Expo for Everyone – Designing Your CEDIA Education Experience

It’s that time of year: when I get to start bragging about the CEDIA Expo Conference program. We have a killer lineup, made possible by the volunteer contributions of many of the industry’s brightest minds and best teachers. As I share my excitement, one question has really stuck with me:

“The CEDIA Expo Conference program isn’t just for business owners, right? It’s for everyone.”

That’s absolutely, exactly right. The conference program is big — over 80 sessions. Whatever your goals for CEDIA Expo, there is a session that can help you meet them and with the CEDIA All-Access Pass, you get access to everything. While I could no more pick your “top ten” sessions than I could pick your favorite flavor of ice cream for you, I can offer some guidance on how to leverage the conference program so you can have the best CEDIA Expo ever. It all depends on what you’re coming to the trade show to do.

Getting Started in Residential Integration

If you’re new to the CEDIA channel, Expo is the perfect immersion course in residential AV. The whole industry is under one roof, and the conference can help you orient yourself and build practical skills. Here are a few tips for industry newcomers at CEDIA Expo:

Attend the Conference Pre-Game and Post-Game: Rich Green of Rich Green Design and Michael Heiss of Harman International will kick off and conclude the conference with these freewheeling discussions of industry trends. These sessions help everyone set their agendas and debrief from three days of intense learning. If you’re new to residential AV, these sessions will help you put the whole tradeshow into perspective.

Tackle the hands-on Rack Building and Wiring Fundamentals course: Not really into lectures? No problem. Learn best practices for wiring, equipment placement, and more by building an actual rack under the expert guidance of CEDIA’s Chaz deVerdier. Sign up for this one early: space is limited.

Get certified: There’s no better way to establish your credibility and commitment in this industry than CEDIA certification. Join our Cabling & Infrastructure Technician (CIT) Review session and take your exam right here at CEDIA Expo.

Leveling Up Your Career

Every tradeshow is a professional opportunity. You’re not just there to browse new tech or party with your peers: you’re there to network, learn, and grow. Here’s how established CE pros can use the CEDIA conference program to take their careers to the next level:

At the risk of repeating myself, GET CERTIFIED. The ANSI-accredited Integrated Systems Technician IST certification is the gold standard for CEDIA technical professionals. Show you’re ready to lead by achieving your certification — we’ll help you prepare with the IST Certification Review session.

Master advanced technical skills: This year’s conference program features in-depth, hands-on workshops on topics like network troubleshooting and immersive audio system design — two of the most profitable applications in today’s home integration market. Is there any better way to increase your value as a professional than honing these skills? Okay, maybe one…

Become your firm’s go-to expert on emerging tech: Generative AI. Blockchain. Content fragmentation. Major technological shifts are sending shockwaves through our industry, and we’re offering sessions on all of them at CEDIA Expo. Be the person prepared to guide your team through the transformations and explain their meaning for your clients.

Leveling Up Your Business

The CEDIA Expo Conference program isn’t just for business owners — but it’s very definitely for them too. This year, we have an extremely strong slate of sessions designed to help business owners master their operations, expand their offerings, and grow their networks.

Put your documentation in order: In one of our most popular sessions, Advanced Documentation, Michael Cogbill of REV2 Consulting course will present clear, achievable best practices. If you’ve ever considered entering the CEDIA Smart Home Awards, take this course: these habits are the backbone of an award-winning integration practice.

Control your cash flow: Several of the industry’s leading business consultants, including The Shiner Group’s Leslie Shiner and Navigate’s Brad Malone, will offer invaluable sessions on how to manage your business’s revenues and expenses for profitability, stability, and growth.

Get some bright ideas: Lighting is one of the fastest growing segments of our industry, and the CEDIA Expo Conference has a whole track dedicated to the subject. Get a comprehensive overview of the business of lighting from those who’ve lived in the trenches and learn how to successfully integrate lighting into your business’s service offerings.

Leveling Up Your Industry

CEDIA Expo gathers the industry’s true leaders, some of whom have been coming to the show for decades. For those in that rare air, the focus sometimes shifts from “How can I advance my career or my business” to “How can I make this industry better?” I’m looking forward to hearing these discussions at sessions and events throughout the show:

Explore tech design with a higher purpose: The conference’s emerging trends track features sessions on sustainability, biophilic design, and accessibility. Culminating in the capstone workshop “The Integrator of 2027,” these sessions explore how our profession can build a better world.

Become an industry ambassador: In the “COI – 3 P’s” course, experienced CEDIA Outreach Instructors (COI) will discuss how they have transformed their businesses to focus on acting as a partner to design professionals, including architects and designers. This session will prepare you to raise the profile of the industry in the design/build community and may even set you on the path to becoming a COI instructor yourself.

Find the next generation: Last year’s CEDIA Town Hall explored how CEDIA members could get involved in advocacy, championing our industry in the halls of government. This year, our focus is workforce development. Learn from those who have used CEDIA’s NextGen Toolkit to successfully attract workers and hear from a new entrant into the field on what motivates young workers today.

Whether you’re a newcomer to the industry or a seasoned pro, the CEDIA Expo Conference program offers an unmatched opportunity to ignite your professional growth, elevate your business, and contribute meaningfully to our dynamic industry. It’s your one-stop-shop to immerse yourself in the current trends, acquire new skills, get certified, and network with the brightest minds of the industry. Remember, this expo isn’t just a tradeshow — it’s a call to learn, inspire, and lead. Let’s make the most of it: visit cediaexpo.com/education/schedule to begin planning your CEDIA Expo journey now.