Katye McGregor, Author at KMB Communications, Inc.

Please Don’t Give Me Another Crappy Cup

by Katye McGregor | Jun 21, 2024 | Blog, PR & Communications Tips

Logoed gifts are great, but if they result in repeated trips to the dry cleaners or frequent keyboard replacements, just say no.

Swag — pens, pins, pint glasses, stress balls, golf balls, t-shirts, blankets, socks, and other logoed objects are commonly used for branded giveaways. How many times have you received things like this that were useful and long-lasting? Probably not much, because sadly, most of it sucks these days.Don’t get me wrong, logoed items can be incredibly impactful and I highly recommend them. When chosen thoughtfully and used creatively as part of a well-aligned marketing strategy, items bearing your brand’s logo, icon, and tagline are far more memorable and for all the right reasons. When selected based on cost, quantity, and quick shipping timelines alone, succumbing to low-quality promotional items puts your brand at risk and potentially devalues it. Worse, they will turn off trade partners and prospective clientele and leave a potentially long-lasting negative impression.

Travel mug — Photo by Daniel Balakov/Getty Images

Overly dramatic? Maybe. Maybe not. Here’s a story I bet you can relate to: Recently, I was gifted a sweet-looking tumbler from a well-respected, high-end brand whose products are sold to the luxury consumer market for a premium price. I was stoked to get this cup and couldn’t wait to fill ‘er up with a shake, which is my typical midday meal that I guzzle while working at my desk. These are important details because no sooner had I whipped up my lunch and settled back into my routine than I realized I was dribbling fruity, sticky, protein goodness down my shirt and all over my desk and keyboard. Super cool.

Perhaps I didn’t seal the lid properly? Yeah. No. Neither the lid, the spout, nor the gasket sealed the contents of the cup, no matter how much I tried (and try, I did, repeatedly). I keep that (empty) cup on my desk as a reminder of what not to do and have advised several clients of the same using it as an example. Sadly, every time I see it or tell the tale, the brand name goes with it. And that, my friends, is the moral of this story.

Unless your company is in the “dribbly cup that leaks like a sieve” business, your brand should never appear on anything that leaks like a sieve (so to speak).

Instead, seek out high-quality, fun, and functional items that do the following:

Appeal to your clientele and trade partners
Serve a purpose or solve a real problem
Align with your products or offering
Will last a long time
Bring joy

Finding the right giveaway items can take some time, but you will find that once you start looking, you will find more options that fit the bill. Start a list and keep an eye out for things as you travel, shop, or scroll your Instagram feed. Peruse small shops in your town or when you visit new cities. Meaningful items can be found in a myriad of places, and often the most intriguing are found where you’d least expect them.

Here are some ideas:

Well-made cheese knives and wood or slate charcuterie boards engraved with your logo
Wool blankets with a patch featuring your logo and a fun tagline aligned with a season or sentiment
Wine or wine club subscriptions featuring lesser-known, high-quality producers in up-and-coming regions (check the laws regarding alcohol shipments and abide accordingly)
High-quality pet items like bowls, beds, or indestructible toys if pets play a prominent role in your clientele or trade partners’ lives (again, never, ever be tempted by low-cost, low-quality toys — this can backfire and be potentially catastrophic)
High-quality aprons, grill mitts, wireless thermometers, and BBQ accessories are a great consideration, especially if your clientele or trade partners enjoy outdoor cooking, grilling, or BBQing
Metal alloy bowls, trays, and serving utensils engraved with your logo can last a lifetime
Beautifully wrapped, pre-configured tablets to control systems installed in the home, engraved with your brand’s logo, tagline, and service-related contact information as a way to encourage clients and trade partners to enjoy technology, music, and movies to the fullest and to contact your team whenever they need support (so they always have an exceptional tech experience, which ties directly to your brand)

Above all else, always choose quality over quantity, no matter how compelling the offer may be. Swag is a powerful tool to have in your marketing bag, but buyer beware. Unless you’ve touched it, tried it, and know it will last, move on. Your brand should never be aligned with low-quality products that deliver poor user experiences.

Unless you’re in the dribbly cup that leaks like a sieve business, that is.

Curious about where to find items similar to what I’ve noted above or want some help with the hunt? Drop me a line, I’m here to help! [email protected].

The original article can be found here: https://www.residentialsystems.com/features/secrets-of-success/please-dont-give-me-another-crappy-cup

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A 25+ veteran of the residential tech & AV integration industries, Katye McGregor Bennett is the CEO of KMB Communications, a boutique communications firm that anchors the intersection of technology + design by connecting brands, buyers, and prospective audiences through creating compelling content and conversation that elevates and amplifies. In addition to co-hosting Design Uncut with Veronika Miller, Katye hosts two popular podcasts, Connecting Tech+ Design and AV Trade Talk. She is part of the DesignHounds influencer group and also serves on the NAHB Custom Technology Work Group, is a strategic advisor in the CEDIA, HTA, and AVIXA communities, a frequent contributor to Residential Systems, Connected Design and founder of the AV Yoga group.

Making Tech and Design Relatable Through Showrooms

by Katye McGregor | May 29, 2024 | Blog

Homeowners, property managers, and design-build professionals find great value in seeing tech in design-forward environments that illustrate what’s possible.

Showrooms and experience centers are certainly not new concepts for our community. However, the way the model has changed over the years brings to light some compelling opportunities that more in the channel can take advantage of. This issue of Residential Systems is chock-full of inspiration. Keeping with that theme, for this month’s column I wanted to talk about a few notable examples I’ve witnessed firsthand and what makes them special.

SAV Digital Environments is a luxury home technology firm based in Bozeman, Mont. The firm caters to high-end clientele and works very closely with adjacent trades, as well as artists, photographers, and other creatives. The company’s Wallace Ave. showroom in downtown Bozeman is co-located with an architecture firm and an art gallery. The facility is often used for events, and many include a combination of tech and design.

“Events play a crucial role in uniting the design-build-integration trades, fostering collaboration, and enhancing a shared understanding of each other’s trades. Through shared learning experiences, we gain a deeper appreciation for the unique contributions each offers in crafting exceptional environments. Having a space that mirrors our capabilities is paramount to showcasing our collective achievements,” says Scott Abel, VP of marketing & creative direction for SAV Digital Environments, who is also now the communications chair for the NKBA Big Sky Chapter.

Recently, SAV hosted the NKBA Big Sky Chapter Spring Meeting with brands Sonance, MagnaTrack outdoor screens, and Emtek offering CEU courses throughout the day. Lutron shared its Designer Series presentation as an educational walk-through of the facility, showing attendees how Ketra lighting brings out the best in artwork, finishes, and surfaces. A lively “find the invisible speakers” game showed designers how to hide audio in walls, and Leon Ente Soundtiles showed them how to showcase audio as art.

The day offered equal parts education, inspiration, and networking. I witnessed a room of interested, intrigued, and newly inspired design-build professionals who asked thoughtful, challenging questions. Presenters provided equally thoughtful responses, and, together, everyone learned quite a lot about design-forward tech and how to integrate it into future design considerations. A few site visits were scheduled as a result, which suggests the longer-term benefits of providing these types of spaces to the adjacent trades for their meetings and events.

Innovative Consulting & Marketing Inc. is a rep firm covering Arizona, Southern Nevada, New Mexico, and El Paso. The team recently opened a gorgeous two-story design and experience center in Scottsdale, Ariz., featuring design-centric brands like Leon, Samsung, Meridian, Lutron, Ketra, Iluminii, Josh, MP Lighting, RoseWater Energy, Origin Acoustics, and others. Local artists’ work is presented alongside tech, and a curated tour includes a lighting demo that illustrates the power of light and the amazing results that can be achieved with thoughtful lighting design and the right application of tech. Principal Patrick Boyer led a portion of our tour after Lightapalooza and shared his successful approach to showing design-build pros how lighting solutions like Ketra can “fix” otherwise costly mistakes that can result in delays and added expense for clients.

Last year, Brilliant AV opened the Brilliant Experience Center in Costa Mesa, Calif., during a catered event attended by more than 200 people. Designed for consumers, property managers, design-build professionals, and trade partners, the layout of the 3000-square-foot “education facility” provides a range of experiences and showcases solutions for “smart homes and smart offices.” Brilliant tours typically take 45 to 60 minutes and include interactive engagement with audio, video, lighting, and control systems, and the facility is available to others for events, training, or design consultation meetings.

Brilliant is now part of Daisy, as is cyberManor in Los Gatos and others across the U.S. cyberManor smartly converted a charming century-old home into a livable, enjoyable smart home that is listed on Airbnb and is used to showcase how tech can be integrated to be simple, enjoyable, and beautiful all at once. (Scoop drop: Daisy will soon announce several new branches and is eager to add to its nationwide footprint. Contact me if you want to get “in” on this.).

Scoop drop #2. The Quantum Theater RED Studios Hollywood will be completed this summer and offered as a very exclusive demo space to interested clientele and industry partners. For those of you who have witnessed a Quantum Media Systems demo at CEDIA Expo, you know what this is like. John Sciacca has twice called it one of the best he’s ever seen. I am stoked beyond words to be an industry partner for this brand and can’t wait to see this theater and the demo they offer in person!

Bottom line. If you build it, they will come. But, you need to work your contacts and get more active at the local and chapter level of the trade associations that intersect with the work you do if you want them to come not only early, but often. Does that last sentence sound familiar? It should. The integration community is begging to be involved early and often, and this is a great way to make sure that happens.

Need help connecting with design-build pros or need help with your comms strategies? I’m here to help. Drop me a line at [email protected] and let’s have that conversation.

The original article can be found at: https://www.residentialsystems.com/features/secrets-of-success/making-tech-and-design-relatable-through-showrooms

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A 25+ veteran of the residential tech & AV integration industries, Katye McGregor Bennett is the CEO of KMB Communications, a boutique communications firm that anchors the intersection of technology + design by connecting brands, buyers, and prospective audiences through creating compelling content and conversation that elevates and amplifies. In addition to co-hosting Design Uncut with Veronika Miller, Katye hosts two popular podcasts, Connecting Tech+ Design and AV Trade Talk. She is part of the DesignHounds influencer group and also serves on the NAHB Custom Technology Work Group, is a strategic advisor in the CEDIA, HTA, and AVIXA communities, a frequent contributor to Residential Systems, Connected Design and founder of the AV Yoga group.

Celebrating Excellence: Introducing the CE Pro Female 40 Honors

by Katye McGregor | May 1, 2024 | Blog

In a world where innovation knows no bounds, it’s imperative to recognize and celebrate the diverse voices and talents shaping our industries. This sentiment rings particularly true in the custom electronics sector, where women are making significant strides as tech innovators, business leaders, and visionaries. Join us as we shine a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of these trailblazers with the introduction of the CE Pro Female 40 Honors.

The CE Pro Female 40 Honors initiative aims to uplift and honor the outstanding contributions of women in the custom electronics industry. From pioneering new technologies to leading successful businesses, these women are breaking barriers and driving innovation forward. By highlighting their achievements, we not only celebrate their individual successes but also inspire the next generation of women in technology.

From engineers and designers to executives and entrepreneurs, the CE Pro Female 40 Honors showcases the diverse talents and expertise that women bring to the table. Their innovative solutions, leadership skills, and dedication to excellence are shaping the future of our industry and beyond. Through their collective efforts, they are redefining what it means to thrive and paving the way for others to follow.

By amplifying the voices and accomplishments of women in technology, the CE Pro Female 40 Honors initiative aims to inspire positive change and promote greater diversity and inclusion within the industry.

As we celebrate the inaugural CE Pro Female 40 Honors, let us acknowledge and honor the remarkable achievements of women in the custom electronics industry. Their passion, innovation, and leadership are driving positive change and shaping the future of our industry for generations to come. Together, let us continue to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to succeed and make a difference. Join us in celebrating these extraordinary women and their invaluable contributions to technology and beyond.

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A 25+ veteran of the residential tech & AV integration industries, Katye McGregor Bennett is the CEO of KMB Communications, a boutique communications firm that anchors the intersection of technology + design by connecting brands, buyers, and prospective audiences through creating compelling content and conversation that elevates and amplifies. In addition to co-hosting Design Uncut with Veronika Miller, Katye hosts two popular podcasts, Connecting Tech+ Design and AV Trade Talk. She is part of the DesignHounds influencer group and also serves on the NAHB Custom Technology Work Group, is a strategic advisor in the CEDIA, HTA, and AVIXA communities, a frequent contributor to Residential Systems, Connected Design and founder of the AV Yoga group.

Helping Clients to Visualize

by Katye McGregor | Apr 26, 2024 | Blog, PR & Communications Tips

Here are some new ways to present to architects and interior designers that might move the needle in your favor.

I was recently invited to attend the Changemakers Conference, an exclusive, day-long event for interior designers, design-build pros, and architects that included a series of workshops intended to reunite attendees with the basics of design and provoke all to think about why they design what they design. During one session, Shannin Williams showed attendees how to hand sketch and the importance of doing this with clients before making final decisions. Few in the room practice this mode of design now, but after a 60-minute crash course, all realized how beneficial it would be to sit with clients and dial-in their vision before committing additional resources to renders, flat lays, and product selections.

Design - Visualization — Image: ArchiViz/Getty Images

I do not fancy myself a designer or an artist, so the exercise was emotionally challenging for me to get into, but those at my table encouraged me to do it for the same reasons they were: to learn the basics of design. Even though my hand-sketched room was purely unrefined scribbles, it was the result of an evolving conversation about what I liked and didn’t, where I added and eliminated things based on how they looked in the room. At that moment it became abundantly clear that it is much easier to visualize a project when presented in a more familiar manner. CAD drawings, renders, and similar presentations are impressive to look at, but they are unfamiliar to most and therefore may come with some unintended reticence. This was lightbulb moment #1.

Lightbulb moment #2 came later in the day when we were divided into groups to ideate and hand-sketch a wellness retreat. I sat there in a panic. I am not a designer, I have never designed a room from scratch, let alone a whole home, and I don’t know all the lingo. Talk about uncomfortable. My inner introvert wanted to run screaming from the room. I took a deep breath and told my tablemates I was there from the tech side and offered to be their friendly tech guide — an intentional rhyme I created to help make my role that day more memorable.

What happened next was truly profound.

As they settled comfortably into their work, they asked me to help them add tech to their rooms and enhance the overall experience of the wellness retreat being designed. “Can I add speakers to this outdoor meditation area?” Yes! “Can we put a screen on the ceiling to produce imagery based on what the person in the room wants to experience?” Absolutely! “What can we do with lighting to enhance the Zen-like experience?” Let me tell you about Ketra! “We don’t want cell phones to be present but without them, how do we control the tech?” Oh, my friends, now you’re talking! I truly believe our industry could grow exponentially if this type of verbal and visual collaboration would happen more often.

This combined experience reconfirmed that there should be a deeper, more meaningful connection between design-build pros and the tech integration community, and it illustrates what I’m working to develop for our industry at large. I know it won’t happen everywhere, but I do believe that, when given the opportunity to sit with a friendly and familiar face from the tech space while ideating for or with a client, architects, designers, and design-build professionals can more effectively hone in on exactly what the client wants, show them what it will look like, and provide the narrative that gives them the peace of mind to say yes. The why for the “adjacent trades” is simple: time is money. The less time they spend trying to identify specifics the more time they have to make decisions, lock things in, and move forward, potentially more profitably.

While I want to end this piece on a positive note, I would be remiss if I didn’t share the bummer part of the day. Most (still) do not know how to connect with tech integration pros and many are (still) having a less-than-stellar experience with integrators. This is something we, as an industry, can overcome, but it requires many more hands on deck. We need to do more outreach and make more meaningful connections, and we need to be doing that now, more than ever.

The good news is that CEDIA and HTA are making inroads. Both associations are out in the field and attending trade events like IBS, KBIS, and Design & Construction Week, and many integration firms are actively working with their local trade association chapters to provide needed and desired education via CEDIA COI and industry-led CEU courses.

An excellent example of this is Scott Abel of SAV Digital Environments in Bozeman, Mont., who was recently appointed as the communications chair for the Big Sky Chapter of the NKBA. The chapter’s Spring meeting will be held at the SAV showroom, which beautifully showcases tech + design and serves also as a curated gallery for local artists and photographers. His introduction to chapter members included an open invitation to be their tech resource and noted that CEU was available when needed. I happen to also be a member of this chapter and am excited to team up with Scott to increase member awareness of and inclusion of the type of tech and integration work only our community can provide.

If you’re out there doing this or something similar, I would love to hear from you, learn what you’re doing, and see how we might spread the word faster and further. Together, we can do this!

Need help refining your pitch, proposal process, or presentation? Or maybe you just want to brainstorm ways to “get it” with a target trade audience? Drop me a line at [email protected]. I’m here to help!

Original article can be found here: https://www.residentialsystems.com/features/secrets-of-success/helping-clients-to-visualize

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A 25+ veteran of the residential tech & AV integration industries, Katye McGregor Bennett is the CEO of KMB Communications, a boutique communications firm that anchors the intersection of technology + design by connecting brands, buyers, and prospective audiences through creating compelling content and conversation that elevates and amplifies. In addition to co-hosting Design Uncut with Veronika Miller, Katye hosts two popular podcasts, Connecting Tech+ Design and AV Trade Talk. She is part of the DesignHounds influencer group and also serves on the NAHB Custom Technology Work Group, is a strategic advisor in the CEDIA, HTA, and AVIXA communities, a frequent contributor to Residential Systems, Connected Design and founder of the AV Yoga group.

Serving Up Fun: CEDIA Expo 2024 Pickleball Meet-Up

by Katye McGregor | Apr 24, 2024 | Blog, Trade Show news

Are you ready to paddle up for some pre-Expo excitement? John Sciacca, a seasoned reviewer from Residential Systems, and Alex Capecelatro, the CEO of Josh.ai, are serving up a unique opportunity for industry professionals to connect and compete before CEDIA Expo 2024 kicks off.

The idea sprouted from a fun pickleball session between Sciacca and Jeremy Glowacki before last year’s Expo. With the aim of fostering camaraderie among industry peers, Sciacca proposed the idea of a pickleball meet-up this year. With enthusiastic support from Alex Capecelatro, the wheels were set in motion to make it happen.

The concept is simple yet engaging: a fun-filled pickleball tournament where participants rotate partners and opponents, maximizing opportunities for networking and mingling. The organizers aim to gather around 40 enthusiasts for a round-robin format, ensuring everyone gets ample court time and a chance to bond over their shared passion for pickleball.

As of last week, 33 eager individuals have signed up, indicating a strong interest in the event. With the backing of industry associations like ProSource, HTSA, and CEDIA, the organizers are optimistic about drawing even more participants in the months leading up to the Expo.

To cover costs and ensure commitment, a nominal entry fee of $15-20 per person is proposed. This not only helps in organizing the event but also ensures that participants are genuinely invested in the experience.

What can participants expect? The organizers plan to provide everything needed for a smashing good time: court time, refreshments, custom t-shirts, balls, and exciting prizes for all entrants. Participants need only bring themselves, appropriate attire, and a paddle to join in on the fun.

With months to go until the big day, excitement is already building for this one-of-a-kind event. Whether you’re a seasoned pickleball pro or a newcomer eager to try your hand, mark your calendars and get ready to smash, volley, and score at the CEDIA Expo 2024 Pickleball Meet-Up. See you on the court!

If you’re interested, please email John at [email protected] and/or fill out this survey:

Pickleball at CEDIA Expo (google.com)

The original article can be found here: https://www.residentialsystems.com/events/cedia-show/cedia-expo-2024-pickleball-meet-up

Please Don’t Give Me Another Crappy Cup

Making Tech and Design Relatable Through Showrooms

Celebrating Excellence: Introducing the CE Pro Female 40 Honors

Helping Clients to Visualize

Serving Up Fun: CEDIA Expo 2024 Pickleball Meet-Up

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