What You Need to Know:
- Smart Stage programming runs Wednesday, Sept. 2 through Friday, Sept. 4 on the CEDIA Expo show floor in Denver.
- Six exhibitor-sponsored sessions cover video walls, AI integration, energy management, outdoor systems, immersive entertainment and light commercial expansion.
- Sponsors include Infratech, Josh.ai, Just Video Walls, Kaleidescape, Savant and SONOS.
- Speakers include integrators, manufacturers and editors from CE Pro and Commercial Integrator.
- CEDIA Expo 2026 runs Sept. 1-4 in Denver. Full details and registration are at cediaexpo.com.
What Is the CEDIA Expo Smart Stage?
The Smart Stage is a free, on-floor education program at CEDIA Expo where integrators can hear directly from industry experts without leaving the exhibit hall. Sessions run across three days — Wednesday, Sept. 2 through Friday, Sept. 4 — and cover technologies reshaping project work, business challenges affecting operations, workforce strategies and channel trends. The format is intentionally short and practical, designed for professionals moving between booth visits.
What Will the Video Wall Session Cover?
The “Beyond the Big Screen: Video Walls and the Rise of Extra-Large Displays” session covers where videowalls and extra-large displays fit on real integration projects, from large living spaces and sports lounges to dedicated media rooms. Sponsored exclusively by Just Video Walls, it runs Wednesday, Sept. 2 from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Panelists will address installation considerations, viewing distances and how integrators can position these systems to deliver video experiences that go well beyond a conventional television.
How Is AI Changing System Design for Integrators?
The “When Smart Homes Get Smarter: AI Enters the Rack” session examines how artificial intelligence is moving into AV, security and control platforms — and what that shift means for how integrators design systems. Co-sponsored by Josh.ai and Savant, the session runs Wednesday, Sept. 2 from 3:15 to 4 p.m. Speakers include Alex Capecelatro, CEO of Josh.ai, and Craig Spinner, executive vice president of Savant. The discussion will focus on how integrators can prepare for homes where technology interprets the environment rather than simply responding to commands.
“As AI moves from something people talk about to something clients expect in their everyday lives, integrators have a real opportunity to lead,” says Capecelatro. “The most exciting applications of AI aren’t about replacing the expertise integrators already bring to a project. They’re about making homes more intuitive, personal and responsive, while creating new ways for integrators to deliver value to their clients. CEDIA Expo is an important place to have these conversations, share what’s working today and help the industry understand where things are headed next.”
Why Is Energy Management a Growth Opportunity for Integrators?
Energy management is emerging as one of the stronger revenue opportunities in custom integration, and the “How Energy Management Is Reshaping the Smart Home” session outlines why. Sponsored exclusively by Savant, it runs Wednesday, Sept. 2 from 1:15 to 2 p.m. The session examines how energy management can open new revenue streams, deepen client relationships and help businesses prepare for the next phase of smart home demand.
What Does a Complete Outdoor Integration System Look Like?
A fully cohesive outdoor living system requires expertise across four disciplines — structure, enclosure, comfort and control — and the “The Outdoor Opportunity: Building One Cohesive System from Structure to Control” session puts all four on one stage. Sponsored exclusively by Infratech, it runs Wednesday, Sept. 2 from 2:15 to 3 p.m. Panelists include:
- Jennifer Kimble, senior marketing manager, StruXure (structure)
- Arthur James, founder and president, Progressive Screens (enclosure)
- Michael Conway, director of national accounts, Infratech (comfort)
- Perry Fox, COO and co-founder, Bond Home (control)
The session covers how to spec and sell a complete outdoor system and how integrators can establish themselves as the primary professional driving that conversation from the start.
What Goes Into Designing an Immersive Home Entertainment Experience?
A successful immersive entertainment experience depends on how well audio, video and room design work together — not just the performance specs of individual components. Sponsored exclusively by Kaleidescape, the “Designing Immersive Entertainment Experiences” session runs Thursday, Sept. 3 from 2 to 2:45 p.m. Zachary Comeau, executive editor of CE Pro, moderates a panel that includes Michael Kobb, principal engineer of user experience at Kaleidescape; Phil Holland, filmmaker at PHFX; Juan Reyes, executive director of 8KA; and Rob Budde, product manager at JVC.
“Creating an immersive entertainment experience is about much more than just assembling high-performance technology; it’s about bringing the right elements together to create an experience that feels effortless and memorable,” says Kobb. “The Smart Stage gives integrators the opportunity to consider the entire experience, from technology and content to room design, and think about how these elements can come together to create something truly exceptional.”
Can Residential Integrators Successfully Move Into Light Commercial Projects?
Residential integrators can enter light commercial markets by applying skills they already have — but early projects often fail for predictable reasons, and the “From Homes to Main Street: Scaling to Light Commercial Projects” session addresses those risks directly. Sponsored by SONOS, it runs Thursday, Sept. 3 from 1:15 to 1:45 p.m. Restaurants, fitness studios, retail stores and offices are increasingly specifying the same technologies integrators already install in homes. Speakers include Shawn Hansson, CEO and founder of Logic Integration, and Dan Ferrisi, group director of content and editorial at Emerald.
When and Where Is CEDIA Expo 2026?
CEDIA Expo 2026 returns to Denver from Tuesday, Sept. 1 through Friday, Sept. 4. Smart Stage sessions run Sept. 2-4 on the show floor alongside product discovery, education and networking for residential and light commercial integration professionals. For the full session lineup and registration, visit cediaexpo.com.
