Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, the longest-running residential real estate franchise system in North America, has joined CEA as a new member, establishing itself as a leader in home technology.
CEA represents more than 2,000 diverse and influential companies in the consumer technology and innovation industries, including home technology companies like Crestron, Nest, Lutron, Lowes, and SmartThings that represent the entire channel for home control, entertainment, and networking products.
“We are pleased to have Coldwell Banker Real Estate join CEA’s stable of smart home companies, deepening the connection between this globally recognized brand and the ever-changing technology industry,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CEA. “The tech landscape continues to evolve, as consumer demand to be connected anytime/anywhere helps drive new products and categories to the market. And thanks to the Internet of Things (IoT) making our lives more seamless than ever, homeowners are able to enjoy more and more products that not only save energy and time, but also offer life-changing, in-home benefits.”
In addition to Coldwell Banker Real Estate, CEA is proud to welcome a number of other home technology companies as new members. Fibaro allows users to monitor, manage and automate a home or work environment through Z-Wave wireless mesh technology. Fibaro’s home automation hub is designed to wirelessly control existing devices, as well as Fibaro sensors, to improve day-to-day comfort and safety.
Neeo is the creator of a smart system to communicate and control the devices in a home, while Unikey is the creator of smart locks and smart access control. Zendo is focused on creating smart home products and apps on Apple’s HomeKit technology. The Zendo Home app will provide one-touch control over all HomeKit certified devices from any manufacturer.
“The TechHome division is looking forward to working with all our new home technology members to develop valuable resources for CEA members and further educate consumers about the amazing things smart home technology can do for them as they select systems for today’s digital homes,” said Dan Fulmer, chairman of CEA’s TechHome division, and founder and president of FulTech Solutions, Inc. “As an integrator who has spent my career bringing technology into our homes, it’s exciting to see so many smart home companies offering new in-home solutions and enabling more consumers to enjoy the remarkable benefits.”
According to CEA’s U.S. Consumer Electronics Sales and Forecast, published in July 2015, the connected home technology industry is expected to reach $967 million in revenue this year, an increase of 32 percent from 2014’s total. CEA research found 12 percent of U.S. households now own a smart home device.
“Technology and innovation are constantly changing, expanding and evolving,” said Shapiro. “As CEA’s broad and diverse members – whether they’re a century-old brand like Coldwell Banker or a disruptive newcomer such as Nest – transform old business models and deliver benefits across
virtually every aspect of our lives, CEA is the advocate for innovation, and the people and
products that are changing our world.”
