Building off a successful inaugural design-focused program last year at CEDIA Expo 2018, the organization will once again offer integrators and interior designers several opportunities to collaborate during this year’s conference and trade show, Sept. 10-14, at the Colorado Convention Center. The return of the Design Connection program will include special exhibits, show floor tours, and networking events.
“The Design Connection program is another added benefit for all attendees of CEDIA Expo, including design and construction professionals, integrators and manufacturers,” says Brian Pagel, senior vice president, Emerald Expositions.
“CEDIA Expo is honored to welcome these innovative members of both communities to CEDIA Expo 2019, and we encourage all attendees to get involved.”
Specially Curated Tours of Design-Friendly Technology
Based on the reactions from the two-dozen interior designers who participated in the Design Connection Tours last year, the interior design community is slowly by surely embracing smart home technology as an important element of their home designs.
“My husband would be saying, ‘Who do I make the check out to?’ right now,” enthused Portland, Ore.-based designer Robin Rigby Fisher.
“I really didn’t understand how integration goes. I’ve been overly impressed,” said Ore.-based Robin Fisher after the Design Connection Tour last year.
“A majority of my clientele are older Baby Boomers, and they’re like, ‘Why do I need this?’ I haven’t done a lot with integration because I don’t know enough about it to tell them what they need; now I think I know more what to talk about with them.”
Related: CEDIA Expo 2019 Registration Now Open
To maintain this momentum, Design Connection Tours, will be conducted once again at CEDIA Expo, 2019. Held on Sept. 12 and 13, the tours will be led and curated by two specially selected CEDIA members who will guide 15 to 20 certified designers around select exhibitor booths.
Each tour will feature 10 exhibitors, eight selected by the expert tour guides and two sponsorship opportunities. All 2019 CEDIA Expo exhibitors are invited to apply. Control4 is the title sponsor for the Design Connection tour series and the tours will kick off in their booth each day.
Networking Opportunities & Exclusive Design Connection Pavillion
At the end of the tour, participants will have an opportunity to network with integrators and other professionals in the home building and design industry at a complimentary lunch, as well as at “Bourbon, Bubbly & Brownies,” an invitation-only cocktail hour.
The tour will include a stop at the CEDIA Expo Design Connection Pavilion. The Design Connection Pavilion will be anchored by two leading design associations, the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) and the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).
The expanded Pavilion will feature design and construction brands and is dedicated to furthering technology and design partnerships.
“Since CEDIA Expo 2018, the NKBA has seen the kitchen and bath industry benefit greatly from having access to experts in home technology design and installation,” says Suzie Williford, NKBA’s executive vice president of industry relations & CSO.
“Our research shows that homeowners are ready for tech integration in their homes, they just need trusted experts to specify the products. Going into CEDIA Expo 2019, our goal is to educate and create new opportunities for our members through these new initiatives.”
