The Technology & Business Summit, a business development event supported by multiple independent manufacturer rep firms in their respective regions, celebrates its 10-year anniversary in 2018 with an expanded schedule that spans from California to New York. Residential integrators and home technology professionals can connect, learn, and network in intimate settings at Tech & Business Summits to be held in Arizona, Florida, Michigan, the New York Tri-State area, the Southeast U.S., Southern California, and Texas.
As part of its dedication to differentiate program offerings and add value for attendees, the Integrator Network, organizer of the Technology & Business Summits, has also introduced a new event, called the Converging Audio/Video Security Technology Lighting & Entertainment (CASTLE) Summit.
The CASTLE Summit is a two-day event that will debut in Fort Lauderdale, FL, in May 2018. A full day of education will be offered on May 1 (a day before exhibits open) and keynotes, morning training sessions, and exhibits will be available on May 2 and 3 (same location both days). The CASTLE Summit presents both residential and commercial integrators the opportunity to network and connect with manufacturers, rep firms, and dealers in the fields of not just residential AV, but security, lighting, and commercial AV channels.
As home automation, smart security, integrated AV systems and do-it-yourself (DIY) products grow in popularity, professional integrators need to evolve to remain competitive. By addressing the crossover and convergence among these traditionally separate industries, and arming integrators with the skills and tactics they need to keep pace, the CASTLE Summit fills a significant and necessary role in a changing industry. As with other Tech & Business Summit events, the CASTLE Summit will feature approachable, hands-on displays, an education-focused format, and keynotes by industry heavyweights.
“The Integrator Network, organizer of the Tech Summits, is investing in significant outreach to bring these industries together,” said event founder Mark Cichowski. “While keeping fundamentals of the Tech Summit and its well-received rep focus, the first-ever CASTLE Summit will help integrators build their business by developing new skills and new revenue streams while demonstrating how these technology industries complement each other.”
As part of the Integrator Network’s commitment to continued growth, the organization has announced the dates and locations for upcoming 2018 events, enabling attendees to better plan their travel schedules and budgets for the new year:
April 3, Houston, TX, Texas Tech Summit
April 5, Dallas, TX, Texas Tech Summit
May 2-3, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Florida CASTLE Summit
May 22, Los Angeles, CA, So Cal Tech Summit
May 24, Irvine, CA, So Cal Tech Summit
June 14, Lansing, MI, Great Lakes Tech Summit
October 2, Long Island, NY/NJ Tech Summit
October 4, New Jersey, NY/NJ Tech Summit
October 25, Atlanta, GA, Southeast Tech Summit
November 15, Phoenix, AZ, Arizona Tech Summit
The Tech Summit is largely driven by the collaborative efforts of multiple Independent Manufacturer Rep Firms in each territory. Hosting rep firms for 2018 events are anticipated to be:
Arizona: AV Partners, ByDesign Vision & Sound, Calwest Marketing, Current Marketing, Morris Tait Associates, Oliver Marketing, Paul Collins Group, Scowcroft & Associates, Soundtech Marketing
Florida: AMI Sales, C&E Marketing, Higher Fidelity, High Note Sales, LK & Associates, LP Hench Company, Maverick Marketing, Orion Integrated Systems
Great Lakes: Boyle Davis, EMI Integrated, Mike Pecar Sales, Progressive Sales & Marketing, Sales & Marketing Inc., Tandem Marketing
NY/NJ: Bach Sales, Big Apple Technology, DMC Enterprises, DSG Metro, J&G Audio Sales, New York Marketing Team, Opus Marketing Group, Sapphire Marketing, Specialty Sound & Vision, Thea AV
Southern California: AV Partners, ByDesign Vision & Sound, Calwest Marketing, Chris Dixon Company, Envisage Sales, I Rep Green, Morris Tait Associates, Oliver Marketing, Paul Collins Group, ProWest Sales, Studio Décor, Sutherland AV Marketing
Southeast: AVR Inc., Brand Rep USA, Carolina Controls Group, C&E Marketing, Market Makers, PSG Reps
Texas: Bell & McCoy, Dobbs Stanford, Elite 3 Pro, Integral Marketing Associates, Lucas Sales, Marketing Concepts, Momentum Sales, Sage Solutions, Summit Sales
Every Tech & Business Summit event, including the new CASTLE Summit, features an exhibitor showcase with many different brands on tabletop displays, and skilled factory staff who are present to answer questions and demonstrate products. The intimate venue and focused displays encourage an interactive environment.
Dealers have the chance talk at length with exhibitors, getting the deeper-dive detail that helps them succeed in the marketplace while establishing stronger ties to the brands they work with, as well as discover new ones. Attendees and exhibitors enjoy a networking lunch within the venue, giving them even more face-to-face time with representatives, and the opportunity to spend the entire day at the event.
“The people and collaborative atmosphere combine to set our events apart, providing greater value to attendees,” Cichowski said.
“Our continued direction is to provide integrators with cutting-edge education to help their businesses NOW, as well as down the road,” added Frank White of Integrator Network. “We create an atmosphere that builds business and puts purchase orders in the hands of the manufacturers and reps with focused exhibits.”
