As 2024 comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the highlights of the year by revisiting our most popular stories. From reader favorites to standout moments, these posts struck a chord and sparked conversations. Whether you’re discovering them for the first time or enjoying them again, they’re sure to bring back all the excitement and insights that made them such a hit. Let’s take a walk down memory lane at some of the headlines that made our top 10 stories of 2024!
#10 Crestron Goes on the Record on Recent Layoffs
Kiattisak / stock.adobe.com
Coming in tenth place in our top 10 stories of 2024, was Crestron’s reduction in force (RIF) in early 2024. Crestron’s CEO, Dan Feldstein, confirmed the RIF with us, noting, “While any reduction in force is significant, particularly to those directly affected, this action is not unusual for a large technology company like [ours].” Feldstein continued by saying, Crestron must periodically step back and ensure we are making the right investments and have the right team in place.” He added, “Evaluating the capabilities of the team, ensuring that investments are aligned with current and future demand, and adjusting to meet business requirements are key elements of our proactive strategy.” Crestron said it remains “project ready.”
#9 Midwich Group Acquires The Farm
Photo courtesy of Kelly Perkins, The Farm.
In Q1 2024, news broke of the Midwich Group’s acquisition of The Farm, the West Coast-based manufacturers’ representative and technical services provider. John Hood CEO and president of The Farm said, “Increased opportunity and better support aren’t all our customers and manufacturer partners will gain. Backed by the resources of Midwich, we’ll finally be able to invest in building and deepening our services — starting with our current partners Q-SYS and Visionary Solutions. Serving the finest AV manufacturers and technology providers is in our DNA. We’ve built a team of experts, no generalists. Instead of turning down work because of resource shortages, we’ll be able to expand to meet demand.”
#8 Sharp + NEC Display Solutions Joint Venture
Composed by CI Staff.
In 2020, Sharp Corporation completed its transaction to form a joint venture with NEC. This year, as of Jan. 1, 2024, all Sharp/NEC employees have now transitioned to being Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America employees. Todd Bouman, EVP, proAV display business told us, “This [move] benefits both the market and customers. We now have clarity of our identity in the market, as well as how we will engage with our customers moving forward.” Commercial Integrator has interviewed with executives to share the latest developments about the joint venture. Most recently, Dan Ferrisi, group editor, commercial and security, Emerald, sat down with executives to discuss the companies latest projectors and large-format displays.
#7 2024 Commercial Integrator BEST Award Winners
Courtesy/Emerald
The 2024 Commercial Integrator BEST Awards recognize innovative products, solutions, and services that enhance business profitability and sustainability in the AV industry. This year, we introduced two new categories by popular demand: programming company/service provider of the year, honoring control programming and software excellence, and AV person of the year, celebrating influential individuals in the AV community. Winners were announced at InfoComm 2024 during a well-attended ceremony held at the HDBaseT Alliance booth, drawing excitement from industry professionals eager to applaud this year’s achievements.
See the 2024 BEST Award Winners here.
#6 Line Array Speakers
jojokrap / stock.adobe.com
Our guide on line array speakers is an essential resource for integrators and anyone exploring speaker technology. Covering everything from fundamentals to advanced benefits, it highlights why line array speakers are ideal for delivering clear sound across large venues with high ceilings. With audio equipment forecasted to reach a $20 billion market and a 3.5% CAGR from 2024 to 2029, understanding these systems is more relevant than ever!
Check out the line array speaker guide here.
#5 InfoComm & ISE All the latest news hub pages
Valery Zanimanski / stock.adobe.com
Of course, our coverage of the two largest audiovisual tradeshows in our industry made it into the top five most popular posts of 2024: InfoComm and ISE.
Check out our complete coverage of InfoComm and ISE 2024.
#4 Acuity Brands Acquires QSC for $1.215 Billion
Photo credits: wladimir1804/stock.adobe.com
Coming in at fourth place on our top 10 stories of 2024, is QSC’s acquisition by Acuity Brands for $1.215 billion, or $1.1 billion net of expected tax benefits. The deal valued QSC at approximately 14 times its estimated 12-month EBITDA as of August 31, 2024. QSC joins Acuity’s Intelligent Spaces Group, aligning their shared mission to innovate and enhance live, hybrid and virtual experiences. Together, they aim to create smarter, safer and greener spaces through disruptive technologies and data interoperability.
#3 Resideo Acquires Snap One for $1.4 Billion
Stock.adobe.com/Worawut
Coming in third place on our top 10 stories of 2024, was a major M&A in the AV industry this year: Resideo’s acquisition of Snap One for $1.4 billion. The acquisition combines ADI’s position in security products distribution and Snap One’s complementary capabilities in the smart living market and Control4 technology platforms. Together, ADI and Snap One will provide integrators an increased selection of both third-party products and proprietary offerings through an extensive physical branch footprint.
#2 MSP Community Talks Security Awareness Training, Key Tools
Photo credits: Funtap/stock.adobe.com
Coming in second place in our top 10 stories of 2024, our “The Service Desk” features insights from six ASCII Group members, the largest independent IT community with over 1,300 MSP members. Panelists shared their expertise on security awareness training, offering tool recommendations and addressing the balance between convenience and security. Their discussion provides valuable perspectives for integrators looking to enhance their security practices.
#1 CI’s 40 Influencers Under 40: The Class of 2024
Each year, Commercial Integrator releases its 40 Influencers Under 40 list, an initiative that began in 2014 and has grown steadily in popularity ever since. Now, the 40 Under 40 is without question CI’s biggest, most eagerly anticipated annual offering — no wonder it made this year’s #1 most read story! It’s an opportunity for commercial AV’s tastemakers to get a glimpse at young, up-and-coming rockstars whose massive contributions to our industry belie their years. We can’t wait to see who will make next year’s class!
