The Power of Collaboration

BY CRIS PYLE

 

BRIAN PAGEL, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF EMERALD, one of the world’s largest live event companies, knows the power of connecting organizations and audiences for mutual benefit. His focus now is bridging the gap between the custom electronics-AV and design-build industries by establishing a common vernacular and promoting best practices.

“Our belief is these connections are core to creating beautifully designed and highly intelligent residential environments that meet the evolving needs of the consumer,” he said.

Emerald hosts 142 events annually across five markets — Design, Equipment, Retail, Safety and Security, and Technology — and owns 16 media properties. Its broad Design portfolio covers 10 categories including commercial, hospitality, retail, and kitchen and bath to name just a few. Emerald produces the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) for the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) and publishes Kitchen & Bath Business.

An example of the power of collaboration, since 2014 KBIS has co-located with the International Builders’ Show (IBS) through a strategic partnership with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), resulting in the creation of Design & Construction Week, which annually hosts nearly 100,000 attendees and 2,000 brands over one million net square feet of show floor space.

In 2017, Emerald acquired the residential technology-focused CEDIA Expo trade show and in 2018, purchased EH Media, publisher of the custom integration trade publication CE Pro and producer of the Total Tech Summit events.

It is the addition of these industry-leading technology brands that Brian believes will allow Emerald to help drive this connection. He said, “We continue to see significant crossover between these events and a growing thirst for this expansion on both the brand and audience side. As we continue to work closely with our partners at NKBA, CEDIA and NAHB, we have high hopes for the possibilities. Regardless, we are focused on delivering world-class content and a highly immersive experience that both enlightens and inspires the broader market.”

 

Brian said, “A shift has been underway for some time as home builders, remodelers, architects and designers have come to realize that home technology has become an essential element in modern living and a market differentiator.

“Home technology designers and integrators are now being brought into project discussions from the beginning. Homeowners are demanding technology solutions that support how they live, work in, and enjoy their homes. CEDIA designers and integrators are in a unique position to pull all the tech elements together seamlessly to add functionality, value and an enhanced living experience.”

The 2019 NKBA Living Impacts Design lifestyle and life stage research identified connected living as one of four macro trends impacting kitchen and bath design. Brian explained that a key goal for Emerald is to promote the understanding of what technology solutions are available and how they can be leveraged and incorporated into home designs working together with the residential technology designers, integrators and manufacturers.

And while there is work yet to do, Brian is pleased with the progress he’s seen these last few years especially with regard to awareness of technology trends among design and build professionals. He expects to see increased opportunities in integrating solutions for health, fitness and wellness, security, and gaming and entertainment, as well as smart appliances and devices, lighting and — becoming more important each day — work-from-home communications.

 

“Working from home, I believe, is here to stay even after offices reopen. The need for flexible workspaces and improved wireless networking connectivity throughout the home has become essential,” he said.

He related that according to NKBA’s 2021 Market Trends Report, the top kitchen technology trends include dedicated device charging/viewing, seamless video communication, and emergency power for the refrigerator. In the bathroom, it is smart controls for floor and shower temperature, water conservation, motion sensor lighting, and leak detector sensors with mobile alerts.

As the saying goes, it is a marathon and not a sprint as these industries develop a better understanding of one other. Brian said, “Helping design and construction pros to appreciate the value of involving an expert in the planning, budgeting and customer needs assessment alleviates the need for designers to get into the ‘weeds.’ The successful collaborations will operate with a level of trust that will take time to build.

“We are on the cusp of greater adoption of technology solutions for the home. It’s an exciting time for the industry, one that’s filled with innovations that enhance and improve how we live. We’re pleased to help facilitate the industry’s business growth, education and connections through CEDIA Expo, KBIS and Design & Construction Week.”