With CEDIA Expo 2026 now just weeks away, the residential technology channel is once again preparing for its annual gathering of integrators, manufacturers, designers, builders, and industry partners. For Jason McGraw, group vice president for CEDIA Expo, the final countdown is busy, detailed, and full of momentum.
In a conversation with Connected Design, McGraw said the team is seeing strong registration activity, with hundreds of attendees signing up each day as exhibitors finalize announcements and show-floor plans. The work behind the scenes, which starts almost 18 months before the doors open, involves everything from securing dates and venues to coordinating exhibitors, education, operations, marketing, and on-site logistics. By the time attendees arrive, that planning turns into what McGraw described as a “magical technology buffet” of products and experiences designed to help professionals build better whole-home systems.
This year, McGraw expects the show floor itself to be one of the biggest attractions. Exhibitors are bringing new products, new booth experiences, and new ways to demonstrate technology in real-world applications. CEDIA Expo is also introducing a Best Booth Awards program, recognizing exhibitors by booth size and product category while putting more emphasis on the attendee experience.
Audio and home theater demos will again be a major draw. McGraw pointed to roughly 20 sound room demos across the show floor, exhibitor booths, and meeting rooms near registration. These spaces give attendees the chance to hear systems in application, compare approaches, and experience performance in a way that spec sheets cannot fully capture.
Education is another major focus. McGraw noted that the show starts fresh each year rather than repeating old programming. The 2026 event includes new Smart Stage sessions, CEDIA conference content, manufacturer product training, a first-ever manufacturer panel with leading brand executives, and a CE Pro 100 integrator panel focused on the realities of the business from those working in the field.
Artificial intelligence will also be difficult to miss. “I think you’re gonna see AI everywhere at the show,” McGraw said, pointing to conference sessions, show-floor activations, exhibitor booths, and control system manufacturers integrating AI features into their platforms. For integrators, the larger question is not simply what AI can do, but how it will affect client systems, business operations, and the future of residential technology design.
Beyond the floor and classrooms, CEDIA Expo is leaning into networking and shared experience. The opening party with the CE Pro All-Star Band returns Wednesday night, while a new Friday night pub crawl will bring attendees into several downtown Denver bars after the show closes. And a new Day of Discovery networking reception will also connect integrators with designers, builders, and architects, reinforcing the cross-disciplinary conversations that increasingly define the connected home.
Denver remains an important part of the story. McGraw praised the city’s accessibility, walkable downtown, hotel inventory, restaurants, breweries, entertainment venues, and proximity to the outdoors. He also noted that attendee and exhibitor feedback has been positive, with 80 percent previously rating Denver as a strong home for the show.
Still, he noted that CEDIA Expo is excited to once again move the show around, with the 2027 edition set to take place in Las Vegas, with future rotations expected to include Orlando, Dallas, and potentially a return to Denver. McGraw said the strategy is about listening to feedback, making the event accessible to different regions, and keeping the experience fresh.
For anyone still deciding whether to attend, McGraw’s message was simple: “It’s not too late.” Registration remains open, hotel rooms are still available, and the show is positioned to deliver a broad look at what is new, what is next, and where the residential technology channel is headed.
