by Bob Archer | Aug 25, 2026 | D-Tools, News
RENO, NV – August 25, 2026 – D-Tools, Inc. and Portal.io today announced that they have merged, uniting the two most widely used software platforms serving residential and commercial integration, audio/video, and security professionals. Together the companies give integrators a portfolio of purpose-built products that scale with their business, from their first proposal through enterprise deployment. They come together with a single purpose: to build the next generation of software integrators use to run their businesses.
G Paul Hess continues as Chief Executive Officer. Kirk Chisholm, founder and CEO of Portal.io, joins as Chief Product Officer, with responsibility for product vision and strategy across the portfolio. Josh Willits, Portal.io’s Chief Operating Officer, will serve as Head of Portal.io, continuing to lead the Portal business unit.
The industry’s largest integrator network
The merger brings together the largest network of integrators in the industry, running from single-operator shops to enterprise teams with hundreds of users. That scale gives the combined company a broader and more representative view of how integrators work, where they struggle and what they need from software, creating a stronger foundation for what it builds next.
Two leaders, and a decade of partnership
For nearly three decades, D-Tools has been an anchor platform for the integration industry. It earned its position as the market leader by building the breadth and scale integration businesses need to bring structure, accuracy, and control to their operations, across sales, system design, engineering, project management, and procurement. That capability, and the trust D-Tools has built across the industry, is the foundation the combined organization will build on.
Portal.io has spent 15 years understanding how dealers sell and turning that insight into software they love to use. That focus has produced the industry’s most intuitive proposal and catalog experience, award-winning customer support, and one of its most loyal customer bases.
The two companies have been partners for more than a decade, since Portal.io’s managed product catalog was first integrated into D-Tools SI. In a market this focused, they have long stood as the two leaders without building their businesses at each other’s expense; neither has grown by targeting the other’s customers. Bringing the organizations together reflects a recognition that integrators are better served by one team investing in the tools they depend on every day than by two teams solving the same problems twice.
A portfolio for integrators at every stage
The combined company brings together three purpose-built products; each designed around different ways integrators run their businesses. Rather than force every customer into a single system, D-Tools and Portal.io will continue to support each platform while working with integrators to match the right software to their needs.
Portal.io: speed, simplicity, and a client-facing proposal experience that wins the job. It continues as Portal.io, developed and supported by the team that built it.
D-Tools Cloud: depth across the whole operation, including sales, system design, proposals, project management, scheduling, service, and integration with the other tools integrators use every day.
D-Tools System Integrator (SI): the enterprise-grade deployment for the industry’s largest and most complex operations, with nearly three decades of proven performance.
For customers of every platform, nothing changes overnight. Every customer continues on their current product, at their current terms, with the same support team they know. There is no forced migration, and no plans to end-of-life any product currently offered. Both teams share a deliberate, customer-led approach to how the products evolve from here, guided by what integrators tell them they want rather than by how quickly anything can be brought together.
The industry’s most comprehensive product catalog
D-Tools operates one of the industry’s most comprehensive product data catalogs, with complete specifications and pricing from thousands of manufacturer and distributor suppliers. Portal.io brings its own extensive managed catalog and established relationships with industry manufacturers. Accurate, consistent, and current product information is critical to an integrator’s day-to-day business. Bringing the two catalogs together improves that accuracy, delivers more up-to-date product and pricing information, and strengthens specification workflows across the combined portfolio.
Product-led, and building for an AI-native industry
The combined organization will be product-led and integrator-first, earning every dealer’s business through the quality of the experience rather than the length of a feature list.
Both companies also share a conviction that AI will reshape how integrators sell, design, manage, and execute their work. Portal.io was the first in the industry to introduce an AI proposal builder, and D-Tools has been investing in AI capability across its platforms. Together the teams intend to apply AI throughout the integrator workflow as a foundation that makes complex business processes faster, easier, and more intelligent, while using AI internally to build and ship for customers at a pace neither company could reach alone.
Anyone can prototype software quickly today, but a software partner takes it further, building fast, scalable, secure solutions backed by real support teams, a platform that stays open to dealers who want to build and integrate their own tools, and a community of integrators who rely on it. Both companies believe the winners in this market will be those who pair decades of software architecture with real design and taste, understand the integrator most deeply, and hold the highest standard for the experience.
Leadership
“Bringing D-Tools and Portal.io together gives our industry something it has never had before: the most established platforms in custom integration, the integrator communities that have grown up around them, and the most complete product data, now backed by one team. I came up in this industry as an integrator and I have spent most of my career in product, and for me, this is a return to a product-led organization. Kirk has spent more than a decade obsessing over what integrators need from software, and Portal.io reflects that in every detail. His product leadership complements the deep experience this D-Tools team has built over decades, and together we get to build the next chapter for this industry as one team.”
G Paul Hess, Chief Executive Officer, D-Tools
“Portal.io was built on one idea: understand dealers better than anyone, and build software they love to use. D-Tools has built the most capable platform in this industry and earned a place in more integration businesses than anyone. We have known and worked with D-Tools for more than a decade, and what has always been clear is how aligned we are on what integrators actually need. Putting our two teams together is a real chance to shape where this industry goes and to build what dealers have always wanted. In a world of AI, an integrator should be able to run their entire business on software that is powerful, beautiful, and intuitive all at once. If you had to hand-pick two companies to deliver on that, it would be D-Tools and Portal.io. That is the company I want to build, and it is why I am excited to take on product for the combined organization.”
Kirk Chisholm, Founder, Portal.io; Chief Product Officer, D-Tools
What integrators are saying
“Portal.io changed my business, from proposals in Word and spreadsheets to dynamic proposals that close bigger deals faster. Bringing the Portal and D-Tools teams together gets me excited about what they will be able to build next for dealers.”
Everett Katzen, Springboard Automation
“We use Portal.io for the speed and quality of our proposals, and we’re excited about the possibilities that come from bringing D-Tools’ capabilities into the same ecosystem. Seeing these two teams come together under one roof is the best of both worlds for our business.”
Aaron Cowden, Fusion Audio + Video
Committed to the channel
The combined company will continue to serve the CEDIA channel, residential and light commercial custom integrators, with the same commitment both companies have always brought, while continuing to expand into commercial, pro AV, security, and international integrator communities where both see growing demand. Existing relationships with distributors, buying groups, and industry associations continue and will be strengthened under the combined company.
Existing customers do not need to take any action, and all subscriptions continue on current terms. D-Tools and Portal.io will each exhibit at CEDIA Expo 2026 in Denver this September, where attendees can see live product demonstrations and meet the joint leadership team. More about the combined company is available at d-tools.com/together.
ABOUT D-TOOLS, INC.
D-Tools, Inc. is the integration business platform for the custom integration industry. For 28 years, D-Tools has served as the software backbone for residential, commercial AV, security, and low-voltage integration businesses. Based in Reno, Nevada, D-Tools serves thousands of integrator businesses worldwide. The D-Tools portfolio includes D-Tools Cloud, the modern SaaS workflow platform for growing integrator businesses, and D-Tools System Integrator (SI), the enterprise-grade deployment used by the industry’s largest operations. Learn more at d-tools.com.
Follow D-Tools on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.
ABOUT PORTAL.IO
Portal.io is the leading proposal and quoting platform for residential custom integrators, serving thousands of dealer businesses across the U.S. and Canada. Founded in Chicago, Portal.io is known for its focus on user experience, its dynamic proposal capabilities, its managed product catalog, and its product-led approach to helping integrators win more business. Learn more at portal.io.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Tim Bigoness, D-Tools – (925) 270-4102 – timb@d-tools.com
Katye McGregor Bennett, KMB Communications – (406) 446-1283 – katye@kmbcomm.com
All products, product names, trademarks, and registrations mentioned are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
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by Bob Archer | Aug 24, 2026 | Apex Technologies, Blog, D-Tools, KMB Communications, Kordz, Quantum Media, Somfy, SONOS, Torus Power, Wall-Smart
In terms of size, CEDIA Expo isn’t as big as other trade shows, but nevertheless, it is a big trade show with hundreds of exhibitors.
Of those hundreds of exhibitors, some of the companies taking part on the event will stand out more than others. Some of those standout companies include Kordz, Apex Technologies US, Blustream, WALL-SMART, and Quantum Media Systems.
To learn more about Kordz, Apex Technologies US, Blustream, WALL-SMART, and Quantum Media Systems, here is the KMB Communications CEDIA Expo 2026 client preview:
- Kordz Showcases New R.4 48Gbps Rack and Marine Passive HDMI Cable at CEDIA Expo 2026
- Apex Technologies Showcases Major Hub Advancements and Expanding Ecosystem at CEDIA Expo 2026
- Apex Technologies Debuts Industry-First Live, Interactive User Interface Demo for Award-Winning Apex Cinema Hub, Powered by Control Envy, at CEDIA Expo 2026
- Apex Technologies Unveils Major Power and Home Cinema Innovations at CEDIA Expo 2026
- Apex Technologies Debuts Complete GUDE Systems Power Portfolio at CEDIA Expo 2026
- Blustream to Debut 14 New and Updated Products at CEDIA Expo 2026
- WALL-SMART Expands Flush-Mount Solutions Across Every Major Smart Home Category at CEDIA Expo 2026
- Quantum Media Systems Demos New XDR5-8K Video Wall System at CEDIA Expo 2026
KMB Communications CEDIA Expo 2026 Pre-Show Look
CEDIA Expo 2026 takes place in Denver, Colo. On Sept. 1-4 at the Colorado Convention Center. The show will offer a wealth of learning opportunities from, including educational sessions from the CEDIA trade group, as well as manufacturer training sessions, and numerous after-show activities, highlighted by the CE Pro All Star Band.
KMB Communications will have boots on the ground throughout the show and staff members led by Katye McGregor Bennett will be taking part in panel discussions and even the CE Pro All Star Band.
Kordz Showcases New R.4 48Gbps Rack and Marine Passive HDMI Cable at CEDIA Expo 2026
In booth #3032 show attendees can see the new Kordz R.4 48 Gbps Rack and Marine Passive HDMI Cable. Kordz points out the R.4 48 Gbps Rack and Marine Passive HDMI Cable succeeds its R.3 18 Gbps HDMI cable. The R.4 cable line supports 48 Gbps data rates to enable the transmission of 8K video, and it offers a full HDMI 2.1 compliant feature set, including eARC, VRR and QMS.
The new cable is available in a choice of lengths spanning 12 inches through 9 feet 10 inches.
Apex Technologies Showcases Major Power Hub Advancements and Expanding Ecosystem at CEDIA Expo 2026
At CEDIA Expo in booth #4415 Apex Technologies US will feature its new Apex Power Hub, Powered by Control Envy, as well as its Apex Cinema Hub, and its latest residential products.
Apex Technologies US emphasizes its Secure Shareable Web Proxy will make its Expo debut. The company says the Shareable Web Proxy allows for secure, encrypted remote access to supported interface devices directly through its Apex Power Hub.
Other items the company will show include a demonstration of TPI Aerospace’s Movement Audio Technology for DVLED walls in partnership with Quantum Media Systems. Apex Technologies US will also highlight Meridian Audio’s DSP750 loudspeakers working with the Meridian Audio DSW15 15-inch active subwoofer in the Just Video Walls booth (#3000).
Additionally, show attendees can visit ProtoPixel lighting products alongside Sony’s immersive home theater demo in booth #2120.
Apex Technologies Debuts Industry First Live, Interactive User Interface Demo for Award-Winning Apex Cinema Hub, Powered by Control Envy, at CEDIA Expo 2026
In booth #4415 during the Expo, Apex will demonstrate a new way for dealers to communicate with clients on the benefits of intuitive home control. The latest updates to Apex Technologies US’ Apex Cinema Hub Powered by Control Envy, allows integrators to easily demonstrate how to navigate the platform’s user interface.
Apex emphasizes that because the demo experience is browser-based and sharable, integrators and homeowners don’t need to be in the same location to walk through the interface features.
Apex Technologies Unveils Major Power and Home Cinema Innovations at CEDIA Expo 2026
Next up in the KMB Communications show preview is that Apex Technologies US will highlight include a focus on TPI Aerospace’s Movement Audio Technology for DVLED Walls.
Apex Technologies US will also highlight Meridian’s latest loudspeakers and its Image Elevation technology, which can also pair with video wall display systems.
Apex Technologies Debuts Complete GUDE Systems Power Portfolio at CEDIA Expo 2026
Apex Technologies offers a diverse product line that also includes power. At the Expo in booth #4415 it will present the GUDE portfolio of power solutions.
GUDE’s product line features a range of UL-approved IP-addressable PDUs, environmental monitoring, outlet-level control, and series-mode permanent surge protection solutions.
Blustream to Debut 14 New and Updated Products at CEDIA Expo 2026
Blustream is set to exhibit its latest products and solutions in booth #3211, showing its wide selection of connectivity and infrastructure solutions.
Some of the products Blustream will show at the Expo include its benchmark IP300 AV-over-IP platform, as well as its new ACM1000 Advanced Control Module, and it will preview its PROSync 4K/120 AV-over-IP platform.
Other activities set to take place in the booth include a demonstration by ELAN and its platform controlling a Blustream AV-over-IP system, and demonstrations from AVA and Sonance.
WALL-SMART Expands Flush-Mount Solutions Across Every Major Smart Home Category at CEDIA Expo 2026
Once again returning to the show, WALL-SMART is exhibiting in booth #1911, and it will feature the latest additions to its product line during the event.
WALL-SMART points out that at the Expo it will debut architecturally integrated mounting solutions that address control interface, security, networking and HVAC control integration.
One of the most important of WALL-SMART’s product introductions will be its new Universal Flush Mount for Dome Cameras. Homeowner and commercial-property owner interest in security never wavers and this paintable product helps integrators to seamless install dome cameras into a variety of interior environments.
Quantum Media Systems Demos New XDR5-8K Video Wall System at CEDIA Expo 2026
The past several years at the Expo, Quantum Media Systems’ demos have been the talk of the show. At CEDIA Expo 2026, Quantum will look to continue that streak with the presentation of its XDR5-8K system.
Quantum states the video display system utilizes a 0.9mm pixel pitch to deliver images as high as 8K. The demonstration in room #MR201 will also feature the TPI Aerospace Movement immersive audio system, and Kaleidescape’s new 8K media player.
D-Tools to Unveil Its Largest Set of New Cloud Capabilities at CEDIA Expo 2026
Up next in the KMB Communications Expo preview is D-Tools. During the show, the popular dealer software company will be exhibiting in booth #3723, and it will be highlighting new product technologies and features.
The focus in the booth includes looks at AI Assisted Workflows using D-Tools’ Quote Assist and Ask D-Tools user options. D-Tools will also highlight its Inventory & Asset Management in the D-Tools Cloud Mobile App tools, and D-Tools’ MCP Server that connects D-Tools to Claude and ChatGPT.
In addition, to seeing these new dealer features, D-Tools will provide show attendees previews of its Two-Way QuickBooks Online Sync and AI Proposal Templates.
Lastly, D-Tools isn’t all about business. The company will be holding its D-Tools Happy Hour on Thursday Sept. 3 at 2 p.m. in conjunction with Somfy. During the Happy Hour event D-Tools will be holding its Plinko Challenge where booth visitors can win a share of more than $13,000 in prizes from its i3 Partners, AiSPIRE, eero, Faradite, K-array, Modern Smart Fans, NiCE, Panamax, Severtson Screens, URC, Vanco, and WALL-SMART.
Moreover, in what has become CEDIA Expo’s signature event, Tim Bigoness of D-Tools will lead the CE Pro All-Star Band through the performance of two sets of live music at the Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at approximately 8 p.m.
Check out the latest KMB Communications AV Trade Talk Podcast episode with Eric Randt of Blustream as he discusses what Blustream has in store for CEDIA Expo attendees during the show.
by Bob Archer | Aug 21, 2026 | Blog, KMB Communications
With about 10 days left before the start of the CEDIA Expo 2026, the pre-show engine is firing on all cylinders with all types of content hitting the Internet in anticipation for the event.
Of course, KMB Comm is right in the middle of the Expo action with all kinds of interesting client news. Stepping back from all the Expo-related content for a moment, it’s time to look at this week’s technology industry news.
This week’s news comes from LinkedIn, Sound & Video Contractor, eCoustics, AV Nirvana, and there’s a wire pickup from CEDIA Expo’s ownership group.
The topics covered in this week’s tech week in review include Apple’s demand for silicon, Lego-like audio components, the Seattle Seahawks, and free state-of-the-art content to evaluate home theater/immersive audio systems.
KMB Comm Look Back at Residential Technology Tech News
Kicking off our review of home tech news for the week of August 17 is a post from Sound & Video Contractor (SV&C). The story reports that Italian designer Paolo Caviglia has introduced a solution that resembles Legos and can be used to build audio components.
SV&C says the product is called Audio Bricks, and it provides bricks that contain PCB holders, power supplies, structural framing and RCA inputs and outputs. The bricks can be connected to build amplifiers, streaming devices and other components.
The story adds that pricing has not been announced.
Shifting from home audio to home AV, eCoustics has posted a story on the NFL champion Seattle Seahawks offering its fans Dolby Vision HDR streaming. The story says that beginning with the team’s 2026 preseason games that are streamed on the team’s mobile app and website, games the team will use Dolby OptiView with Dolby Vision.
eCoustics also points out that local Seattle residents can watch preseason games via over-the-air (OTA) ATSC 3.0 broadcasts on KING 5. Later in the story the website explains the Dolby OptiView platform combines live video technologies that include configurable latency, synchronized streams, and the ability to support a range of browsers, smart TVs and other components.
Next stop on the KMB residential weekly technology news train is a story from AVNirvana.com. The website posted an item from the Boston-based audio manufacturer NextLevel Acoustics giving technology integrators content produced by Nick Matzke of Bayview Audio to demo their immersive home theater systems.
According to the story, the 90-second Beyond the Room demo content will be available for download on Sept. 2 in a choice of the MP4 and MKV formats. AVNirvana notes a special version of the content will be used in the company’s demo room (SR7) during the Expo.
Wrapping up KMB Comm’s tour of residential technology news is a wire release from Emerald and Questex, (the owner of CEDIA Expo, CE Pro, Commercial Integrator, and Security Sales & Integration magazines) announcing a rebrand as Forge.
The release says: “Forge brings together Emerald’s scaled portfolio of trade shows, conferences, and commerce-driven solutions with Questex’s differentiated media brands and 365-day digital engagement model. The combination offers customers a single partner that stays engaged before, during and long after an event concludes. The name reflects the work itself.”
National and Global Technology News
The last two KMB Comm tech news items come from LinkedIn and they involve Apple.
Starting with a story that posted during the beginning of the week, LinkedIn picked up a story from the Wall Street Journal that says the Federal government is asking Apple not to buy chips from China.
The post says Apple is considering Chinese chips because of the chip shortage that is impacting the global electronics market.
Finally, LinkedIn picked up a story from Bloomberg that finds more validity to the rumors of an impending release of AirPods equipped with video cameras. The story cites a video that recently came to light, and it emphasizes the concerns of some over the ethical perspective of video taping unsuspecting individuals.
To learn more about KMB Communications, its clients and its industry-centric podcasts go to kmbcomm.com
by Bob Archer | Aug 18, 2026 | D-Tools, News
D-Tools to Unveil Its Largest Set of New Cloud Capabilities at CEDIA Expo 2026
AI Assisted Workflows lead the lineup in Booth #3723, joined by Inventory & Asset Management on mobile, two-way QuickBooks Online sync, AI proposal templates, and a read-only MCP server for AI assistants from Anthropic and OpenAI.
RENO, Nevada – August 18, 2026 – D-Tools, the Integration Business Platform for the technology integration industry, will take center stage at CEDIA Expo 2026 in Denver, September 2–4. In Booth #3723, D-Tools will debut the largest set of new D-Tools Cloud capabilities in company history, closing the gaps where time and margin get lost between the sales conversation, the warehouse, the jobsite and the back office.
“D-Tools Cloud covers the entire workflow of a job,” says G Paul Hess, CEO at D-Tools. “A proposal can now carry your company brand name without the need for a marketing designer, every inventory unit is tracked from receiving to service, and your project data and your QuickBooks accounting finally agree. One platform means more efficiency, and more time to invest on your business, not in your business.”
New D-Tools Cloud Capabilities Live at the Show
These features are already available to D-Tools Cloud customers and will be demonstrated live in Booth #3723:
- AI Assisted Workflows — Quote Assist and Ask D-Tools: Now in early access. Quote Assist turns transcripts, emails, voice memos and notes into a scoped project plan and, with one click, an editable quote matched to the customer’s Product Library. Ask D-Tools answers plain-English questions — who owes money, which projects are at risk — from live business data instead of a static report. Both tools propose while a person approves every result.
- Inventory & Asset Management in the D-Tools Cloud Mobile App: Inventory Asset Management is now available in the mobile app, turning a phone into the scanner for the warehouse and every installer’s van. Using the camera, teams can scan QR, UPC, EAN and ITF codes, serials and asset IDs to receive, move, allocate and serialize inventory on the spot. The mobile access creates the same audit trail as the desktop, with no additional hardware required.
- D-Tools MCP Server — Now Connecting D-Tools to Claude and ChatGPT: A new MCP (Model Context Protocol) server lets integrators point Claude or ChatGPT at their own D-Tools Cloud data and get plain-language answers or build custom dashboards. It is read-only by design: nothing is changed, moved or deleted, and it sees only that one account’s data. Connectors for Claude and ChatGPT are published and approved for D-Tools Cloud; a version for D-Tools System Integrator (SI) is in development.
Previews of Upcoming Features
- Two-Way QuickBooks Online Sync: D-Tools will preview real-time, two-way sync between D-Tools Cloud and QuickBooks Online, so a change in one system shows up in the other with no export, import or re-key. This feature is available through guided early access, onboarding customers one at a time to get each chart of accounts mapped correctly. QuickBooks Online is first, with Xero to follow.
- AI Proposal Templates: D-Tools will also preview AI proposal templates ahead of release. Integrators describe the proposal they want, such as a cover page, a table of contents, an about-us page, and it’s built using their own images, colors and fonts. They can also upload a proposal they like and have its look and feel matched. The feature changes how a proposal looks, not what’s in it… pricing, line items and scope are untouched. No release date has been set.
Also On Display at the Show
Getting a first live look in the booth: Enhanced Sales Reporting, for real-time visibility into what’s closing and what’s stalling; and improvements to our drawing and documentation tools so what’s designed and what’s quoted stay organized and in-sync.
D-Tools will also showcase recently released capabilities integrators are already using: AI-driven SOW generation, margin-logic application and natural-language Product Library search; the native D-Tools Cloud mobile app for schedules, tasks and jobsite details; and Interconnect Diagrams, for mapping device connectivity by system, phase or room, tied to the BOM and Product Library.
D-Tools Booth Activities and Events
- D-Tools Happy Hour: Thursday, September 3, from 2 p.m. in Booth #3723 — refreshments courtesy of Somfy.
- Plinko Challenge: At the Happy Hour, attendees can win a share of more than $13,000 in prizes from D-Tools’ i3 Partners: AiSPiRE, eero, Faradite, K-Array, Modern Forms Smart Fans, NiCE, Panamax, Severtson Screens, URC, Vanco, and Wall-Smart.
- CEDIA Opening Party Sponsorship: D-Tools sponsors the CEDIA Opening Party and the CE Pro All-Star Band, Wednesday, Sept. 2, starting at 8 p.m. at the Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom.
About D-Tools, Inc.
D-Tools, Inc. is the Integration Business Platform for the technology integration industry. Its award-winning System Integrator (SI) and D-Tools Cloud solutions support sales, design, project management, and service operations for thousands of companies across 90-plus countries. For more than 27 years, D-Tools has helped integrators build more efficient, more profitable businesses.
For more information, visit www.d-tools.com or follow D-Tools on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Tim Bigoness, D-Tools – (925) 270-4102 – timb@d-tools.com
Katye McGregor Bennett, KMB Communications – (406) 446-1283 – katye@kmbcomm.com
All products, product names, trademarks, and registrations mentioned are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
by Bob Archer | Aug 17, 2026 | Blog, KMB Communications
With thousands of people set to descend on Denver for CEDIA Expo 2026, one of the main attractions for show attendees will be finding somewhere to eat and to have some fun.
In the previous week’s KMB Communications blog, the team at KMB looked at some after- show activities that Expo attendees could engage in that were unrelated to the event. The blog points out activities ranging from concerts and museums to theatrical reviews, and this week’s blog tackles those hunger pains that everyone feels after a day spent walking the show floor or sitting in a classroom.
Using Google ratings, along with some guidance from the foodie-approved Michelin Star rating system via Opentable.com, here are seven restaurants worth checking out while in Denver:
- Corinne Denver
- Alma Fonda Fina
- Salt Water Social (seafood)
- McGregor Square
- Tavernetta
- Culinary Dropout
- Breakfast: Fox and the Hen
A Closer Look at 7 CEDIA Expo 2026 Dining Options
As a major metropolitan city, it is not surprising that Denver offers a wealth of restaurant choices. Those choices run from the affordable, mass-market chain franchise brands to local spots, and of course those high-end foodie oasis businesses.
Here is a look at seven restaurants Google has rated 4.4 stars and higher:
Corinne: Located at 1455 California Street, Corinne offers breakfast, brunch, lunch, happy hour and evening dining. Breakfast provides choices such as cappuccino, tea and coffee, as well as juice, and “Detox,” which is acai, pomegranate, coconut water, and lime. Breakfast choices include eggs, breakfast sandwiches and pancakes.
Brunch provides salads, burgers, and omelettes. Lunch includes choices like soup, cobb salad, sandwiches, chicken and frites. Dinner options range from scallops and shrimp to ribs, ribeyes, filet mignon, and burgers.
Alma Fonda Fina: The Opentable.com website lists this restaurant as a Michelin-rated business. Opentable’s write-up says Alma Fonda Fina represents Chef Curiel’s career journey.
Alma Fonda Fina serves happy hour and dinner clientele. The happy hour menu includes beer, wine, and food items such as Queso Fundido, Taco Arabe, and Chile Relleno. Dinner plates include Guacamole Alma, Quesadila Frita, Enmolado De Pato, and Pancita Pibil. CEDIA Expo attendees can visit Alma Fonda Fina at 2556 15th Street.
Salt Water Social: Another highly rated restaurant to make the list, and this restaurant may surprise people from Boston, Baltimore, Seattle and other well-known seafood cities. Salt Water Social offers seafood with dinners that feature crab, tuna, salmon, scallops, and favorites like fish and chips.
The restaurant provides brunch, happy hour and dinner seating, and Salt Water Social will also host private parties. Salt Water Social’s address is 201 Columbine Street.
McGregor Square Restaurants: The next CEDIA Expo dining stop isn’t a single restaurant—it’s a location that KMB Communications could not leave off the list—McGregor Square.
McGregor Square restaurants include La Loma, as well as the McGregor Square Food+Drink food hall; The Original, Call Me Pearl, The Grandstand Café, and Tom’s Watch Bar.
McGregor Square is located at 1901 Wazee Street.
Tavernetta: Also making the Opentable.com list of Michelin-rated restaurants is Tavernetta. Show attendees can visit the restaurant at 1889 16th Street Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and if attendees are in Denver during the weekend, the restaurant is open 3 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Tavernetta offers lunch, happy hour, dinner and an after-dinner menu. Basing its menus on Italian specialties, the restaurant serves handmade pasta and plates such as Branzino (pickled eggplant), Pesce al Cartoccio (halibut), and Manzo (steak).
Culinary Dropout: Offering a more relaxed dining environment for CEDIA Expo attendees, Culinary Dropout is a regional restaurant chain with its Denver location set at 4141 E. 9th Avenue.
Open seven-days-a-week with brunch, happy hour, and dinner hours, Culinary Dropout’s menu includes appetizers such as marinated olives and Molinari Sopressata, as well as soup, deviled eggs, and nachos. The menu also includes a choice of salads, sandwiches, Detroit-style pizza, and entrees highlighted by fried chicken and ribs.
Fox and the Hen: Rounding out the KMB Comm list of the Denver restaurants for CEDIA Expo 2026 is Fox and the Hen. Located at 2257 W 32nd Avenue, this breakfast restaurant serves pancakes of all types including chocolate chip and blueberry, and bacon.
Entrée items include Tacos Con Huevos, turkey and smoked cheddar, and the Foxy Burrito.
Venturing outside of the online recommendations, CEDIA Expo veteran Barrie McCorkle, director of business development for D-Tools, offers these dining and entertainment suggestions:
- Uchi: Fantastic sushi and a fantastic setting. Highly recommend the omakase menu. Absolute must have is the lobster miso.
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Yuan wonton: Latest recipient of the James Beard award in Denver. It’s a must-go-to spot
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This year will be a good year to take in some events. There are four different Rockies games that people can go to.
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For EDM (electronic dance music) fans Griz is playing at Red Rocks
A Local Perspective of the Denver Food Scene
Reading a website is one thing, but getting recommendations from a local Denver-area resident is another thing entirely. Offering her suggestions for some restaurants to check out while in town for the show, Elizabeth P. Lord-Levitt, principal designer, Elizabeth P. Lord Residential Design says these establishments are worth checking out:
- Anything on Larimer Square:
- Boa Brewhouse
- Osteria Marco
- Rioja
- Tamayo
- Tavernetta
The designer emphasizes that Union Station has some great restaurants and the location is pretty she adds:
- Mercantile
- Ultreia
- Cooper Lounge (drinks)
- Terminal Bar (drinks)
Lord says that her current favorite restaurant is Heretik in Rino. Rino, she continues, also has some great options:
Best Cocktails:
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