From RP32 to AI home control: what to expect from 2026 CEDIA Expo education programme

CEDIA has set out an expansive education agenda for CEDIA Expo 2026, with the association positioning this year’s conference programme as a practical roadmap for integrators, designers and AV business leaders navigating the next phase of smart home technology.

Running from September 1-3 in Denver, the conference places equal weight on technical depth, commercial strategy and emerging disciplines such as intelligent lighting and AI-led control.

CEDIA has increasingly used the education conference to set the tone for the wider CEDIA Expo 2026, which remains one of the most important gatherings for residential technology professionals, manufacturers, architects and design/build partners.

This year’s event will combine show-floor product launches with CEDIA-led education.

The education programme itself has been built around six dedicated learning tracks, each designed to address a different business or technical challenge facing integration firms. The Emerging Technologies track looks firmly ahead, covering artificial intelligence, robotics and power management, all areas that are quickly moving from concept discussion to deployable smart home services.

The Business track takes a more operational view, focusing on branding, marketing, company culture, showroom strategy and long-term planning. That business-first content feels especially timely for those looking to scale beyond founder-led operations, formalise sales processes or create more durable recurring revenue streams.

CEDIA’s Design/Build track continues the association’s broader push to strengthen collaboration between technology professionals, interior designers and architects. Sessions here will centre on how connected systems can disappear into the built environment, allowing integrators to contribute earlier in the project lifecycle and improve outcomes for both aesthetics and functionality.

The Technical track remains the backbone of the programme, with deeper dives into racks, fibre, networking, cybersecurity and core system fundamentals, supported by hands-on demos and real-world troubleshooting exercises. For field engineers and project leads, this is where the conference is likely to deliver the most immediate day-to-day value, particularly as network resilience and secure remote access become non-negotiable client expectations.

A notable addition for 2026 is the new Lighting track, which reflects how rapidly lighting has evolved from a peripheral add-on into a serious profit centre for integration businesses.

The final pillar is the Certifications track, offering exam preparation and testing for CEDIA’s globally recognised credentials, including CIT, IST, ESC-D and RNS.

Paul Dolenc, Vice President of Education at CEDIA, said: “We’ve built the 2026 CEDIA Education Conference to reflect the diversity of our industry. Whether your focus is technical excellence, business growth, or design collaboration, you will be sure to find targeted, high-impact learning in the halls of the Colorado Convention Center.”

Beyond the classroom, the hands-on workshops look particularly strong. One standout is the RP32: Audio System Measurement and Verification Workshop, which introduces standardised methods for measuring and validating installed audio systems using practical software and test tools. For cinema specialists and performance-driven audio integrators, this should resonate strongly, particularly as objective verification becomes a stronger differentiator in premium residential projects.

Other highlighted sessions include Design Thinking, where Peter Aylett and Rich Green will explore client-centric design processes aimed at improving both project outcomes and sales conversations. Meanwhile, The Evolution of Home Control: From Simply Smart to Truly Intelligent Living, led by Alex Capecelatro, will examine the shift toward AI-driven environments that can anticipate user needs rather than simply respond to commands.

CEDIA is also maintaining a wider community dimension through a series of free-to-attend sessions, covering advocacy, workforce development, trend analysis and show-floor insight. Familiar faces Michael Heiss and Rich Green will again front their pre-show and post-show briefings, sessions that have become something of a fixture for attendees wanting a fast-track read on what matters at the Expo.

Registration for both CEDIA Expo 2026 and the education conference is now open, with access available either through a full conference pass or via individual course selection.