Amid construction of the InfoComm trade show floor, we sat down with Tom Devine, VP of Marketing for AVPro Global, to talk about their presence here, as well as the new narrative the brand gets to tell to commercial and residential dealers alike. From their complete package of system solutions, to their ability to support a range of applications, AVPro Global's entire suite simplifies things for their dealers.

In addition, Tom previews how the brand is preparing itself for a new experience at next year's event, which will see InfoComm co-locate with Lightapalooza and the new RESIDE show.

During our recent trip out to Las Vegas, we stopped by the Origin Acoustics headquarters to catch up with their team. And they certainly had a lot to show off, including a completely re-outfitted showroom that features their full line in a variety of applications.

Beyond the physical updates, Origin's Marc Fisher and Todd Anderson talk through the company's design-centric philosophy that has redefined how they approach just about everything as a company.

We sit down with Boca Tech and Automation Founder and CEO Jeff Galea and Marketing Director Marcio Gomes to explore how the company is using what it calls 'digital twin technology' to transform the way it designs, sells, and installs high-end automation systems and other luxury technology.

The conversation covers Boca Tech’s evolution from traditional integration work into a more visual, experience-driven design process, including how 3D scanning, LiDAR-adjacent tools, high-resolution imaging, and rendering software help the team capture accurate site data, build client-facing visualizations, and plan projects with far more precision before work begins.

Jeff and Marcio also discuss how the same digital twin workflow supports everything from outdoor lighting layouts and prewire planning to theater design, camera placement, project management, and marketing storytelling. For integrators, designers, and anyone trying to communicate the value of technology inside the home, Boca Tech's story offers a practical look at how visualization can move the conversation beyond line items and into the finished experience.

Chris Smith, principal of TheCoTeam, joins the Connected Design Podcast to talk about one of the most persistent challenges, regardless of industry: hiring. Drawing on more than two decades in the CI channel and hundreds of successful placements through TheCoTeam, Smith breaks down why “unicorn hunting” is holding companies back, where integrators can find talent beyond the obvious candidate pool, and how a more intentional hiring process can help businesses grow stronger teams.

The conversation covers talent gaps, adjacent industries worth watching, onboarding plans, pay scale realities, and why hiring should be treated with the same care and process as any client project.

In this episode of the Connected Design Podcast we sit down with Heather Sidorowicz, president of Southtown AV, to talk about the company’s evolution from a local hi-fi shop into one of Buffalo’s leading commercial AV firms. Sidorowicz shares how Southtown AV became involved in the new Buffalo Bills stadium project, why relationship-building has been central to the company’s growth, and what it takes to make bold business pivots without losing sight of your core strengths.

We also explore Southtown AV’s move away from residential work, the importance of knowing your company’s “why,” and how integrators can better communicate the value they bring to clients, builders, contractors and the broader design-build community.

David Rosenberg has helped turn Force AV into one of South Florida’s premier luxury integration firms — but as he explains on this episode of the Connected Design Podcast, the company’s work goes far beyond TVs and soundbars. From luxury estates in Palm Beach to custom projects across the country, Rosenberg shares how Force AV approaches technology integration as a full-service experience centered on problem-solving, storytelling, and client trust.

Drafted, an AI-based platform that launched earlier this year, is a free-to-use tool that lets users dream up their ideal house plan with just a few simple prompts. Founder Nick Donahue sat down with us to talk about how the tool works, where he plans to expand its capabilities, and the role of AI in all areas of the homebuilding process.

Kim Parker is not only a known name in the custom integration business, he's also someone who's experienced success at just about every stop along his career journey. So, his decision to make the jump (personally and financially) to Keder Screens should speak volumes about his belief in their technology. Beyond learning about their patented system, we pick his brain on the challenges and opportunities integrators face getting into the outdoor shade business, and much more.

On the heels of the major news that AVIXA—the producers of InfoComm and a number of other AV industry show—had acquired Lightapalooza from HTSA, we sat down with Jenn Heinold, SVP of Expositions in the Americas, and HTSA's Tom Doherty. The two dove into the growth of the event and what's to come now that it'll co-locate with InfoComm starting next year.

Steve Weber's career arc is an incredibly interesting one, but, much like the growth plan at Liaison Technology Group, it's all been very intentional and well thought out. After visiting their new showroom in Fort Myers, we sat down with Steve to talk shop, learn more about him, and get him to share some of the secrets to his success.