Another CEDIA Expo is in the books, and by the numbers, Denver delivered. The show, produced by the show’s newly formed parent company Forge, pulled in 9,653 verified attendees and more than 320 exhibiting brands over three days at the Colorado Convention Center, a solid showing that organizers are pointing to as continued evidence of the residential integration industry’s flagship event building on its momentum.
Held September 2–4, CEDIA Expo 2026 leaned heavily into its dual identity as both trade show and training ground. The event packed in 215 educational and training sessions, split between 101 manufacturer product trainings, 97 CEDIA-run education sessions, and 17 thought-leadership panels tackling everything from AI and lighting to aging-in-place design and business planning.
Show Floor Energy, By the Numbers
Image/Jack Goras
Perhaps the most notable stat for an industry always hungry for fresh blood: 26 percent of attendees were first-timers. That’s a meaningful chunk of new faces for a trade show that’s been around long enough to have institutional gravity, and it’s the figure Jason McGraw, Group Vice President and Show Director for CEDIA Expo, chose to highlight.
“What stood out in Denver was the quality of the audience and the business happening across the show floor,” McGraw said. “Exhibitors told us they were meeting high-quality prospects, strengthening relationships with existing customers and generating real business opportunities. With 26% of attendees experiencing CEDIA Expo for the first time, we’re continuing to bring new people into the show and connecting them with this industry. That, combined with the business, discovery, and connection, is exactly why CEDIA Expo continues to be the premier event for the residential integration community.”
The experiential side of the floor pulled real crowds, too. More than 20 dedicated audio and sound demo rooms reportedly had lines forming throughout the week, a good sign for an industry segment that lives and dies by in-person listening experiences no spec sheet can replicate. Destination Outdoors, sponsored by Coastal Source and Lutron, gave the expanding outdoor living and entertainment category its own dedicated showcase, reflecting how far “smart home” has stretched beyond four walls.
On the programming side, the Day of Discovery™ track (produced by Technology Designer) continued its push to get architects, interior designers, and builders talking directly to integrators and manufacturers, a relationship CEDIA has clearly decided is worth institutionalizing rather than leaving to chance. The Women in Consumer Technology (WiCT) Luncheon added a networking and recognition component to the week’s agenda.
Exhibitors Sound Off
Image/Jack Goras
The exhibitor commentary released alongside the attendance figures reads like a fairly consistent chorus: strong leads, real conversations, worth the investment.
“CEDIA Expo 2026 delivered unmatched momentum for the custom integration industry,” said Ben Bard, Vice-President, Luxury Residential Business, Lutron. “Lutron was proud to showcase significant expansions to our intelligent lighting and shading portfolio, connect with thousands of integrators, and celebrate the innovation that defines this extraordinary community. But the true highlight was the people — the integrators who show up, invest in their teams, and continually push the boundaries of what technology can deliver for their clients. We left inspired, energized, and deeply grateful for the trust this community places in us. CEDIA Expo remains the premier destination for meaningful partnerships, hands-on learning, and breakthrough product discovery.”
Sony’s Kathleen Thomas, Head of Custom Integration Sales, kept it simpler: “Any opportunity to bring vendors and dealers together sparks innovation and exciting conversations. CEDIA 2026 was no exception. It has always been the best opportunity to come together as a community.”
Perhaps the most detailed exhibitor readout came from PML Sound, the parent business behind Paradigm, Anthem, and MartinLogan.
“CEDIA Expo 2026 was a highly productive show for Paradigm, Anthem and MartinLogan,” said Zoltan Balla, Vice President, Marketing & Development Operations, Paradigm Electronics Inc. & MartinLogan Ltd. (PML Sound). “The event provided an essential platform to launch our latest product innovations and connect directly with high-quality leads from across the custom installation industry. Exhibiting allows us to meet face-to-face with new and existing dealers, share our newest updates, and strengthen our relationships within the integration community. The strong foot traffic and valuable business leads generated throughout the week highlighted the importance of the show for our brands, and we look forward to returning next year.”
Next Stop: Las Vegas
With Denver wrapped, CEDIA Expo is already looking ahead to its return to the Las Vegas Convention Center’s West Hall, scheduled for September 7–10, 2027. McGraw framed the planning process around doubling down on the fundamentals: product discovery, hands-on technology experience, direct manufacturer access, and education.
“CEDIA Expo is where the residential integration industry comes together, and Forge is fully committed to its future,” McGraw said. “We’re already building toward Las Vegas with a clear focus: deliver a strong experience for exhibitors and attendees, create meaningful business opportunities, and continue to bring the residential integration community together.”
For an industry that has weathered its share of supply chain disruption and business model shifts in recent years, a nearly 10,000-person show with a chunk of the room made up of newcomers is an encouraging sign.
