From Tony Monteleone on the Designer & Integrator Relationships Panel Discussion

At the “Designer & Integrator Relationships…Make Sure Everybody Wins” panel, we explored how strong partnerships between designers and integrators drive both client satisfaction and project success. Toni Sabatino emphasized that trust, communication, and clear delineation of responsibilities are paramount, noting that technology should enhance the user experience while aligning seamlessly with aesthetics.

Rex Aguirre reinforced the importance of transparency, early collaboration, and realistic expectations with clients to ensure delivery of top technology integrations that complement the design vision. Through collaborations such as a Water Mill, NY media room, a 22-foot stone wall media installation, and complex kitchen/bar integration, the panel highlighted how proactive problem-solving, shared vision, and respect for each other’s expertise create efficient, beautiful, and functional spaces.

The discussion also covered client access, financial models, and incentives. Both panelists underscored the value of keeping the client at the center while ensuring fair compensation for each professional. Overall, the session demonstrated that when designers and integrators collaborate effectively, everyone—from the team to the homeowner—wins.

From Rex Aguirre on Cedia

Homeowners turn to interior designers to help them create beautiful environments. That’s no longer enough. Now people’s homes have to look beautiful and take advantage of the latest technology.

Designer Toni Sabatino frames it perfectly when she asks her clients, “Who’s going to take care of your security, comfort, and entertainment?” Toni gets it. But many interior designers are leery of technology, concerned that it will look ugly and interfere with their aesthetic.

As a technology designer, I consider it part of my job to educate designers about what smart technology can accomplish. It’s important for me to build relationships and earn designers’ trust so that we can work together as a team to give homeowners the best of both worlds. It’s one thing for us to talk about the merits of our technology solutions. It’s quite another to demonstrate this in person.

That’s why it was so powerful for us to walk the show at CEDIA with some of our NKBA Manhattan design colleagues. They were able to see, touch, and interact with the latest technology — up-close. We were there to provide answers and guidance.

You can literally see the lightbulb go off when a designer experiences technology that is designed to disappear, which makes homeowners’ lives easy, efficient, and comfortable. The possibilities are endless! It’s why more designers should attend CEDIA. It’s a game-changer.

From Toni Sabatino

It was an honor to emcee the CEDIA Smart Home Awards for the second year in a row! Having Katye McGregor Bennett and KMB Communications as the headline sponsor made this a meaningful culmination of the tech-and-design connection begun seven years ago. The collaboration of design and tech professionals continues to create homes that deliver the very best in security, comfort, and entertainment. The results are truly magical. Big thanks to the CEDIA staff and event sponsors—D-Tools, Daisy, Sonos, Somfy, Leon, Torus Power, Apex, Quantum Media Systems, and Wall-Smart—for such a special evening. And huge congratulations to the winners for the beautiful, connected designs, innovative products, and lifetime achievements!