Sept. CEDIA Expo Will Be In-Person Show, Says Emerald

CEDIA Expo will return in September as an in-person event, emailed Jason McGraw, group vice president of show owner Emerald, Thursday. The 2020 Expo, planned for September in Denver, was canceled due to the pandemic. The 2021 show is set for Sept. 1-3 in Indianapolis, with registration beginning June 9. “After months of COVID-19 pandemic meeting restrictions, vaccines are finally being distributed in mass and live events are beginning to come back safely,” McGraw said, saying Emerald and Indianapolis “are committed to putting on healthy and safe shows.” Indianapolis has hosted 58 live events with over 130,000 attendees since July, and The Indiana Convention Center invested over $7 million in health and safety upgrades, he said. Crestron, Digital Projection, Elan, Harman, Lutron, Origin Acoustics, Samsung, Savant, SnapAV/Control4, Sound United, URC and Yamaha are among nearly 200 exhibitors that contracted to participate in the September show in Indianapolis, McGraw said. Emerald expects over 350 brands to exhibit. Emerald is working with CEDIA on planning for Expo, which is scheduled to have about 100 live and streamed education sessions, plus “dozens" of case studies, product application briefs and industry thought leadership sessions. Highlighted growth segments will include smart appliances and connected living solutions, lighting, outdoor living, "resimercial," security and work from home, he said. Trade show company Emerald canceled 94 shows last year, leading to a 65% revenue drop (see 2102180039).