AV Trade Talk

Mastering Connectivity Ep. 8: Cybersecurity Is Now an Integrator’s Responsibility: What You Need to Know and How to Prepare

In this episode of the Mastering Connectivity Podcast, hosted by Katye McGregor Bennett and presented by Kordz, the conversation makes one thing clear: as homes become more intelligent, automated, and interconnected, integrators must expand their role beyond performance and convenience to include protecting the integrity of the systems they deploy.
Joining the discussion are James Chen, Managing Director of Kordz; Kyle Steele of GlobeWave Integration; and senior cybersecurity educator Jeff Sonnleitner. Together, they explore why every connected device can introduce risk, how cybersecurity is becoming foundational to systems design, and what integrators need to do now to be better prepared.
The episode also reinforces a bigger idea: even as technology advances rapidly, the responsibility of the integrator remains deeply human. Designing and deploying smarter homes must go hand in hand with protecting the people who live in them.
🎙️ Tune in now to stay ahead of the curve and explore more connectivity insights, episodes, and engineering resources at kordz.com/articles.
Thanks for listening, downloading, and supporting the AV Trade Talk podcast!

CEDIA Awards Season Is Here: Bob Archer and Lisa Montgomery Share What Makes a Strong Entry

In this episode of AV Trade Talk, host Katye McGregor Bennett is joined by Team KMB’s Bob Archer and Lisa Montgomery for a candid, practical conversation about CEDIA Expo, award season, and what brands and integrators should be doing now to prepare stronger entries. 
Drawing from years of editorial experience, judging, and award-entry development, the conversation covers what really matters, from documentation, photography, and word counts to differentiation, approvals, usage rights, and the long-term marketing value of a well-built submission. 
If you are considering the CEDIA Smart Home Awards, CE Pro Home of the Year, Technology Designer Performance Home Awards, or other industry recognition programs, this episode offers smart, useful guidance on how to get organized and make your work stand out.
You’ll hear about:
Why documentation, strong photography, and using the full word count matter
How to frame project challenges and customization so judges see what makes an entry different
What to know about homeowner approvals, photographer rights, and usage terms before you submit or promote anything publicly
Why award entries can become valuable marketing assets long after the judging is done
Thanks for tuning in to this episode of AV Trade Talk!

Krista Haughey on Leadership, Growth, and Knowing When It’s Time to Make a Move

Episode DescriptionIn this episode of AV Trade Talk, host Katye McGregor Bennett is joined by Bob Archer and special guest Krista Haughey for a candid conversation about career growth, industry leadership, and Krista’s new role at KEF. From starting out in the residential audio-visual industry in 1992 to becoming one of its most respected voices, Krista shares what she’s learned about building teams, navigating change, leading remotely, and knowing the difference between a job and a career. It’s an honest, insightful conversation about listening, humility, mentorship, and what it really takes to grow in the AV business.
You’ll hear about:
Krista’s move to KEF and what made the opportunity the right next step
How the Women in Consumer Technology organization and CE Pro’s 40 Women to Watch are helping shape the conversation about women in leadership roles
Lessons on remote leadership, team building, and protecting your time
Why listening first may be the most underrated career skill in the business
And, yes, a little talk about New Jersey, bagels, dogs, and wine, too
Thanks for tuning in to this episode of AV Trade Talk!

Rob Stott on the New Connected Design

Sometimes the return of a publication says a lot about where an industry is headed.
In the latest episode of AV Trade Talk, Katye McGregor Bennett and Bob Archer sit down with Rob Stott to talk about the new Connected Design, the trends shaping the market, and why strong media relationships still matter.
It is a candid, smart conversation about market maturity, the continuing convergence of design and technology, and the role media still plays in helping this industry communicate with clarity.
Thanks for tuning in to this episode of AV Trade Talk!

AI, Automation, and the Integrator’s Bottom Line — with Jason Knott of D-Tools

AI is everywhere right now… but what does it actually do for a busy integration business trying to quote faster, design cleaner, document smarter, and keep projects moving in the field?
In this episode of AV Trade Talk, host Katye McGregor Bennett is joined by Jason Knott, Data Evangelist for D-Tools, for a practical conversation about what’s new (and what’s coming next) with the D-Tools ecosystem—and how integrators can use these updates to reduce manual work, tighten workflows, and protect margins.
We dig into:
D-Tools AI and how it can help generate scopes of work, restructure quotes, use natural-language search, and even apply margin logic in seconds
Interconnect Diagrams that make wiring intent clearer—mapped visually and tied directly to the BOM and product catalog 
D-Tools native mobile app and how it helps keep teams aligned on tasks, schedules, notes, and updates—especially when they're not behind a desk
Company growth & expansion and why D-Tools remains the go-to operational backbone for integrators—used by 8,000+ companies in 90+ countries
To learn more, tune in to this episode of AV Trade Talk: AI, Automation, and the Integrator’s Bottom Line — with Jason Knott of D-Tools.
 
Want to learn more about D-Tools? Visit www.d-tools.com
 
(AV Trade Talk is all about the stories and insights behind the brands and people in the audiovisual—AV— industry)

Bob Archer and Nyal Mellor discuss the launch of HYPERSUB and how the brand serves the luxury home theater market.

Taking a different approach to an age-old problem, Nyal Mellor, system designer forHYPERSUB and founder of Acoustic Frontiers, a Calif.-based technology integration firm, isapplying his experience and science to residential low-frequency audio reproduction. Bob Archer hosts this episode to talk with Nyal about his experience and what drove him to develop the HYPERSUB line. As you'll hear, Nyal talks about a gap that existed in the market and need for higher-performing subwoofer systems that would better support reference home theaters. Working with Harbottle Audio, Mellor was determined to define the necessary parameters to achieve those reference levels of performance.
Tune-in to this episode of AV Trade Talk: Introducing HYPERSUB and learn about the origin of the brand, the performance specifications the lineup is built to achieve, and where to go to get more info.
Want to check HYPERSUB out now? Visit www.hypersubwoofers.com
 

Mastering Connectivity: The Future of AV Connectivity: Centered Innovation in an AI-Driven World [Sponsored by Kordz]

AV Trade Talk: Mastering Connectivity Series, Episode 7 – The Future of AV Connectivity: Human-Centered Innovation in an AI-Driven World
In this new episode of the Mastering Connectivity podcast series, presented by Kordz in collaboration with AV Trade Talk, host Katye McGregor Bennett is joined by tech industry leaders James Chen (Managing Director, Kordz), Rich Green (AV futurist and integrator), and Kris Hogg (former integrator, now with Samsung) for an eye-opening discussion about the future of AV connectivity, artificial intelligence, robotics, and the evolving role of the integrator.
🔗 Listen to “The Future of AV Connectivity: Expert Insights into What’s Next” and gain a clearer understanding of how exponential technologies—from autonomous homes to AI-powered environments—are transforming the built environment and elevating expectations for network infrastructure and human-centered design.
Topics explored include:
The rise of edge AI, immersive interfaces, and sensor-based environments
The technology integrators’ rapidly-evolving responsibility as digital stewards of smart homes and hybrid spaces
The ethical implications of robotics, ambient computing, and predictive automation
How to future-enable projects with robust cabling and connectivity strategies
Why emotional intelligence, human connection, and user experience must lead technology design
“The integrator sits at the center of this transformation,” says Chen. “With the right mindset, they can ensure the future of technology enhances life—not overwhelms it.”
Whether you're designing next-generation smart homes or rethinking AV for immersive environments, this episode offers deep, practical insight into the skills, systems and human values that will define the next decade of connected living.
🎙️ Tune in now to stay ahead of the curve and explore more connectivity insights, episodes, and engineering resources at kordz.com/articles.
Thanks for listening, downloading, and supporting the AV Trade Talk podcast!

Introducing Alexa Centeno and the new VELLA HAUS luxury home staging franchise

In this episode of AV Trade Talk, host Katye McGregor Bennett sits down with Alexa Centeno, co‑owner of Systems Design & Integration (SDI Boston) and founder of the new VELLA HAUS franchise, to explore how premium home staging and home technology come together to sell faster, sell higher, and create lifelong clients. Alexa shares her journey from integrator to stager (without leaving integration behind), the moment a $10M project setback became rocket fuel, and why she’s taking her staging brand national.
You’ll hear about:
How SDI evolved from hanging TVs to delivering 20,000‑sq‑ft smart estates with lighting control, theaters, outdoor lifts, motorized shades, voice control and more.
The origin story of VELLA HAUS: turning a last‑minute “no” into a thriving staging business that completed 77 homes last year—and the systems she uses to scale.
Staging with real tech to create emotion and demand: framed displays, full theater seating with screens and speakers, landscape audio, and why these experiences become powerful AV lead generators.
Education as a differentiator: helping builders plan for shade pockets, lighting, and infrastructure—so design and technology align from day one.
The big announcement: VELLA HAUS has launched and is now accepting franchise applicants for a national luxury home staging franchise with protected territories—starting in Massachusetts—and a highly selective (≈1%) award process. Who they’re looking for and how to raise your hand.
A peek inside SDI Boston’s experience center: a Listening Room for cinema demos, an Experience Room showcasing Lutron, Ketra, Leon, Coastal Source, outdoor living, and more—curated to inspire designers, architects, builders, and homeowners alike.
Highlights from Katye’s CEDIA Expo Smart Stage panel on design‑tech collaboration featuring Toni Sabatino (Toni Sabatino Style), Caitlin Stewart (Leon Speakers), Frank DeFilippis (Sonos), and Alexa Centeno (VELLA HAUS), and what those conversations signal for integrator–designer partnerships.
Whether you’re a designer, integrator, builder, or realtor, this conversation offers practical ideas for teaming up, differentiating your projects, and creating unforgettable client experiences before, during, and long after the sale.
#avtradetalkpod

Exploring CEDIA Expo 2025 with Jason McGraw of Emerald

AV Trade Talk: Exploring CEDIA Expo with Jason McGraw
In this episode of AV Trade Talk, host Katye McGregor Bennett sits down once again with Jason McGraw of Emerald to dive deep into everything you need to know about CEDIA Expo and its host city, Denver, Colorado.
Jason shares insider insights on what makes this event such a cornerstone for the custom integration community, including:
The latest technologies and innovations in audio, video, lighting, control, energy management, and more.
The growing overlap of residential and commercial integration through the co-located Commercial Integrator Expo.
Must-attend sessions, keynotes, and networking events that make the show both a business builder and a community gathering.
Why bringing younger and newer team members, design-build partners, and even students can help alter the future of the industry in a positive way.
And of course, tips for making the most of your time in Denver—from iconic venues and local dining to after-hours parties, live music at Red Rocks Amphitheater, MLB Baseball at the ballpark, and all sorts of fun outdoor adventures.
Whether you’re a longtime attendee, a first-time visitor, or just curious about how the AV industry connects and collaborates, this conversation offers valuable takeaways about maximizing trade show experiences and building stronger ties within the integration community.
Tune in for a lively, informative discussion that captures the excitement, energy, and opportunities that CEDIA Expo—and Denver—bring to the table, year after year.
 
#cediaexpo #avtradetalkpod #hometechnology

Mastering Connectivity Series, Episode 5 — HDMI 2.2: Engineering the Future of AV Infrastructure

AV Trade Talk: Mastering Connectivity Series, Episode 5 — HDMI 2.2: Engineering the Future of AV Infrastructure
The future of audiovisual connectivity is here — and it’s doubling down. In Episode 5 of the Mastering Connectivity Series, produced in collaboration with Kordz, AV Trade Talk host Katye McGregor Bennett sits down with Kordz Managing Director James Chen and Operations Director Benjamin Yeh for an exclusive deep dive into the newly released HDMI 2.2 specification.
With a staggering data rate leap from 48Gbps to 96Gbps, HDMI 2.2 represents a seismic shift in AV performance and infrastructure requirements. But what does this mean for integrators, manufacturers, and tech-savvy end users? Our guests unpack the opportunities, the engineering challenges, and the road to certification that lies ahead.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why HDMI 2.2 is more than just a spec update — it's a generational leap toward 8K, 16K, and ultra-high frame rate applications.
The critical role of new cabling and testing standards, and why Kordz takes a deliberate, engineering-first approach to product development.
What integrators should really be doing today to prepare — including how to design for upgradeability and avoid the hype trap of premature marketing claims.
Which industries will benefit first, from immersive gaming and VR to surgical suites and high-end simulation environments.
How to spot quality HDMI cable.
James Chen and Benjamin Yeh emphasize a powerful takeaway: HDMI 2.2 is a spec for tomorrow’s experiences, not today’s quick sales. Certification timelines, strict performance requirements, and precise manufacturing mean that planning and patience will win the day.
Whether you're an AV integrator, system designer, or technology enthusiast, this episode offers essential insights into the future of high-performance AV connectivity.
🎧 Listen now to stay ahead of the curve and ensure your projects are ready for the next frontier of ultra-high bandwidth, high-resolution video distribution.
Learn more at Kordz.com/articles and follow AV Trade Talk for more deep-dive episodes.