June 22, 2021

CEDIA Expo, the leading residential integrated technology platform where disruptors, innovators, and integrators in the connected built environment collaborate, launches an all-new programming venue on the show floor Sept. 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.

New Stage, New Topics

“Resimerical” – Residential Technology Integrators Expect 9% Increase in Cross-over, Commercial Projects

After conducting a “deep dive” into emerging “new hot spaces”, CEPro has identified several key areas of growth in the “resimercial” arena.  These “resimercial” or cross-over 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 CEPro, 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:

• Outdoor Living
• Resimercial/Multi-family housing/Micro condo developments
• Work From Home
• Home Theatre
• Lighting
• Security
• Smart Water

Cool Brands Serving Hot New Spaces

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 CEPro “Deep Dive” research on cross-over/“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.

Innovation Hub Daily Hosts

We are pleased to announce the following Innovation Hub hosts. These industry pros will guide Q&A sessions and recap CEPro research insights at the top of each day.

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 including:

• Best practices for the design, installation and use of audio, video and lighting solutions for home office applications
• A showcase “Model Home Office” demonstrating best-practice set-ups to achieve ideal professional home offices for attendees to examine

“Residential systems integrators, designers, distributors, architects, home builders and contractors are ramping up their knowledge and services, incorporating WFH and commercial solutions into home offices to meet the market’s new demands for connecting homes to businesses and schools for effective collaboration,” Carol Zelkin, the executive director of the IMCCA said. “We are proud to help bring this knowledge base to residential integrators, and to help bring established UC professionals to this now critical event for the future of home offices and workstations.”