In our series of #CEDIAShares blogs, we’re talking with exhibitors about the hottest technologies and trends they’re looking to see at CEDIA Expo 2021.
Q&A with Scott Stephenson, director of product management, motorization, Hunter Douglas.
Why CEDIA?
The CEDIA community has been apart for almost two years now, and the industry has tried our best to fill that convention center-sized hole with virtual events, but it’s invigorating to think about getting back to face-to-face conversations. At Hunter Douglas we’ve continued to innovate and expand our portfolio of smart shading products and we can’t wait to show them off this September. For some of our products, like the Rechargeable Battery Wand, this will be the first time many dealers will get to see it in person. Being able to do live demos, connect with new and existing dealer partners, and getting a pulse for what is coming in the custom channel is something that we’ve always valued about CEDIA Expo.
What is the most exciting trend you expect to see at the show?
After a year centered around the home, I think we are finally seeing some critical mass on the topic of wellness. I also think there is a greater awareness for the ways in which technology and design overlap especially in the wellness space. It’s something that inspired my CEDIA education training session – Use Your Existing Portfolio to Develop a Smart Home Wellness Strategy.
An integrator’s wellness strategy can include automated lighting and shading to design with both the installed lighting systems and the natural light coming in through windows. When integrated into a control system like Control4 or Crestron, for example, smart lighting and room darkening shades can help create the perfect environment for resting and waking. In a wellness-centric system, automated shades work in concert with other lighting or smart home system to create these complex lighting scenes. With the growing number of smart technology applications in the home, there is opportunity for dealers to offer a wider range of systems to their existing clients and the market of new homeowners. I think a lot of manufacturers and integrators will be focused on this at the show — and I’m excited to dive into it both at the Hunter Douglas booth and during my virtual training presentation.
What will you focus on at the show?
We are so excited to return to the CEDIA Expo floor after nearly two years away, and along with so many other companies, we’re bringing our latest products to the show floor that most integrators haven’t had the chance to see in-person. This year at CEDIA Expo, we will be attending with a brand-new booth featuring our latest and best products and resources for custom installers looking to add custom shades to their portfolio. For the first time in person, we will be giving live demos for our new Rechargeable Battery Wand for wireless window treatments and PowerView+ for hardwired installations. We’ll also have samples and demos of our most popular shade styles, including some classics like our flagship Duette Honeycomb Shades and some new favorites like our Vignette Duolite Shades. We’re also excited to show off our sales and integrator resource app, The Link, which shows how dealers can customize and compare different products by fabric, color, size, and more.
To learn more, check out Hunter Douglas in Booth 5656 at CEDIA Expo 2021 and visit hunterdouglas.com.
