A Brand Reborn: Connected Design’s Return to CEDIA Expo

I’m no CEDIA Expo newbie by any stretch of the imagination. But the sense of excitement and anticipation in the run up to the 2026 edition of this event is on a whole different level for me personally. And, selfishly, it has everything to do with the relaunch of the Connected Design brand. Last year was my…

ByRob Stott5 hours ago0Comments

Industry Events Smart Home

Savant Preps Its Whole-Home Story for CEDIA Expo 2026

There is a difference between seeing smart home technology on a show floor and seeing it behave inside a space that feels like it could actually be lived in. That distinction was hard to miss during our recent visit to the Savant Experience Center in New York City’s SoHo district. The expanded 8,000-square-foot space brings…

ByConnected Design4 days ago0Comments

Industry Events News

Origin Acoustics Preps for CEDIA Expo 2026 With Expanded Leadership and a Broader Vision

Origin Acoustics is heading to CEDIA Expo 2026 with more than a new product story. The architectural audio manufacturer is using the show to signal a larger next chapter, one shaped by new executive leadership, expanded category ambitions, and a sharpened focus on how premium audio fits into luxury residential, commercial, outdoor, hospitality, and other environments.. At…

ByConnected Design4 days ago0Comments

Industry Events Industry News

Forge Debuts as New Parent Brand for Emerald and Questex

There’s now a name attached to the newly combined Emerald and Questex business. Forge debuted this week as the new corporate brand uniting Emerald and Questex LLC, following the July 2026 completion of Apollo-managed funds’ acquisition of both companies. The company is positioning itself as a global B2B events and media platform built around live…

ByRob Stott5 days ago0Comments

Industry News

Jason McGraw Previews CEDIA Expo 2026

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…

ByRob StottAugust 19, 20260Comments

Industry Events Lighting & Shading

Unique Lighting Systems Brings Outdoor Lighting Support to CEDIA Integrators

Outdoor living continues to become a larger part of the connected home conversation, but for many CEDIA integrators, outdoor lighting can still feel like a separate discipline. Unique Lighting Systems, a division of The Toro Company, is looking to lower that barrier with a new CEDIA Partner Program built around design support, dealer education, field…

ByConnected DesignAugust 7, 20260Comments

Industry Events Industry News

CEDIA to Offer RP32 Audio Verification Training at CEDIA Expo

CEDIA will host the first North American workshop for its RP32: Audio System Measurement and Verification Recommended Practice at CEDIA Expo 2026, bringing hands-on training around a standard that could have meaningful implications for how integrators, designers, and builders define, verify, and communicate audio performance. The full-day RP32: Audio System Measurement and Verification Workshop will take place Monday, Aug.…

ByRob StottJuly 10, 20260Comments

Industry News

CEDIA’s Friedman Addresses Retirement, Events News in Note to Members

What a week or so of news in the CI space. Emerald gets sold. CEDIA CEO Daryl Friedman announced his retirement. And then AVIXA comes in and says, “Hold my beer.” All of that made the timing of Friedman’s note to the CEDIA community honestly perfect. With so much swirling around, his words felt like…

ByRob StottMay 21, 20260Comments