Key Takeaways
- CEDIA has launched a Design & Build Outreach department to strengthen ties between integrators and architects, designers, and builders, with the goal of embedding technology earlier in residential projects.
- Andrea Harvey has been appointed to lead the effort, focusing on partnerships, programs, and industry engagement to help members grow through cross-trade collaboration.
- The initiative builds on existing design-build efforts and partnerships, positioning integrators as a core part of the construction process while driving greater adoption of smart home technology in both new builds and retrofits.
CEDIA is expanding its efforts to connect the custom integration channel with the broader design and construction community through the creation of a new Design & Build Outreach department.
As part of the initiative, the association has appointed Andrea Harvey as Director of Design & Build Outreach. In this role, Harvey will be responsible for building relationships with architects, interior designers, and builders while developing programs aimed at helping CEDIA members grow their businesses through increased collaboration.
According to CEDIA, the move is designed to position integrators more firmly within the residential design and construction process, while also driving broader adoption of integrated technology in both new construction and retrofit projects.
New Role Focused on Cross-Industry Collaboration
Harvey brings more than two decades of experience across interior design, construction, manufacturer partnerships, and professional education. She is the founder of Ash Interiors & Design and has worked closely with professionals across the design-build ecosystem.
In a statement, Harvey said she plans to leverage her background to strengthen connections between the design and technology communities and support long-term growth within the sector.
Based in Ellicott City, Maryland, Harvey also has experience representing luxury manufacturers, delivering education programs, and presenting at industry events. She holds a degree in Fine Arts and Business Administration from Elizabeth City State University and is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS). She is affiliated with organizations including the American Society of Interior Designers and has founded the nonprofit Haven by ASH.
In her new role, Harvey will focus on engaging with trade professionals and their organizations through targeted events, partnerships, and program development.
Building on Existing Design & Build Initiatives
The hiring of Harvey to lead this refocused initiative comes after CEDIA Global CEO Daryl Friedman told our sister publication CE Pro at ISE 2026 that the organization would be scaling up their design and build engagement and dedicating full-time resources to the effort.
The intent is to help integrators become involved earlier in projects, improve collaboration across trades, and ultimately create stronger business opportunities. Additional activations tied to this initiative are expected to be visible by the time CEDIA Expo/CIX 2026 takes place.
“We’re going to resource that much more strongly, because we think that can be a great way to connect our integrators with architects, designers and builders,” Friedman told CE Pro in February. “When they do that and have that relationship, they can build their business off of that.”
CEDIA says the new department builds on a growing list of initiatives aimed at integrating smart home professionals into the design and construction workflow earlier in the process.
Among those efforts is the expansion of Technology Meets Design – The Best of Professional Smart Home Style, a publication that showcases award-winning projects to architects, builders and designers. The association has also continued its partnerships with organizations such as the National Kitchen & Bath Association, American Society of Interior Designers and Royal Institute of British Architects.
CEDIA noted that these collaborations include joint research initiatives, awards programs, and event activations designed to highlight the role of technology in modern residential design.
The association also introduced the CEDIA Smart Home Technology Award at the NKBA Design & Industry Awards and has taken on a sponsorship role for WOW!house 2026, further expanding its presence in the design community.
Positioning Technology as Core to Modern Homes
According to CEDIA Global President and CEO Daryl Friedman, the creation of the department is part of a broader strategy to give members a competitive advantage by strengthening relationships with adjacent trades.
Friedman said the initiative builds on existing programs that provide accredited education to designers and architects, with the goal of equipping members with additional tools to grow through strategic partnerships.
CEDIA also continues to promote Smart Home Day, held annually on Nov. 3, as a global awareness effort connecting integrators, designers, builders and homeowners through events and educational programming.
Expanding the Role of Integrators in the Build Process
The launch of the Design & Build Outreach department reflects a continued push within the industry to move integrators upstream in the project lifecycle. By fostering stronger relationships with architects, designers and builders, CEDIA aims to position smart home professionals as a core part of the design and construction conversation, rather than a downstream add-on.
Through Harvey’s leadership, the association will look to formalize those connections and create new opportunities for collaboration, as technology becomes increasingly central to residential projects.
Another version of this article originally appeared on our sister-site CE Pro on April 22, 2026. It has since been updated for Commercial Integrator’s audience.
