Howdy folks. Welcome to the Week in Playback. Another question for you this week, and it’s one I’ve been mulling over myself in the off time: what gets you excited about traveling to a tradeshow?
Based on my own experiences (and conversations with exhibitors, show runners and attendees) I feel as though, nowadays, a good tradeshow needs to play to these aspects—more or less:
- Interactivity
- Community
- Education
- Play (we’ll address this one in a moment).
Interactivity is easy: it’s looking at the products, working with them; sitting in on some demos. Community is easy, too: it’s bringing together the industry in a low-stake environment where explorations of both passion and business are encouraged.
Education builds off those two. Guided courses, discussions and technical training, but also self-guided discovery. Interactivity and community should come together at a tradeshow to foster plenty of self-founded education.
In talking about what he values in a tradeshow experience (in this case, CEDIA Expo), Mike Libman of DMF Lighting, encapsulates the experience thus:
“Attendees aren’t just browsing; they’re actively solving problems, comparing approaches, and planning upcoming projects.”
That brings us to play. It’s fun to interact with new products and ideas. When you’re having fun, you’re more capable of learning. And when you’re having fun and learning with like-minded and passionate people, you’re more likely to connect and build a community.
It’s for that reason that one of the most critical aspects for a tradeshow’s success is how it handles play. Too much play? Not a whole lot of substance. Too much substance? Gets boring. And if it’s boring, those other opportunities whither.
Now: chicken or the egg? Does play need to be its own focus so the other aspects thrive? Or is nailing down the first three enough to make the show fun on its own?
I’m curious as to your thoughts on the matter, but, for now, let’s get into this week’s Playback.
1. Sony Teases ‘True RGB’ for BRAVIA
Source: Sony Teases ‘True RGB’ BRAVIA TVs as Next-Gen Display Tech Targets OLED
Sony began the slow reveal of its RGB TV technology on April 7, giving audiences a taste of what is to come with its BRAVIA line later this spring.
The news follows the establishment of BRAVIA Inc. earlier in April, which is to be the joint TV business run by Sony and TCL as part of their partnership established in January 2026.
According to Sony, ‘True RGB’ uses independently controlled red, green, and blue light sources (diodes), delivering purer color, greater brightness, and “the largest color volume ever achieved in Sony’s home TV history.”
Sony first announced the concept last May, around the same time that other manufacturers (including Samsung) began talking about RGB TV technology.
2. CEDIA Expo Kicks Off Early Bird Registration
Source: CEDIA Expo, CIX Registration Opens for 2026 Outing in Denver, Colo.
Registration for CEDIA Expo and Commercial Integrator Expo (CIX) 2026 officially opened on Tuesday this week, with the event taking place at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colo., September 1 – 4, 2026.
This year, CEDIA Expo will be adjusting its schedule to accommodate Labor Day weekend to give attendees more flexibility to enjoy the holiday. As such, the Exhibit Hall will be open from Wednesday, September 2nd, through Friday, September 4th.
The show is expected to bring in over 300 exhibiting brands across lighting, security, audio, video, smart home technology and design.
Twenty dedicated Sound Rooms have already been confirmed, with product demonstrations and in-depth Manufacturer Product Training sessions planned as well, creating what showrunners are describing as “a highly practical environment for learning, product evaluation and connection.”
3. M&K Strikes Distribution Deal with ACG
Source: M&K Sound, the Speakers Behind Dolby Digital and Blu-ray, Grows U.S. Market Commitment
M&K Sound, a loudspeaker brand renowned for its professional performance, reaffirmed its U.S. market presence on Tuesday. Audio Collective Group (ACG) announced it had inked a deal with the company, making it the exclusive distributor for M&K Sound in the U.S.
Founded in 1974, M&K Sound has had an extended history working in cinematic home theaters, with loudspeakers that have been used professional film mixing stages and by enthusiasts seeking the same accuracy and impact used in Hollywood productions.
Recent releases from the company include the IC65 and IC80 in-ceiling loudspeakers, which, according to the product page on the company’s website, are designed to deliver “renowned studio accuracy in a discreet, design-led format.”
The deal has already gone into effect, with all U.S. distribution of M&K Sound loudspeakers now handled through Audio Collective Group.
4. PrimeTime Goes to Ft. Lauderdale
Source: Nationwide’s Spring Primetime Show in Ft. Lauderdale Builds on Connection and Community
Nationwide Marketing Group’s (NMG) spring PrimeTime event and conference convened from March 21 – 24 this year at the newly renovated Broward County Convention Center in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Building on the power of connection and collective confidence across the channel, the event brought over 3,000 attendees together for a series of education and thought leadership sessions.
Mike Bechtel former Deloitte chief futurist and current professor of corporate innovation at the University of Notre Dame, delivered the keynote for the event, preceded by Tom Hickman, CEO of Nationwide Marketing Group.
“Connection is how independents turn pressure into progress,” said Hickman. “This channel is smarter, more connected and better positioned to win. We’ll navigate whatever comes next… together.”
5. Battle of the Bands Joins the CE Pro All-Star Band at CEDIA Expo 2026
Source: Battle of the Bands Competition Adds Energy to CEDIA Expo/CIX 2026 Opening Party
CEDIA Expo announced it would beshaking up its usual Opening Party formula on Thursday, introducing an all-new Battle of the Bands competition and CE Pro All-Star Band performance that aims to infuse fresh energy into the entire CEDIA Expo/CIX experience.
The event will feature live performances from industry bands, culminating in a crowd-selected Battle of the Bands champion. The CE Pro All-Star Band will close out the night as the show’s headliner.
The Opening Party will take place on the first evening of the show, Wednesday, Sept. 2, at the Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom in downtown Denver.
The Week in Playback is CE Pro’s weekly news segment recapping the top five news stories from across the custom integration (CI) and smart home industries, focusing on recent and breaking stories ranked on importance and interest to the professional install channel.
