Based on my own experiences (and conversations with exhibitors, show runners and attendees) I feel as though, nowadays, a good tradeshow needs to play to these aspects—more or less:

• Interactivity
• Community
• Education
• Play (we’ll address this one in a moment).

Interactivity is easy: it’s looking at the products, working with them; sitting in on some demos. Community is easy, too: it’s bringing together the industry in a low-stake environment where explorations of both passion and business are encouraged.

Education builds off those two. Guided courses, discussions and technical training, but also self-guided discovery. Interactivity and community should come together at a tradeshow to foster plenty of self-founded education.

In talking about what he values in a tradeshow experience (in this case, CEDIA Expo), Mike Libman of DMF Lighting, encapsulates the experience thus:

“Attendees aren’t just browsing; they’re actively solving problems, comparing approaches, and planning upcoming projects.”

That brings us to play. It’s fun to interact with new products and ideas. When you’re having fun, you’re more capable of learning. And when you’re having fun and learning with like-minded and passionate people, you’re more likely to connect and build a community.

It’s for that reason that one of the most critical aspects for a tradeshow’s success is how it handles play. Too much play? Not a whole lot of substance. Too much substance? Gets boring. And if it’s boring, those other opportunities whither.

Now: chicken or the egg? Does play need to be its own focus so the other aspects thrive? Or is nailing down the first three enough to make the show fun on its own?

I’m curious as to your thoughts on the matter, but, for now, let’s get into this week’s Playback.

1. Sony Teases ‘True RGB’ for BRAVIA

Source: Sony Teases ‘True RGB’ BRAVIA TVs as Next-Gen Display Tech Targets OLED

Sony began the slow reveal of its RGB TV technology on April 7, giving audiences a taste of what is to come with its BRAVIA line later this spring.

The news follows the establishment of BRAVIA Inc. earlier in April, which is to be the joint TV business run by Sony and TCL as part of their partnership established in January 2026.

According to Sony, ‘True RGB’ uses independently controlled red, green, and blue light sources (diodes), delivering purer color, greater brightness, and “the largest color volume ever achieved in Sony’s home TV history.”

Sony first announced the concept last May, around the same time that other manufacturers (including Samsung) began talking about RGB TV technology.

2. CEDIA Expo Kicks Off Early Bird Registration

Source: CEDIA Expo, CIX Registration Opens for 2026 Outing in Denver, Colo.

Registration for CEDIA Expo and Commercial Integrator Expo (CIX) 2026 officially opened on Tuesday this week, with the event taking place at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colo., September 1 – 4, 2026.

This year, CEDIA Expo will be adjusting its schedule to accommodate Labor Day weekend to give attendees more flexibility to enjoy the holiday. As such, the Exhibit Hall will be open from Wednesday, September 2nd, through Friday, September 4th.

The show is expected to bring in over 300 exhibiting brands across lighting, security, audio, video, smart home technology and design.

Twenty dedicated Sound Rooms have already been confirmed, with product demonstrations and in-depth Manufacturer Product Training sessions planned as well, creating what showrunners are describing as “a highly practical environment for learning, product evaluation and connection.”

3. M&K Strikes Distribution Deal with ACG

Source: M&K Sound, the Speakers Behind Dolby Digital and Blu-ray, Grows U.S. Market Commitment

M&K Sound, a loudspeaker brand renowned for its professional performance, reaffirmed its U.S. market presence on Tuesday. Audio Collective Group (ACG) announced it had inked a deal with the company, making it the exclusive distributor for M&K Sound in the U.S.

Founded in 1974, M&K Sound has had an extended history working in cinematic home theaters, with loudspeakers that have been used professional film mixing stages and by enthusiasts seeking the same accuracy and impact used in Hollywood productions.

Recent releases from the company include the IC65 and IC80 in-ceiling loudspeakers, which, according to the product page on the company’s website, are designed to deliver “renowned studio accuracy in a discreet, design-led format.”

The deal has already gone into effect, with all U.S. distribution of M&K Sound loudspeakers now handled through Audio Collective Group.

4. PrimeTime Goes to Ft. Lauderdale

Source: Nationwide’s Spring Primetime Show in Ft. Lauderdale Builds on Connection and Community

Nationwide Marketing Group’s (NMG) spring PrimeTime event and conference convened from March 21 – 24 this year at the newly renovated Broward County Convention Center in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Building on the power of connection and collective confidence across the channel, the event brought over 3,000 attendees together for a series of education and thought leadership sessions.

Mike Bechtel former Deloitte chief futurist and current professor of corporate innovation at the University of Notre Dame, delivered the keynote for the event, preceded by Tom Hickman, CEO of Nationwide Marketing Group.

“Connection is how independents turn pressure into progress,” said Hickman. “This channel is smarter, more connected and better positioned to win. We’ll navigate whatever comes next… together.”

5. Battle of the Bands Joins the CE Pro All-Star Band at CEDIA Expo 2026

Source: Battle of the Bands Competition Adds Energy to CEDIA Expo/CIX 2026 Opening Party

CEDIA Expo announced it would beshaking up its usual Opening Party formula on Thursday, introducing an all-new Battle of the Bands competition and CE Pro All-Star Band performance that aims to infuse fresh energy into the entire CEDIA Expo/CIX experience.

The event will feature live performances from industry bands, culminating in a crowd-selected Battle of the Bands champion. The CE Pro All-Star Band will close out the night as the show’s headliner.

The Opening Party will take place on the first evening of the show, Wednesday, Sept. 2, at the Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom in downtown Denver.

The Week in Playback is CE Pro’s weekly news segment recapping the top five news stories from across the custom integration (CI) and smart home industries, focusing on recent and breaking stories ranked on importance and interest to the professional install channel.

The post What Gets People Excited About a Tradeshow?: The Week in Playback appeared first on CEPRO.

Who is Matthew Unkenholz?

Unkenholz was born to a father who was a church musician and mother who was a theater teacher, growing up around mics, cords, body packs, and sound consoles since childhood. While working on his bachelor’s degree at the University of Texas at Dallas, Matthew held a side project as a DJ and often provided PA systems for HS battle of the band contests.

Post-college, Matthew’s reputation for AV expertise landed him the position of technical director and venue manager for the University of Texas at Dallas, where he spent more than 18 years running performance spaces, multi‑purpose event venues, and university‑wide milestone events while also advising on key campus AV integration projects.

In 2023, Matthew made a career change joining the independent commercial manufacturers representatives, Bormann Marketing, where he had tremendous success selling various AV brands (which included Theory) throughout the TOLA region.

The post Theory Professional Bolsters Sales Team with Industry Veteran Matthew Unkenholz appeared first on CEPRO.

What will the 2026 ADI Expo Cover?

According to the company, the 2026 ADI Expo is designed to go beyond product discovery and technical training with each stop delivering “practical, real-world education focused on helping dealers increase revenue and adapt to evolving customer demands.”

The program for this year will feature hands-on product demonstrations, targeted training sessions, guest speakers and networking opportunities; all centered on business outcomes dealers can implement right away.

ADI will also offer educational seminars and CEU opportunities (where applicable).

Additionally, the 2026 ADI Expo tour will feature over 50 participating suppliers, giving attendees direct access to a wide range of brands, technologies, and expertise from leading brands across all major product categories.

What are the Dates and Locations for the Expo?

The 2026 ADI Expo tour will begin in Nashville, TN on April 7, followed by Toronto, ON on April 9, Detroit, MI on April 14, Fort Lauderdale, FL on April 21, Anaheim, CA on April 23, and Teaneck, NJ on April 30. In May, the Expo will travel to New Orleans, LA, Chicago, IL, and Charlotte, NC. In June the Expo will be in Edmonton, AB, San Jose, CA, and Arlington, VA.

Later this year, Expos are planned in the following locations: Oklahoma City, Raleigh, Austin, Seattle, Louisville, Tampa, Philadelphia, Vancouver, Houston, St. Louis, Long Island, Boston, Atlanta, Phoenix, Dallas, and Montreal.

To learn more about the 2026 ADI Expo tour and to register to attend, readers are instructed to visit the Expo’s main page on ADI’s website.

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The Guardsman Pro AV program provides coverage for projects valued up to $1 million, protecting all mechanical and electrical components against common failures and unexpected issues. According to Guardsman the plan is easy to enroll, sell and service, being designed to integrate cleanly into an integrator’s existing proposal process.

For integrators, the plan offers:

• Additional revenue on every project with no upfront cost, earning a minimum 40% margin on plan sales
• Project proposal integration as a single line-item addition
• Control of the customer experience by servicing claims directly

For customers, the plan provides:

• Protection on all powered components of a project for up to five years
• Avoidance of costly out-of-pocket repairs and reprogramming
• No deductibles or service fees, with parts and labor fully covered

Members of Azione and Oasys can begin offering the Guardsman Pro AV All-In-One Protection Plan immediately. Pricing details, FAQs, and marketing resources are available online at Guardsman’s website.

The post Guardsman Introduces New System Insurance Plan for Azione and Oasys Groups appeared first on CEPRO.

According to SureBright, the firm’s Whole-System Warranty covers the entire custom installation under a single plan, with integrators remaining the primary service contact throughout the life of the system. Plan coverage includes:

• AV equipment,
• Control systems,
• Connected devices,
• And associated labor.

Onboarding to the plan takes under 10 minutes requiring no new processes, with dealers have 30 days post-installation to add coverage.

SureBright also adds that the program offers pure revenue sharing with no upfront costs. Integrators own the customer relationship end to end.

More information about SureBright’s whole system warranty is available on SureBright’s website.

The post HTSA Enlists SureBright System Warranty for Member Coverage appeared first on CEPRO.

Cerno x Lutron Native by Design

Source: Cerno

Photo courtesy of Cerno

Cerno was selected for Lutron’s Native by Design program this week as one of its first integrated LED lighting partners.

Last year, Cerno launched the Cerno Art Light with Ketra, the brand’s first Native by Design product. Now, Cerno is working closely with Lutron to build out the collection.

Native by Design fixtures are built, from the start, to work with Lutron’s advanced control systems, ensuring a level of performance and ease of specification when working within the Lutron control ecosystem.

Currently, there are twelve decorative fixtures—including standard and linear pendants, floor and table lamps, sconces, and art lighting—in the collection, with more planned for release in the coming months.

Kaleidescape Angel Catalog

Source: Kaleidescape

Image courtesy of Kaleidescape

Kaleidescape announced this week that the Angel catalog is coming to customers in North America on the Kaleidescape movie store.

Angel has achieved several recent theatrical milestones, including the highest-grossing faith-based animated theatrical opening of all time with DAVID and two of the top ten highest-grossing animated domestic theatrical releases of 2025 (DAVID and The King of Kings).

Solo Mio, the company’s romantic comedy starring Kevin James and released in theaters earlier this year, became the highest audience-rated romantic comedy of all time.

The first Angel title available for download from the Kaleidescape movie store will be The King of Kings, with the rest of its library coming soon.

Savant x ELK Integrations

Source: Savant

Photo courtesy of Savant

Savant announced earlier this week an expanded integration with ELK’s M1 Gold and E27 systems. These products will now be compatible with Savant’s Security Service, which includes Savant Scenes functionality, adding additional security features as part of the Savant smart home experience.

The ELK M1 Gold is a hybrid control system that combines robust security with powerful automation. The M1 Gold supports both hardwired and wireless zones, flexible partitioning, voice notifications, secure Ethernet network connectivity and integration with the Savant smart home platform.

The ELK E27 Alarm Engine is designed for fast installation and modern smart control, supporting hardwired and wireless devices, advanced automation rules, intuitive touchscreen interfaces, secure Ethernet or Wi-Fi network connectivity and integration with Savant for a complete smart home experience.

The fully 32-zone or 64-zone ELK M1 Gold and E27 systems are available now through the Savant Store.

Wired In is CE Pro’s weekly product news recap for the custom integration (CI) and smart home industries, covering new integrations, updates, releases and refreshes for products and software relevant to or marketed towards the professional installation channel.

The post Smart Home Updates Introduce Integrations Galore This Week: Wired In appeared first on CEPRO.

Key Takeaways

• ADI will provide its Parasol 24/7 remote support services to franchises part of the Daisy business umbrella.
• Daisy aims to use the service to better support its businesses at it continues to scale nationally.
• Effort is being framed as a move to ensure service consistency as the firm continues to grow.

Daisy has expanded its relationship with ADI by selecting Parasol, ADI’s 24/7 remote support service, to enhance customer support capabilities across its growing national footprint, according to a company announcement.

The move is designed to extend the fast-growing Daisy’s technician-led support model beyond standard business hours, providing clients with continuous access to technical assistance via phone, text, email, and chat. Parasol will initially support overflow and after-hours service needs, helping the company manage increasing demand as it continues to scale.

Why Is Daisy Expanding Its Relationship with ADI?

Daisy says its support approach is built around its proprietary Bloom Technology Stack, which integrates CRM, telephony, remote diagnostics, in-home service and real-time collaboration. The addition of Parasol is intended to supplement that infrastructure while maintaining what the company describes as a high-touch service experience.

“As we scaled, it became clear that our call center was delivering real value to clients and to our branch owners,” said Hagan Kappler, co-founder and CEO of Daisy.

“We also realized that demand was outpacing what we could reasonably build on our own in the short term. We chose to partner with Parasol to scale faster in a manner consistent with the experience that defines Daisy.”

The companies say the expanded relationship will provide consistent support coverage during evenings, weekends and periods of high call volume, with the goal of reducing downtime and improving response times for clients nationwide.

What Role Does Parasol and 24/7 Remote Support Play in Scaling Service?

Parasol, which was founded by custom integrators and acquired by Snap One—now part of ADI—in 2022, provides remote technical support designed to reduce truck rolls and resolve issues in a single interaction when possible. The service currently supports hundreds of integration companies globally.

“Parasol has been intentional from day one about building support systems that work for both integrators and their clients,” said Bryce Nordstrand, VPGM Managed Services at ADI. “Services are a key driver of ADI’s growth strategy, and Parasol reflects our commitment to providing integrators with not only the products they need, but also the support and expertise to help their businesses grow.”

Daisy executives framed the partnership as part of a broader effort to maintain service consistency while expanding through franchising and acquisitions.

“This partnership is about extending capability and raising industry standards for customer service,” Kappler said. “Our goal has always been to work with others to uplift this industry, support great operators, and give them back time.”

The companies say they will continue to explore additional ways to evolve support offerings as customer expectations and service demands increase.

The post Daisy Expands Relationship with ADI, Taps Parasol for Nationwide Support appeared first on CEPRO.

Moffitt’s Background

Moffitt enters the role with more than two decades of experience in technology integration and control system development. A graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology with an Associate of Applied Science in Electronics Technology, he began his career installing home and marine audio systems before advancing into complex automation programming.

In 2009, Moffitt became a Crestron Certified programmer and later founded Creative Commands, a programming firm specializing in custom Crestron development for integrators across the United States and internationally.

Over the course of his career, he has programmed systems for approximately 113 integrators and contributed to nearly 1,000 projects worldwide.

Moffitt has also developed advanced mechanical control systems integrating geothermal infrastructure, solar energy, boilers, heat pumps and other building technologies through unified Crestron-based control platforms.

Among his more specialized projects was a wildfire mitigation control system designed to help protect homes in high-risk areas, a project recently referenced in the Fire Protection Engineering Journal.

Moffitt’s Role at Liaison

In his role at Liaison, Moffitt will work across Liaison’s national projects and programming infrastructure.

“Adam brings an incredible depth of programming knowledge and industry experience to our team,” said Steve Weber, founder of Liaison Technology Group.

“As our projects continue to grow in complexity and scale, strong programming leadership is critical to ensuring the systems we deliver remain powerful, reliable, and intuitive for our clients.”

“It’s both refreshing and motivating to join forces with such a talented group of growth-minded professionals at Liaison Technology Group,” Moffitt said. “The opportunity to collaborate earlier in the design process allows us to build more scalable systems and deliver a better experience for the end user.”

The post Liaison Announces Adam Moffitt as Director of Programming appeared first on CEPRO.

Key Takeaways

• Design Center 4.11 adds ability to mirror keypad actions in the app.
• New DMX DALI Gateway II adds DALI-2 and Device Type 8 control support to the Vantage system.
• Added Draper At Home integrations for the Intelliflex I/O shading motors.

Vantage has announced the 4.11 release of its Design Center software, going beyond a simple streamlining or content update of the software itself, and introducing several new core integrations to Vantage’s lighting system on top of a new interface.

The launch brings native Draper Intelliflex I/O shading integration, a reimagined Vantage Controls app and touchscreen interface and a DMX DALI Gateway II for Vantage InFusion II systems.

What Design Center 4.11 Adds to Vantage

Looking at the lighting control aspect, Design Center 4.11 is expanding Vantage’s digital lighting integration through the inclusion of a new DMX DALI Gateway. The new gateway adds DALI-2 and Device Type 8 control support for Vantage’s lighting system, while still allowing work with DMX and backwards compatibility with DALI-1.

The update also adds additional configuration tools and simplified setup procedures to give dealers greater flexibility and control when dealing with complex systems.

Beyond that, Design Center 4.11 is also adding native integration with Draper At Home Intelliflex I/O shading motors. This adds direct IP integration to Draper At Home Intelliflex motors, allowing for instant device discovery on connected systems and streamlining the setup process while introducing single-touch shade control onto projects.

To cap off the update, 4.11 introduces a revamped Vantage Control app, introducing updates to its interface with light and dark modes. Additionally, 4.11 adds the ability to mirror keypad actions in the app, bringing a more unified experience across mobile devices and 4.3-inch and 7-inch wall-mount touch screens.

The Criticality of the User Experience in Lighting Control

The user experience has become a flashpoint of innovation within the custom integration (CI) channel. Over the last decade, broader industry trends, combined with lingering misconceptions about control systems at large, have trended towards the simplification of smart home control overall, with lighting being the most impacted.

Lighting in particular has been the most impacted, given its growing perceived importance in both residential and commercial spaces. Interoperability remains a large focus among control system providers, but consistency in the control experience is another facet that has been receiving just as much attention at the client level.

“Luxury today is defined by simplicity and seamless experiences,” said Shana Longo, Vice-President of Strategy at Vantage in talking about the new release.

Availability

The Design Center 4.11 update is available today for all Vantage dealers. For more information regarding Vantage’s Design Center software, readers are instructed to visit the Design Center main page.

The post Vantage Design Center 4.11 Update Adds New Gateway for DALI-2 appeared first on CEPRO.

Scott Salzman as National Sales Manager

Lunar Walls also announced the addition of Scott Salzman as National Sales Manager, a sales leader with more than 25 years of experience in the smart home and consumer electronics industry.

During his 14 years with Control4 and SnapAV, Salzman helped build one of the most recognized dealer networks in the space which played a key role in scaling the platform from an emerging technology into an industry leader.

“I have had the pleasure of working with companies that have changed our industry,” said Salzman. “AVAD brought about a new outlook for distribution. Control4 completely evolved the automation space. Lunar Walls will do for video what Control4 did for automation.”

Global Solutions Partnership

Founded by industry veterans across manufacturing, distribution, and system design, Global Solutions operates with a strict commitment to the CI channel. As part of the new agreement Global Solutions will support Lunar Walls through distributor engagement, hands-on training, and first-touch project support.

“Integrators have wanted a cleaner path to video wall deployments for years,” said Steven Scharp, President of Global Solutions. “Lunar Walls built a platform that actually delivers it, and we’re excited to help bring that to more partners through distribution.”

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