With CEDIA Expo/Commercial Integrator Expo (CIX) set to return to Denver, September 4-6, Jason McGraw, group vice president and show director of CEDIA Expo/CIX, shares some of the top trends and storylines shaping this year’s event as the list of exhibitors continues to prove its strength.
“Denver in September will be an Expo to remember,” says McGraw. “This show is ground zero for the innovations, partnerships, and conversations that will shape residential and commercial integration for years to come.”
8K Breaks Free from Home Theater at CEDIA Expo/CIX
McGraw states that 8K is no longer niche — it’s here, and it’s everywhere. With support from the 8K Association and major brands debuting next-gen displays and projectors, such as Digital Production, Sony, and Samsung, CEDIA Expo/CIX 2025 he asserts will be a proving ground for just how far the technology has come.
In luxury homes, McGraw continues, massive 8K video walls are redefining the entertainment experience and doubling as digital art canvases. But the applications go far beyond residential: in education, retail, and corporate spaces, 8K is powering immersive learning, visualization, and dynamic signage. With razor-sharp detail and dynamic scalability, 8K is becoming an indispensable tool in the integrator’s toolkit.
Outdoor Tech That Expands Smart Home Experience
The lines between indoor and outdoor living continue to blur, and today’s smart homes are expected to deliver seamless tech experiences in both. Top-of-the-line brands such as Neptune TV and Sol-Lux will be showcasing their latest outdoor technology solutions at CEDIA Expo/CIX 2025.
From 4K/8K outdoor-rated displays to directional speakers, weatherproof AV, landscape lighting, and smart grills, CEDIA Expo/CIX will showcase the whole ecosystem of outdoor products and technologies. Whether for entertaining, relaxing, or enhancing curb appeal, outdoor spaces are becoming high-performance zones. Even outdoor appliances like pizza ovens, grills, and fire features are being networked into the broader control ecosystem, and integrators are stepping in to bring it all together suggests McGraw.
The Garage Goes Fully Connected
According to McGraw, once overlooked, the garage is becoming one of the most integrated spaces in the modern home and light commercial settings. EVs (electric vehicles) now sync with home networks, launch lighting scenes, and interface with energy management systems. At the same time, garages are transforming into private gyms, workshops, and remote studios, requiring robust automation, connectivity, and security.
At this year’s show, integrators will find tech that ties doors, HVAC, lighting, and surveillance into broader home and business automation from companies like Lutron, Graber, and Airzone.
McGraw notes the garage is a staple of American entrepreneurship (HP, Google, etc.), so attendees will see bootstrapped and VC-backed start-ups at the show debuting their innovations at CEDIA Expo/CIX in Denver this September.
Lighting That Performs and Transforms
Lighting and shading are no longer finish-line features emphasizes McGraw, these solutions are now foundational to the design and integration process he says.
At CEDIA Expo/CIX, show attendees expect to see everything from smart fixtures and human-centric lighting to advanced shading and control protocols that serve both form and function. These systems are being specified for luxury homes, hospitality venues, workspaces, and wellness environments, giving integrators and designers new tools to shape the experience of a space. Expect to see high-performance fixtures, advanced control systems, and designer-grade options from exhibitors like Klus and Lucetta that meet both the aesthetic and technical demands of today’s installations.
Scalable Security for Smart Living and Workplaces
Security has become a must-have in both residential and commercial installations—and it’s growing smarter, sleeker, and more integrated by the day.
From discreet sensors and access control to video analytics and automation triggers, CEDIA Expo/CIX will feature security solutions designed to function quietly in the background while providing robust protection. Exhibitors include Allegion, HoloVision, and Ring. These systems are increasingly tied into AV, lighting, and HVAC controls, offering seamless safety for homes, MDUs, retail shops, and offices spaces.
And Let’s Not Forget the Sound
Premium audio remains a cornerstone of CEDIA Expo/CIX and the custom electronics industry. Hi-Fi listening rooms, vinyl experiences, and immersive theaters will demonstrate how top-tier sound elevates any space, residential or commercial.
McGraw explains that sound is where emotion meets technology, and this year’s show will celebrate it with demo spaces that highlight both innovation and pure listening joy. Many top brands, such as Yamaha, Harman, and L-Acoustics, will offer hands-on demonstrations in sound rooms on the show floor or in dedicated demo rooms, making it easy for attendees to experience these products and system in person.
One Show, Dual-Market Impact
Perhaps, McGraw suggests, the most exciting element of today’s integration professionals: The increasing convergence of residential and commercial technologies. For system integrators working across both spaces, CEDIA Expo/CIX offers a single destination to explore unified platforms, scalable solutions, and new business opportunities that span the full spectrum of connected environments.
“Systems integration is driven by emerging technology and evolving client expectations,” adds McGraw. “This show is where we see the future take shape—from luxury homes to smart offices and everything in between.”
