Latest / CE Pro Podcast / CE Pro Podcast #175: Why Top Smart Home Manufacturers Keep Betting Big on CEDIA Expo 2026

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CE Pro Podcast #175: Why Top Smart Home Manufacturers Keep Betting Big on CEDIA Expo 2026 · CE Pro Podcast

• 0:08
  SPEAKER_04: Hey folks, welcome to the CE Pro Podcast.
• 0:11
  SPEAKER_04: I am uh executive editor Zachary Como.
• 0:13
  SPEAKER_04: Um today is this is a special episode.
• 0:15
  SPEAKER_04: Um as Cvia Expo 2026 approaches, uh, we're taking a closer look at what attendees, exhibitors, and industry leaders can expect uh from this recent event in Denver.
• 0:25
  SPEAKER_04: Uh we're joined by members of the CV Expo leadership team and leading manufacturers to discuss how the show continues to evolve alongside the consumer integration in the industry.
• 0:34
  SPEAKER_04: Uh we'll also talk about what's new for 2026, how uh feedback is influencing the show's direction, and what success looks like for everyone involved.
• 0:43
  SPEAKER_04: Um so let's let's introduce everyone.
• 0:45
  SPEAKER_04: Uh so we have uh Brian Pagel, the the executive vice president of business development, uh who oversees residential and commercial connections uh at Emerald, Jason McGraw, the group vice president of uh CD Expo, CIMX K Base, uh Kitchen of Earth Canada uh former Emerald as well.
• 1:03
  SPEAKER_04: And then of course uh some folks that didn't know introduction at all.
• 1:06
  SPEAKER_04: We have Alex, uh Capas Latro, the CEO of Josh AI, and Nick Berry, the CEO of Origin Acoustics.
• 1:13
  SPEAKER_04: Um fellas, thanks thanks for joining me.
• 1:15
  SPEAKER_04: Thanks for uh you know, it's uh what is it, Wednesday?
• 1:17
  SPEAKER_04: Wednesday afternoon?
• 1:18
  SPEAKER_04: How are we feeling?
• 1:19
  SPEAKER_04: The week's dragging a little bit.
• 1:20
  SPEAKER_04: Let's uh let's have a chat.
• 1:23
  SPEAKER_04: Yeah, good.
• 1:25
  SPEAKER_04: Thank you.
• 1:27
  SPEAKER_04: So um let's start with uh with Nick and Alex.
• 1:31
  SPEAKER_04: Um what are you guys looking most looking forward to um at this year's HD expo?
• 1:37
  SPEAKER_04: And then we'll uh we'll um you know get the um Jason and Ryan as well after.
• 1:42
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I'll I'll just jump in and say it's funny.
• 1:45
  SPEAKER_00: I often get asked to do different podcasts right after the show, and I'm I'm sure Nick has the same thing where people ask, what did you see and what was most exciting?
• 1:54
  SPEAKER_00: And the reality is so much of our focus is on what we're doing.
• 1:58
  SPEAKER_00: And so right now, I'm hoping that I can carve out some time to visit other people and take meetings, but we're all about building a really awesome booth experience, launching new products.
• 2:09
  SPEAKER_00: We have some surprise hardware that we're debuting, a lot of software that we're debuting.
• 2:13
  SPEAKER_00: And we like to build a full smart home on the floor and show stuff in action.
• 2:19
  SPEAKER_00: So my team is just spending all summer kind of building that, designing it, creating the demos, inviting people, making sure that we get people to come out.
• 2:27
  SPEAKER_00: Because if you don't come out to the show, you're not gonna get the hands-on experience that the rest of the group are gonna get.
• 2:33
  SPEAKER_00: So I know there's a lot of other stuff and I'll give it some thoughts, but so far I've been very josh focused.
• 2:40
  SPEAKER_00: I will say that I'm excited as we pass it over to Nick.
• 2:42
  SPEAKER_00: We have struggled a little bit with the acoustics in the booth where we want a presenter to have a lav mic and be able to hear well.
• 2:49
  SPEAKER_00: So we've tapped Nick's team and said, help us fix this because you guys understand acoustics.
• 2:54
  SPEAKER_00: So with that, Nick, we're looking forward to that.
• 2:56
  SPEAKER_04: Yeah, no, we're gonna know that.
• 2:58
  SPEAKER_04: That's great.
• 2:58
  SPEAKER_04: That's great.
• 2:58
  SPEAKER_04: I'm glad to have both of you guys on then.
• 3:00
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah, yeah, we're looking forward to uh helping Alex's booth sound good.
• 3:04
  SPEAKER_03: Uh so that's that's one thing.
• 3:07
  SPEAKER_03: Uh no, I think every every year we really look forward to um obviously seeing our customers uh spending time with our customers uh all in one place, um generally getting market feedback on products uh that we're showing at the show, um, as well as spending time with uh other vendors and other manufacturers in the space.
• 3:32
  SPEAKER_03: Um I think uh Cedia is uh very unique for us uh in terms of the actual trade show because uh it is a community that we've all been part of for a very long time.
• 3:46
  SPEAKER_03: And so um, you know, to be honest, that's what we look forward to the most is is seeing and being part of that community.
• 3:53
  SPEAKER_03: Uh and that's that's everybody, uh including you guys from Emerald.
• 3:57
  SPEAKER_03: Uh it's all it's all part of the community.
• 4:00
  SPEAKER_00: I'll also just share really quick.
• 4:02
  SPEAKER_00: I think we might be two of the uh the few manufacturers that always do a special limited edition t-shirt for the show.
• 4:10
  SPEAKER_00: And so we always run out the first couple hours, it doesn't matter how many we make, like those just go.
• 4:16
  SPEAKER_00: Um, but a little internal competition that Nick doesn't know about is we know that they're gonna put out a great design and we're gonna try to do a great design.
• 4:23
  SPEAKER_00: And I'm always curious which one dealers like more.
• 4:27
  SPEAKER_03: Well, we can we can ask that at the end of the show.
• 4:31
  SPEAKER_04: Uh yeah, before you go any further, I think uh it's important to note that um both of you guys' booths are always just a party, um, especially Nick.
• 4:39
  SPEAKER_04: Uh yeah, you guys like to like to like to bump some tunes and it's always it's always fun um hanging out around the origin booth.
• 4:46
  SPEAKER_04: And then uh yeah, last year uh Alex, you guys had had a had a great booth, you had a great demo.
• 4:52
  SPEAKER_04: Um so let's let's uh kick that question to uh Jason and Brian as well.
• 4:57
  SPEAKER_04: Um, as you know, folks who are obviously intimately involved with the planning and execution of CD Expo.
• 5:02
  SPEAKER_04: Um, you know, what are you guys most looking forward to this year?
• 5:04
  SPEAKER_01: Well, uh I'm looking forward to exactly what uh Alex and Nick said.
• 5:09
  SPEAKER_01: Uh, you know, we sell uh a piece of concrete in the Expo Hall, and it's our magnificent uh exhibits delivered by these great brands that uh really make the show what it is.
• 5:20
  SPEAKER_01: And so it's exciting for us every year to show up.
• 5:23
  SPEAKER_01: You know, the show's starting to move in, you know, all the boxes and crates are coming in, and then suddenly it's like magic.
• 5:29
  SPEAKER_01: There's really, really cool uh displays and awesome products, and and it's like Christmas morning, you know, like that it's a big unveil of of what's new and what's great in the industry.
• 5:40
  SPEAKER_01: And and that's what I get psyched for every year.
• 5:43
  SPEAKER_01: It's uh it's really uh fun to work on year-round.
• 5:46
  SPEAKER_01: But when you get to the show and it's actually coming together is really when it's uh so rewarding.
• 5:53
  SPEAKER_02: Absolutely.
• 5:54
  SPEAKER_02: I'll uh I'll build on that.
• 5:55
  SPEAKER_02: I I did like Alex's response.
• 5:57
  SPEAKER_02: It makes me feel a little bit better that you know we're so tunnel-focused on putting on the show that sometimes you forget about the finished product.
• 6:04
  SPEAKER_02: We're we're building up to that point.
• 6:06
  SPEAKER_02: But uh, you know, I I always love seeing our top brands never satisfied with what they did the year before.
• 6:14
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, you know, the I it is hard to build an experience on a show floor and to be able to go in year in and year out and create something new and different.
• 6:24
  SPEAKER_02: That in this case, what makes this this category so interesting is products are always being unveiled.
• 6:28
  SPEAKER_02: You know, and and I I hear a misnomer in the marketplace where you go, oh, no one's launching anything.
• 6:33
  SPEAKER_02: Last year there were there were over a hundred products launched.
• 6:36
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, I know both these gentlemen on this particular uh session have some cool things in the work that I I personally am excited to see.
• 6:45
  SPEAKER_02: We know many other vendors that have a lot of things in uh in progress.
• 6:50
  SPEAKER_02: So, you know, I I look forward to seeing that finished product.
• 6:54
  SPEAKER_02: I love seeing a little healthy competition amongst brands in terms of you know who's gonna be the booth and the destination on the floor.
• 7:02
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, so I love seeing it all together and and ultimately how this community really interacts.
• 7:09
  SPEAKER_02: Uh in all the markets that I work with and the 300 plus shows I produce, I can honestly tell you I've never seen a market that has such a sense of community.
• 7:18
  SPEAKER_02: And it it's like a family reunion every year at Cedia.
• 7:21
  SPEAKER_02: And so those are the things that I really look forward to.
• 7:24
  SPEAKER_02: But you know, there's that uh what Coco, the uh the uh home one uh one AI robot.
• 7:30
  SPEAKER_02: You know, I'm trying to figure out.
• 7:32
  SPEAKER_02: I I'm I'm so darn busy these days.
• 7:34
  SPEAKER_02: I'd love to see if that could also dub as my personal assistant.
• 7:36
  SPEAKER_02: So I'm I am gonna check that one out.
• 7:38
  SPEAKER_04: Jason, uh and and Brian, if you want to sign in as well, you know, what are the biggest priorities for the Expo team um heading into this russo?
• 7:46
  SPEAKER_04: And and obviously as as you know, part of the same umbrella and and and you know, collaborating with the expo team, I have some insight into this, but um, you know, curious uh what do you guys think are are the priorities?
• 7:58
  SPEAKER_01: Well, you know, for over 30 years, uh the show's been the largest gathering for the resi industry, and where all the pros come uh from across the US, Canada, uh Mexico, and and uh more than a couple dozen countries around the world.
• 8:12
  SPEAKER_01: Um, you know, the focus uh has been, will continue to be uh residential systems integration.
• 8:19
  SPEAKER_01: Certainly uh you know resi integrators are are in a variety of uh different kinds of projects uh that go into you know like commercial, multi-dwelling units, uh luxury homes, you name it.
• 8:32
  SPEAKER_01: But the show is the gathering for everybody in the channel.
• 8:35
  SPEAKER_01: So, you know, dealers, integrators, installers, programmers, the reps, the manufacturers, and it's and it's like we said, it's like Homecoming Week.
• 8:42
  SPEAKER_01: Um, you know, our priority is to deliver that the uh the best experience for everybody in the industry where you get direct ROI from you know the seeing new products, learning about the latest trends and technologies and how to apply them to your business, the professional development side.
• 9:00
  SPEAKER_01: You know, uh we work very closely with CEDIA on their conference uh offerings at the show, the education component, the manufacture product training.
• 9:09
  SPEAKER_01: So it's it's so critical to us that um everybody who comes to the show leaves with with more knowledge, more value, more business connections than when they arrived.
• 9:20
  SPEAKER_01: And and that for us is what success looks like uh at the show in our highest priority.
• 9:26
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, you know, I I think Jason really leaned into this well, you know, feedback's at the heart of everything we do.
• 9:32
  SPEAKER_02: And and this market, just by virtue of being um a tech uh-driven marketplace, it's always changing, it's always evolving.
• 9:40
  SPEAKER_02: There are no shortage of challenges that are coming at our integrator community and at our manufacturers.
• 9:47
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, we all know that, you know, but but we think the fundamentals are there to continue to be that on that leading edge.
• 9:54
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, we know some of the challenges are in the marketplace at this point in time, right?
• 9:57
  SPEAKER_02: So we're here to help service where we're going uh and and getting that feedback from our attendees.
• 10:05
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, of course, working closely with our partners at the association, uh, as well as you know, key customers and and other industry uh, you know, uh icons.
• 10:14
  SPEAKER_02: Or it's that's where that's our sounding board.
• 10:17
  SPEAKER_02: Uh that's the group that we're constantly leaning into, asking, hey, what do you think about this?
• 10:21
  SPEAKER_02: What do you think about that?
• 10:22
  SPEAKER_02: And frankly, I love the fact that uh we get very, very direct feedback.
• 10:28
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, it's not telling us how great we are or how bad we are, it's it's giving us an honest view of what they're hearing from their customers uh and and the challenges that they're facing.
• 10:37
  SPEAKER_02: So our objective is really always how are we helping to lead the industry forward and make sure that you know, through education, through uh networking, through these new products, uh, you know, and all of the things that people uh look at as synonymous with CDI, that it's ultimately filling a need and helping helping them to uh to be ready to take on what's next.
• 10:59
  SPEAKER_02: And and uh so you know, we really lean into that feedback loop because that's how we improve.
• 11:04
  SPEAKER_02: And like I was saying earlier, how I love the fact that the exhibitors are never uh happy with what their uh their last uh booth was.
• 11:12
  SPEAKER_02: We have to have that same attitude in terms of the show.
• 11:15
  SPEAKER_02: You know, we've got to constantly be pushing, and like everything else, you're gonna try some things that work and some things that don't.
• 11:21
  SPEAKER_02: What did we learn from what we didn't work and how are we improving?
• 11:24
  SPEAKER_02: But we it's that that it's striving for that level of perfection that I think helps us to get closer to where we uh we aspire to be.
• 11:32
  SPEAKER_04: Yeah, let's say let's stay on that feedback topic.
• 11:34
  SPEAKER_04: Um, you know, how much that you know does feedback you know influence planning for the expo?
• 11:38
  SPEAKER_04: And um, you know, maybe what specific feedback is helping to shape uh this year's show?
• 11:43
  unknown: Jay.
• 11:44
  SPEAKER_01: I guess I'll I'll I can take that one.
• 11:46
  SPEAKER_01: Uh, you know, we certainly, like Brian said, we talk with our exhibitors throughout the year.
• 11:51
  SPEAKER_01: Um, we do you know post-show surveys of attendees and exhibitors.
• 11:55
  SPEAKER_01: Um, we we talk to various integrators, we talk to the association, other stakeholders.
• 12:00
  SPEAKER_01: So we we feel like we've got a good um feedback loop in terms of you know what people like, what do they want to see more of at the show, uh, even our future show planning.
• 12:11
  SPEAKER_01: And we recently announced future dates that we're gonna go back to rotating the show to different cities.
• 12:15
  SPEAKER_01: We heard that very clearly uh from both exhibitors and attendees that, you know, while Denver is a fantastic city and it's a great host destination for the show, uh, people are ready to go to some other cities.
• 12:28
  SPEAKER_01: So, you know, we took the time to look around, find dates, find the space.
• 12:32
  SPEAKER_01: And uh so, you know, we're happy to be moving the show back uh around the country and and and see some attendees in different uh locations.
• 12:41
  SPEAKER_01: So, you know, that was a direct result of listening.
• 12:45
  SPEAKER_01: And um, you know, we continue to try and um make improvements.
• 12:49
  SPEAKER_01: Um some things we can't improve.
• 12:51
  SPEAKER_01: You know, we we don't control the price of internet at the convention center, for example.
• 12:55
  SPEAKER_01: Um but you know, there's there's certainly a lot of things that uh, you know, costs are are always one that come up, and we try to uh deal with that working with our vendors.
• 13:04
  SPEAKER_01: Uh, and then we'll see, you know, moving forward some changes city to city.
• 13:08
  SPEAKER_01: So um, but more importantly, it's about the experience and at the event and and the value, again, the content that's there, the brands that are there.
• 13:18
  SPEAKER_01: Um, you know, and and that's important to us that we keep evolving the show to reflect what's going on in the marketplace.
• 13:25
  SPEAKER_02: Jason, I'll just to build on that, I also think it's important when you talk about experience, um, it's not just the nine to five that the show is open.
• 13:35
  SPEAKER_02: It's from when you get into the destination till the time you leave.
• 13:38
  SPEAKER_02: Now, we know our exhibitors are there for a much longer period of time than our attendees, but it's it's critically important to us to continue to work with these destinations, uh, wherever the show may be, to make sure that we're giving access and experiences that go well outside of the convention center.
• 13:56
  SPEAKER_02: And and, you know, this is why, especially as you look at our future year rotation, we've really taken that kind of mindset uh in that planning to make sure that we're putting together places that are uh appropriate for the kind of experiences that we want to uh develop.
• 14:13
  SPEAKER_02: And so um we continue to take that feedback, we continue to work towards uh uh you know where we're going as an event platform because it's really representative of the industry, but we really want to make sure we continue to expand in the categories and areas that are also appropriate for how this market works.
• 14:31
  SPEAKER_02: And so uh we don't get it right all the time, uh, but I think you know, as we continue to focus in on making sure we surround ourselves with the right voices, I believe we're gonna get it right more than we get it wrong.
• 14:42
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, and so that's really kind of been our attitude towards uh uh developing the plan for expo.
• 14:47
  SPEAKER_04: Yeah, I know I know Nick is pumped about next year.
• 14:49
  SPEAKER_04: We're it's uh right in his backyard.
• 14:51
  SPEAKER_04: Uh so we're gonna go, we're all gonna party with Nick.
• 14:53
  SPEAKER_02: I think we're gonna have a barbecue over there at their offices or in someone's uh backyard, you know.
• 14:58
  SPEAKER_02: So that's right.
• 14:59
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, that's what I heard.
• 15:01
  SPEAKER_01: Alex, you look like you were gonna make a comment there.
• 15:04
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, quick quick comment, and then I've got an actual question for you guys.
• 15:07
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, quick comment is in case anyone doesn't know, this is gonna be the third year of a um pickleball tournament taking place the week during CD Expo.
• 15:19
  SPEAKER_00: Um, I've got the link here in the chat for us.
• 15:21
  SPEAKER_00: I don't know if Zach can include that if any article goes out.
• 15:24
  SPEAKER_00: Um that's just been a really fun thing.
• 15:26
  SPEAKER_00: We get exhibitors, we got integrators, we get various sponsors, and it's just a nice way to do something a few days before the show that gets us sweating active.
• 15:36
  SPEAKER_00: Um, there's a winner, um, and that's been kind of growing.
• 15:39
  SPEAKER_00: So just want to, you know, make mention of that.
• 15:42
  SPEAKER_00: And then my question for you guys is this is a different date.
• 15:46
  SPEAKER_00: Usually the show happens after Labor Day.
• 15:48
  SPEAKER_00: At this time, it's happening before Labor Day.
• 15:50
  SPEAKER_00: Tell us about how that sort of impacts things.
• 15:54
  SPEAKER_00: Um, what can we do to help?
• 15:55
  SPEAKER_00: What should listeners know?
• 15:57
  SPEAKER_00: Just kind of curious.
• 15:58
  SPEAKER_00: It's a different you know, time period.
• 15:59
  SPEAKER_02: You know, this is the uh the the challenge of being in the events business.
• 16:04
  SPEAKER_02: Uh sometimes you're at the mercy of someone else's calendar.
• 16:08
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, and then you're also trying to constantly dance around other things that are going on in the marketplace.
• 16:13
  SPEAKER_02: Of course, we know this this market's particularly active.
• 16:16
  SPEAKER_02: Um, so yeah, it's not it is a little bit of a curveball um for us, but you know, we're we're taking this as somewhat of an opportunity in that you know, we've put together some things on the back half of the show to go ahead and and you know, for people want to stay over and enjoy a weekend in Colorado, which I grew up there.
• 16:36
  SPEAKER_02: I can tell you September's pretty freaking cool.
• 16:38
  SPEAKER_02: Uh if you want to go hang out and go up in the mountains and see the aspens turn or go into gold and then go to a courses brewery or go to Fort Collins and check out Fat Tire, right?
• 16:48
  SPEAKER_02: Um, there, you know, there are a lot of things that you can do.
• 16:51
  SPEAKER_02: So it's also a great way to finish off and enjoy a nice holiday weekend.
• 16:56
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but you know, we really also focus on for those that may have to get back and they've got plans uh, you know, at home that that we've made it easier for them to still get out and not completely wreck your weekends.
• 17:08
  SPEAKER_02: So, you know, we're we're making the best of the dates that we had.
• 17:11
  SPEAKER_02: And, you know, full disclosure, we continue to look at how we can find date uh date patterns that uh work better for for our you know the personal side of everyone coming to the event.
• 17:23
  SPEAKER_02: Um, those efforts are always ongoing.
• 17:26
  SPEAKER_02: But you know, I think when you look at the scheduled events, some of the things we put together, some of the things that we know uh some of our customers are doing in terms of their own uh hospitality and activations, you know, I think that we're we're really turning that challenge into an opportunity.
• 17:42
  SPEAKER_01: I will add too that the show dates have shifted.
• 17:45
  SPEAKER_01: So it's Wednesday through Friday.
• 17:47
  SPEAKER_01: And in the past, the show was Thursday through Saturday.
• 17:50
  SPEAKER_01: So from this year moving forward in perpetuity, the show will be held on weekdays.
• 17:55
  SPEAKER_01: It will no longer end on the weekend.
• 17:58
  SPEAKER_01: And uh that should also help if if somebody needs to get back home for the holiday weekend, they can attend the show and and catch a flight out, you know, Friday evening.
• 18:07
  SPEAKER_01: Um, I will add uh this year, um, capitalizing on the Denver uh theme on Friday afternoon, uh close the show.
• 18:15
  SPEAKER_01: We're we're uh adding a uh adding a pub crawl this year in downtown Denver.
• 18:21
  SPEAKER_01: Uh so you know that'll be something fun to do to cap off the show uh and and catch up with colleagues and uh and hit four or five uh bars and uh special drink discounts, etc.
• 18:32
  SPEAKER_01: And we'll have more info on that uh coming out shortly.
• 18:35
  SPEAKER_01: But uh um again, Denver is a fantastic city.
• 18:40
  SPEAKER_01: Um it's great to tack on, as Brian said, uh vacation plans before or after.
• 18:46
  SPEAKER_01: Um, you know, but we understand that you know people may already have holiday plans.
• 18:50
  SPEAKER_01: That's fine.
• 18:50
  SPEAKER_01: So you can still come to the show and then make it home in time for for your long weekend.
• 18:55
  SPEAKER_01: And uh it is our intention for the foreseeable future to not be before Labor Day.
• 19:01
  SPEAKER_01: Uh, and uh we've looked in the dates that uh we can get, and it will be after Labor Day.
• 19:07
  SPEAKER_01: I can say that with confidence moving forward.
• 19:10
  SPEAKER_02: But Jason, I think um the the point of the date shifting is a good one uh in terms of the days of the week.
• 19:15
  SPEAKER_02: And and that was not something that we just uh uh thought up and said, hey, we're gonna do this because of this isolated incident.
• 19:23
  SPEAKER_02: That was actually uh part of the feedback loop that we got from the marketplace in terms of, hey, do you want a show during the week or one that goes from the back end of the week into the weekend?
• 19:33
  SPEAKER_02: So, you know, that that just uh I think a perfect uh a perfect example of where we've listened to what the market wants and and are adapting accordingly.
• 19:43
  unknown: Yeah.
• 19:43
  SPEAKER_04: So what about uh what are some uh meaningful improvements or additions that uh you know we can expect to see this year in Denver?
• 19:50
  SPEAKER_01: Wow, uh, you know, that's uh that's a tough one.
• 19:53
  SPEAKER_01: Um, you know, we're always trying to incrementally improve the show every year, you know, new content, especially.
• 19:58
  SPEAKER_01: You know, we start with a clean slate, um, and you know, we certainly get um a lot of our bellwether brands come back, but we also have a lot of new exhibitors this year, which is also uh great for attendees.
• 20:10
  SPEAKER_01: And and the same is true for the attendance base.
• 20:13
  SPEAKER_01: We have attendees that come every year, have been coming for 30 years, and then we have new attendees.
• 20:19
  SPEAKER_01: And uh, and I think that's what makes uh the experience every year unique.
• 20:23
  SPEAKER_01: Um, that we have uh some things that are new, we have new content, um more relevant topics that are germane to what's going on in business this year or next year.
• 20:32
  SPEAKER_01: Uh, and and that's uh a key part.
• 20:35
  SPEAKER_01: You know, we work very closely with CDI on their conference programming, and as they plan out, you know, uh what they want to have this year uh in their conference program, of course, the manufacturer product training, those sessions are always new every year.
• 20:48
  SPEAKER_01: Uh our stage content on the smart stage.
• 20:51
  SPEAKER_01: Um, so it it's it's basically uh, yes, there's some familiar themes uh year over year, um, but then there's always new, you know, there's new content, new products, and and that's really what we're trying to accentuate this year is highlighting brands that have new products, uh, like our friends here at uh Origin Acoustics and Josh AI, and many of other me, many other uh brands also are planning new product introductions.
• 21:18
  SPEAKER_01: And we know that for a lot of uh integrators, that's a primary reason they come to the show.
• 21:22
  SPEAKER_01: They want to keep abreast of what's new, and so that's really what we're focusing on this year is amplifying and highlighting what is new in the industry at the event.
• 21:32
  SPEAKER_04: Yeah, yeah, it seem seems like if there's a greater emphasis on uh interaction, education, and experiences.
• 21:38
  SPEAKER_04: You know, what was that um you know an intentional shift, Jason?
• 21:44
  SPEAKER_01: Well, uh, yeah, I mean, adding on to what I just said, I mean, we we definitely wanted to uh increase the value.
• 21:51
  SPEAKER_01: We think there's a lot to be had from learning and the first hand experience.
• 21:55
  SPEAKER_01: We get so much information digitally these days.
• 21:57
  SPEAKER_01: You know, AI makes uh you Searching and finding information more efficient these days, but people crave human interaction.
• 22:06
  SPEAKER_01: That we're human analog beings.
• 22:08
  SPEAKER_01: We like to see, touch, have a beer with our friends.
• 22:11
  SPEAKER_01: Um, and and that direct connection that you get from being together together at one place at one time is is hugely powerful.
• 22:19
  SPEAKER_01: And I think that's what's important uh for the show is kind of you know leveraging all those AI tools to plan for an efficient event and see you know what's going to be new there, but then coming and experiencing it and talking directly with the manufacturer, reps in the booth, the sales engineers, the the product developers, you know, that's the power of being at the show directly as opposed to sitting by the sidelines and and not attending at all.
• 22:51
  SPEAKER_04: Um for for uh Jason and Brian, um, you know, what does a successful modern industry event look like?
• 23:00
  SPEAKER_04: You know, how do how do you balance the the you know exhibitor demands for stronger OI with attendees looking for you know like a more focused, productive experience?
• 23:09
  SPEAKER_01: You want to grab that, Brian?
• 23:11
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, that's fine.
• 23:12
  SPEAKER_02: Um so you know, I think the you know a successful event today is one that really puts uh clarity and focus into everything that it does.
• 23:24
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, we have to uh you know be very uh uh audience focused and and attendee centric.
• 23:31
  SPEAKER_02: So everything that we're doing is really trying to build these compelling experiences that um during a time of chaos, you know, we're we're we're the point of truth, right?
• 23:42
  SPEAKER_02: And so that's gonna be uh at the heart of everything that we're we're trying to do.
• 23:48
  SPEAKER_02: Uh and I think that it's important that you know the event represents what's happening in the industry.
• 23:54
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, you know, we can't be um we we you know, this is not puppy dogs and rainbows.
• 23:59
  SPEAKER_02: We have to, you know, take head on the challenges of the day, of which we know there are, you know, when it comes to things like skilled labor, for example, uh what's happening in housing.
• 24:08
  SPEAKER_02: There are there are headwinds.
• 24:10
  SPEAKER_02: Uh and and the tools and techniques and and the insights that people gain from coming to CDA Expo should help them to be able to tackle that in their in their uh independent markets, right?
• 24:21
  SPEAKER_02: We want them to be better at their craft.
• 24:23
  SPEAKER_02: We want to invest into them.
• 24:25
  SPEAKER_02: And so when I look at the the hallmarks of a successful show moving forward, it's always gonna have we're gonna lean into that discovery process.
• 24:32
  SPEAKER_02: We know uh there will be hundreds of products unveiled for the first time at CDIA Expo.
• 24:38
  SPEAKER_02: Um, so we want to lean into that.
• 24:39
  SPEAKER_02: We know our our market really holds at a high value ability to network and engage.
• 24:45
  SPEAKER_02: So we're doing that.
• 24:46
  SPEAKER_02: So it's not just seeing the guys that you haven't sat uh or seeing in in a year, but it's also making some new acquaintances and colleagues along the way.
• 24:54
  SPEAKER_02: And then, you know, we also want to lean into, and I have to give a lot of props to the association for overhauling um the learning program.
• 25:03
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, their learning it's it's very thoughtful, it's very insightful, and I think it's very appropriate.
• 25:09
  SPEAKER_02: And when you look at how things are evolving in terms of lighting, the design build category, all of these things are covered during expo.
• 25:19
  SPEAKER_02: So I think if you really break it down to discovery, networking, and learning, um, you know, we we capture all of that, but we have to be thoughtful in that journey.
• 25:28
  SPEAKER_02: And part of our focus continues to be how are we creating tools to make it easier for people to navigate those experiences?
• 25:35
  SPEAKER_02: And I think if we do that, we have a winning recipe because we are, you know, we're highly focused.
• 25:40
  SPEAKER_02: We we want to be uh specific to the residential integrator.
• 25:45
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, we're not trying to be all things to all people.
• 25:47
  SPEAKER_02: And we think that that focus is is certainly to our advantage in terms of achieving um, you know, kind of that that success.
• 25:55
  SPEAKER_04: Yeah.
• 25:55
  SPEAKER_04: Uh Nick and Alex, uh, I'd be interesting to ask you guys the same question.
• 25:58
  SPEAKER_04: I mean, what's what's a successful trade show like for you guys?
• 26:04
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, just really quick on the last comment that Brian was making, I just want to share, I forgot the disclosure, I am on the CEDIA board.
• 26:10
  SPEAKER_00: Um, I'm here representing myself and my company, not CEDIA, the association.
• 26:15
  SPEAKER_00: Um, but I will echo what Brian said.
• 26:17
  SPEAKER_00: They're doing an amazing job with education.
• 26:20
  SPEAKER_00: I know there's a great keynote speaker.
• 26:21
  SPEAKER_00: There's a lot of great stuff that's happening on that side.
• 26:24
  SPEAKER_00: So definitely take a look at all that for the listeners.
• 26:27
  SPEAKER_00: Um, in terms of a successful show, we're gonna put in a lot of effort to launch really exciting things.
• 26:35
  SPEAKER_00: We're gonna demo it in a really compelling way, and we're gonna make sure that anyone who spends time with us feels like they get value.
• 26:43
  SPEAKER_00: If there aren't people there to see that, that would be a less successful show.
• 26:48
  SPEAKER_00: I don't imagine that's the case.
• 26:49
  SPEAKER_00: There are always lots of people.
• 26:51
  SPEAKER_00: Um, but for us, we want to get a lot of people to see what we're doing, to get exposed.
• 26:57
  SPEAKER_00: Um, we like getting the feedback, as Nick was saying.
• 27:00
  SPEAKER_00: There's a lot of two-way dialogue.
• 27:01
  SPEAKER_00: We like catching up with our buddies, we like seeing, you know, faces that we don't get to see super often.
• 27:07
  SPEAKER_00: But the main thing for us is just get hands-on, experiences stuff, see what it's really like, see how it works.
• 27:14
  SPEAKER_00: And honestly, there's not a better time of the year than see the expo where we can showcase that to as many people as we do.
• 27:21
  SPEAKER_04: Yep.
• 27:21
  unknown: Yeah.
• 27:22
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, and then same question.
• 27:24
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah, we I mean, we feel generally the same way.
• 27:26
  SPEAKER_03: Um, you know, for us, it's definitely about uh strengthening our relationships first and foremost with our customers, um, then gathering feedback.
• 27:36
  SPEAKER_03: And that feedback obviously can come from things that are new that we're showing, um, but also just general feedback.
• 27:44
  SPEAKER_03: You know, we we hear the comments about, you know, X, Y, or Z, or hey, there's uh great education, there's not enough education, whatever it is, um, you know, we want to get that feedback so that we can try to make um some meaningful change and and support uh the industry in whole.
• 28:03
  SPEAKER_03: Um as we go into to this year's show, um, we've learned over the years that creating a unique experience for our customers obviously pays off on one way of getting our potential customers and existing customers to our booth space to talk to them.
• 28:25
  SPEAKER_03: Um but we also have uh done a lot more uh as Alex has done, which is creating these unique experiences that are showcasing uh our solutions uh in the closest environment we can get to within a convention hall.
• 28:44
  SPEAKER_03: Um and so uh this year is gonna be really special for us.
• 28:48
  SPEAKER_03: It's something that's different than we've ever done before.
• 28:52
  SPEAKER_03: Uh so uh maybe, maybe not.
• 28:55
  SPEAKER_03: There might be some loud music playing, we'll see.
• 28:58
  SPEAKER_03: Uh but we're doing something a little a little different.
• 29:01
  SPEAKER_03: Um and uh yeah, I've told the team that we're not gonna play really loud this year, but I do not uh expect that they'll listen.
• 29:08
  SPEAKER_03: Um, but we want to very much curate um these experiences because it's it's really important that um we as a manufacturer um can stand behind our solutions, uh, but we can only stand behind those solutions when our integrators um really conduct the experience and the installation in the way that we best recommend.
• 29:33
  SPEAKER_03: Um otherwise it's kind of the wild west.
• 29:35
  SPEAKER_03: Uh you can install a pair of speakers in a room uh and and cool, it's gonna sound uh just fine.
• 29:42
  SPEAKER_03: But if you take a approach of the system in total, um then we know how that experience is, the integrator knows how that experience is, and we can all stand behind saying that the customer is gonna ultimately have the the best experience that we can provide.
• 29:57
  SPEAKER_03: So um definitely more experiential uh for us this year, and just seeing our customers uh and getting that feedback is what we really see as as success.
• 30:09
  SPEAKER_03: It's it's a lot less for us about lead gen.
• 30:12
  SPEAKER_03: Um you you know us or you don't.
• 30:15
  SPEAKER_03: Uh so that's kind of how we feel about it.
• 30:18
  SPEAKER_03: It's more about the quality of meeting with our existing customers and potential new customers, and that's success for us.
• 30:24
  SPEAKER_02: Hey Neg, I got a question for you.
• 30:26
  SPEAKER_02: What are the odds on the loud music?
• 30:29
  SPEAKER_02: I just want to know where I need to place my members.
• 30:32
  SPEAKER_03: Um, you know, now that I think about it, uh you're probably seeing loud music.
• 30:37
  SPEAKER_03: You're probably gonna hear us.
• 30:39
  SPEAKER_03: Um, but but we're we're we're trying to keep it confined.
• 30:42
  SPEAKER_04: Uh so let it rip, man.
• 30:45
  SPEAKER_04: Come on.
• 30:46
  SPEAKER_04: Let it rip.
• 30:47
  SPEAKER_04: Uh you know, any any any really cool, exciting ones?
• 30:51
  SPEAKER_04: Uh anything you can tell us about about some uh some newbies this year.
• 30:55
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, uh well, our um our uh exhibitor list is online and you can filter on on which are new brands, and it's a it's a wide variety.
• 31:03
  SPEAKER_01: It's not in just in one product category.
• 31:05
  SPEAKER_01: We still have our launch pad area.
• 31:07
  SPEAKER_01: Uh we should have uh a dozen uh new to market.
• 31:10
  SPEAKER_01: We just signed up one yesterday.
• 31:12
  SPEAKER_01: Um I I I'd like we like to point out um maybe to Alex's credit that you know back in the day, Josh AI started out uh in our launch pad uh uh area and and now is uh you know a major player in the industry and uh a huge brand.
• 31:29
  SPEAKER_01: Uh and so you know we love to welcome new companies to the show.
• 31:35
  SPEAKER_01: Uh we have, I think, 60 new companies already signed up for this year, uh wide variety of of products.
• 31:42
  SPEAKER_01: Um, you know, of course, you know, I I I've I joke and I've said this before another video, you know, like literally we could have this show in a cornfield in the middle of the country and with the largest brands, and and still the the core uh channel um industry is gonna come out and see the show.
• 31:59
  SPEAKER_01: And but it what makes it you know exciting and and growth beyond that is you know, once you visit all the great booths like uh Josh and uh Origin to get their cool t-shirts right away, first thing in the morning, you got to rush to the booth first thing.
• 32:12
  SPEAKER_01: Uh, then you want to take time, if you're an attendee, to go around and see the rest of the show and and discover the new brands that are there and some of the new products because that may be the next thing.
• 32:24
  SPEAKER_01: And uh, you know, Brian talked about Homebot One uh that'll have their robot at the show.
• 32:30
  SPEAKER_01: Uh that's new and interesting, right?
• 32:32
  SPEAKER_01: And uh, you know, before too long, this channel will be uh, you know, the Jetsons has arrived, right?
• 32:38
  SPEAKER_01: Like the future's now, it's it's coming very rapidly, and uh you need to learn about it if you're an integrator.
• 32:45
  SPEAKER_01: Your clients are gonna demand this.
• 32:46
  SPEAKER_01: How are you gonna deliver the solutions that they want?
• 32:49
  SPEAKER_01: How are you gonna integrate new technologies uh in a whole home system?
• 32:54
  SPEAKER_01: And um, so it's it's really important for us to continue to get new brands to the show.
• 33:01
  SPEAKER_01: And um, you know, Nick, you're spot on.
• 33:03
  SPEAKER_01: I mean, we've had some real estate uh declines on the show floor because you know, two two big booths cut together, they they're not taking the same big booth, and uh, and we have to get a lot of small companies to to replace that.
• 33:16
  SPEAKER_01: And and we're working at it every year to to get new brands, and and we welcome uh referrals, we welcome uh you know uh partners that you may work with that are up and comers.
• 33:27
  SPEAKER_01: Um, you know, that's what makes it uh more successful.
• 33:30
  SPEAKER_01: And and I think that's uh a big takeaway is to have that serendipity of discovery, like Brian mentioned, that you come to the show and you're like, I didn't know that somebody made that, or wow, that's a really cool solution.
• 33:43
  SPEAKER_01: And uh so I I think that's part of the the experience, the the value is that discovery that you get from seeing new new features at the show.
• 33:54
  SPEAKER_01: So I would encourage everyone to, as you're making your plans for the show, you know, to be you know, going through the exhibitor list, looking at the different products, uh, product categories.
• 34:04
  SPEAKER_01: We've had a lot of growth in lighting brands at the show.
• 34:07
  SPEAKER_01: Um, I know there's other lighting events out there, but oh my gosh, I mean, CD Expo is is a major lighting event.
• 34:13
  SPEAKER_01: Uh, you know, lighting uh window shades, uh, lighting control uh systems, it's it's a big piece of uh what you see at the show that that complements the whole system.
• 34:24
  SPEAKER_01: You know, there's certainly uh audio is a big piece of CD Expo, always has been.
• 34:30
  SPEAKER_01: We have tons of audio demo rooms, home theater demos at the show, uh all the awesome video, uh certainly all the leading control platforms and products that are out there.
• 34:41
  SPEAKER_01: Uh so you know, we're just kind of incrementally adding on.
• 34:45
  SPEAKER_01: When you're talking about energy management, AI, robotics, and some of these other growth categories.
• 34:51
  SPEAKER_01: Um, we're gonna keep trying to migrate the show and and bring that in.
• 34:56
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
• 34:57
  SPEAKER_03: I I will say some of the uh I go to a lot of different conventions, obviously.
• 35:02
  SPEAKER_03: Being here in Vegas, it makes it easy to swing on to any convention that passes through.
• 35:07
  SPEAKER_03: Um, and you know, I think one of the uh in kind of important things for uh attendees, uh, because at most of these shows I'm just an attendee, is that I find most intrigue um walking through these gigantic convention halls and and bypassing um the larger booths that we know everything that they're all about, right?
• 35:28
  SPEAKER_03: Um at bigger shows.
• 35:31
  SPEAKER_03: Um and really looking at those ancillary type of companies.
• 35:36
  SPEAKER_03: And I think it's worth it as I do and my team does, is walking up to any of these smaller booths that you may not know who the company is, um, and just saying, you know, what's up?
• 35:48
  SPEAKER_03: What's this all about?
• 35:49
  SPEAKER_03: Uh, you know, and let them give their little pitch because uh you just become more knowledgeable.
• 35:55
  SPEAKER_03: It it might confirm for you uh that the little black box that you buy from this company is better than and keep buying it from that company, right?
• 36:04
  SPEAKER_03: Um, or it might be something revolutionary.
• 36:07
  SPEAKER_03: Um, but that participation at the show is really important because that's just as important for the vendors.
• 36:14
  SPEAKER_03: It's it's just as important to them um that you share information.
• 36:20
  SPEAKER_03: Uh, and I won't go into a long story, but um years ago, uh I was one of the first guys uh that went up to uh Portal at the time, uh, Kirk, and and I challenged their business model.
• 36:36
  SPEAKER_03: And it was funny.
• 36:36
  SPEAKER_03: A year later, uh Kirk reached out to me and said, Hey, I really appreciate uh you being a little harsh on what we were doing because um we weren't doing it right.
• 36:47
  SPEAKER_03: Uh and you caused us to think, uh, and we shifted the way that we did things.
• 36:53
  SPEAKER_03: Um, and you know, it was a 10-minute conversation uh that was fairly meaningless to me, uh, but it mattered to them and it helped evolve them and change them.
• 37:03
  SPEAKER_03: And, you know, they're still around today.
• 37:05
  SPEAKER_03: I'm not taking that credit, but they're still around today doing some great things.
• 37:09
  SPEAKER_03: But that's that's the two-way dialogue and communication that we're all looking for.
• 37:14
  SPEAKER_04: Yeah, yeah, that's that's a good segue into a question that that uh just popped into my head um for for Nick and Alex.
• 37:21
  SPEAKER_04: Um, you know, how much does healthy competition come into play?
• 37:24
  SPEAKER_04: Like when you you're on the show floor, maybe you have a couple minutes to walk around and you see something from a competitor, that is really cool.
• 37:30
  SPEAKER_04: Does that kind of um you know uh spark some ideas?
• 37:34
  SPEAKER_04: Um, you know, how like how much influence or how many ideas do you guys get when you're just you know walking around the show floor and checking things out?
• 37:43
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, it might be a little different for Nick and in his industry, um, or same industry, but in his discipline.
• 37:50
  SPEAKER_00: For us, I don't see anyone that exhibits at CD Expo as a competitor.
• 37:55
  SPEAKER_00: We're all in it together.
• 37:56
  SPEAKER_00: We work with the same dealers, we work with the same partners, we want the same things.
• 38:00
  SPEAKER_00: Our competition are homeowners who say, I don't want smart home tech because I tried it 20 years ago and it sucked.
• 38:09
  SPEAKER_00: I had a bad integrator, I had a bad system, it was too complicated, it was always broken.
• 38:14
  SPEAKER_00: We need to figure out how we rise the entire industry, we educate the industry.
• 38:19
  SPEAKER_00: And so when there are ways that we can work with other control brands, other AI brands, other companies that maybe they do similar things and maybe a client's picking between our product or their product in one case, I still see it as if either of us get in, that's good for the industry.
• 38:36
  SPEAKER_00: If more homes and more homeowners feel good about the smart home, we're all gonna win.
• 38:41
  SPEAKER_00: So I don't walk around being worried, I don't, you know, turn people away.
• 38:46
  SPEAKER_00: If other companies that might be perceived as competition come to the booth, we welcome them in, we show them a demo, we show them what we're up to, and that's just the way we are.
• 38:54
  SPEAKER_00: I don't know if it's different for Nick.
• 38:56
  SPEAKER_00: I think different companies feel differently, but for us, I welcome trying to help raise the bar for everyone.
• 39:04
  SPEAKER_00: And ultimately, I think a stronger industry makes all of us better.
• 39:09
  SPEAKER_03: That's a great answer.
• 39:10
  SPEAKER_03: Great answer.
• 39:11
  SPEAKER_03: It's very political.
• 39:12
  SPEAKER_03: You must have been on the CDA board.
• 39:16
  SPEAKER_03: Um yeah, I mean, look, we no, seriously, yeah.
• 39:20
  SPEAKER_03: We we know most of the you know competitors in our space, and we certainly do have competitors.
• 39:25
  SPEAKER_03: Um but you know, they're we're a solutions-based company, and we understand that there is a a need for unique solutions that um we don't we don't make.
• 39:35
  SPEAKER_03: Um and some of those solutions um we will make uh because they happen to be uh trends or the right direction that the industry is going.
• 39:46
  SPEAKER_03: Um, because we really take it seriously about uh being part of this design community and an architectural audio, we really want to, you know, make things disappear as much as we can within the space.
• 39:57
  SPEAKER_03: And so um, you know, we we we could have inspiration from things that are out there, but at the same time, um there is a lot of unique solutions that do justify um a lot of the competitors that are there to to be there, uh, because we're not gonna get into those spaces.
• 40:16
  SPEAKER_03: But uh ultimately, uh as Alex suggested, um we need the dealers and the integrators to be there to have these solutions to make money.
• 40:27
  SPEAKER_03: And so if they have to buy something from somebody that might be perceived as a competitor, um we're we're kind of okay with that because as long as they're successful, we still have an opportunity in the future.
• 40:39
  SPEAKER_03: And and that's the important thing.
• 40:40
  SPEAKER_03: I think it is the kind of all ships rise type of scenario.
• 40:45
  SPEAKER_03: Um, and we do the same thing, you know, most of our competitors will swing by, and we're more than happy to show them what we've been doing or working on.
• 40:54
  SPEAKER_03: Um this year we might not show them one thing.
• 40:57
  SPEAKER_03: So uh we have something really exciting that we're ready to show this year.
• 41:01
  SPEAKER_03: Uh so hopefully everybody does swing by our booth.
• 41:04
  SPEAKER_03: Um, but uh we don't have any problems with it.
• 41:07
  SPEAKER_04: Well, maybe it's not a competitor, but maybe it's it's a it's a dealer, um, a designer, whoever, an attendee who who asks you a question that you guys hadn't thought of before.
• 41:16
  SPEAKER_04: Like, how often does that happen that you get inspired to to you know go back home and make something just based on you know feedback you received?
• 41:25
  SPEAKER_00: Well, really, really quick.
• 41:26
  SPEAKER_00: I I think it's a great question.
• 41:28
  SPEAKER_00: Let's dive into that.
• 41:29
  SPEAKER_00: Before answering that, though, I do want to share when you think about the industry and you think about competitors or partners or just other businesses, we're all comprised of individuals, and for various reasons, people move from one company to another, they look for new opportunities.
• 41:47
  SPEAKER_00: And so I always remind the team maybe there's a salesperson who comes up from a competing line, but for all we know, they're looking to jump ship.
• 41:56
  SPEAKER_00: And by bringing them in, they might be interested in joining us.
• 42:00
  SPEAKER_00: And we're certainly not, you know, out there trying to steal people away.
• 42:05
  SPEAKER_00: It's not our focus, and we don't want to, you know, cause any issues.
• 42:10
  SPEAKER_00: But if if we have someone that comes up and they say, Hey, I'm you know, employed at this other company, I've been there for a while, but for a variety of reasons, maybe they're downsizing, maybe they're moving, maybe there's a life change, they're exploring new things.
• 42:23
  SPEAKER_00: You don't know that when all you see is the badge.
• 42:25
  SPEAKER_00: So I always try to remind people we're an industry of people, and yes, we have companies that we're part of, but we also have our own aspirations and dreams and needs.
• 42:36
  SPEAKER_00: So, you know, it's it's important to remember the human aspect.
• 42:40
  SPEAKER_00: Um, in terms of your question, it's funny.
• 42:44
  SPEAKER_00: We get a lot of people who bring up ideas on things that we're already doing or already going to do, but I love when we can tell them that's a great idea.
• 42:54
  SPEAKER_00: We're gonna really think about that.
• 42:56
  SPEAKER_00: And then when we you know launch it the next couple months, they feel like they were heard.
• 43:00
  SPEAKER_00: No, that's not always the case.
• 43:02
  SPEAKER_00: In some instances, things will come up that maybe we hadn't thought of.
• 43:07
  SPEAKER_00: But the reality is we're breathing our products every day, we're thinking about it every day, we're doing dealer surveys, customer surveys.
• 43:16
  SPEAKER_00: We've got so much feedback.
• 43:18
  SPEAKER_00: To me, that's not the main reason for the show in terms of what we're getting, but it is nice for people to feel like they have a place to share their ideas.
• 43:27
  SPEAKER_00: Um, an example of this, and I'm curious if Nick does the same thing.
• 43:30
  SPEAKER_00: We bring members of my engineering team, my product team, my support team.
• 43:35
  SPEAKER_00: And part of that is they can hear directly from dealers their feedback.
• 43:39
  SPEAKER_00: And I love it when the product designers can hear what the actual dealers who are installing and selling these systems are thinking.
• 43:47
  SPEAKER_00: And that one on one, even if it's only a five minute conversation, it's so much more useful than if we only had salespeople in the booth.
• 43:54
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
• 43:55
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah, I agree with that.
• 43:56
  SPEAKER_03: And I think for the most part, uh I agree with everything that Alex said.
• 44:00
  SPEAKER_03: I mean, this is all we focus on as a living.
• 44:03
  SPEAKER_03: So um, but a lot of that is just kind of affirmation for us, is that if it's something that uh continuously comes up at the show, um, just like Alex said, chances are we've worked on it, uh, chances are we're coming out with it, um, chances are we may have abandoned it.
• 44:21
  SPEAKER_03: Uh, but uh it is a perfect time to engage in a conversation because we may have not known every reason why we abandoned it.
• 44:30
  SPEAKER_03: And then all of a sudden somebody says, Oh, this is why I need it.
• 44:35
  SPEAKER_03: Okay, great.
• 44:36
  SPEAKER_03: We've we've now taken that nugget, we get to bring it back and readdress.
• 44:40
  SPEAKER_03: Is this something that goes to the top of the list or does it still stay at the bottom?
• 44:43
  SPEAKER_03: And maybe, maybe never comes out, right?
• 44:45
  SPEAKER_03: Um but it's important, it's also important for us to know the other solutions that are out there um because we are definitely the type of company that wants to make sure that that integrator gives that end consumer the best experience possible.
• 44:59
  SPEAKER_03: And when we know that specific solutions are used for specific use cases, we don't have a problem with recommending another brand for that particular use.
• 45:10
  SPEAKER_03: Um, because again, we we want to make sure that they're happy with the integrator because it lets us fight another day.
• 45:16
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah, yeah.
• 45:17
  SPEAKER_04: Sticking with uh uh Nick and Alex for for this one.
• 45:21
  SPEAKER_04: Um there's there's a lot of industry events competing for time and budget.
• 45:25
  SPEAKER_04: Um, but it's you know, I think CD Exploit remains, you know, uh one of the industry's largest events.
• 45:30
  SPEAKER_04: Um so what keeps you guys coming?
• 45:33
  SPEAKER_04: You know, why do you believe the industry still needs you know a gathering like this?
• 45:38
  SPEAKER_03: Um for for us, it really is um just being able to go to a place that uh a large group of our customers are at.
• 45:51
  SPEAKER_03: Um and I don't think that will ever change for us.
• 45:56
  SPEAKER_03: Um we do have to go where our customers are going to be.
• 46:02
  SPEAKER_03: And that's it.
• 46:03
  SPEAKER_03: So today, uh, this is certainly the show that is most geared towards uh what we do, which is predominantly um residential audio.
• 46:16
  SPEAKER_03: Um and you know, from what I understand, especially in America, it is the largest show uh for that.
• 46:23
  SPEAKER_03: And I think we'll continue to be the largest show for that, um, with this specific goal of residential in in mind.
• 46:32
  SPEAKER_03: Um so as long as our customers continue to go, uh, we're gonna support it.
• 46:38
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, no, I'll just add this is a very unique industry.
• 46:42
  SPEAKER_00: I often hear it referred to as a family, or people feel like their peers and their friends are like family.
• 46:49
  SPEAKER_00: And outside of seeing great products and you know, getting educated in some of the the tactical stuff, you're just connecting with friends, you're meeting new people, you're seeing people that you've been in business with or worked around or worked adjacent to for a long time.
• 47:06
  SPEAKER_00: And I think that's important.
• 47:07
  SPEAKER_00: I think it's important for just the strength of the association, the strength of the industry.
• 47:13
  SPEAKER_00: You know, we're in a very weird market.
• 47:16
  SPEAKER_00: This isn't a behemoth.
• 47:18
  SPEAKER_00: We're not as big as, you know, some of the consumer, you know, industries and whatnot.
• 47:24
  SPEAKER_00: But we're also not super esoteric.
• 47:26
  SPEAKER_00: It's not like this is the, I don't know, Native American stamp collectors of Ohio.
• 47:31
  SPEAKER_00: Like this is it's big enough to be impactful, but small enough that we really know each other, we want to get to know each other.
• 47:38
  SPEAKER_00: And so I think we need gatherings like this.
• 47:41
  SPEAKER_00: I think the smaller gatherings that buying groups do and you know, light of blues and some of the other smaller things, they don't have the same appeal.
• 47:50
  SPEAKER_00: I think those serve other purposes and those are great.
• 47:53
  SPEAKER_00: But the idea that you can just walk through a trade show, you run into someone you know, you haven't seen them in a year, they say, Oh, have you seen this, you know, cool demo at this booth?
• 48:03
  SPEAKER_00: You go over there, you didn't know that company, you meet them, they become friends.
• 48:08
  SPEAKER_00: Like it's just part of the the magic of what happens at Expo.
• 48:13
  SPEAKER_00: And you can't really replicate that outside of the show.
• 48:16
  unknown: Yeah.
• 48:17
  SPEAKER_04: Native American Stamp Collectors of Ohio sounds like a blast.
• 48:22
  SPEAKER_04: That's hell yeah.
• 48:23
  SPEAKER_04: Um, yeah, Brian, Brian and Jason, uh, you know, what are your thoughts on that, on that same, same question?
• 48:29
  SPEAKER_04: You know, what why is the expo, you know, why should it be top of mind for for for integrators?
• 48:35
  SPEAKER_04: And um, you know, maybe if they haven't come in a couple of years or still on the fence, you know, why should they come?
• 48:41
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, from my vantage point, you know, listen, in any market you're in, there's value in a gathering of your peers to talk, you know, about the latest product, sharpen your skills, etc.
• 48:53
  SPEAKER_02: But I think more so than just about any market I've ever been around, it's critically important that you have that platform.
• 49:02
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, technology is always changing.
• 49:04
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, the needs of your customers, aka the homeowners are changing.
• 49:09
  SPEAKER_02: The pressures that you're getting from builders are changing.
• 49:13
  SPEAKER_02: You know, all of these things are happening.
• 49:15
  SPEAKER_02: And so this is an opportunity to to sharpen that that that craft and be be ahead of the curve so that you're prepared to take on those tasks and and to leverage the network.
• 49:26
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, you know, it it's really a cool thing for me when you know we're talking to people that that are very proud, saying, hey, I was a part of the group that started CEDIA uh back in the 90s, right?
• 49:41
  SPEAKER_02: Just the amount of thought leadership you have and and a half dozen to a dozen people are it's incredible.
• 49:49
  SPEAKER_02: So being able to lean into that, that, that, that group of of people, because I'll tell you, I've yet to meet uh anyone in this industry that isn't willing to help them, you know, anybody they haven't met before because they've probably dealt with that same kind of challenge.
• 50:04
  SPEAKER_02: So I think this is all about how we're gathering as a market and making sure that you know you're on top of your game, you're prepared for everything.
• 50:12
  SPEAKER_02: And ultimately, I think this is one of the challenges I've always seen with integrators.
• 50:17
  SPEAKER_02: They they are people that love what they do, but you know, let's face it, none of them went to school to be an accountant.
• 50:24
  SPEAKER_02: But if you're gonna be a business owner, you've gotta you've gotta be you know paying attention to the the aspects of owning and operating a business.
• 50:32
  SPEAKER_02: And so, you know, how are we helping them to improve where they may not, you know, they may have some some um um some non-strengths, if you will.
• 50:44
  SPEAKER_02: So I think this is just it it's a unique platform to learn from everyone and see what's happening out there, uh, because it is changing fast.
• 50:52
  SPEAKER_02: And I expect it's going to continue to change fast um as the technology evolves and and improves.
• 50:59
  SPEAKER_01: I would just say uh I would just, you know, my message to the channel partners out there, the integrators, the installers, programmers, this is your show.
• 51:08
  SPEAKER_01: I mean, we're the hosts, right?
• 51:10
  SPEAKER_01: We're organizing an event, we're trying to make sure all the premium brands are there, but this is your event.
• 51:16
  SPEAKER_01: So, like Alex said, come and meet your colleagues, come and meet new business partners, come and talk with the brands that you work with, discover new brands.
• 51:25
  SPEAKER_01: Uh, we have over 300 manufacturers at the show this year.
• 51:29
  SPEAKER_01: If if you're thinking you're not going to come to the show, I would challenge you and ask you why not.
• 51:34
  SPEAKER_01: And this is about your business.
• 51:36
  SPEAKER_01: There's no other event that's just 100% about your business.
• 51:40
  SPEAKER_01: And with the scope that we have, uh the amount of new products, the education.
• 51:45
  SPEAKER_01: Uh, and I would challenge every manufacturer, you know, to say to your dealers and your business partners, we want to see you and the show in Denver.
• 51:53
  SPEAKER_01: Um, we're investing a lot to bring you our latest products and information, and we want you to help us sell our products uh to the marketplace.
• 52:02
  SPEAKER_01: So you need to be there.
• 52:03
  SPEAKER_01: I I think the question would be, can you afford not to be there?
• 52:07
  SPEAKER_01: And so I think it's important that the industry come together.
• 52:11
  SPEAKER_01: This is the main event, one time a year in North America for this big gathering, like Nick was saying, it's the biggest event uh in the channel, and um, you should be there, otherwise you're gonna miss out.
• 52:22
  SPEAKER_01: So that that's my message.
• 52:24
  SPEAKER_04: Uh Nick and Alex, same same question.
• 52:27
  SPEAKER_04: Um, you know, what would you say to your dealers who um you know uh are are on the fence about this year?
• 52:35
  SPEAKER_00: Look, I totally understand this is a time where some people have family back to school summer holiday stuff that's going on.
• 52:45
  SPEAKER_00: If you can't make it, totally get it.
• 52:47
  SPEAKER_00: But if you're on the fence, if you have the the ability, maybe even just coming out for a day or two, you're gonna see a lot of friends, you're gonna learn a lot of great stuff, you're gonna see great products, great demos.
• 52:57
  SPEAKER_00: It's gonna be worthwhile.
• 52:59
  SPEAKER_00: Um you know, I feel for people where dates are tough, you know, you've got kids in school and whatnot, I totally get it.
• 53:07
  SPEAKER_00: But if you're saying I've got the time, I just need to make sure, is it worth it?
• 53:12
  SPEAKER_00: Come out and just hang out with Nick and I, and it'll be worth the time.
• 53:16
  SPEAKER_03: Yeah, yeah, I I definitely agree.
• 53:18
  SPEAKER_03: I also, uh, from as I was saying, past experience of actually going to trade shows outside of Vegas, um, I go with a core team that uh even if the show isn't what I thought it was going to be, um, going with my team and going with my executive team uh helps spawn ideas in a fresh spot.
• 53:42
  SPEAKER_03: Um, we are always um thinking because you know these shows we do go to are tech shows or audio shows.
• 53:49
  SPEAKER_03: Um and even if the show wasn't great, it's well worth it by being able to spend that time with, you know, my colleagues, our peers, other companies out there.
• 54:02
  SPEAKER_03: Um but I I think that's just icing on the cake.
• 54:05
  SPEAKER_03: And that that is if the show doesn't live up to what the show has been for many years, which I think is a great gathering place with lots of awesome exhibitors showcasing products.
• 54:17
  SPEAKER_03: And we have all lived by in this CDS space, when you're dedicated to the residential channel, we all live by a calendar of product development and launches that all must take place in September.
• 54:32
  SPEAKER_03: So I can tell you that uh for people who say there's nothing new there, uh, that is a hundred percent not true because I guarantee you that Alex is going to have something new.
• 54:44
  SPEAKER_03: We're gonna have something new, and there's not a single other company I know that isn't gonna show something new based upon the historic CDA September dates that we've had.
• 54:55
  SPEAKER_03: Right.
• 54:56
  SPEAKER_00: I I can name a couple that usually don't have anything new, and screw those guys, but most of us don't know.
• 55:02
  SPEAKER_03: If you're dedicated to this space, you do.
• 55:04
  SPEAKER_03: Some of the larger guys might not, but if you're dedicated to this space, this is this is kind of the the the main event of the year, and uh it's exciting.
• 55:12
  SPEAKER_03: And uh we're excited to be there, and we're excited to see all of our customers and future customers there.
• 55:18
  SPEAKER_02: You know, I think though, as an attendee, you know, what you guys are talking about also illustrates the need for having a plan.
• 55:24
  SPEAKER_02: You know, when when we talk about, you know, what was it worth it or not worth it?
• 55:29
  SPEAKER_02: You know, define what worth it is.
• 55:32
  SPEAKER_02: What do you need to get out of this?
• 55:33
  SPEAKER_02: And and I'll be the first one to tell you, you know, it's tough because you go in and you're easily distracted.
• 55:39
  SPEAKER_02: I see uh my buddy that I haven't seen in a while.
• 55:42
  SPEAKER_02: Ooh, I heard that uh Origin has a really cool t-shirt and Josh has this new piece of hardware, right?
• 55:50
  SPEAKER_02: And and so you get distracted, but you need to have that plan so that you're hitting the key things that you want to do.
• 55:57
  SPEAKER_02: Maybe it's uh you want to go to the keynote, you need to hit, you want to, you know, see uh uh a couple sessions or an MPT or sound room.
• 56:06
  SPEAKER_02: Write it down and and have that out.
• 56:08
  SPEAKER_02: And and I trust you, there's so much or trust me, there's so much going on at CD Expo.
• 56:14
  SPEAKER_02: I think there's probably more to do than is that is actually possible in that three days.
• 56:19
  SPEAKER_02: So have that planned so that you can walk away and say, gosh, I did everything I I I needed to, and I got the most out of that experience.
• 56:26
  SPEAKER_04: Yeah, yeah.
• 56:27
  SPEAKER_04: More importantly, just have a good time.
• 56:29
  SPEAKER_04: I mean, it's a good time.
• 56:31
  SPEAKER_02: You know, it's it's a group that's a good time.
• 56:33
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, you know, I I think we did uh we we we heard at one point from Denver that you know, outside of uh uh you know, probably St.
• 56:40
  SPEAKER_02: Patrick's Day, the bars do better when uh we're in town.
• 56:46
  SPEAKER_04: Hey hey, we like to have a good time.
• 56:50
  SPEAKER_04: Um one one last question for everyone.
• 56:52
  SPEAKER_04: Uh what's your favorite CD Expo memory?
• 56:55
  SPEAKER_04: I mean one specific uh memory you have, you know, from uh over the years you guys have been exhibiting or or you know putting the show on.
• 57:03
  SPEAKER_04: You know, did uh you know, did you do uh did you you know maybe stay out a little bit too late one night and and make some memories, maybe some mistakes?
• 57:10
  SPEAKER_04: Or um you know, what's you know, anything?
• 57:13
  SPEAKER_00: I'm all yours.
• 57:15
  SPEAKER_00: I I'll just throw it out because it's the first thing that popped in my mind, and it's not nearly going to be as uh party uh forward as Nick's answer might be.
• 57:23
  SPEAKER_00: I remember my my first CDA expo.
• 57:26
  SPEAKER_00: We started the company in 2015 in March, and at the time we didn't know about the CD channel, we didn't know about the pro channel, but we realized pretty quickly this is where we wanted to focus.
• 57:37
  SPEAKER_00: So that fall, I brought um, we were a team of maybe four or five people at the time.
• 57:42
  SPEAKER_00: I brought one of my key employees and myself.
• 57:45
  SPEAKER_00: This was, I believe, in Dallas, and I said, let's just talk to people, see what's going on.
• 57:52
  SPEAKER_00: We really don't know this channel.
• 57:54
  SPEAKER_00: And if we're gonna be effective, like let's set up meetings.
• 57:58
  SPEAKER_00: So I reached out to everyone on the CEDIA board and just said, Hey, new to the industry, building this AI thing.
• 58:06
  SPEAKER_00: Nobody knew what AI was back then.
• 58:08
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and just set up a bunch of these quick kind of five, 10-minute meetings so that when we got there, we had stuff going on.
• 58:14
  SPEAKER_00: And what I remember was everyone seemed to know everyone.
• 58:18
  SPEAKER_00: It seemed like this close-knit group.
• 58:20
  SPEAKER_00: Initially, it was like not that open, was kind of how it felt from an outsider perspective.
• 58:26
  SPEAKER_00: But I got to talk to people at Sonos, people at Lutron, people at various companies, and the vision that we were pitching them then is the same vision that we have today.
• 58:38
  SPEAKER_00: And I remember no more than 12 months later when we did our first booth at CDI Expo, the same people coming out saying, I thought you were just a bunch of crazy people with weird ideas that would never work.
• 58:53
  SPEAKER_00: And now everything you said is happening.
• 58:56
  SPEAKER_00: We talked about voice control, we talked about where AI was going, we talked about the smart home.
• 59:00
  SPEAKER_00: And what's been fun is many of those people became advisors, they became friends, they became people I'm sitting on boards with.
• 59:08
  SPEAKER_00: And just that idea that you can come into this channel as someone who doesn't know us all, and you can seem like a crazy person with radical ideas that don't really fit the trend of what anyone's doing.
• 59:21
  SPEAKER_00: And before you know it, these are some of your best friends.
• 59:24
  SPEAKER_00: Like that happened because of CDI Expo for me.
• 59:28
  SPEAKER_03: That's awesome.
• 59:29
  SPEAKER_03: I will I will say that uh probably not the answers that you're uh expecting, but um we still go and and I still go uh very early before the show starts.
• 59:41
  SPEAKER_03: And I think the camaraderie with my own team of uh still being there, building a booth, deploying new products, um, seeing some of our team's faces because they're hearing or seeing something for the first time, um, is really the most exciting thing for me.
• 59:59
  SPEAKER_03: Uh, but I think for the the team, it really is after several days of pretty hard work.
• 1:00:06
  SPEAKER_03: Um, it's the morning that the show opens up and just seeing our customers come to the booth and enjoy what we provided.
• 1:00:19
  SPEAKER_03: We're we're really there to to serve them.
• 1:00:21
  SPEAKER_03: And so uh I have a lot of favorite memories.
• 1:00:23
  SPEAKER_03: There's a lot of party memories, there's a lot of night activity memories.
• 1:00:27
  SPEAKER_03: Um, I'd probably get in trouble for saying some of those.
• 1:00:30
  SPEAKER_03: Um, but you know, we we are there to make sure that we're providing the the best experience we can.
• 1:00:36
  SPEAKER_03: And so that does start months ago uh and continues until you know a week post the show, uh, where we're continuing that that follow-up after the show.
• 1:00:48
  SPEAKER_03: And so um as a manufacturer, I can tell the integrator partners out there, um, man, we spend a lot of time and mind share trying to make this a really special event for you.
• 1:01:03
  SPEAKER_03: And so um my ask is that uh every single integrator uh should attend this show and give all of us um a little bit of love and a little bit of time and attention because we work really, really hard uh to give the experience that we give.
• 1:01:21
  SPEAKER_04: Station has a story about staying out too late.
• 1:01:23
  SPEAKER_04: I know it.
• 1:01:25
  SPEAKER_01: Well, I I was gonna I was gonna reflect on the way back, but more like like even last year.
• 1:01:31
  SPEAKER_01: So I I want to give a plug for the C Pro All-Star Band.
• 1:01:35
  SPEAKER_01: Um, and uh we got 12 plus uh musicians from across the industry that get together, rehearse a bunch of songs, show up in Denver, go to the rehearsal studio for for one night, and then uh show up at the gig the first night of the show.
• 1:01:48
  SPEAKER_01: Last year was especially memorable.
• 1:01:50
  SPEAKER_01: We went to a performance venue, uh the Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom in downtown Denver.
• 1:01:56
  SPEAKER_01: It was a really fun, it sounded awesome.
• 1:01:58
  SPEAKER_01: Uh it was a great party, and we're doing it again this year in the same venue.
• 1:02:03
  SPEAKER_01: Uh, I would encourage everybody to uh come.
• 1:02:05
  SPEAKER_01: It's free to attend.
• 1:02:07
  SPEAKER_01: And um, you know, again, it's just one of those other touch points of the show where you can you can uh meet up uh after a long day at the show and uh blow off a little steam, have some fun, meet some new friends.
• 1:02:19
  SPEAKER_01: Um, you know, I've been attending CDI Expo for more than 25 years.
• 1:02:24
  SPEAKER_01: Um I remember, you know, when the events were were back in Indianapolis uh back in the day, and uh, you know, the the spirit of the show remains.
• 1:02:33
  SPEAKER_01: Uh, you know, it's changed, the brands, the brands have changed.
• 1:02:36
  SPEAKER_01: Uh, there used to be some some big name brands that are no longer household names anymore, and that's true.
• 1:02:42
  SPEAKER_01: Technology evolves, and there's been an MA and so forth, but um the relevancy of the show uh remains, is an important vital piece of the industry's business and the channel and um having everybody come together.
• 1:02:57
  SPEAKER_01: So um I just my favorite time of any show, frankly, is about midnight, the night before the show opens.
• 1:03:03
  SPEAKER_01: Because you've seen that all the booths are all built up, everything's done, the carpet's gone down, and I go around and I spot check everything to make sure it's ready for the next morning, and it's it's fantastic.
• 1:03:14
  SPEAKER_01: And uh so I look forward to having attendees come in wide-eye and like, wow, look at this.
• 1:03:21
  SPEAKER_01: And and I think it's just um an unparalleled experience.
• 1:03:25
  SPEAKER_01: And uh, you know, I was walking around last year at the show and and just looking at you know the lines of attendees to get in the demo rooms, you know, and and the booths were packed, you know, uh, and there was tons of new products.
• 1:03:38
  SPEAKER_01: And I said, you can't get this anywhere else.
• 1:03:40
  SPEAKER_01: I'm sorry, there's a lot of regional events, and I'm not you know besmirching any any other uh event that goes on out there, they're all important.
• 1:03:49
  SPEAKER_01: Um, but nothing replaces the experience at C Dia Expo, and and it's just a great event, and I look forward to it every year, and um, you know, we want to welcome as many people as possible.
• 1:04:01
  SPEAKER_01: Uh, it's gonna be a great show this September in Denver, and I encourage everybody to join us.
• 1:04:06
  SPEAKER_02: Jason and and and you know, Nick and Alex, you guys, when when Zach presented these questions, I was really struggling to pick one instance.
• 1:04:17
  SPEAKER_02: I'm like, what can I say that's gonna, you know, really be relevant here?
• 1:04:22
  SPEAKER_02: And you know, y'all have uh just inspired me.
• 1:04:25
  SPEAKER_02: Now I've got too many of them.
• 1:04:26
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, I think of my first time that I went to CD in 2009, too, shortly after we acquired the event, really spending a lot of time with the board at that point in time, um, you know, and relationships that that spun out of that with with Joe Whitaker, for example, all the way up to, you know, he decided to get married on the show floor.
• 1:04:46
  SPEAKER_02: I can tell you, 300 shows into my career, I've only had that happen exactly once.
• 1:04:51
  SPEAKER_03: That that might be my worst nightmare.
• 1:04:53
  SPEAKER_03: Uh the show.
• 1:04:55
  SPEAKER_03: Uh, but yes, we we we let him do that, and you guys did as well.
• 1:04:59
  SPEAKER_03: So thank you.
• 1:05:01
  SPEAKER_02: Yes, I mean there there's there's been uh plenty.
• 1:05:04
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, like when when uh we came up with the idea with Ray Lyons, who used to work for us on CE Pro to bring back the CO CE Pro All-Star Band, and I'm kind of a smart ass, said, let's get a one city concert tour t-shirt, and still to this day we do that, you know.
• 1:05:20
  SPEAKER_02: And I love my kids walk around with them and they think it's the funniest thing ever.
• 1:05:24
  SPEAKER_02: So, you know, it it is just it goes back to that sense of community and um and the relationships that you make.
• 1:05:32
  SPEAKER_02: And uh, I think one of the things that I just have such a high admiration for with this this channel is the the pride uh in their work, their passion for what they do.
• 1:05:43
  SPEAKER_02: And unlike Jason saying midnight the night before is his his favorite time for me, it's after the show's open because then I can kind of calm down a little bit up until the point in time the doors open, there's just a little bit of stress.
• 1:05:57
  SPEAKER_02: Um it's a great group.
• 1:05:59
  SPEAKER_02: It's a great group.
• 1:06:01
  SPEAKER_04: Absolutely great.
• 1:06:02
  SPEAKER_04: Well, guys, thanks very much.
• 1:06:03
  SPEAKER_04: Um, and uh yeah, we we hope everyone that listens to us to this um you know makes the decision to uh come to Denver.
• 1:06:10
  SPEAKER_04: Um and hey, I'll see you guys all in uh what a little bit over two months.
• 1:06:16
  SPEAKER_04: Be there.
• 1:06:17
  SPEAKER_01: Looking forward to it.
• 1:06:18
  SPEAKER_01: Sounds great.
• 1:06:20
  SPEAKER_01: Thank you very much.
• 1:06:21
  SPEAKER_03: Thank you.
• 1:06:22
  SPEAKER_01: Thank you all.