The 2026 Day of Discovery event at CEDIA Expo in Denver was a great success. With over 425 design-build professionals registered, not only was the Technology Designer Magazine Luncheon well-attended, but we saw many friends and colleagues from the various trades on the trade show floor during Expo, which ran September 1-4. Each year we continue to grow this special event at Expo, and look forward to next year in Las Vegas!
Let me first start off with a huge shout-out to our generous corporate sponsors who make this event so special.
Next, I’d like to personally thank our guests from Vancouver who presented the Phoenix House to our luncheon audience. Josephina Serra from Form Collective, Elisabeth Baudinaud from Carbon Wise, and Roger Lafreniere from Best Builders. During our presentation on Wednesday, Sept. 2, we talked about how the heartbreaking loss of a multi-generational home led to a rebirth and a fanastic new home.
Phoenix House is Canada’s first home to pursue Zero Carbon certification from the Living Future Institute—a collaboration between Best Builders, Nick Bray Architecture, Form Collective, AI Technology & Design, and Carbon Wise. Rising from the loss of a family home, it sets a bold new standard for resilient, sustainable living.
Launching eight years ahead of BC’s 2032 low-carbon mandate, this project proves that ambitious climate goals are achievable on a practical budget. Completed at end of 2025, Phoenix House shares its journey openly—from pioneering materials to expert insights—to inspire a low-carbon future.
The other big event (the largest event at CEDIA Expo) was the Women in Consumer Technology Luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 3, with the 18th Annual Legacy Awards that honor women who have raised the bar in the consumer technology industry.
Women in Consumer Technology is focused on empowering women, building networks and supporting career opportunities across the breadth of the consumer technology industry.
Live networking events and the new and improved online communication tools are designed for members to interact, exchange ideas, educate, and empower.
News from the Show Floor
There were tons of new and exciting innovative products on display this year at Expo. In no particular order:
Video Displays – from Sony’s new BRAVIA 9 II to Quantum Media’s LED Wall, the big buzz was RGB and microLED technology. Here’s the easy, non-technical translation – WOW! Amazing colors and contrast. That’s really all you need to know about the transition that has been underway the past few years in large format TVs. As amazing as all of the images were at Expo (most powered by Kaleidescape video images), I thought the 83-inch LG Wallpaper OLED had the most film-like image. But everything really looked specatacular, so bravo to all of the video display vendors at the show.
Audio – there was a lot of artistic decor representation of audio speakers, from James by Sonances on-wall products, to Leon Speakers artwork speakers. Most manufacturers have gotten the memo to play nice with interior design – from invisible to small aperture to elegant on wall products. There were great presenations of movie surround sound and also distributed audio that showcased how homeowners can enhance lifestyles via great sound.
Of special note, Focal showed their newest iteration of the Diva powered sound sculpture. Gorgeous and incredible, all in one package.
Control – well, the Savant GE Proseo Keypad Host really stole our judges’s hearts in our Performance Home Awards this year and it was plain to see why when you toured the Savant booth display. So much control of so many technologies in the modern home. Total game changer in my view.
Crestron had a great booth and their True Blue theme was fantastic. True Blue is Crestron’s commitment to the people who imagine, build, deploy and experience the transformative power of Crestron technology. From concept to creation, installation to ongoing support, they are united by a dedication to quality, a spirit of collaboration, and a vision for a future where technology empowers us all.
Outdoor – there were tons of outdoor products on display, from music to lighting to entertainment. Coastal Source had a cool outdoor set up across the street from the Convention Center. Their new VIA™ outdoor architectural and landscape lighting system is designed to bring native Lutron Ketra and Rania Intelligent Lighting technology into purpose-built exterior architectural and landscape fixtures, extending intelligent lighting beyond the home’s interior.
Lighting – Probably the biggest game changer in modern home design, the lighting category continues to grow exponentially. I had press appointments at more lighting booths than any other product category. I can’t really single out any one vendor because every lighting booth had goodness and love oozing out of their pores. New, small aperture lighting was really big, and Proluxe had some awesome outdoor linear products that you embed into your driveway which we reported on earlier this year.
Another CEDIA Expo, another Women in CT Luncheon, another year we have to pack 400 goody bags. We got into Denver on Sunday and by the end of the day Tuesday we had the bags all packed up for Thursday’s lunch.
Here’s a snap from our meeting room and the Partners of Technology Designer Magazine, Technology Insider Group, and TIG Global PR:
Veroncia Esbona, Eric Schwartz, Kat Wheeler, Carol Campbell, Doug Weinstein
See you next year in Las Vegas!
