This year’s CEDIA Expo/CIX will once again put education and thought leadership front and center with the return of the Smart Stage. Running throughout the show, the Smart Stage lineup is designed to equip residential and commercial integrators with strategies and perspectives that can be put to use immediately.
Thursday’s Smart Stage Highlights
The program begins Thursday, September 4, at 10:00 a.m. with Practical Uses of AI, featuring Sonance CEO Ari Supran on how integrators can leverage accessible AI tools to streamline operations and enhance customer service.
At 11:00 a.m., the State of the Industry session will gather leading executives from CEDIA, Azione, Ellipsys, HTSA, Oasys, and ProSource for a wide-ranging discussion on the market’s health, challenges, and opportunities. CE Pro Executive Editor Zachary Comeau will moderate.
In the afternoon, attendees can look forward to Beyond the Spec: Designing Atmosphere Together, with Rebecca Nambiar of John Cullen Lighting and Scott Smith of Arche Lighting Group sharing best practices for aligning AV and lighting design. CE Pro Senior Editor Nicholas Boever will moderate.
Other Thursday sessions include the IMCCA State of the Collaboration Industry panel at 2:00 p.m.
The Commercial Integrator Integration Awards at 3:45 p.m. and CE Pro’s Home of the Year & BEST Product Awards at 4:00 p.m.
Friday Programming
Friday, September 5, begins with Lighting Leads the Way: How to Start Strong and Win the Project Early, where representatives from DMF, Savant, and Deako will highlight how lighting can help integrators enter projects earlier and grow revenue. CE Pro Executive Editor Zachary Comeau will moderate.
At 11:00 a.m., a panel on How Software Tools Help Integrators Run Better, More Profitable Businesses will cover solutions for proposals, documentation, service management, billing, and more.
The afternoon turns to high-end entertainment and security with The Art of High-End Home Theater Sales at 1:00 p.m. and Cybersecurity in the Connected Home at 2:00 p.m., featuring experts from SpecOp Secure, Firewalla, Z-Wave, and Prime Radiant. CE Pro Executive Editor Zachary Comeau will moderate.
Design takes the spotlight again at 3:00 p.m. with Bold Moves, Brilliant Spaces: Tech + Design Collabs That Work, moderated by Katye McGregor Bennett and featuring panelists from Leon Speakers, Sonos, and the design community.
The day concludes at 4:00 p.m. with the 2025 Women to Watch Panel & Reception, recognizing leaders from CE Pro’s annual list and offering candid insights into their career journeys.
On the Pulse of the Industry
“Smart Stage is a forum on the pulse of the industry and a window to the future,” says Jason McGraw, Group Vice President and Show Director of CEDIA Expo/CIX. “It’s a unique and compelling opportunity for integrators to add technological depth and commercial edge.”
With sessions spanning AI, lighting, cybersecurity, business operations, and design collaboration, the Smart Stage aims to give integrators practical tools and inspiration to grow their businesses and strengthen industry connections.
