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.
Q&A with Chad Russell, director of sales, residential – North America, SurgeX.
Why exhibit at CEDIA Expo 2026?
CEDIA Expo gives us an opportunity to connect directly with the integrators who are designing, installing, and supporting increasingly sophisticated systems in their customers’ homes. Reliable power has always been fundamental to those systems, but the conversation today extends beyond protecting equipment. Integrators also need better visibility into what is happening with power after they leave the job site.
That is a major focus for SurgeX this year. We have made significant updates to SurgeX CONNECT to give dealers a clearer, more intuitive view of system health across individual sites, multiple projects and even entire regions. At CEDIA Expo, we can put those capabilities directly in front of integrators and show how greater power visibility can help them troubleshoot more efficiently, provide more proactive service, and potentially create new recurring service opportunities.
The show is also an important chance for us to hear directly from our dealers. We have been investing not only in our technology, but also in the overall experience of working with SurgeX, and that feedback helps us continue improving both.
What is the most exciting trend you expect to see at the show?
One of the most exciting shifts is the move from simply protecting systems against power problems to actively understanding and managing power throughout the life of an installation.
As connected systems become larger and more critical to the home, integrators need to know more than whether equipment is on or off. They need visibility into device health, power conditions, and what is happening across different locations. When an issue occurs, being able to determine remotely whether it is isolated to one device, one property, or part of a broader power event can make service much more efficient.
That also creates an opportunity for integrators to become more proactive. Instead of waiting for a customer to report a problem and then sending a technician out to investigate, remote monitoring can provide useful information before the service call even begins and, in some cases, before the customer even knows there is a problem.
We think that continued shift toward proactive monitoring and service will be an important part of how integrators build stronger, longer-term relationships with their customers.
What will you focus on at the show?
SurgeX CONNECT will be a major focus in booth #1308. The refreshed cloud platform now emphasizes Site View and Map View, making it easier for integrators to focus on specific locations rather than sorting through every connected device at once. Dealers can quickly review system health, identify warnings or critical conditions, and gain real-time insight into power conditions.
Map View adds geographic context, helping users assess whether an issue is limited to a particular property or may be affecting a broader area. Device View lets users search, sort, and filter connected devices, while alerts and notifications make it easier to track activity. We have also enhanced user management with customizable groups that automatically inherit defined permissions and access to specific units.
We’ll have two SurgeX CONNECT demonstration stations in our newly redesigned booth so attendees can experience those capabilities firsthand.
We will also showcase PowerVar FortaGrid, a three-phase rackmount UPS platform that scales from 5–40 kVA and expands the backup power options available for larger luxury residences and increasingly power-intensive technology systems.
Finally, we’ll highlight some of the work we have done to improve the dealer experience itself, including a new online ordering portal designed to streamline purchasing with accurate pricing and real-time order and tracking updates.
To learn more, check out SurgeX in booth #1308 at CEDIA Expo 2026 and visit surgeX.com.
