If there’s one place on the show floor where you can feel the pulse of the custom integration industry, it’s the Smart Stage. Curated by CE Pro, CEDIA Expo staff and CEDIA, this year’s lineup pulls together the integrators, manufacturers and analysts who are actually shaping where the business is headed — from AI in the rack to the next generation of talent walking through the door. Every session is free and open right on the Exhibit Hall floor in the Colorado Convention Center, so there’s no excuse not to build your schedule around it.
Here’s why each session on the Smart Stage deserves a spot on your CEDIA Expo 2026 calendar.
Haven’t registered yet? It’s not too late! Register for CEDIA Expo 2026 here.
Where is the Smart Stage?
This is one of the questions I get a lot. It’s literally right on the show floor. I very crudely just circled and drew arrows pointing to it on this floor plan, so you can’t miss it.
Who puts it together?
Every year, the Smart Stage is a group effort of CE Pro, CEDIA Expo and CEDIA folks that curate sessions based on what we feel are the leading trends and insights that matter to the industry. Some of these panels are supported by vendors who themselves are authorities on the particular subject matter.
Now, let’s look at the schedule, which you can also find here.
Wednesday, September 2
10:00 – 10:45 AM | CE Pro 100 2026: Hear From Top Integrators About What Makes Them Successful
Why go: The CE Pro 100 is the industry’s benchmark list of top-performing integration firms, and this panel puts you in the room with the people who made this year’s cut. If you want to know what separates the businesses that are scaling from the ones that are stalling, this is a direct line to that answer. Speakers: Michelle Ferlauto (SoundVision), Tom Clancy (Audio Command Systems), Mike Restrepo (Restrepo Innovations), Andy Klein (Maxicon USA).
Yours truly will be moderating this, and I’m looking forward to hearing what these leaders say about their growth and success.
11:00 – 11:30 AM | Get Your Foot in the Door with Design-Build
Why go: In high-end residential work, the technology conversation often starts before an integrator is even at the table — architects, interior designers and builders are increasingly driving those early decisions. This session is essential for anyone trying to get invited into projects earlier and win more design-build business. Speakers: Natasa Obradovic (KN Design), Sean Bartram (TriPhase Technologies), Robyn Travaglia (Origin Acoustics), Greg Walker (ASHB), Caitlin Stewart (Leon Speakers)
11:45 AM – 12:15 PM | Beyond the Big Screen: Video Walls and the Rise of Extra-Large Displays
Why go: Screen sizes keep climbing past what even the largest consumer TVs can offer, and clients are starting to ask for it. This session breaks down the ultra-large display and video wall landscape — direct-view LED, seamless walls and everything opening up beyond the standard TV or projector — so you’re ready with answers when the request comes in. Speakers: Tim Stevens (Just Video Walls), Jim Koenig (Just Video Walls), Rocky Sevasetti (TriPhase Technologies), Brian Richards (Precision Media Solutions), Ryan Dockrill (Beyond Audio) Sponsored by Just Video Walls
1:15 – 2:00 PM | How Energy Management Is Reshaping the Smart Home
Why go: Energy management may be the single biggest growth lane in custom integration right now, letting dealers move beyond entertainment and convenience into whole-home performance, resilience and long-term savings. If you’re looking for a new recurring revenue stream, this is where the conversation starts. Speakers: Tony Fritts (Savant), David J. Nutter (Electro Arts Enterprises), Nick Boever (CE Pro), Troy Dunnington (Lightworks) Sponsored by Savant
2:15 – 3:00 PM | The Outdoor Opportunity: Building One Cohesive System from Structure to Control
Why go: Outdoor living isn’t a seasonal add-on anymore — 65% of new homes built in 2024 included an outdoor living structure, up from 48% in 2019, and the U.S. outdoor living market is on track to nearly double over the next decade. This session shows how to turn that growth into a fully integrated system, not a bolt-on. Speakers: Mike Conway (Infratech), Jennifer Kimble (StruXure), Perry Fox (Olibra), Arthur James Jr. (Progressive Screens) Sponsored by Infratech Comfort
3:15 – 4:00 PM | When Smart Homes Get Smarter: AI Enters the Rack
Why go: AI is moving well past voice assistants and into the rack itself — shaping intelligent cameras, adaptive audio, and automated system behaviors. If you want to understand how control platforms are actually going to change (not just the marketing buzz around it), this is the session. Speakers: Alex Capacelatro, CEO of Josh.ai; Craig Spinner (Savant)
I’m also moderating this panel, and I’m looking forward to hearing what these leaders have to say about the intelligent smart home and how AI is changing the way homeowners interact with their homes.
4:15 – 5:00 PM | CE Pro BEST Product Awards
Why go: This is the presentation of the CE Pro BEST Awards, honoring the best products and technologies deployed in the custom integration market this year. It’s a fast, efficient way to see the products your peers and judges consider category-defining — useful homework before you walk the rest of the floor.
Senior Editor Nick Boever and I will be presenting these, and it’s truly one of the highlights of our year. We also help judge these awards, so getting a sneak peek at these innovations and acknowledging them in front of the whole industry is a privilege.
Speakers: Zach Comeau (CE Pro), Nick Boever (CE Pro)
Thursday, September 3
10:00 – 10:45 AM | What Every Integrator Needs to Know About the Next Five Years
Why go: Hear directly from the C-suite of some of the industry’s biggest manufacturers on where custom integration is headed — new technology categories, shifting consumer expectations, the role of AI and energy management, and how integrators should be positioning their businesses now for what’s coming. Speakers: Nick Berry (Origin Acoustics), Brad Hintze (Crestron), Matt Kamp (ADI Global), Mellisa Andresko (Lutron), Kathleen Thomas (Sony) — moderated by Dan Ferrisi (Commercial Integrator)
Where else can you go to learn about what leaders from top manufacturers are saying the future of the industry?
11:00 – 11:30 AM | Cultivating Talent: CEDIA’s Role in Shaping the Next Generation of Integrators
Why go: The smart home and integration industry is only as strong as the talent that powers it. This panel explores how CEDIA is actively building the next generation of skilled professionals, from the classroom to the jobsite — a must for any owner worried about the labor pipeline.
Workforce development is a constant issue that I hear brought up at industry events, but the industry’s leading association has a plan.
11:45 AM – 12:15 PM | AI for Integrators: The Tools that Save Hours Every Week
Why go: AI isn’t just reshaping products — it’s reshaping how integration companies actually operate, from proposal generation and documentation to service diagnostics and marketing automation. This session is about getting hours back in your week, not futuristic theory. Speakers: Ari Supran (Sonance), Mark DiPietro (SoundVision), Sergey Rekutin (Cravtsman), Nick Boever (CE Pro), Jared Ross (AHT Global)
This is one we’re very excited for.
1:15 – 1:45 PM | From Homes to Main Street: Scaling to Light Commercial Projects
Why go: Restaurants, fitness studios, retail stores and offices increasingly want the same technologies integrators already deploy in homes — but commercial work comes with different expectations around reliability, networking, service agreements and design. This session is a practical primer for residential integrators eyeing commercial expansion. Speakers: Shawn Hansson (Logic Integration), Chapin Ruark (Sonos) — moderated by Dan Ferrisi (Commercial Integrator)
2:00 – 2:45 PM | Designing Immersive Entertainment Experiences
Why go: True immersive home cinema is about deeply engaging the senses — not just next-generation visuals, but the superb audio that makes a room feel real. This session digs into the secrets behind high-end entertainment design from the people building it, sponsored by Kaleidescape. Speakers: Michael Kobb (Kaleidescape), Rob Budde (JVC), Phil Holland (PHFX), Juan Reyes (8K Association) — moderated by Zach Comeau (CE Pro) Sponsored by Kaleidescape
3:00 – 3:45 PM | CE Pro Home of the Year/Commercial Integrator’s Integration Awards
Why go: This is the presentation of the CE Pro Home of the Year Awards, which is by far my favorite thing I get to do as CE Pro editor. If you like sliding the price slider all the way up on Zillow, this one is for you. Come look at some of the most beautiful homes in the world outfitted with the best technology on the market and recognize your peers for their incredible work.
CE Pro sister brand Commercial Integrator will also present the Integration Awards, honoring the very best commercial projects and applications across
Come see the work setting the bar for design and execution in both commercial and residential integration.
Speakers: Dan Ferrisi (Commercial Integrator), Zach Comeau (CE Pro), Nick Boever (CE Pro)
4:00 – 4:45 PM | Women to Watch
Why go: This session celebrates the third annual CE Pro Women to Watch issue, honoring the women named to the 2026 class. It’s a chance to recognize the leaders driving the industry forward and hear their perspectives firsthand. The issue that you’ll soon see in your mailboxes and on the show floor is the third we’ve done to recognize leading women in an industry largely dominated by men.
Speakers: Katye Bennett (KMB Communications), Maryellen Oswald (Somfy), Wendy Griffiths (CEDIA), Sarah Atkinson (Sonos)
Friday, September 4
10:00 – 10:45 AM | C.I. Industry’s March on Washington
Why go: CEDIA is heading to the nation’s capital for a day of meetings with legislators and policymakers to advance the smart home industry. This session covers what happened in Washington and how CEDIA members can plug into that advocacy effort in March 2027 — important for any integrator who wants a voice in policy that affects the business. Speakers: Daryl Friedman (CEDIA), Darren Reamon (CEDIA), Brent Sonnek-Schmelz (Origin Acoustics), Andy Orozco
11:00 – 11:30 AM | Trendspotting: What Influencers Saw at CEDIA Expo 2026
Why go: Catch the show while it’s still fresh — leading industry influencers share their takeaways straight from the show floor, highlighting the technologies, product launches and innovations that generated the most buzz. It’s a fast-paced way to make sure you didn’t miss anything big. Speakers: Buzz Delano (Delano Associates), Hagan Kappler (Daisy), Hank Alexander (Oasys), Brittany Farinas (House of One) — moderated by Zachary Comeau (CE Pro)
11:45 AM – 12:15 PM | Best Booth Awards
Why go: Close out the show by celebrating the most creative, engaging and visually impressive exhibit booths of the year. The booths that stole the spotlight take the stage to accept awards for standout design, innovation and attendee experience — a great last stop for booth-design inspiration before you head home. Speaker: Jason McGraw (CEDIA Expo)
