CEDIA Expo 2021, a global trade show for residential technology integration, designers and construction professionals, just concluded in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Held from August 31 to September 3, 2021 (conference Aug. 31 – Sept. 2, exposition Sept. 1-3), residential technology integrators, designers, and trade professionals came together in person for the first time in two years to connect and discuss topics within the industry.
“Although this was not the show we had originally planned, we adjusted and came together to put on a solid event,” states Jason McGraw, group vice president of CEDIA Expo & KBIS, Emerald.
“While all of our community was not able to participate with us this year, we were pleased to stage a safe event that was meaningful and informative for those who participated. This year’s show provided the first opportunity in two years for attendees and exhibitors to spend quality time, building relationships face to face.”
CEDIA Expo 2021 Exhibitors and Attendee Figures
CEDIA Expo 2021 hosted 82 exhibitors, nearly 25,000 NSF of exhibits, and 1,400 verified attendees. The quality of the show’s attendance was solid, with 42% holding the title of president/owner/partner/CEO. Key decision-makers, as well as several first-time attendees, engaged in show programming, product demonstrations, and show floor networking events. The use of the CEDIA Expo Matchmaking app facilitated meaningful pre, during, and now, post-show connections.
Attendees segmented into a variety of important groups:
- 35% of registrants were first-time attendees
- 58% of registrants were systems integrator/AV installers
- 42% of registrants were final decision-makers (nearly half of the attendees)
- 46 different US states
- 14 International countries
CEDIA Expo 2021 Programming Highlights included the integration of strategic partner IMCCA to speak to the emerging and growing “work from home” (WFH) technology segment. CE Pro presented its product and project awards recognizing Spatial Inc., for its real-time, interactive immersive audio solution and Blackdove for its digital art system. CEDIA’s keynote Poppy Crum, Ph.D. of Dolby Laboratories spoke to the topic of storytelling and the role our brains play in connecting, differently.
The TechStarter program celebrated innovator Guard Dog as the 2021 TechStarter winner. Kelly Ryan, Guard Dog’s VP of sales and business development declared after accepting the TechStarter winner award—“so many technology companies got their start exhibiting at CEDIA Expo, and we’re thrilled and humbled to be recognized as we launch our dealer program here. We’re in such, such tremendous company.”
CEDIA also delivered a combination of onsite and on-demand programming, and the combined Smart Stage/Innovation Hub provided attendees dozens of talks, case studies, and thought leadership programming.
Eric Bodley of Future Ready Solutions commented during the show that he had over 100 qualified attendee leads at the end of the first day of the show.
All recorded on-demand programming will be available on CEDIA Expo Connect until October 31, 2021, and for those looking forward to next year’s show, CEDIA Expo 2022 will take place in Dallas, Texas from September 29 to October 1, 2022.
