CEDIA traveled to Washington, D.C. for its third annual CEDIA Day on Capitol Hill on Thursday, March 26. Association leaders from around the world were joined by the CEDIA Board of Directors and industry partners to advocate for policies that support smart home professionals and the future workforce.
Why Integrators Should Take Notice
The Third Annual CEDIA Day on Capitol Hill focused on three key areas of support for the custom integration channel:
- Advocating for an official classification for “Technology Integrator” by the Department of Labor (advancing efforts from 2025).
- Demonstrating the value and function of smart home technologies to various representatives.
- Lobbying for technology and workforce development through discussions around key legislation impacting these areas.
Advocating for the Industry at the U.S. Department of Labor
In addition to engaging with the Department of Labor to advance efforts for an official occupational classification for “Technology Integrator,” CEDIA leaders also explored a national apprenticeship pathway to strengthen the pipeline for skilled talent in the industry.
Demonstrating Custom Integration’s Value to Lawmakers
At the Rayburn House Office Building, Amanda Wildman, CEDIA Board Chairperson and Founder of TruMedia Home, and Alex Capecelatro, Immediate Past Chairperson and CEO of Josh.ai, presented “AI Comes Home.” The demonstration highlighted how proper integration and innovative technology create safer, smarter, and more connected homes.
Included in the showcase were Lutron/Ketra shades and lighting, IC RealTime security and Sonos audio, all of which were controlled by Josh.ai.
Rep. Rudy Yakym (R-IN) hosted the event with various representatives and their staff stopping by to participate in the demonstration. Participants included Rep. Mark Messmer (R-IN), Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY), and Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA). The demonstration was also presented in cooperation with the Congressional Smart Cities Caucus.
Caucus Co-Chair Yvette D. Clarke noted, “Thank you to the CEDIA team in its entirety – both for hosting our caucus for today’s event and for their tireless work to unite smart home technologies with every American family. It is my sincere hope that our essential caucus will continue to serve as a forum for bringing together industry leaders – like those of CEDIA – to share solutions, ideas, and best practices around how our communities can most benefit from new forms of smart technology.”
Lobbying on Technology and Workforce
As lobbying progressed, CEDIA advocates met with Senate and House offices to discuss key legislation supporting the smart home industry and the workforce:
- 2802 / H.R. 1641 – Student Debt Alternative and CTE Awareness Act: Requires the Department of Education to publish clear, comprehensive data on career and technical education (CTE) programs on the Federal Student Aid website, positioning CTE as a viable alternative to four-year degrees.
- R. 4105 – Veterans Energy Transition (VET) Act of 2025: Establishes grants to connect transitioning service members, veterans, and their spouses to skilled careers in energy, including CEDIA industry careers.
- 244 / H.R. 866 – ROUTERS Act: Directs the Department of Commerce to assess national security and cybersecurity risks tied to consumer routers, modems, and similar devices – particularly those linked to foreign adversaries.
Key Takeaways from CEDIA Day on Capitol Hill
Entering its third year of occurrence, CEDIA Day on Capitol Hill has expanded into an even greater opportunity for advocacy, lobbying and education for industry within the nation’s capital, with much of the momentum from 2025 carrying into this year’s programming.
Solving the labor issue within the industry remains a key priority seen through advocacy and lobbying efforts while discussions of router security remained a relevant topic considering the FCC’s recent ban on all foreign-made, consumer-grade devices.
Of note is the demonstration of smart home technology to lawmakers, highlighting the need for proactive education as it relates to advocacy. The industry, broadly, remains relatively unknown, and as such, demonstrations such as those at the capitol are vital in conveying the value of the industry to major policymakers.
For more information on CEDIA’s advocacy initiatives, including ways to get involved, readers are instructed to visit CEDIA’s page for advocacy on its website.
