CEDIA Expo/CIX continues to deliver hands-on product experiences and valuable face-to-face connections.
In an industry that prioritizes “experiences” over technical features and products, the opportunity to interact with equipment, listen to the highest-fidelity audio systems on the market, and discover the latest display technologies in fully functional environments still carries tremendous value.
For many integrators, this level of immersion remains difficult to replicate through spec sheets, webinars, or virtual demos alone.
At events like CEDIA Expo/CIX, that experience comes to life through dedicated demo rooms, large-scale video installations, and product comparisons that allow attendees to evaluate performance in context.
Whether stepping into a home theater room, interacting with integrated lighting and shading systems, experiencing architectural lighting scenes, or seeing platforms capable of managing audio, video, climate, security, and energy within a single environment, these experiences help attendees better understand how different technologies work together in an integrated and cohesive way.
Equally important, this hands-on access is complemented by direct interaction with the people behind the products — engineers, product managers, and support teams — giving integrators the opportunity to ask deeper questions, validate design decisions, and better understand how lighting, control, networking, and entertainment systems translate into real-world projects.
What did integrators discover at CEDIA Expo/CIX 2025?
Jess Engleking, manager at Soundings Fine Audio, says the opportunity to experience complete systems firsthand is difficult to find elsewhere, especially when it comes to high-performance audio and home theater.
We value the opportunity to listen to enclosed theater room demos from various manufacturers. Many times, this is the only opportunity we have to experience the showcased products as a complete system, says Engleking.
Engleking adds that the event also brings efficiency when evaluating multiple partners at the same time. “CEDIA also allows us to visit multiple vendors in a short amount of time”, he explains. “Often, this event is the only opportunity our team has to interact with another full team and not just our local sales representative”.
That emphasis on face-to-face interaction is also shared by Daniel Saldivar, installer and Lutron programmer at Monterey Technology Solutions, who says the in-person component remains one of the main reasons for attending. “One of my favorite parts of CEDIA is the ability to meet face to face with our reps, vendors, and potential partners”, says Saldivar.
Jim McDonough, owner of SimpliFi Technologies, LLC, notes that these interactions go beyond networking and help integrators better understand the products and companies they rely on.
Basically, being able to physically interact with products and systems — seeing, touching, and listening to audiovisual equipment — and meeting the people who design, develop, and distribute them provides a level of learning and impact that remote training and virtual interactions can hardly match, says McDonough.
From inspiration to real projects
While product discovery remains essential, attendees describe how these experiences often translate into business decisions.
Engleking explains that seeing and hearing a complete system can become a turning point for internal team alignment. “Their theater room allowed the rest of our team to hear a complete system and understand the vision I had for the brand within the company”, he says. “After hearing the demo, my team fully supported the business plan”.
For others, the impact is more operational. Saldivar highlights a connection made during the show that resulted in immediate changes within his company. “My company met with Pro Vision and, right after CEDIA, we signed up and improved our service protocol”, he explains.
Educational sessions also continue to leave a lasting impression on attendees, influencing how they manage their businesses long after the event. “A long time ago, I attended a business session on ‘time management,’ and I still apply some of the recommended practices today”, recalls McDonough.
Sarah McFadden, system designer at Custom Innovations, says recent sessions focused on collaboration have also delivered practical value. “The designer-integrator relationships class was very informative”, says McFadden. “I learned a great deal about building relationships with designers and architects through strong listening skills and transparent communication”.
Key technology trends
Attendees also highlighted several technology categories that drew attention during the 2025 edition, as manufacturers continue pushing the performance and scale of their solutions to new levels.
“The focus on large-format displays was impressive”, says McDonough, while acknowledging that adoption will depend on the residential market.
McFadden also emphasizes the growing presence of emerging technologies across the show floor. “Video walls were among the most impressive elements, and all the conversation around artificial intelligence was very insightful”, she says.
At the same time, attendees are closely watching how these trends can be applied to real-world projects.
We’ve seen a major rise in new products related to audio networking. With the arrival of audio-specific routers and switches, we believe this segment will grow significantly within the high-performance market, explains Engleking.
A key industry meeting point
For some attendees, the value of the show is best understood through its long-term impact on their professional careers.
“I first attended the ’93 Expo in Dallas, and in the following years I brought owners, sales teams, and installation staff with me”, recalls McDonough. “After the major changes the industry went through, I’m now approaching my ninth year running my own company”.
Others point to more recent examples of growth linked to insights gained during the event. “Our company has started collaborating more actively with the local AIA and Chamber of Commerce”, says McFadden. “Thanks to the different events we’ve attended, we’ve gained visibility and generated new contacts”.
Ready for CEDIA Expo 2026?
As integrators look ahead to future editions, many expect the show to continue reflecting the evolution of the industry without losing the elements that have made it a key event for the sector. CEDIA Expo/CIX 2026 is already moving in that direction, with programming focused on emerging categories and trends through specialized content and activities.
I try to take it all in. I walk the show floor, visit our most important vendors and partners, and pay attention to everything that stands out, says McDonough when describing his approach to the event.
Even as technologies evolve and business models change, attendee feedback suggests the core value remains the same: a place where integrators can evaluate products, strengthen relationships, and gain knowledge applicable to their daily operations. For many professionals, that combination continues to make the event a regular meeting point and a key tool for growing and developing their businesses.
