Nortek Confirms CEDIA Expo Exit; Emerald Bows Digital Component

Nortek Control confirmed Friday its brands won't exhibit at CEDIA Expo 2021, after reports earlier in the week it had joined the list of major companies to pull out of the show amid concern over rising COVID-19 cases (see 2108160047). “Through conversations with our customers and after careful consideration given the recent rapid rise in Covid cases, we have decided to cancel all on-site activities and our booth presence at CEDIA 2021,” Bruce Mungiguerra, senior vice president-global sales and marketing, said in a statement. The decision to cancel “wasn’t an easy one but we believe strongly that the safety and health of our Nortek Control team and the rest of the Pro AV community must be our highest priority,” he said. Nortek’s brands include 2Gig, Elan, Furman, Gefen, Panamax, Proficient, SpeakerCraft, Sunfire, Niles, IntelliVision and Mighty Mule. Among other companies to withdraw from the show are AudioQuest, LG, Legrand, Samsung, Savant, Snap One, Sones, Sony and Sound United. Expo show owner Emerald, meanwhile, announced Friday a perk for “scheduled registered attendees”: an AI-based “digital companion” called CEDIA Expo Connect that’s an adjunct to the physical show, scheduled for Sept. 1-3 in Indianapolis. The trade show company called Connect a “powerful platform designed to facilitate smart business matchmaking, product discovery, and relevant content” that connects attendees to exhibiting brands and products “pre-show, onsite and post-show.” Jason McGraw, group vice president-CEDIA Expo/KBIS, said the “matchmaking” platform is a first for the trade show industry.