Welcome to the second edition of the CE Pro Podcast, featuring executive editor Arlen Schweiger moderating the chat with editor/chief content officer Jason Knott, senior editor Bob Archer and web editor Andrew Nichols. In this episode of the podcast, we go over the recent CEDIASTRONG campaign with Tabatha O’Connor, global president and CEO at CEDIA, discuss the results of the recently posted CE Pro Deep Dive on outdoor technology, and offer some concert DVD picks for integrators to use as demos.
O’Connor spells out some of the nuts and bolts of the CEDIASTRONG program, including a range of support mechanisms in place for integrators, from peer advice via regular roundtables, CEDIA podcasts two times per week, and a slew of free educational webinars. The program will also include direct access for integrators to financial and legal advice on how to navigate the CARES Act loan program.
“I definitely see this initiative living on after the coronavirus pandemic is over and beyond,” says O’Connor.
In addition, this episode of the CE Pro podcast also focuses on some of the most notable findings in our fourth annual study on outdoor technology. CE Pro editor Jason Knott goes over how the median number of outdoor installs dipped in 2019 to 10 from 12 the prior year, yet the median price point rose a solid 21% to $6,734 per outdoor system.
Similarly, landscape lighting has been a huge trend in the outdoor market for the last three years, becoming the most installed outdoor technology for 2019. In addition, the biggest growth category in outdoor lighting was exterior motorized shades, up from 6% in 2018 to 9% in 2019, so integrators should keep an eye on this segment of the market.
On a less serious note, our editors also took the time to offer up some suggestions for good concert DVDs integrators should check out to pass the time while in self-quarantine. As an added bonus, many of the discussed performances are perfect for audio demos.
Our web editor Andrew Nichols provided his favorite concert DVD, Breaking the Fourth Wall from progressive metal band Dream Theater, stating it provides the perfect balance of rock with orchestral flourishes (provided by the Berklee College of Music’s orchestra), making it an ideal DVD to use for multiple demos.