CEDIA Expo, the leading event for technology within the intelligently built environment, connected more than 20,000 home tech pros and nearly 500 exhibitors during the 2018 show held September 6 – 8 at the San Diego Convention Center. This year’s show featured a number of “firsts,” including the latest products and breakthrough innovations in home technology, all-new programming on the all-new Smart Stage and a host of networking opportunities created to further design and technology integration.
“CEDIA Expo 2018 was the first year Emerald Expositions had the honor of operating the lead home technology trade show in the country,” says Brian Pagel, senior vice president, Emerald Expositions. “This year’s show maintained its unparalleled education opportunities for integrators while engaging attendees with new on-the-show-floor programming. CEDIA Expo 2018 has been an exciting, educational and successful show thanks to the hard work of our exhibitors, attendees and all industry partners.”
TechBites, an exciting new series of brand “speed-dates,” thrilled the Smart Stage audience as spokespeople from the following brands debuted products and took follow-up questions from the audience in brief, six-minute sessions:
- Vanco Technologies
- AXIS Labs
- Streamlabs
- ABB Inc.
- TV Template
- Flo Technologies
- D-Tools
- DISH Network
- LeakSmart
- Modulus Media Systems
- RoseWater Energy Group
- Vutec Corporation
“TechBites offered an extraordinary opportunity for our brand to share a new product directly with a truly engaged audience at the biggest residential tech event of the year,” said Frank DeFilippis, national sales manager for custom integration, DISH.
TechTalks, featuring new thought leadership panel discussions programmed by CE Pro, took to the Smart Stage with a series of inspiring and educational talks from technology experts on IoT trends, business management, voice activation, the impact of technology on architecture and design, and more. Curated by CE Pro editors including founding editor Julie Jacobson, Jason Knott, Lisa Montgomery and Arlen Schweiger, the all-new panel discussions were made possible by sponsors including Google, Sonnen, Samsung, Harman, ConnectWise, Houzz, and more.
Powered by the NKBA, “Design+Connection” themed programs debuted at CEDIA Expo 2018 with the much-talked about Design+Connection tour series, the Design+Connection Pavilion and the Bourbon & Brownies networking event.
Leading design-focused organizations including the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), and the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) also reaped the benefits of the show’s emphasis on establishing connections.
“The invaluable connections and partnerships made at CEDIA Expo will leave a lasting impression on the design community,” says Suzie Williford, NKBA’s executive vice president of industry relations & CSO. “We encourage designers to integrate technology into their designed spaces in order to meet the demands of the modern client, and this show provided the perfect forum for designers, architects and integrator collaboration.”
The first-ever Best Booth Awards debuted this year and recognized these brands for their creative, engaging and impactful CEDIA Expo presence:
Best in Show: Sony
100 – 300 sq. feet: Kohler
301-700 sq. feet: Noon Home
701-1,000 sq. feet: Seura
1,000-2,999 sq. feet: Bose
3, 0000+ sq. feet: Samsung
Honorable Mention – Monitor Audio
Returning CEDIA Expo favorites also made the show stronger than ever. Innovation Alley introduced new products and services to the home tech market and CEDIA’s 110 educational conference sessions, manufacturer’s trainings, and CEDIA Talks brought the latest industry-critical audio, video, security, and networking information to a range of technology professionals.
