Latest / CE Pro Podcast / CE Pro Podcast # 173: Inside CEDIA Expo 2026 Education - AI, Lighting, Wellness & the Future of Smart Homes

Transcript

CE Pro Podcast # 173: Inside CEDIA Expo 2026 Education - AI, Lighting, Wellness & the Future of Smart Homes · CE Pro Podcast

• 0:08
  SPEAKER_01: All right, hey everyone.
• 0:10
  SPEAKER_01: This is Zach Ricomo, executive editor of CE Pro.
• 0:13
  SPEAKER_01: And today I am hanging out with uh Evan West, the senior conference strategy manager for CDIA, and Paul Dolance, the VP of education and training uh in education at uh Cedia.
• 0:23
  SPEAKER_01: Uh fellas, uh thanks for thanks for joining me.
• 0:26
  SPEAKER_01: Zach, great to be with you.
• 0:28
  SPEAKER_00: Same, thank you.
• 0:30
  SPEAKER_01: Of course.
• 0:30
  SPEAKER_01: All right, yeah.
• 0:31
  SPEAKER_01: So we are talking about uh what folks are gonna learn at uh CDI Expo uh 2026 coming up in uh just under four months in uh in Denver, Colorado, once again.
• 0:42
  SPEAKER_01: Um so you know, looking at the the education program as a whole, um, you know, what do you guys think it says about where the where the CI industry is headed?
• 0:51
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, that's a great question, Zach.
• 0:52
  SPEAKER_02: And I think uh if there's one takeaway uh coming out of the gate for me, it's that uh this industry is is moving upstream.
• 1:01
  SPEAKER_02: Um the the days of um just being sort of defined as a technology integrator through uh installation of product knowledge are foundationally important components, but it it does not stop there.
• 1:14
  SPEAKER_02: Um and and we've tried to reflect that in the educational content at this year's conference.
• 1:19
  SPEAKER_02: So um we are looking at an industry that is becoming more consultative, is uh coming into the process earlier on in the development for um building, designing, um, and and really living up to the name of uh integrator.
• 1:38
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, we we are seeing integration of our members into uh the design build process for projects, uh working uh hand in glove with um other uh colleagues who are sort of operating in adjacent spaces through the project, whether they be electricians or architects or builders.
• 1:57
  SPEAKER_02: Um and I think we're uh ultimately seeing a uh rapidly maturing industry um that is uh moving full speed ahead uh through uh a more collaborative and uh technical at the same time process.
• 2:15
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, yeah, absolutely.
• 2:16
  SPEAKER_01: I fully agree.
• 2:17
  SPEAKER_01: Um Paul, you know, what's what's your take on that on that same question?
• 2:21
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I think Evan uh hit the nail on the head.
• 2:24
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, I I think within the industry, I mean, obviously things are moving um at such a fast pace.
• 2:30
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, the uh advent of AI, you know, I think for a while, you know, it's like, yeah, it's here, it's coming, but now AI is pretty much in all the technology within the home.
• 2:39
  SPEAKER_00: Um, so you know, staying ahead of that, what's what's coming down the pike?
• 2:43
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and even just better understanding, you know, AI um as a whole.
• 2:46
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, um, you know, Evan and I joke, I mean, there's definitely benefits to it, but you know, there is kind of the dark side of AI that if it's not used right and you know, if it's too open, you know, what does that mean?
• 2:57
  SPEAKER_00: So just getting um our integrators and also those um you know, like industries with with that that come to CDA to understand uh what's happening.
• 3:07
  SPEAKER_00: And then of course, just even on within the US, you know, cybersecurity and you know, there was that new router um memo that came through.
• 3:16
  SPEAKER_00: So I mean it's just things are moving so fast, you know, not just domestically, but internationally, and you know, the different wars and things that are going on, and and all that pretty much has an effect uh for for our members and then also um just in everyone's home.
• 3:31
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, yeah.
• 3:32
  SPEAKER_01: Government's throwing us all sorts of curve balls in the last few months here.
• 3:37
  SPEAKER_01: Um yeah, uh excellent segue into my next question, uh, which is of course about uh AI.
• 3:42
  SPEAKER_01: Um I don't know if you have the the numbers or if you can just maybe ballpark yet, but you know, how many sessions um you know are are focused on AI this year?
• 3:52
  SPEAKER_02: Ballpark, Zach, I would say, you know, out of 70 odd sessions, we probably have at least 20 that are uh dedicated to AI fairly explicitly.
• 4:04
  SPEAKER_02: And as far as AI uh having something to do with uh that conversation, you know, having a seat at the table for for whatever's being uh covered in the session, I would say it's probably close to 70.
• 4:15
  SPEAKER_02: Um it is um, you know, I think the the the days of AI kind of standing uh separately as a as a novelty track are are done.
• 4:26
  SPEAKER_02: Um we're we're you know it's it's not going to be enough to simply have um AI being that sort of shiny new new toy to play with.
• 4:37
  SPEAKER_02: It's it's a shed full of every tool that you can conceive of and uh uh tools that every practitioner has uh the ability to use uh to great advantage or uh their their great detriment at the same time.
• 4:54
  SPEAKER_02: Um so you know I think we're we're seeing uh it less as a matter of uh uh talking up AI as a uh a hype cycle and more looking at specific use cases and applications uh for integrators to leverage AI, whether it's uh on the back end of the business, whether it is through their their marketing or um uh industry research uh uh around competitors and colleagues, um, or you know, simply to streamline uh more manual processes that before kept them uh away from uh the job site more than they needed to.
• 5:35
  SPEAKER_02: So um instead of you know it sort of uh standing on its own uh talking about AI for the sake of AI, um we're we're really excited this year to to dig deeper into specific instances where our integrators have used AI uh across a whole host of uh uh uh uh applications in their business.
• 5:56
  SPEAKER_00: Absolutely.
• 5:56
  SPEAKER_00: And to piggyback on Evan, absolutely right.
• 5:59
  SPEAKER_00: And I think it's it's a couple things, you know, demand from our integrators, you know, just you know, I want to learn more, you know, I'm seeing this out here, you know, I'm integrating this in the home, but you know, help me to understand, you know, the you know, the life cycle.
• 6:13
  SPEAKER_00: But at the same time, even if um obviously everyone is on different spectrums in AI, you know, you some that are live and breathe it and they're following it day by day, minute by minute, and others are like, well, I think it's there, it makes things simpler.
• 6:25
  SPEAKER_00: So I think just you know, for CDA um and CD Expo, it's more of just like this is this is meant to be an education.
• 6:32
  SPEAKER_00: Walk away from uh from there, even if you have no idea what it is, just to learn more about what is happening in AI, how you can use it in the in the right way, and then also things to consider about you know some of the negative things or the scary things with AI.
• 6:46
  SPEAKER_00: So it's demand-based, and then it's also definitely um for the education of what this industry is.
• 6:53
  SPEAKER_01: Um so it sounds like the these courses are leaning towards the the you know practical business applications of of an integrator using this to streamline their operations and just you know really just be more efficient.
• 7:06
  SPEAKER_01: Um are there any focus on AI in the you know in the home?
• 7:12
  SPEAKER_01: Uh you know, in in the you know, being leveraged in these installations, be it uh you know um uh you know uh AI-powered operating system like like Josh AI, maybe uh application of um you know AI security tools or anything.
• 7:27
  SPEAKER_01: Uh are there any sessions focused on that aspect of AI?
• 7:31
  SPEAKER_02: We do have a number of um uh sessions where we're gonna be focusing on AI in the home, um uh particularly around predictive controls.
• 7:41
  SPEAKER_02: Um uh folks at Josh uh will be uh uh joining us in in Denver.
• 7:47
  SPEAKER_02: And uh I don't want to uh steal any of their thunder, but they'll they'll certainly have a lot to say on that.
• 7:53
  SPEAKER_02: Um but but to your point, uh Zach, you know, I think it's as much a uh a tool that um uh homeowners are are experiencing firsthand uh in in daily life as it is uh a tool that integrators are are using in their in their businesses.
• 8:11
  SPEAKER_02: So we definitely want to take a holistic approach this year and um see how AI is is touching so many facets of uh of the smart home space.
• 8:20
  SPEAKER_01: Uh yeah, so now I think another another hot thing we gotta talk about um is lighting, of course, which I think uh when you talk about lighting, I think you have to include shading now.
• 8:29
  SPEAKER_01: Um and you know, these have you know have evolved into a just a major curriculum area.
• 8:33
  SPEAKER_01: So, you know, why are these becoming so important for integrators?
• 8:37
  SPEAKER_01: And um, you know, just talk about the the need for for more education on these topics.
• 8:42
  SPEAKER_02: Absolutely.
• 8:43
  SPEAKER_02: So the the need is self-evidently there.
• 8:46
  SPEAKER_02: We've carved out uh a separate and distinct lighting track at this year's expo conference, as opposed to having lighting be, you know, sort of a participant in a whole bunch of different conversations across different tracks.
• 8:58
  SPEAKER_02: Uh this year we we really wanted to come in strong with if you're coming to see the expo interested in lighting and shading, uh, we want to have a dedicated home for you here.
• 9:08
  SPEAKER_02: So uh we have uh a first-time separate lighting track as a part of the conference.
• 9:14
  SPEAKER_02: Um to the the the your your point and question, Zach, on on lighting and shading, I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that it is so um present uh from an awareness standpoint for users and and homeowners.
• 9:29
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, racks are important, uh, control architecture is important.
• 9:34
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and um, you know, I forget who who uh uh the quote can be attributed to that any technology uh to to a layman uh can be uh seen as as magic.
• 9:45
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, a lot of those uh really important pieces that that we're gonna be covering in other tracks and sessions uh are really sort of on the back end, they're out of sight, out of mind.
• 9:57
  SPEAKER_02: That's what makes them so impressive.
• 9:59
  SPEAKER_02: But you know, every morning when uh your shade knows uh how far to come down, when to come down, when to open up, uh, when to incorporate artificial lighting, uh, when to let natural lighting in.
• 10:11
  SPEAKER_02: These are all things that, you know, when they are so seamlessly integrated into uh your your living experience, it's it's hard to ignore and it's hard to uh live without once you become accustomed to to having that be sort of uh so uh ingrained in in your day-to-day.
• 10:30
  SPEAKER_02: Um so we're we're particularly excited about lighting and shading this year.
• 10:34
  SPEAKER_02: I think there's gonna be a lot of exciting thought leadership there.
• 10:37
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, and with that is it's also, you know, obviously we know the ecosystem out in uh in the world, but obviously the homes are their own ecosystem.
• 10:47
  SPEAKER_00: So one of the big things with Cedia um as an association, we we've also seen you know, human-centric lighting.
• 10:54
  SPEAKER_00: Um, you know, I I suggest any listener to go check out our uh three-part series on human-centric lighting, white papers that we have up there.
• 11:03
  SPEAKER_00: But um, you know, that's just becoming important too, just like Evan said, the effects of lighting that it has on an individual.
• 11:09
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and then basically, you know, kind of having like you know, a concert of the lighting and the shading, and when you know natural light comes in.
• 11:16
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and then the other thing too, just the evolution of lighting.
• 11:19
  SPEAKER_00: Lighting is changing all the time.
• 11:20
  SPEAKER_00: There's new lights, bulbs, colors, um, hues.
• 11:23
  SPEAKER_00: And so just staying on top of that for our integrators, um, and also just kind of learning, you know, the different design within lighting, you know, as they're integrating these systems uh within the home.
• 11:34
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, like you know, I mean, I I think everyone agrees that there's a need for more lighting education.
• 11:40
  SPEAKER_01: Um, but you know, lighting itself isn't new, and it seems like maybe a lot of folks have been a little bit slow to to really um educate themselves on on lighting and shading systems and how to do it effectively.
• 11:55
  SPEAKER_01: So, but you know, where is that gap?
• 11:57
  SPEAKER_01: Um, what are folks asking about that?
• 11:59
  SPEAKER_01: You know, what are you know what are folks asking for in terms of you know educational content?
• 12:04
  SPEAKER_00: So I think I I kind of touched upon that.
• 12:07
  SPEAKER_00: It's it's more of you know how how can lighting and shades affect the well-being of the person, the individual.
• 12:16
  SPEAKER_00: So um I you know how can you how can you put this and design this within a home uh where the homeowner can see the effects on that?
• 12:24
  SPEAKER_00: So you know, depending on you know, season where they live, and I think this is an area that that's growing in support and need.
• 12:31
  SPEAKER_00: So it's it's as the integrators have been doing this for 15, 20 years, you know, they would be accustomed with different lights and companies, and that's what they use, but there's so much in out there, it's it's you know, what different lighting can you use?
• 12:44
  SPEAKER_00: And how can this uh be different in the kitchen?
• 12:47
  SPEAKER_00: But then you move into the living room, and how can the lighting and the shades be different just within the same home, but within you know 10 feet from one another have a totally different experience?
• 12:56
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, because ultimately I think that's what homeowners are looking for too.
• 13:00
  SPEAKER_00: I don't want to have the same light from you know, bedroom, kitchen.
• 13:03
  SPEAKER_00: Um, so how can you kind of you know diversify some of that lighting that's there, the technology that's there?
• 13:10
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, and even just in terms of technology, a lot of it doesn't even require the lighting where you have to hook up, you know, with the wire and the like electrical wire.
• 13:18
  SPEAKER_00: You know, it can connect uh LED or plug-in or you know, power over Ethernet.
• 13:23
  SPEAKER_00: So uh it's that because of all those changes, I think that's just you know, there's there's things that are moving so quickly and rapidly to make sure that our members understand, you know, the technology and how to how to best use that to educate the homeowner.
• 13:39
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
• 13:39
  SPEAKER_01: Uh Grace Legend to the next question um about design build collaboration and and uh which I think um you know includes wellness focused technology like lighting and shading.
• 13:50
  SPEAKER_01: Uh you know, so how much are home ex homeowner expectations uh changing um in regards to to you know uh the you know design build collaboration aspect?
• 14:02
  SPEAKER_02: I think much like homeowners are increasingly expecting the um output of any given product to be seamless, uh they are demanding and expecting rightfully so that the process be uh equally streamlined and seamless.
• 14:18
  SPEAKER_02: So uh the the days of sort of the the integrator coming in to um you know nail that final spike, um that's that's not that's not going to uh uh uh cut it at this point.
• 14:31
  SPEAKER_02: You know, I think um having those uh having a uh a seat at that table earlier on in the design and planning um process is essential um not only for the integrator, but but ultimately for the customer.
• 14:46
  SPEAKER_02: Um an electrician is going to look at a layout and a plan very differently than an interior designer or an integrator might.
• 14:54
  SPEAKER_02: Um and while making sure everything is up to code is is essential for everybody at the table, um, having that perspective enter the conversation once it's uh uh either too late or too expensive to do uh the the vision of the client justice isn't isn't going to be helpful for for anybody.
• 15:16
  SPEAKER_02: Um this year, you know, we in in the past, I know we've had a number of sessions, sort of um integrators talking to other integrators about how to talk to designers and architects and builders and electricians.
• 15:28
  SPEAKER_02: And this year we had this crazy idea of what if we actually have all of the stakeholders at the table to sort of share best practices, horror stories, um, examples of really positive long-term um collaborative partnerships that they've they've seen in their own businesses.
• 15:44
  SPEAKER_02: So we're we're really excited about that.
• 15:46
  SPEAKER_02: And um, you know, just to to pivot to the the wellness piece, I think um it also reflects some some changing expectations from from homeowners in that um it's not having a smart, integrated, technologically advanced home is uh no longer sort of a flex that people in in corner offices uh are focused on.
• 16:11
  SPEAKER_02: Uh it's uh a matter of, you know, how can we keep mom living uh in in comfort and outside of an assisted living facility for as long as possible?
• 16:21
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, how can uh our neurodivergent daughter be able to excel academically and socially uh and and live uh her her best life?
• 16:33
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, how can we um you know have uh our our home be not only that first, but also that third space in some instances where there's a dedicated portion of of the home uh focused on wellness and and disconnecting and sort of recentering?
• 16:51
  SPEAKER_02: Um so I think that reflects you know not only the uh potential collaborative options on the table for integrators, but also uh a shift towards a more holistic view of what a smart home can be.
• 17:05
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
• 17:06
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
• 17:06
  SPEAKER_01: Do you think some of some of this this refocusing on on design build collaboration and wellness is in response to, and I'm sure you guys are seeing these headlines, there's been probably half a dozen in like the last year, just about headlines why smart homes suck.
• 17:23
  SPEAKER_01: You've I'm sure you've seen those.
• 17:25
  SPEAKER_01: Um there's one in the Hollywood Reporter, Axios, uh a handful of others.
• 17:30
  SPEAKER_01: Um, yeah, do you think you know it's you know really behooves our industry to talk about things like this um in response to some of those things?
• 17:39
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I do.
• 17:41
  SPEAKER_00: And I think like Evan said, I mean, we're we're seeing where you know, design build, interior designers, integrators, electricians, builders, architects, you know, where we're all kind of a separate piece, and it's it's how can we work together to be have that seamless, real smart home from you know, start to finish, that it all makes sense, it lays out the wellness pieces there, the lighting, the shading, all of that comes together.
• 18:06
  SPEAKER_00: But it's it's how can we collaborate together by no means you know, take over or you know, uh box out an industry, but it's just being able to have these conversations of, you know, here's what I do and this is why I do it.
• 18:17
  SPEAKER_00: Because I think that's kind of the missing part is why am I doing what I'm doing?
• 18:21
  SPEAKER_00: Why is why are you doing what you're doing?
• 18:23
  SPEAKER_00: And so you have that disconnect.
• 18:25
  SPEAKER_00: So if it's if it's not seamless, that's where I think some of those you know negative articles might have come in.
• 18:30
  SPEAKER_00: And and obviously a smart home with an Alexa and ring doorbell, you know, that's that's not what a smart home is.
• 18:36
  SPEAKER_00: So that's you know, some of their definition of you know why it's broken, but it's like it's not really necessarily even a smart home.
• 18:41
  SPEAKER_00: So it's just how can we collaborate together and just kind of look at best case scenarios of, you know, here is an integrator that worked on this project, and um a design builder that also helped, and an architect, and how were they successful?
• 18:54
  SPEAKER_00: And you know, what is the testimony from the homeowner and just being able to collaborate, share best practices?
• 18:59
  SPEAKER_00: And I think you're gonna see a lot of that uh this year in Denver.
• 19:03
  SPEAKER_01: Right.
• 19:04
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, a few months ago I uh interviewed a bunch of um interior designers and architects.
• 19:09
  SPEAKER_01: Just just you know, uh I just prompted them like, you know, how do you like to collaborate with with integrators?
• 19:17
  SPEAKER_01: Um and for the for the folks that like doing it, um there's there's one who said absolutely never.
• 19:24
  SPEAKER_01: Um one of the things they yeah, of course they said like you know, learn about design build, uh come to some you know uh local you know uh industry group meetings.
• 19:37
  SPEAKER_01: Um but I think one that resonated the most with, and it you know, it ties into the last thing we talked about, um lead with lighting and shading, because those are really the conduits between tech and design.
• 19:50
  SPEAKER_01: I thought that made perfect sense.
• 19:53
  SPEAKER_01: I love that.
• 19:55
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, yeah, I agree.
• 19:56
  SPEAKER_01: Um cybersecurity networking networking and power, which we'll get to, but uh you know, has a technical baseline for integrators fundamentally changed when it comes to um cybersecurity and networking and some of these you know IT principles.
• 20:09
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, so I I'll I'll take that one.
• 20:12
  SPEAKER_00: So uh one of the big things, and and you are right, so obviously an integrator who's you know working within the network and making sure everything is aligned and you know the IP address and everything, so that that isn't really changing.
• 20:25
  SPEAKER_00: It's more of obviously we live in a much more globalized world between routers and hacking and you know, password protection and and all those things.
• 20:34
  SPEAKER_00: And it just seems like you know, similar to what you you shared with articles that are coming out, it's you know, this was hacked or a password.
• 20:42
  SPEAKER_00: You know, obviously we think of cybersecurity and we think more of like the government level, but technically, you know, this can go in the home.
• 20:48
  SPEAKER_00: And so it's more of the awareness of the consumer that obviously an integrator, C integrator, puts everything in, making sure that the homeowner knows like how do I keep my home uh password protected and not getting hacked or or you know, cybersecurity.
• 21:03
  SPEAKER_00: Um in that education piece of like how do you relay that back to the kid to the homeowner?
• 21:08
  SPEAKER_00: Because obviously the integrator um knows all that.
• 21:11
  SPEAKER_00: And then obviously today with the AI, with everything that's going on, uh, you know, why it's so more important than just changing your password to you know, password one, two, three.
• 21:22
  SPEAKER_00: Um, so uh so I think that's where where the shift is.
• 21:25
  SPEAKER_00: And then obviously, like we talked about with the routers and things like that, like anything can come in uh into a home, you know, from foreign countries.
• 21:33
  SPEAKER_00: Uh so just being aware of that.
• 21:35
  SPEAKER_02: And and just to to piggyback off of that, Paul, you know, I would I would point out that um with every piece of technology you're bringing into your home uh that makes your life uh simpler and more convenient and more enjoyable, there are potential attack vectors that uh come with uh integrating that that technology into your space.
• 21:58
  SPEAKER_02: Um and and to Paul's point, I think.
• 22:00
  SPEAKER_02: I think our latest cybersecurity guide that we released earlier this year, we're going to be talking about it at Expo, really focuses on how do you communicate the importance of good cyber hygiene, even at a very basic level, to consumers who are more focused on the pros that these great technologies are bringing into their home, but not necessarily as focused on mitigating the uh the risks potentially.
• 22:32
  SPEAKER_02: There probably wasn't a huge demand for seatbelts until the first bunch of car crashes.
• 22:38
  SPEAKER_02: Uh we're trying to get out ahead of that uh in this uh space and uh make sure everybody's equipped to uh be uh comfortable and safe and and secure in their home.
• 22:49
  SPEAKER_00: Right.
• 22:50
  SPEAKER_00: And I also think it's more of a practical guide.
• 22:52
  SPEAKER_00: Like, you know, here are some modern day checklists, you know, before you leave a home, make sure you have this, this, this, you know, be on the lookout for that.
• 23:00
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, just because you know, again, the the things that are changing that, you know, it's just a simple plug-in, turn it on, you know, there's so much more that needs to be put in.
• 23:08
  SPEAKER_00: So just even just for the integrator, like make sure you have all of this before you leave a home, and then also make sure you you educate the the homeowner as well before you before you leave.
• 23:20
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
• 23:20
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
• 23:21
  SPEAKER_01: So a lot of the end clients in in this market, I think, are obviously um some level of of wealthy, some more than others, and some pretty important, powerful people um are you know can call themselves customers of of some CD integrators?
• 23:36
  SPEAKER_01: Um they themselves are targets.
• 23:39
  SPEAKER_01: Um if they're say they're CEO of a company and their you know IT department is you know well resourced and and buttoned up.
• 23:46
  SPEAKER_01: Um, but then you know, 2020, everyone went to work at home, and then all of a sudden there's this giant, very unsecure attack vector.
• 23:55
  SPEAKER_01: Um there any conversations you know happening like that, like just putting that not you don't want to lead with fear, but like, hey, like sure, you know, your home, your everyone knows your name, you know, Mr.
• 24:08
  SPEAKER_01: CEO of whatever giant company, and you know, you're probably your home is probably very um unsecure when it comes to cybersecurity.
• 24:17
  SPEAKER_00: So Zach, you kind of hit the nail on the head.
• 24:19
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, I think especially with COVID, I think uh you know, now there's a blend where before that it was like everything you did was at work.
• 24:25
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, you went home, it was there, it was on the server, you don't have to worry about it.
• 24:30
  SPEAKER_00: Well, now you know you're doing you're doing stuff at work in the office, you're also bringing it home and it's you know in the cloud and everything.
• 24:37
  SPEAKER_00: So I think that that exactly, you know, these these are stories that we're talking about.
• 24:41
  SPEAKER_00: You know, I can think of a couple off the top of my head of real examples that some of our integrators have provided.
• 24:46
  SPEAKER_00: And it's just like things you don't even think about, and you're like, man, you know, that that that that's scary.
• 24:51
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, if if this they're able to hack in and you're you know head CEO or lawyer, doctor, whatever that is, you know, you you have you know classified, you know, classified uh information that could be hacked, that could be used um for any of those patients or clients that you obviously you don't want.
• 25:06
  SPEAKER_00: So again, it just kind of brings the importance of that cybersecurity and networking and you know a safe home as you're as you're bringing stuff from work and and home.
• 25:16
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, I mean, there have been some some some pretty high profile uh news stories about this.
• 25:21
  SPEAKER_01: Um, you know, the password management company LastPass, one of their developers had his account hacked and and all their you know users' passwords were were were basically um you know vulnerable.
• 25:33
  SPEAKER_01: Um I'm sure you've seen the stories of all these pro athletes who uh had their homes broken into, um, and and a lot of the these uh kernels that that broke in used uh Wi-Fi jammers to you know disarm security systems.
• 25:46
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, um so it's you know it's it's happening.
• 25:50
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, absolutely.
• 25:53
  SPEAKER_01: Um yeah, and uh power, which I think is is gonna be um you know the equivalent of lighting and how fast it's gonna grow.
• 26:03
  SPEAKER_01: Um yeah, so what kind of education uh you know can folks look forward to uh in Denver about power?
• 26:10
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, we've got uh a three-course uh curriculum uh for power um in the works right now, um particularly focused on sort of how to best communicate uh the need for power and the need for uh specific uh uh types of setups uh to clients.
• 26:32
  SPEAKER_02: So uh we've got some some great member partners who are going to be um sort of initially setting the table with some basic power fundamentals um for folks, and then sort of opening it up into how to best communicate need, uh, work within budget, and ultimately deliver solutions that uh clients are are going to eventually expect, even if they don't expect it uh right out of the gate.
• 26:59
  SPEAKER_02: Um and then uh we're we're gonna pivot in that sort of third chapter into uh a more kind of detailed, granular, in-depth look at uh a whole range of uh power products um uh that will uh you know hopefully equip uh sales professionals and folks who are um you know sort of sales adjacent uh on uh these teams to be able to uh communicate those needs effectively um and uh uh productively with with uh homeowners.
• 27:32
  SPEAKER_01: Great, excellent.
• 27:33
  SPEAKER_01: Um yeah, let's focus on on some of the content uh planned around uh recurring revenue um operational maturity and profitability, you know, not just not just growth.
• 27:43
  SPEAKER_01: Um and as you said at the top of the call, um, you know, we're in the industry is entering um a more mature phase, which which I agree with, and which some of some of our um research data um backs up.
• 27:54
  SPEAKER_01: Um so you know what can folks look forward to um to help you know just become more profitable and and mature as a company.
• 28:05
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, well, I I'm 5'6 on a good day.
• 28:08
  SPEAKER_02: So if growth was a sign of maturity, like I would be uh I'd be in some real trouble.
• 28:13
  SPEAKER_02: Um but you know, I uh to to that point, Zach, I think um, you know, we are um prioritizing more specific metrics for growth and success than just raw growth this year.
• 28:26
  SPEAKER_02: So we're looking at uh preserving margins, um, we're looking at um uh having sustainable and scalable uh capacity for business owners to be able to not uh be stuck in this sort of feast or famine cycle where um you're you're uh fattening up for the winter constantly.
• 28:48
  SPEAKER_02: Um you know, I think um good forecasting pricing strategy, uh setting a solid operational cadence is uh as important, if not more so, than just focusing on on uh raw numbers uh month to month.
• 29:04
  SPEAKER_02: Um I think you know looking at service contracts and recurring revenue opportunities uh is is uh going to be a major focus on uh some of our business track sessions this year, um, not only from the standpoint of sort of stabilizing cash flow, but to sort of build strong recurring ongoing relationships with homeowners where uh you uh you become their their person as an integrator and not just uh the person for X job.
• 29:34
  SPEAKER_02: Um so I think you know servicing and uh keeping uh maintained all of these uh products and systems that uh technology integrators are bringing into the home is is a great opportunity and and a healthier model for integrators to to uh stay profitable over the long term, but uh ultimately have have a better experience for for the homeowners they serve as well.
• 29:58
  SPEAKER_01: Right, right.
• 29:59
  SPEAKER_01: Agree.
• 30:00
  SPEAKER_01: And and I think this is a topic that's talked about quite often.
• 30:03
  SPEAKER_01: And uh and uh the CE Pro 100 comes out literally tomorrow, and uh the the percentage of revenue from RMR is is very, very low.
• 30:13
  SPEAKER_01: Um just what are the the roadblocks here?
• 30:16
  SPEAKER_01: Um why why can't folks just what what what's the problem here?
• 30:24
  SPEAKER_01: For for the what service or for recurring revenue and and you know service contracts.
• 30:32
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I I think it's I think the kind of as we're saying as we're uh you know evolving and maturing industry is I I think you know, as you set up your company, you're obviously you're focusing on the technology, you may have certain uh you know control systems that you use.
• 30:48
  SPEAKER_00: And so that's where we're trying to shake it up of like here are some alternatives out there, here's a service, you know, department that you can set up, or even if it's just you know a monthly minimal fee, as you know, and the example given, you know, it's Super Bowl Sunday, your network goes down, you can't get the TV, you know, just to have that ability and just kind of thinking differently of there is benefit here.
• 31:08
  SPEAKER_00: Yes, you know, it's a it's a little bit of a change from your operation of a company, but here's a return.
• 31:14
  SPEAKER_00: And it's also you know building that trust, like Evan said, of you know, you they they came out on Super Bowl Sunday, got me up and running, and I was able to have my party.
• 31:23
  SPEAKER_00: So um, you know, it's just kind of shaking that out a little bit, but kind of going back to what we said too, um, besides service, but even like power management, just obviously understanding what that is, but even you know, if if a company can bring that in their portfolio too, of you know, the grids being warned, um, depending on where they are, you know, California, Florida, Texas.
• 31:42
  SPEAKER_00: I know they have you know blackouts, so being more aware, cognizant of that.
• 31:46
  SPEAKER_00: So any new technology that is installed in the home, be like, you know, that this you shouldn't have this issue, or it'd be limited.
• 31:52
  SPEAKER_00: You know, again, that's another selling point for the homeowner to say, yep, you know, I hate losing power, but here's what I'm able to do and offer, or you know, you can plug in your EV within your home, but here's how I'm gonna do it, and here's here's how I'm gonna make sure that you know it's it's not pulling so much from the grid.
• 32:09
  SPEAKER_00: Um, so it's those types of things where where I think it's evolving, you know, even if you've been in business for five, 10, 15 years, just kind of thinking differently of how you can grow and support your your company um today.
• 32:24
  SPEAKER_01: Excellent.
• 32:25
  SPEAKER_01: Um moving on to another thing that that gets talked about a lot, but probably not too not enough, is uh workforce development and certifications.
• 32:34
  SPEAKER_01: Um every integrator's chief complaint um is probably workforce development and is finding people to do to do the work.
• 32:42
  SPEAKER_01: Um so yeah, you know, uh how much of a focus is that um in Denver this year?
• 32:50
  SPEAKER_00: I so I it is a focus where we actually are gonna have a couple sessions dedicated um to this topic.
• 32:57
  SPEAKER_00: Uh one, uh there is gonna be a stage talk uh as well on the expo floor talking about this.
• 33:02
  SPEAKER_00: And really what we're gonna be doing is highlighting, you know, integrators, um, you know, companies that have that have had success.
• 33:09
  SPEAKER_00: So whether they're working in their local, you know, high schools, doing different job fairs, you know, how are they, you know, what organizations are they tapping into to try to get the men and women to come in to the industry?
• 33:21
  SPEAKER_00: Uh believe it or not, uh the smart home integrators are not alone in the workforce shortage.
• 33:27
  SPEAKER_00: So I think every construction trade uh has the same issue.
• 33:31
  SPEAKER_00: And so we're also kind of fighting for that same pool.
• 33:34
  SPEAKER_00: Um, so how do we stand out?
• 33:36
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and so some of the things that we're gonna highlight too is as you're trying to get into workforce and depending on where you are and you know, where do you start, where do you begin, is just telling the story.
• 33:46
  SPEAKER_00: So, you know, these men and women, they've been in high school, they basically were born with a computer and a tablet and a phone.
• 33:53
  SPEAKER_00: So they're used to this.
• 33:54
  SPEAKER_00: So when you're going out and saying, You want to be a plumber or you want to split cool technology and kind of game and network, you know, it's it's that's exciting to them.
• 34:03
  SPEAKER_00: Like, yeah, I want to learn more and that and you know, you know, screens and home cinemas and things like that.
• 34:08
  SPEAKER_00: So, um, so there are going to be a different session talking about the workforce uh initiatives that Cedia is doing and then what our members are doing and seeing success of you know case studies.
• 34:19
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and then obviously we will also then uh be talking about uh the CEDA foundation, which you know its big focus and mission is trying to bring in uh individuals into the industry.
• 34:30
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and so you know, looking at uh a new campaign of bringing uh techs in with some training.
• 34:37
  SPEAKER_00: What was the success we had this past year?
• 34:40
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and then we're also even gonna have a uh pickle-ball event uh to also bring awareness to the CD Foundation on the first part of that week.
• 34:48
  SPEAKER_00: So workforce is big, uh, you'll see that scattered throughout, uh, but definitely um attend that stage talk uh as well.
• 34:56
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, absolutely.
• 34:57
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, it's it's if if you're like you know fresh out of high school or just graduated, you know, a tech college, not quite sure what you want to do, and you come to C Dia Expo, you're gonna be like, oh, this is what I want.
• 35:10
  SPEAKER_01: Dude, it's like you're talking about giant screens and spee speakers as tall as me.
• 35:16
  SPEAKER_01: Like, come on, man.
• 35:17
  SPEAKER_01: How do you not think it's cool?
• 35:19
  SPEAKER_00: Exactly.
• 35:20
  SPEAKER_00: Exactly.
• 35:21
  SPEAKER_01: Um, like I listen, I wasn't much of an A V guy before I found CE pro.
• 35:26
  SPEAKER_01: Uh now I come on, now I now I know the difference between good audio and bad audio.
• 35:32
  SPEAKER_01: Sure.
• 35:33
  SPEAKER_01: Um now I'm a little bit of a cinophile.
• 35:37
  SPEAKER_01: Um yeah, and and something we talked about already, about how you know the role of an integrator is evolving from installer to consultant and and and technology strategist.
• 35:47
  SPEAKER_01: Um obviously that's how CDIS sees the industry changing.
• 35:50
  SPEAKER_01: And how is that reflected in the uh education program for CDI Expo?
• 35:56
  SPEAKER_02: I think uh the the sort of two sides of that coin that that integrators need today, and uh even more so moving forward, uh you you need that technical depth.
• 36:08
  SPEAKER_02: You've always needed that technical depth.
• 36:10
  SPEAKER_02: Technology advances, you need to stay up to speed.
• 36:13
  SPEAKER_02: We have that covered uh at at this year's conference.
• 36:16
  SPEAKER_02: But I think strategic fluency and and social intelligence um and uh good communication is as important as it's ever been and will only continue to be so as uh integrators find themselves entering these conversations earlier and earlier in the into the process, um, interfacing between um other tradespeople and then uh communicating, sometimes translating that speak to homeowners.
• 36:46
  SPEAKER_02: Um I think it's it I we we have built a curriculum this year that's uh covering all of the the hard skills and uh updates to those those areas uh based on uh what we're we're we're seeing in the field, uh, but uh not losing sight of the sort of uh softer skills that uh as the you know, particularly for integration businesses that are relatively small, you know, under seven employees, I mean you you are the face of that enterprise, uh not only uh to your clients, but but in the broader marketplace.
• 37:22
  SPEAKER_02: So um I think uh having uh empowering uh technology integrators to see themselves not only as uh practitioners in a trade, but as um uh executives and strategists and marketers, um, there are a whole bunch of different hats to wear.
• 37:42
  SPEAKER_02: Um and I think um not running away from that, but acknowledging it and reflecting it in the curriculum is uh as as important now as it's ever been.
• 37:52
  SPEAKER_01: So how is that reflected in the curriculum?
• 37:56
  SPEAKER_02: Um we have you know one one of my favorite titles uh this year, it's uh uh social media marketing for integrators who hate social media.
• 38:04
  SPEAKER_02: You know, um having having um uh obviously everybody uh is is coming to uh coming to the conversation with uh different uh comfort zones.
• 38:17
  SPEAKER_02: Uh you know, I think there are a lot of folks who uh know what they do, they know what they're good at, and and they want to keep doing that, and they should.
• 38:25
  SPEAKER_02: Um but I think you know there it's also uh too easy a lot of the time to um uh say, well, that that that isn't that isn't me.
• 38:35
  SPEAKER_02: You know, like I'm not a marketer.
• 38:37
  SPEAKER_02: Well, you know, if you run a mom and pop operation uh at a time where uh everybody under the sun can have a parasocial relationship with a business on the other side of the planet they've they've never interacted with directly, like you, you you should and and and you must be a good marketer.
• 38:56
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, on the uh on the the the power front, you know, I uh a major focus of that curriculum is is going to be around sales, but but I almost hesitate to frame it as a sales conversation because as an installer, you need to, even if you're not in sales, you're you're selling with every conversation you have with with your your customers.
• 39:18
  SPEAKER_02: Um so I think you know having a number of uh courses, uh panels, sessions where um integrators have the opportunity to see themselves wearing hats that they might not initially think fit them is is gonna be really important for for their success and the success of of the industry writ large.
• 39:41
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, I I think this industry kind of just really just lends itself to doing well on social media.
• 39:46
  SPEAKER_01: And and you know, to your point, I don't think enough folks are are leveraging it.
• 39:51
  SPEAKER_01: Um like these are beautiful homes, they're beautiful systems.
• 39:54
  SPEAKER_01: They belong on Instagram, yep.
• 39:57
  SPEAKER_01: And and and X and they belong, you know, come on, UTC.
• 40:01
  SPEAKER_02: And and the barrier to entry is just so low.
• 40:04
  SPEAKER_02: It you know, it's it's the lowest of low-hanging fruits, and um, you know, I think uh not enough people are capitalizing on that, and we certainly hope it changes.
• 40:14
  SPEAKER_01: Absolutely.
• 40:15
  SPEAKER_01: Um yeah, were there any topics that gain momentum faster than you expected while while building this out?
• 40:20
  SPEAKER_01: You know, um any any of that surprised you?
• 40:24
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, I would say AI, obviously, uh everybody in their mother uh wants to talk about AI.
• 40:31
  SPEAKER_02: Some of them are even qualified to do it, and we have those folks speaking at Expo this year.
• 40:36
  SPEAKER_02: Um uh, you know, I I think I was a little pleasantly surprised with just the the rapid inflow of folks excited to uh uh have uh uh an opportunity to contribute to the lighting curriculum this year.
• 40:52
  SPEAKER_02: Um we were inundated with with folks excited to um speak to the the the work they're doing, the trends they're seeing there.
• 41:01
  SPEAKER_02: Um and uh you know I think while um uh topics like wellness um and aging in place uh have always been of interest to um uh uh a portion of the speakers and attendees at Expo, I think this year we've sort of seen those doors get kicked open with a lot more interest, both from a uh a registration attendee standpoint as well as uh from practitioners who uh you know, over the last couple of years have really gotten deeper into those spaces.
• 41:34
  SPEAKER_02: Um so, you know, I think looking at it holistically, um, lighting and and AI um definitely uh a lot of wind uh at at our backs there.
• 41:48
  SPEAKER_02: But I think uh I've also been pleasantly surprised with sort of the depth of some evergreen and and recurring topical areas that suddenly um seem to have uh you know a lot more meat on those bones.
• 42:01
  SPEAKER_01: Uh like like what for those recurring ones?
• 42:06
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, I would um I had a brain fart.
• 42:10
  SPEAKER_02: Paul, do you want to take that one?
• 42:11
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I mean I would just say even if we're talking about like the wellness, you know, like the aging in place and the human-centric, like like why do I care about this?
• 42:20
  SPEAKER_00: And again, like people are becoming experts within this industry and then they spill to say, here's what I did, and this is how it impacted insert whoever.
• 42:29
  SPEAKER_00: It's like, oh, I didn't think about that.
• 42:31
  SPEAKER_00: Like, I'm thinking of a new construction and I built it.
• 42:33
  SPEAKER_00: Well, you know, what if you, you know, a client has a disabled son or daughter, and how can you make their home uh you know help them uh you know, wellness and things like that.
• 42:44
  SPEAKER_00: So I I think that's where you're starting to see some things that think differently.
• 42:48
  SPEAKER_00: And what I was gonna say too, like to Evan's point, is you know, I think uh for a while, I think with with CD content of what we had, you know, it was it was good, but I think now we've seen last year, and especially this year too, like we're thinking differently, we're going out there.
• 43:03
  SPEAKER_00: What are what are the trends?
• 43:04
  SPEAKER_00: What do you need to know?
• 43:05
  SPEAKER_00: How can you build your business?
• 43:06
  SPEAKER_00: Here's the practical things that you can do, takeaways.
• 43:10
  SPEAKER_00: Um, so that that's where I think uh you're gonna see for this year.
• 43:13
  SPEAKER_00: But then to Evan's point too, it's we did not really have a need to really turn every rock that I mean, it was just amazing.
• 43:21
  SPEAKER_00: Of I can talk about lighting and the wellness and human-centric and power management, and this is what I really want to talk about, and then keeping it um practical, because obviously what we don't want is you know a sales pitch, and this is you know, my product is XYZ.
• 43:35
  SPEAKER_00: It's more of how do I understand this area within the home?
• 43:39
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and then like kind of coming full circle talking about you know, designers and architects and builders, you know, obviously we're integrators, but how can you work with them and what was their back best practices and what do they need from an integrator to be successful so we can make some of those partnerships too?
• 43:54
  SPEAKER_00: So you'll see some of that even with within our sessions of how can we collaborate together and build a Upon our expertise to really have the best um final product.
• 44:05
  SPEAKER_01: All right.
• 44:05
  SPEAKER_01: So let's say Monday, um, September 7th.
• 44:10
  SPEAKER_01: What sessions are folks still gonna be talking about after CDN?
• 44:15
  SPEAKER_02: So uh this this might be a bold claim because it's the very first thing that will be happening at Expo before Expo even officially starts.
• 44:22
  SPEAKER_02: So hopefully folks are are still uh buzzing about it by the end of the week.
• 44:26
  SPEAKER_02: But I'm really excited for our RP32 uh workshop that uh we're actually opening up uh Expo uh a couple days early.
• 44:37
  SPEAKER_02: Uh uh it's gonna be on Monday, August 31st.
• 44:40
  SPEAKER_02: Uh we've got uh a full-day workshop planned for um uh rolling out RP32 to integrators in uh North America.
• 44:49
  SPEAKER_02: Uh RP32 is one of our latest recommended practices that focuses on audio system measurement and verification.
• 44:56
  SPEAKER_02: Uh we sort of piloted this workshop in Barcelona this year at ISE, and it was uh extremely well attended, and I was hearing people talking about it on the last day um on the floor.
• 45:09
  SPEAKER_02: So um I'm I'm really looking forward to that one.
• 45:12
  SPEAKER_02: I think um this workshop, having seen it in person um myself, it's fun because you you you get to play with the toys.
• 45:21
  SPEAKER_02: Like uh I was I was a couple rooms over uh towards uh the later afternoon on workshop day in Barcelona, and I'm hearing I'm hearing booms and uh uh a whole bunch of uh you know uh uh static and and beeps and buzzes, and uh the the the the boys and the girls were playing with their toys and they're having a good time with it.
• 45:43
  SPEAKER_02: Um so I think uh RP32 is a great opportunity to sort of connect the the more academic scholarship side of um our our white papers and recommended practices uh to be able to uh move fast and not break things, but but um you know get get to um uh you know play with all the shiny, shiny objects uh in in the toolbox.
• 46:06
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, yeah.
• 46:07
  SPEAKER_01: I think I think folks do love um hands-on experiences.
• 46:10
  SPEAKER_01: Um, what about yourself?
• 46:11
  SPEAKER_01: Uh any any ones that you're particularly excited about?
• 46:14
  SPEAKER_00: I would say just a theme that we're gonna kind of have as well.
• 46:16
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, obviously what we've already talked about, but just design thinking.
• 46:20
  SPEAKER_00: Um we're gonna see some of that from our keynote speaker, but then also um, you know, we have a workshop, but we also it's kind of scattered throughout.
• 46:27
  SPEAKER_00: So, you know, thinking about a project and design and you know what's gonna work well.
• 46:31
  SPEAKER_00: And I think ultimately that's what you're gonna see scattered through a lot of our sessions too.
• 46:35
  SPEAKER_00: It's thinking differently about a project, or you know, I've I've been doing this for so long, but now I'm looking at you know, Asian place, or so I think you're gonna see a lot of that of just like rethinking the way that you're integrating homes and you know, how can you evolve and expand and just be able again?
• 46:53
  SPEAKER_00: I think what what I love about CD Expo is just the the networking and just sharing best practices.
• 46:58
  SPEAKER_00: Like, hey, I did this and this was really great, and this is the return.
• 47:00
  SPEAKER_00: Oh, I never thought about that.
• 47:02
  SPEAKER_00: So, design thinking is gonna be a big theme um for this year, but I just think that's gonna be scattered throughout the sessions, even if you know you don't attend the workshop, but just that's gonna be a theme, I think, on September 7th.
• 47:14
  SPEAKER_01: Are you good?
• 47:15
  SPEAKER_01: Evan, Paul, thanks very much uh for your time, and I will see you in uh in uh in a few months.
• 47:22
  SPEAKER_00: Sounds great.
• 47:22
  SPEAKER_00: Thanks, Zach.
• 47:25
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, see you soon.
• 47:26
  SPEAKER_00: Safe travels.
• 47:27
  SPEAKER_00: See ya.