CEDIA Expo 2021 Introduces Innovation Hub – CE Pro
CEDIA Expo, a residential integrated technology platform where integrators in the connected built environment collaborate, has launched an all-new programming venue on the show floor during the event, which runs on September 1-3, 2021, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Called the Innovation Hub, this is the newest show program where case studies revealing new and innovative solutions are showcased.
Innovation Hub Tackles Surging Market Trends
Research finds that “resimerical” or residential technology integrators expect 9% Increase in Crossover into commercial projects.
More specifically, after conducting a “deep dive” into emerging “new hot spaces”, CE Pro has identified several key areas of growth in the “resimercial” arena. These “resimercial” or crossover spaces are a mix of residential applications that require more robust commercial technology as well as light commercial or “main street” applications that look commercial but have been supported by “lighter” technology systems in the past and would benefit from commercial technology solutions designed and installed by residential technology pros. As a result, according to CE Pro, integrators expect a 9% increase in revenue from commercial cross-over projects in the next five years.
Light commercial applications performed by residentially focused custom integration companies like bars, local restaurants, salons, houses of worship, local retail and localized smaller corporate boardrooms and offices aka, “main street” make up the increased opportunity. Integrators report excitement over this shift in mix citing higher revenues, easier/cleaner installations, and the ability to work with professional business owners.
To support this “mix” shift, CEDIA Expo has created a new programming space specifically designed to present technology application case studies telling the stories of the who, what, when, how and why of some of these projects.
“Hot New Spaces” to be featured will include:
Top Brands Supporting new Opportunities
The Innovation Hub will present more than 25 sessions over three days. Three different hosts will kick off the daily programming, including reviewing data from the CE Pro “Deep Dive” research on crossover/“resimercial” shifts. While panel discussions on major topics in the industry will take place on the Smart Stage, the Innovation Hub offers the opportunity for a different take from brands that have had success penetrating new market segments. To learn more about participating, please contact [email protected].
Innovation Hub Daily Hosts
As part of the Innovation Hub, the CEDIA Expo has asked several industry pros to guide the event’s daily Q&A sessions and to recap CE Pro research insights at the top of each day.
These experts include:
Charles Warner, CEO & Editor in Chief, Innovative Properties Worldwide (Innovation & Tech Today, Residential Tech Today, Cannabis & Tech Today, STM Canna)
Charles Warner is the CEO of Innovative Properties Worldwide. Charles founded Innovative Properties Worldwide in 2009 after eight years as the CEO of Mainstream Media International, the largest college bowl game publisher in the country. While working on these crown jewel publications, Warner developed a passion for developing the highest quality publications available.
Ed Wenck, Content Director, CEDIA Association
Ed Wenck is a writer and broadcaster who has won dozens of awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia, and the Indiana Broadcasters Association. He has hosted numerous radio programs and podcasts, served as a television correspondent, and held the Managing Editor position at NUVO Newsweekly before becoming CEDIA’s Content Director. Wenck has been a contributing freelancer for a broad variety of periodicals and newspapers across the United States and has authored four books.
Robb Stott, Corporate Communications Manager, Nationwide Marketing Group
Rob Stott is the corporate communications manager for Nationwide Marketing Group, the largest buying and business support organization for independent appliance, CE, furniture, and bedding retailers in North America. Rob’s passion lies in uncovering and telling the stories of independent retailers and the brands who support them — in any medium. Prior to joining Nationwide, Rob spent several years covering the consumer tech and custom integration industries as a part of the trade media, traveling from show to show, discovering the latest tech and becoming captivated with brands and people behind it all.
IMCCA to Collaborate on Key Innovation Hub Topics and Model Home Office
As a supporting association partner of CEDIA Expo 2021, IMCCA (Interactive Multimedia & Collaborative Communications Alliance) will assist CEDIA Expo with the development, organization, and moderation of content session discussions on unified communications (UC) and Work-from-Home (WFH) topics such as: