Paul Miller, CEO of Forge, used his Thursday morning opening remarks at the CEDIA Expo Smart Stage to address questions surrounding the show’s future following Apollo Global Management’s acquisition of Emerald and Questex. He made one point very clear: CEDIA Expo isn’t going anywhere.
“This is not the last CEDIA Expo,” Miller said, directly addressing rumors circulating around the industry. “We’re going to see you in Vegas next year, and we’re going to continue to invest in this product.”
Miller, who spent most of his career in semiconductors and component technology before joining Forge, said his experience gives him an appreciation for how the technologies represented at CEDIA Expo come together to create complete solutions for the home.
He described CEDIA Expo as the largest dedicated residential AV systems integration show in the United States, bringing together buyers, sellers, and professionals focused on the connected home. That position also comes with a responsibility, he said, particularly as the industry and the event evolve.
Miller acknowledged that audio and video remain fundamental to residential integration, but pointed to a larger opportunity in what he called the “total home.” That includes lighting, energy management, security, outdoor technology, and, increasingly, AI.
Integrators are also working more closely with architects, designers, builders, and other professionals, Miller noted, making the ability to deliver a broader connected-home experience increasingly important. But he stressed that expanding the show’s scope won’t come at the expense of its core audience.
The goal, he explained, is to build opportunities around the integrator rather than move away from the traditional AV integration business. “We are the place where the professional integrator remains at the heart of CEDIA Expo,” Miller said.
Miller closed by looking ahead to next year’s CEDIA Expo in Las Vegas, promising a larger event and reiterating Forge’s commitment to the show.
