“Start smart” is the message that design-build professionals are increasingly internalizing as new research shows that early collaboration between design-build professionals and integrators yields significant gains in the success of commercial and residential building design.
Recent research from NKBA|KBIS and CEDIA highlights a growing disconnect between the design-build community and technology integration. More than one-third (35%) of NKBA members report needing an integrator but not knowing which one to engage, while 68% say demand for integrated technology, from lighting to automation to wellness systems, is increasing in their projects. This gap underscores a broader industry shift: as technology becomes central to how spaces function, the need for earlier, more seamless collaboration between design professionals and integrators has never been more critical.
This research aligns with recent trends observed at CEDIA Expo/CIX. There has been an increase in attendance from the design build community, with a greater emphasis on panel discussions during speaking opportunities and training programs from brands now including more components tailored for the design build community. Additionally, the innovations and products showcased by exhibitors increasingly incorporate architectural and design elements.
“CEDIA Expo/CIX is all about integration,” said Jason McGraw, group vice president and show director of CEDIA Expo/CIX. “Designers and architects are being asked to deliver more than beautiful spaces. They’re expected to create environments that are intelligent, responsive and seamlessly integrated. CEDIA Expo/CIX is where these worlds come together. It’s where design professionals can engage directly with the technologies shaping modern environments and collaborate with systems integration partners that bring these visions to life.”
This evolution is reflected across the show experience, from curated programming and networking to an expanded focus on design-forward products and solutions throughout the show floor.
Marina Skiles, principal of Marina Skiles Architecture & Interiors, has been attending CEDIA Expo/CIX for several years and stated that it has been an informative and energizing experience each year.
“The show is where I reset for the year ahead — where I see innovative new products, learn of exciting integrations, cross-reference experience with peers, and meet new people and new brands,” said Skiles. “It’s a creative reboot and sets me up for the new year.”
Designed Experiences for the Design Build Community
At the center of this is the Day of Discovery, a curated, immersive program designed specifically for design build professionals. The experience includes guided and self-guided tours, curated education sessions and targeted networking opportunities, all designed to translate complex technologies into practical design applications. Spanning lighting, shading automation, wellness and energy solutions, the program helps attendees connect design intent with performance-driven outcomes.
On the show floor, the Smart Stage serves as the live forum for the conversations shaping the future of design and integration. Bringing together designers, architects, integrators and manufacturers, sessions explore how technology is influencing everything from spatial planning to client experience. Sessions offer practical insights that attendees can immediately apply to their projects.
CEDIA-Led Education
A cornerstone of the CEDIA Expo/CIX experience is its comprehensive conference program, developed and led by CEDIA, the global organization for the smart home technology industry.
“Designers and architects are being asked to think beyond aesthetics and consider how a space truly performs,” said Daryl Friedman, global president and CEO of CEDIA. “As the association representing the smart home technology industry, CEDIA is focused on helping design professionals make their clients happy by seamlessly blending technology into a thoughtfully designed space. Through our partnership with CEDIA Expo/CIX, we’re bringing education and industry collaboration together, so designers, architects and integrators can create more seamless, responsive environments.”
Through its Design Build educational track, CEDIA delivers targeted learning experiences that help design professionals better understand, specify, and collaborate on integrated systems. Sessions are designed to simplify complexity, focusing on how lighting, shading, automation and connected technologies can be seamlessly incorporated into both residential and commercial environments.
Highlighted sessions include:
- How to talk to Architects and Designers about Entertainment Spaces: The session explores why early collaboration is key to making hidden technology work without compromising design intent.
- Invisible Innovation: Integrating Hidden Technology into Design. Drawing on neuroscience and photobiology, this session examines how discreet systems from lighting to automation can support wellness, functionality and aesthetics within a space.
These sessions are among the many offerings for the design-build community that reflect a broader shift in design, where technology is no longer an afterthought but an integral part of the creative process. The full schedule can be found here.
“CEDIA Expo/CIX gives designers a stronger understanding of how technology impacts the way we design and collaborate on projects today,” said Natasa Obradovic, founder & interior designer, KN Design. “It’s an opportunity to bridge the gap between design and integration while gaining insights, resources and connections that directly influence future project outcomes.”
A Show Floor Reflecting the Future of Design
Across the show floor, design build professionals can explore a curated mix of technologies and products that are increasingly central to modern design. From architectural lighting and shading systems to integrated audio, video, security and automation, the show floor reflects the growing role of technology in shaping how spaces look, feel, and function.
Taking place at the Colorado Convention Center from Sept. 1-4, 2026, CEDIA Expo/CIX brings together thousands of industry leaders where design and technology converge, offering a dynamic platform to discover how integrated systems are redefining both residential and commercial environments.
