cable, installing speakers, uh, mounting a display, uh, setting up a camera, etc.
• 12:44
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, we're gonna finalize the the short list of the of the skills that'll be tested, and uh it'll be a time trial, and uh, but it's also a learning opportunity.
• 12:54
  SPEAKER_02: So, you know, it'll be great for uh those that don't necessarily want to compete but want to learn how to do it.
• 12:59
  SPEAKER_02: Uh there'll be that chance as well.
• 13:01
  SPEAKER_02: But you know, we're gonna have some prizes, there'll be bragging rights.
• 13:04
  SPEAKER_02: Hey, you know, I did this station the fast, I'm the fastest cable terminator, you know, this year, et cetera.
• 13:11
  SPEAKER_02: We're the best team, et cetera, et cetera.
• 13:14
  SPEAKER_02: So we want to we want to highlight that.
• 13:16
  SPEAKER_02: You know, we want to really put a focus on, you know, what integrators do every day, uh, celebrate their skills, uh, celebrate their their uh proficiency and professionalism, and uh, and also you know, highlight best practices and uh industry uh skills.
• 13:34
  SPEAKER_02: So that's why we're partnering with CEDIA to to do that and get some uh industry experts and brands that are gonna support uh these stations with products and and skills.
• 13:45
  SPEAKER_02: So we're excited about this.
• 13:47
  SPEAKER_02: We're putting the details together.
• 13:48
  SPEAKER_02: We'll announce soon, you know, like how you can apply uh to get your team uh submitted in the competition.
• 13:55
  SPEAKER_02: But uh it's definitely gonna be a new fun area, and that'll be in the back of the hall uh and it'll go throughout the three days of the show.
• 14:02
  SPEAKER_02: So that's something new that we we've been focusing on for this year.
• 14:06
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, of course, uh I work very closely with both of you on planning out our programming for the smart stage this year.
• 14:13
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, we're looking to continue to elevate the thought leadership discussions.
• 14:17
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, we're gonna introduce a new manufacturers panel this year with some of the leading brands, uh executives from the leading companies, talking about their point of view.
• 14:26
  SPEAKER_02: I know we've had our leaders from the associations and the buyers' groups, you know, meet every year, kick the show off about their view.
• 14:35
  SPEAKER_02: We also want to hear from the leading brands.
• 14:36
  SPEAKER_02: You know, what is their vision?
• 14:38
  SPEAKER_02: What's their roadmap?
• 14:39
  SPEAKER_02: You know, how are they implementing AI, for example?
• 14:41
  SPEAKER_02: And I and I know both of you come up with some great questions for them as well.
• 14:45
  SPEAKER_02: So we're gonna work on that panel uh as an example.
• 14:48
  SPEAKER_02: But you know, we we definitely come up with a clean slate, blank slate every year.
• 14:53
  SPEAKER_02: What are the hot topics?
• 14:54
  SPEAKER_02: How do we talk about those on the smart stage?
• 14:57
  SPEAKER_02: So that's there.
• 14:58
  SPEAKER_02: Those sessions are free, run run throughout the three days of the show.
• 15:02
  SPEAKER_02: Um, we are going to expand our CE Pro All-Star Band uh opening night party.
• 15:09
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, it was very successful this past year at an off-site performance venue.
• 15:14
  SPEAKER_02: Um, we're gonna find the venue uh again uh this year.
• 15:17
  SPEAKER_02: We're working on that with our operations team.
• 15:20
  SPEAKER_02: But we want to invite some other industry players to come in.
• 15:24
  SPEAKER_02: And uh, you know, if if a group's got a band, you know, uh integrator band or manufacturer band, uh, you know, we want to see uh you know create quasi battle of the bands there uh to add on to the the program, the C Pro Band work so hard to put together and and uh you know make it again a great kickoff party for the show.
• 15:44
  SPEAKER_02: Uh and you know that's been a staple for many years.
• 15:47
  SPEAKER_02: It's a fun event.
• 15:48
  SPEAKER_02: And um, you know, there's many uh professionals in the industry that their their uh their day job might be an integrator or uh a rep or a manufacturer, their uh fun job and probably which they prefer their first job to be is uh a rock star.
• 16:03
  SPEAKER_01: So um well it's funny because a lot of folks come to this industry from adjacent industries, one of them being you know, music and and live sound.
• 16:11
  SPEAKER_01: Um a lot of these folks are roadies and musicians themselves, so that's a great, that's a great point.
• 16:16
  SPEAKER_02: 100%.
• 16:17
  SPEAKER_02: So, you know, as far as the fun, we're adding another industry party uh on the second night.
• 16:22
  SPEAKER_02: We're organizing that.
• 16:23
  SPEAKER_02: That'll be at another local venue.
• 16:25
  SPEAKER_02: You know, we recognize that that networking is so important.
• 16:28
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, not to take away from the great uh functions that our exhibitors put together, uh dinners, there's there's definitely room for all of that as well.
• 16:38
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, I mean there's there's a three-legged stool.
• 16:41
  SPEAKER_02: I've said this before, you know, that most people come to the show to see new products, right?
• 16:47
  SPEAKER_02: Then they come for the content for education, learning, thought leadership, uh, how to improve their skills, what's next for their business.
• 16:56
  SPEAKER_02: And then the third part of this the three-legged stool is the networking, the the getting together with your friends and colleagues in the industry, meeting new business associates, and uh, or like Michael had done, you know, a new uh business opportunity through a connection made at the show.
• 17:13
  SPEAKER_02: So we recognize that networking is an essential part of that experience at the show.
• 17:18
  SPEAKER_02: So we want to continue to foster that.
• 17:20
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, you know, last year um, you know, we hosted again for I want to say I'm gonna mistake this 14th year, maybe it's the 15th year this year, the the Women in Consumer Technology Luncheon, another great networking event uh held at the show.
• 17:36
  SPEAKER_02: I've talked to Carol Campbell, she's bringing that back again this year.
• 17:40
  SPEAKER_02: We're happy to help host that at the show.
• 17:43
  SPEAKER_02: Um, the Day of Discovery program that uh is for architects, builders, designers working with Technology Designer magazine.
• 17:52
  SPEAKER_02: That's a program on uh uh the first day of the show with a lunch and includes tours of the show floor, a great opportunity for integrators to connect with designers, builders, and architects.
• 18:05
  SPEAKER_02: And that's in concert also with CDI, adding programming for for those uh individuals as well.
• 18:11
  SPEAKER_02: So, you know, we're continuing to expand on on that theme of trying to bring specifiers and architects designers together with system integrators and um, you know, get more of those folks coming to the show and learning about how they can work with system integrators and and learn about the technologies that are available for their customers today that are demanding smart home solutions.
• 18:35
  SPEAKER_02: Um, so these are some of the things that we're doing that are expanded.
• 18:39
  SPEAKER_02: Some of them are brand new, uh, like the skills challenge.
• 18:42
  SPEAKER_02: We're still working on some other details, some additional lighting programming.
• 18:47
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, we're looking at some additional birds of a feather meetups.
• 18:50
  SPEAKER_02: I know we had women to watch uh on the stage last year, continuing to look for those things.
• 18:56
  SPEAKER_02: We're introducing a new best booth awards program for the first time uh here at CD Expo and CIX.
• 19:03
  SPEAKER_02: And uh, you know, attendees will also be able to vote for their favorite booth, and we'll give awards out based on booth size as well as uh product category.
• 19:13
  SPEAKER_02: These are not product awards.
• 19:14
  SPEAKER_02: You guys do the best product awards.
• 19:16
  SPEAKER_02: This is about best booth.
• 19:18
  SPEAKER_02: You know, what what booth captivated your attention?
• 19:21
  SPEAKER_02: What had the great interactive display?
• 19:24
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, what booth really looked impressive?
• 19:26
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, you know, we want to celebrate the investment that the manufacturers are making in the show.
• 19:32
  SPEAKER_02: And um, you know, we want to celebrate that at the show.
• 19:34
  SPEAKER_02: We want attendees to be involved in that.
• 19:36
  SPEAKER_02: We're gonna have some industry judges.
• 19:38
  SPEAKER_02: So that's an all-new program this year that we're gonna launch and and really help to uh continue to celebrate uh the success and the uh investment and creativity that the manufacturers are bringing to the show floor.
• 19:50
  unknown: Yeah.
• 19:51
  SPEAKER_00: That's what I'm really excited about because, as you say, there is so much creativity, there is so much innovation that goes into brand marketing, event marketing.
• 20:00
  SPEAKER_00: I can't wait to see the demos, the booth activations, the gamification, everything that is going to put these people in line to potentially be named best booth for their size or for their category.
• 20:11
  SPEAKER_00: And I just wanted to rewind very quickly and just go back to the day of discovery very quickly, because so much now, whether you're talking about Resi, A V, custom integration or pro AV, we're talking about client outcomes, we're talking about experiences.
• 20:24
  SPEAKER_00: And if you're gonna have the level of experience that's now expected, you need to be involved in those conversations early, talking to those architects, talking to those builders, talking to those designers.
• 20:34
  SPEAKER_00: A V cannot be last to the table, either on the Resi side or on the commercial side.
• 20:39
  SPEAKER_00: So it really sounds like CD Expo CIX has the potential to catalyze those early connections, get AV to the table sooner, get them more involved in the ideation and execution stage so that we can really deliver the client outcomes we want to deliver.
• 20:54
  SPEAKER_00: It seems like a business enablement show.
• 20:56
  SPEAKER_00: It's a tech show, it's a networking show, but it's also a business enablement show.
• 21:01
  SPEAKER_02: No, no doubt about that, Dan.
• 21:04
  SPEAKER_02: And, you know, we have such high scores from uh attendees every year that are just you know over the moon, you know, and we have a high percentage of first-time attendees every year who haven't been.
• 21:16
  SPEAKER_02: And they come to the show, their their eyes are are big and wide, and and they're just amazed at, you know, all the different uh displays, solutions, and and learning.
• 21:28
  SPEAKER_02: And um, you know, I think that's what makes the the show so special um and so satisfying and rewarding for everybody that comes.
• 21:36
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, it's great for us to be the hosts, and you know, we we plan this great party, but it's it's truly the the the convergence of the manufacturers, the channel, uh, the integrators, the designer, builder, architects, uh, the whole community coming together at one place, one time.
• 21:53
  SPEAKER_02: You know, that there's so much efficiency in that.
• 21:56
  SPEAKER_02: You know, and at the end of the day, I mean, we can all Shop and and uh digest data online, you know, and and we're doing that all the time these days on our phones, on our computers.
• 22:09
  SPEAKER_02: Nothing replaces being a human being, talking to another human being, you know, and being able to touch something, feel it, talk to the the tech engineer from the manufacturer, um, learn, you know, the proper way to use the product or what are the product's capabilities and actually see them in action, uh, to be able to talk to a peer and say, hey, how's business going for you?
• 22:38
  SPEAKER_02: What are you guys expanding into?
• 22:40
  SPEAKER_02: Hmm, what are you doing over there in the southeast?
• 22:42
  SPEAKER_02: I'm up in the northeast.
• 22:43
  SPEAKER_02: How's it how's it similar?
• 22:45
  SPEAKER_02: What are you guys capitalizing on?
• 22:47
  SPEAKER_02: You know, getting that business intelligence is is huge.
• 22:51
  SPEAKER_02: And getting it uh in person over you know several days at one time uh is so powerful and and so rewarding.
• 23:01
  SPEAKER_02: And and I don't think there's any other opportunity, certainly not in North America.
• 23:06
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, there's a lot of events, and you know, it's great.
• 23:09
  SPEAKER_02: Our our partners that uh we work with, with the buyers' groups and CDA um and manufacturers and distributors, there's a lot of events.
• 23:17
  SPEAKER_02: We understand that, but there's no other event that's CDX by CIX.
• 23:21
  SPEAKER_02: There's no other event that you know approaches 15,000 industry pros, that has, you know, 400 manufacturers, that has 20 sound rooms, that has the the parties, the networking, and the education, the number of educational sessions, you know, 200 educational sessions just between CDI uh conference program and the manufactured product training sessions.
• 23:45
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, there is no other event like that in North America.
• 23:49
  SPEAKER_02: There's no other opportunity like that that happens once a year uh at CDI Expo and CIX.
• 23:54
  SPEAKER_02: So, you know, I encourage everybody to make your plans, you know.
• 23:59
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, a lot of people wait till the last minute.
• 24:02
  SPEAKER_02: It it always baffles me that you know, registration opens and some people register early, great.
• 24:08
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, you know, people don't book a hotel room or plane ticket till late, you know.
• 24:14
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but you know, if you're planning to go, then make the commitment to go.
• 24:18
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, start thinking about how you can maximize those days.
• 24:21
  SPEAKER_02: And uh we'll have a lot more information coming out on the show website, uh cdiaxpo.com in the near future, where you can look at all the sessions, you can register for the show, you can book a hotel room, uh, you can uh find out all the information.
• 24:37
  SPEAKER_02: You can look at the live floor plan, see where the exhibitors are, who's exhibiting, and and uh reach out to them.
• 24:43
  SPEAKER_02: Uh so there's a lot of pre-planning you can do to maximize your experience at the show.
• 24:48
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, just just a note on on the value of like the experience and being there in person and seeing the stuff in action.
• 24:56
  SPEAKER_01: I mean, I came into this industry like um you know a handful of years ago, and and as a journalist whose whose job it is to you know tell integrators about this stuff, um, there's nothing more valuable than than going to CD Expo and seeing this stuff in action and and you know seeing an immersive lighting demo that you know really captures like the power of lighting.
• 25:18
  SPEAKER_01: Um sitting in a home theater demo where there's a five-foot base behind me that's like hitting me in the chest from the lows.
• 25:25
  SPEAKER_01: Um yeah, there I can't speak enough about how valuable that is um for for um you know folks that are are new to the industry.
• 25:34
  SPEAKER_01: So if you're an integrator you know listening and you have you know a bunch of new folks, um bring them because there's not gonna learn more anywhere else.
• 25:44
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, I admit I am uh a technology geek.
• 25:48
  SPEAKER_02: I always have been.
• 25:49
  SPEAKER_02: And um I you know I love seeing like the cool new tools, the the cool new products that are at the show, you know.
• 25:58
  SPEAKER_02: Um I still tell people about the uh C seed, you know, folding display, you know, that you know, it's it's a piece of artwork, right?
• 26:08
  SPEAKER_02: And it's so cool just to watch watch it open up and close, and like, you know, everybody would love to have one of those in their backyard, you know, by their pool.
• 26:16
  SPEAKER_02: And um, but you know, that's the kind of stuff you see in person at at C Dia Expo that's that's really cool.
• 26:23
  SPEAKER_02: And it's like, okay, um, what else am I gonna discover?
• 26:27
  SPEAKER_02: And you know, um, I I think about the the ideas that come, you know, from wandering the show floor and and going up and down the aisles, and you're like, wow, I didn't know somebody made that, you know, or wow, I could have really used this on my last project because you know, here's a really cool tool or a really cool mount that you know would have solved my problem on for this customer, you know, and and that kind of uh discovery, if you will, is is so valuable.
• 27:00
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, I I know we're talking a lot about you know the potential, um, but you know, we have tons of testimonials from attendees and exhibitors from every year and last year especially, you know, like it was an amazing show we had last year, and we're gonna have another amazing show this year, uh, which is great.
• 27:19
  SPEAKER_02: Um, I do want to address one thing that I know you know people have asked about like, gee, is you know, there's a lot of rumors, you know, is the show gonna stay in Denver forever?
• 27:29
  SPEAKER_02: Well, the answer is no.
• 27:30
  SPEAKER_02: Um, going on the record right now, I'm gonna say it.
• 27:33
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, you know, we've listened to the manufacturers, to the attendees.
• 27:37
  SPEAKER_02: Denver's a wonderful city, and over 80% of attendees and uh exhibitors enjoy Denver as a host destination.
• 27:46
  SPEAKER_02: Um, large majority.
• 27:48
  SPEAKER_02: Um, that being said, a large majority of attendees and exhibitors want the show to rotate to a different city every year.
• 27:55
  SPEAKER_02: So we've heard that very clearly.
• 27:57
  SPEAKER_02: And so, starting in in 2027, we're going to start rotating the show around various cities uh across the country and um great convention cities.
• 28:06
  SPEAKER_02: Um, we will go back to Denver in the future.
• 28:10
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and so you know, it's not that we don't like Denver, we love Denver.
• 28:14
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and we will continue to rotate through Denver in the future.
• 28:17
  SPEAKER_02: But, you know, we're looking at other cities, we're finalizing the space contracts with the facilities now.
• 28:22
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, we will announce very shortly like our next five years schedule of dates and and city rotation.
• 28:29
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but that's something that we'll look forward to starting in 27.
• 28:34
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but as I've said before, you know, whether the show is in uh Cornfield, Nowa, or in downtown Denver, it's the place to be.
• 28:43
  SPEAKER_02: And uh everyone should plan to come to the show and make the most of it.
• 28:49
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, you know, it's great.
• 28:51
  SPEAKER_02: A city offers a lot of other experiences, dining options, bars, fun uh things you can do.
• 28:58
  SPEAKER_02: And that varies from city to city.
• 29:00
  SPEAKER_02: So we'll look forward to going to different cities that have some of those different uh experiences.
• 29:04
  SPEAKER_02: We recognize for for some business owners, this is like their vacation, you know, that they take a week out of their busy lives and their businesses to go and and learn and commune at uh CDI Expo and CIX, you know, we want to make sure it's a great experience all around.
• 29:21
  SPEAKER_02: And uh, you know, the Expo Hall, as we've discussed, is only one part of that, uh, a big part of it, sure.
• 29:27
  SPEAKER_02: But, you know, the whole city, um, and so that's important to us that as we look at host cities in the future that that they can accommodate the show, that they they do have the hotels, they have entertainment and dining options, they do have the travel uh and flight capacity.
• 29:45
  SPEAKER_02: So that's all important to us.
• 29:47
  SPEAKER_02: So I just wanted to share that we are doing that.
• 29:50
  SPEAKER_02: We will be uh announcing the the dates and the cities in the very near future, and um, you know, we we are listening.
• 29:58
  SPEAKER_02: And uh again, this show is for the industry.
• 30:01
  SPEAKER_02: I can't say this enough.
• 30:03
  SPEAKER_02: You know, we do it because we love it, um, but we do it for you, you know, the the manufacturer, the channel provider, the distributor, the rep, the integrator, the installer, the designer, art, architect.
• 30:16
  SPEAKER_02: We're we are hosting the show for you.
• 30:18
  SPEAKER_02: You know, it's important to us to serve the needs of CEDI, of the industry, uh the buyers' groups, everyone who comes together.
• 30:26
  SPEAKER_02: And so, you know, we're always listening.
• 30:28
  SPEAKER_02: And if there's ways that we can make it better, we want to hear about it.
• 30:32
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but again, it takes a village, you know, that sounds cliche, but you know, we just can do the organizing, the brands bring in their best products, the the volunteers that provide training and education and subject matter uh experts, you know, great guys like you that you know help to facilitate the conversations and uh amplify the messages.
• 30:57
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, it really is a labor of love.
• 31:00
  SPEAKER_02: I say that very sincerely.
• 31:01
  SPEAKER_02: It sounds cheesy, but uh, you know, I've been in this trade show business a very long time and in the AV industry a very long time because I love it.
• 31:09
  SPEAKER_02: And everybody who's listening to this, you do what you do, I'm sure, because you love it too.
• 31:15
  SPEAKER_02: And that's why CD Expo and CIX is the place to be.
• 31:19
  SPEAKER_00: This is a great note to end on.
• 31:20
  SPEAKER_00: Absolutely.
• 31:21
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you so much, Jason.
• 31:22
  SPEAKER_00: I am incredibly excited.
• 31:24
  SPEAKER_00: I can't wait to hear what the host city is going to be in 2027.
• 31:27
  SPEAKER_00: I can't wait for registration for 2026 to open in April.
• 31:31
  SPEAKER_00: Zach, you want to take us away?
• 31:32
  SPEAKER_00: Again, thank you so much, Jason.
• 31:34
  SPEAKER_00: Really appreciate it.
• 31:35
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, well, um, you know, Dan, Dan, you and I are both, you know, part of some of these conversations.
• 31:41
  SPEAKER_01: Um, and uh, you know, we're all you know working hard to uh to come up with some new stuff.
• 31:47
  SPEAKER_01: Um, and there's a lot of exciting things um you know going on behind the scenes, a lot of uh a lot of fun conversations being had.
• 31:53
  SPEAKER_01: So um yeah, I'm I'm looking forward to it.
• 31:56
  SPEAKER_01: Looking forward to seeing you all in Denver and and who knows where after that.
• 32:01
  SPEAKER_01: Remains.
• 32:02
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, stay tuned.
• 32:03
  SPEAKER_02: As I said, registration will be opening up in April.
• 32:06
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, I certainly love the opportunity to chat again as we have some more details of finalized for the show that we can share.
• 32:12
  SPEAKER_02: And uh stay tuned.
• 32:13
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, we're gonna keep issuing uh press releases and announcements and and visit cdiaxpo.com for for all the show details.
• 32:22
  SPEAKER_01: Very good.
• 32:23
  SPEAKER_01: Jason, Dan, thanks very much, guys.
• 32:25
  SPEAKER_01: Aloha.
• 32:26
  SPEAKER_01: Thank you.
• 32:28
  SPEAKER_01: See you soon.
• 32:29
  SPEAKER_01: Take care.