At CEDIA Expo/CIX 2025, organizers announced the Smart Stage lineup will feature presentations focused on actionable insights from learned speakers in both, the residential and commercial AV markets.
Smart Stage at CEDIA Expo/CIX 2025
Below is the lineup for the Smart Stage sessions, taking place from Sept. 4 to 5, 2025 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver.
Thursday, Sept. 4, 10:00 AM: Practical Uses of AI
AI isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a business accelerator. Ari Supran, CEO of Sonance, reveals. Here, simple, accessible AI tools can help integrators streamline operations, save time and elevate customer service.
Thursday, Sept. 4, 11:00 AM: State of the Industry
According to the statement, attendees will get a 360-degree view of the custom integration market from the people shaping it. In this annual industry roundup, leaders from top AV organizations will also share insights on market health, major challenges and the trends set to define the next year.
The panelists include the following: Daryl Friedman, global president and CEO, CEDIA; Patrick McCarthy, executive director Azione; Chris Whitley, executive director Ellipsys; Jon Robbins, executive director, HTSA; Hank Alexander, director of Oasys, Nationwide Marketing Group; and Jim Pearse, president, ProSource.
Thursday, Sept. 4, 1:00 PM: Beyond the Spec: Designing Atmosphere Together
Too often, AV and lighting are brought in at different stages of a project, leading to missed opportunities, duplicated work or clashing ideas, according to the statement. This session featuring Rebecca Nambiar of John Cullen Lighting and Scott Smith of Arche Lighting Group will explore how true design synergy between integrators and lighting designers can elevate not only the outcome, but also the client experience.
Thursday, Sept. 4, 2:00 PM: IMCCA State of the Collaboration Industry Panel
David Danto, principal analyst, TalkingPointz, will moderate a discussion about the state of AV and UC technology. The panel discussion will focus on answering the following question: Is AI improving the quality and simplicity of our technology experiences? Here, David Maldow of Lets Do Video, Kevin Kieller of Enable UC and Nancy Knowlton of Nureva will be the panelists.
Thursday, Sept. 4, 3:45 PM: Commercial Integrator Integration Awards Presentation
Dan Ferrisi, group editor, commercial and security will present awards to integrators across 17 project categories including Best Immersive Experience Project, Best Large-Venue Project and Best Corporate Campus Project.
Thursday, Sept. 4, 4:00 PM: CE Pro Home of the Year & BEST Product Awards Presentation
Attendees will also get to celebrate the year’s most innovative projects and products in the custom integration industry. Here, CE Pro will honor the winners of its prestigious Home of the Year and BEST Product awards, showcasing the creativity, craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology that define the industry’s best work.
Friday, Sept. 5, 10:00 AM: Lighting Leads the Way: How to Start Strong and Win the Project Early
According to the statement, lighting can be the key that opens the door to bigger projects, earlier involvement and greater revenue. In this practical session, lighting leaders from DMF, Savant and Deako will share how to integrate lighting at the start of a build.
Friday, Sept. 5, 11:00 AM: How Software Tools Help Integrators Run Better, More Profitable Businesses
All too often, integrators are so busy working in their business that they barely seem to have time to work on their business, per a statement. However, at a time when margin erosion is real, labor costs are rising, and integrators often find themselves upside down on a project, it’s imperative for them to leverage new and existing software tools to keep themselves organized and their projects profitable.
This panel will touch on tools for proposal creation, drawings and documentation, service management, along with lead and project pipeline management. Plus, software tools can help with billing and payments, inventory management and more.
Friday, Sept. 5, 1:00 PM: The Art of High-End Home Theater Sales
If clients demand “only the best,” this session will show integrators how to deliver and close the sale, per the statement. Here, attendees get to join AcousticSmart president and Home Theaterology author Richard Charschan as he moderates a panel of home cinema innovators.
Friday, Sept. 5, 2:00 PM: Cybersecurity in the Connected Home
According to the statement, today’s luxury smart homes are sophisticated, and so are the threats they face. Join cybersecurity experts Farr Shepherd (Specops Secure), Jerry Chen (Firewalla), Avi Rosenthal (Z-Wave), and Cristina Dolan (Prime Radiant) as they expose common vulnerabilities, share real-world attack scenarios and offer practical defenses to keep high-end systems secure.
Friday, Sept. 5, 3:00 PM: The Intersection of Design + Tech
This panel will bridge the gap between custom integration and interior design, per the statement. Attendees will understand how the two worlds can work in perfect harmony, learn strategies for making aesthetic and functional high-performance systems, and discover how early collaboration can deliver stunning, cohesive results. This panel will be moderated by Katye McGregor Bennett and features interior design and tech experts from Leon Speakers, Sonos and more.
Friday, Sept. 5, 4:00 PM: 2025 Women to Watch Panel and Reception
Finally, attendees will get to celebrate the inspiring women transforming the custom integration industry. Moderated by Katye McGregor Bennett, this discussion will feature honorees from CE Pro’s 2025 40 Women to Watch list, who will share their journeys, successes and candid insights into the unique challenges women face and the opportunities they’re seizing in the custom integration space today. A reception will follow the discussion.
“Smart Stage is a forum on the pulse of the industry and a window to the future,” explains Jason McGraw, group vice president and show director of CEDIA Expo/CIX. “It’s a unique and compelling opportunity for integrators to add technological depth and commercial edge!”
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