At CEDIA Expo/CIX 2025, Leon Speakers’ Director of Sales, Caitlin Stewart, discussed how the Ann Arbor–based company continues to redefine the relationship between design and technology in the custom integration market. Stewart oversees residential sales and works closely with account managers, reps, and buying groups to drive Leon’s presence in the channel. As the company approaches its 30th anniversary, she says the brand remains rooted in a design-first philosophy that has shaped its culture since 1997.
According to Stewart, speaking in the Volkswagen ID. Buzz podcast van in the lobby of the Colorado Convention Center, Leon sees itself less as a technology company and more as a design-led manufacturer that happens to produce premium audio and concealment solutions. That perspective informs how products are conceived, built, and positioned. The goal is to support environments where form and function reinforce one another, rather than forcing designers and integrators to compromise. Stewart notes that the industry has struggled with “black box” aesthetics, and believes that relevance today depends on aligning with the design community’s expectations and language.
Much of Leon’s momentum comes from its efforts to meet architects and interior designers where they are. The company has invested heavily in outreach beyond the traditional AV channel, participating in events such as ICFF and engaging directly with design firms during product development. Factory visits remain one of Leon’s most effective tools, offering designers hands-on exposure to materials, finishes, and customization capabilities that mirror the decisions they make in other aspects of a project.
Stewart says Leon is also expanding its portfolio in ways that reflect evolving needs in the luxury market. That includes acoustic treatments focused on materiality and dual purpose, as well as solutions for the growing category of video walls. Looking ahead, the company aims to deepen partnerships across both the AV and A&D communities, encouraging more collaboration and more opportunities for designers to influence product direction.
Follow the CEDIA Expo/CIX YouTube channel for more interviews like this from the 2025 show via the VW ID. Buzz podcast booth!
