CEDIA has announced the extension of Daryl Friedman’s contract as its global president and CEO. Friedman’s initial term, set to expire late this year, has been extended through the end of 2027, underscoring his and the Board’s dedication to CEDIA’s stability and continuity.
“Daryl’s contract renewal as CEDIA’s Global President and CEO is a testament to his outstanding leadership,” says Alex Capecelatro, chairperson of the CEDIA Board of Directors. “I am personally thrilled to continue working as Chair alongside Daryl, and I look forward to our ongoing collaboration in advancing CEDIA’s mission and serving our members.”
“I’m honored to continue serving as CEDIA’s global president and CEO and am committed to building upon the progress we’ve made across CEDIA’s three pillars of Advocacy, Connection, and Education,” says Friedman. “Together, with our committed Board of Directors, professional staff, dedicated volunteers, and dynamic members, I am confident we can continue serving and shaping the future of the professional smart home technology industry.”
Friedman first began his role as CEDIA’s global president and CEO on November 29, 2021. Before plotting a vision for the association, Friedman set out on a global “listening tour” to understand both internal and external challenges and member needs. His people-first mentality has since shaped various initiatives association-wide, ultimately steering CEDIA in the direction of stability and growth.
Foremost, his strategic financial decisions helped guide CEDIA out of the pandemic, achieving profitability for the association again for the first time in nearly five years. CEDIA has also experienced record-breaking new membership acquisition rates, with CEDIA members now represented in over 80 countries. Member engagement has also been particularly noteworthy across programs including the CEDIA Smart Home Awards, the RP22 Immersive Audio Design Recommended Practice, and CEDIA NextGen Smart Home Career Toolkit.
In Friedman’s pursuit to bring forward CEDIA’s “best kept secret,” advocacy efforts have expanded significantly. The association organized its first in-person lobby day at the Michigan State Capitol, filed comments on behalf of integrators to the FCC, and launched the inaugural CEDIA Smart Home Day on Capitol Hill. Simultaneously, Friedman has continued to emphasize CEDIA’s position to adjacent trades, nurturing relationships with builders, designers, and architects.
Friedman’s fresh ideas have also enhanced member experiences at key events like CEDIA Expo and ISE, which have become pivotal platforms for galvanizing the smart home community. At CEDIA Expo, he introduced the annual CEDIA Town Hall to delve deeper into pressing industry topics like advocacy and workforce development, the AI symposium as an industry-wide collaborative partnership, and the CEDIA Executive Club for industry CEOs to elevate the sector. At ISE, he conceived the Smart Home Technology Stage, broadcasted the CEDIA Annual Meeting enabling all members globally to participate, and initiated focus groups with designers to gather valuable industry insights.
Following Friedman’s travels to meet members around the world, CEDIA launched a new ambassador program, empowering members to serve as advocates for the industry in their local communities. Digitally, CEDIA is implementing an upgraded SEO strategy to ensure more end users are encouraged to use CEDIA integrators. These efforts will help amplify CEDIA’s message and reach a broader audience, driving greater awareness and engagement.
“Daryl’s unwavering passion for the industry shines through in his proven track record and forward-thinking plans,” says Amanda Wildman, vice chairperson of the CEDIA Board of Directors. “He is keen to listen to members and share fresh ideas — all while fortifying CEDIA’s existing initiatives. I am filled with optimism for the promising journey ahead as we embark on the next phase of CEDIA under his guidance.”
To learn more about Friedman’s background, visit the CEDIA staff page. Friedman can be reached directly via email at [email protected].
For more information on CEDIA, visit cedia.org.
