Key Takeaways
- Destination Outdoors returns to CEDIA Expo 2026 as a 22,000-square-foot immersive activation just outside the Colorado Convention Center entrance.
- Coastal Source presents the experience in collaboration with Lutron, connecting intelligent lighting, audio, power and control across indoor and outdoor spaces.
- Attendees can get hands-on with VIA intelligent outdoor lighting, a system developed by Coastal Source and Lutron for life outside.
- CEDIA Expo runs Sept. 1-4, 2026, in Denver, with the annual Happy Hour Wednesday from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
What Is Destination Outdoors at CEDIA Expo 2026?
Destination Outdoors is a 22,000-square-foot immersive activation returning to CEDIA Expo 2026 just outside the Colorado Convention Center entrance. Presented by Coastal Source in collaboration with Lutron, the experience shows integrators how the latest technology connects the indoor smart home with the outdoor landscape.
The activation marks the most ambitious version of Destination Outdoors to date. It’s built to give attendees a real-world look at how outdoor living moves well beyond standalone speakers and basic patio lights.
How Does the Immersive Experience Work?
The experience walks attendees through a series of connected residential spaces that flow from inside the home to the landscape. The journey starts in an indoor living room featuring Lutron intelligent lighting and automated shading, moves into a covered outdoor entertaining area, then finishes in a landscape lit by VIA intelligent outdoor lighting.
Together, these technologies show how thoughtful system design creates a more unified outdoor living experience. Coastal Source and Lutron bring intelligent lighting, audio, power and control into one cohesive walkthrough that integrators can study and apply to their own projects.
What Is VIA Intelligent Outdoor Lighting?
VIA is an intelligent outdoor lighting system developed by Coastal Source and Lutron that extends the intelligent lighting experience beyond the walls of the home. It combines Lutron’s intelligent lighting and control technology with Coastal Source’s outdoor engineering through fixtures purpose-built for life outside.
The result gives integrators a clear path to carry indoor lighting control into the landscape. It also offers new ideas and added confidence for future outdoor projects.
What Does Coastal Source Say About the Collaboration?
Coastal Source says the activation is a way to push the industry to think differently about outdoor living. “Destination Outdoors has always been about inspiring the industry to think differently about outdoor living. This year, we’re taking that vision further through our collaboration with Lutron and their Native by Design approach by demonstrating how intelligent lighting can extend seamlessly from inside the home into the landscape,” says Franco D’Ascanio, Coastal Source founder and CEO.
D’Ascanio points to integrated design as the direction the market is heading. “When lighting, audio, power, and connectivity are designed as one cohesive experience, outdoor spaces become a true extension of the home, and that’s exactly where we see the future of outdoor living heading,” he says.
What Products Can Attendees See in Person?
Attendees get hands-on access to a range of integrated outdoor solutions beyond the walkthrough itself. The lineup includes Coastal Source’s award-winning 1000 Series Bollards, PowerSource, Uni-Connect cabling and other outdoor products that show how thoughtful system design delivers performance, reliability and long-term value.
That hands-on access is the point. Integrators can examine the hardware, understand how the pieces connect and see how the full system performs in a real-world setting.
Why Does CEDIA Expo Highlight Destination Outdoors?
CEDIA Expo points to Destination Outdoors as an example of experiences that can’t be replicated online. “CEDIA Expo exists to give the residential systems integration community experiences that simply can’t be replicated online,” says Jason McGraw, Group Vice President and Show Director of CEDIA Expo.
McGraw ties the activation to the scale and value of the event. “Destination Outdoors exemplifies what makes the event unique by bringing leading residential technology brands together to demonstrate complete, integrated solutions in a real-world environment at an impressive scale not to be missed,” he says.
When and Where Is CEDIA Expo 2026?
CEDIA Expo returns to Denver from Tuesday, Sept. 1, through Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. The show brings together more than 300 exhibitors, including dozens of lighting brands, giving integrators a single place to discover new products and connect with manufacturers.
The experience continues after the floor closes Wednesday. Head to the annual Happy Hour from 5 to 7:30 p.m. to connect with fellow pros in the industry’s favorite outdoor gathering spot.
