Complied by Bill Zalud, Contributing Writer, smartHOME, and Heather Klotz-Young, Senior Editor

The CEDIA 2012 Future Technology Pavilion in Indianapolis early this month gave attendees a chance to focus on the intuitive, connected home of the future but there also were technology, market and business challenges closer to today that attendees discussed. Photo Courtesy of CEDIA

While some of the 16,900+ attendees from 71 different countries at the Indianapolis-based Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) EXPO 2012, Sept. 5-8 in Indianapolis, were more than eager to focus on the future, such as the intuitive home of 2016 (presented in the 2012 Future Technology Pavilion), just as many of those walking the exhibit floor and attending educational sessions were as concerned about the industry’s more traditional “custom, high-end” offerings. Wherever they stood on that crossroad between the present and the future, the attendees on either side had plenty to see and learn at the event.

For example, the 2012 Future Technology Pavilion, where project ideas, according to CEDIA officials, “came out to play, ” showcased four main areas representing health, work, eat and play — all designed to show the functionality of the intuitive home as it interacts and reacts to the homeowner’s needs.

Featured technologies that were addressed in the pavilion:

• Near field communication
• Telepresence
• Access control (with a focus on those with special needs)
• Aging in place
• Voice activation
• Gesture control

Another future-focused overriding theme of the EXPO was to “own the network,” with emphasis on high-end networking technologies electronic system contractors (ESC) will be installing in the next four to five years.

Still, the written platforms of CEDIA members running for the five open Board of Directors seats for the 2013-2014 term all displayed a similar wish to not get too far away from the backbone of the industry, “custom,” “design” and “high--end” offerings. Voting was possible at the EXPO, and CEDIA members can still go to http://www.cedia.net/election/ to review the information on the board candidates and then vote until Oct. 22.

The hopeful board of directors candidates’ platforms also touched on better management of technology offered through manufacturers and distributers and a growing need for business basics including best practices.

That attitude would only enhance a strong focus on education and best practices, as during the event, CEDIA EXPO offered 175 training courses including manufacturer product training. This year’s show was focused on educating electronic systems contractors on the network in addition to the foundational and advanced home technology education.  Of those courses, 22 were new advanced IP Networking courses, all of which sold out. Additionally, CEDIA introduced a new credential, the Residential Networking Specialist, aimed for those who have demonstrated mastery of the network.

CEDIA EXPO 2012 showed positive growth with non-exhibitor attendance gains of 4 percent over last year’s event. Ninety new exhibitors and more than 80 home technology products made their debut at CEDIA EXPO. More than 450 exhibitors participated in the 2012 event and over 16,900 attendees from 71 different countries. Of the total attendance 15 percent were first-time attendees to EXPO.

For 2013, CEDIA EXPO will return to Denver on Sept. 25-28, with the tradeshow floor open Sept. 26-28.

Below you’ll find further highlights, news, and awards from the EXPO.

CEDIA Announces 2012 Manufacturers' Excellence Award Winners 

The Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA), Indianapolis, announced the winners in the Manufacturers’ Excellence Awards. Honorees include 10 Best New Product winners, and one Sustainable Lifestyle Product Innovation winner.

CEDIA Awards 2012 Volunteers of the Year

The Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA), Indianapolis, awarded the 2012 Volunteer of the Year Award recipients.

CEDIA Awards 2012 CEDIA Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

The Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA), Indianapolis, awarded the recipient of its 2012 CEDIA Lifetime Achievement Award.

‘Green’ Distributor Makes Official Debut at CEDIA EXPO 2012

There is no shortage of great distributors within the custom/consumer electronics industry. However, there are none that focus entirely on providing integrators with green technology products — until now.

Get Out Your Wallets: Sony Announces Price of 84-Inch, 4K TV

Have you heard about the $25,000 TV that powers a 3D viewing experience that exceeds Full HD resolution?

Online Training Solutions For Businesses, Budgets Of Any Size

At CEDIA EXPO, Bedrock Learning, a connected home and light commercial training provider, announced a partnership with BlueVolt, a provider of online Learning Management Systems (LMS) for the manufacturing, construction and service industries, to provide a complete assortment of online training resources to individuals and businesses within the custom installation industry.

Audio Control, Sharing, Listening Goes More Compact, Inexpensive

At CEDIA EXPO, HAI by Leviton of Melville, N.Y., showcased its Hi-Fi 2 Four Zone, Four Source (4x4) Distributed Audio System, a more compact and inexpensive extension of its Hi-Fi 2 system for controlling, sharing and listening to audio systems.

ELAN Emphasizes Training, Announces Android App

Asserting that the long-term viability of a control system is only as good as the learning resources that stand behind it, ELAN Home Systems of Carlsbad, Calif., used CEDIA EXPO 2012 to outline a completely revamped ELAN U online learning portal. ELAN also introduced its g!Mobile app for Android devices, built on its new software architecture.

Speakers and In-Ground Subwoofer for Outdoor Use

At CEDIA Expo 2012. Niles of Petaluma, Calif., showed off a new line of outdoor speakers and an in-ground subwoofer: the GS Garden Speakers and In-Ground Subwoofer.

Crestron Introduces airConnect

Creston’s airConnect enables customers to activate personal room settings from their smart devices.

Control4, Sony Announce Integrated Receivers

Sony integrated Control4® automation technology into its new ES receivers (introduced at CEDIA EXPO).

New Certified Devices Enhance HDBaseT Product Ecosystem

Member companies of HDBaseT Alliance, Atlona, Crestron and Kramer Electronics, successfully completed Alliance testing and certification for multiple HDBaseT-enabled devices.

Crestron Presents Fully-Functional Integrated Home Environment at CEDIA EXPO

Crestron’s booth at CEDIA EXPO included the firm’s Studio - Home Designer software, shading solutions, airConnect (which enables homeowners to activate personal room settings from their smart devices), the Sonnex multi-room HD audio system with Apple AirPlay support, and tablet-sized, intercom-equipped touchscreens.