Imagine this: It’s Saturday and you’ve got the Pacific Ocean as your backdrop with the surf pounding the shores of Monterey Bay – once called “the greatest meeting of land and sea” in all the world. You are about to tee off on the 18th green at Pebble Beach with your friends in the middle of a harsh January blizzard and the temperature is well below freezing. Wait a minute. The Monterey Peninsula doesn’t get snowstorms and it never falls below zero– and why on earth would one be golfing even if that were the case? Ah, but you’re not in Pebble Beach, California! You’re at home in Chicago, toasty warm with the fireplace going, playing golf on a giant screen made for impact with scenes of the golf course and all of its nuances provided by Trackman, a leading provider of golf simulators. While others are snowed in, you and your friends are practicing, competing, and perfecting skills for the season ahead– and having one heck of a good time while doing it– all in the comfort of your own home.
In an adjacent room, teenagers are playing Minecraft with friends from the other side of the globe, then they’re off to ski and snowboard in Aspen, followed by afternoon bowling, and then enjoying movie night on a massive screen with the grandparents — a far more enjoyable place to be for many than the local theater and its chaotic environment. Yeah, this is the good life.
Having all this in your own home is only a phone call away, however it’s not a do-it-yourself project you can complete in a weekend. No way. These are highly technical, collaborative creations with numerous vendors involved with specific needs. Every detail matters. Which cabling to choose, how to control ambient light and focus players’ eyes on the screen, which audio to use, what video technology will best support the action, and a cohesive, acoustically-treated interior that will not only enhance sights and sounds but ensure the best sightlines for players and the audience, and so much more – right down to fabrics, fittings, chairs, and bar setups.
TAKE A SWING AND WORK ON YOUR GOLF GAME AT HOME DURING THE OFF-SEASON. IMAGE: LISA SLAYMAN
To do rooms of this scale right, you need a professional integrator and a professional designer collaborating cohesively on the project, and that’s what Todd Astill, of Nerve Park City, and Lisa Slayman, of Slayman Design Associates and Slayman Cinema, are bringing to market, together.
“What Todd Astill and I are collaborating on is a new way to tap into a trend that is skyrocketing. We want to open people’s eyes about the way these spaces can be used to entertain in a much larger, more impactful, and enjoyable manner, and everything we can do with them; how they can function and serve to delight and unite families and friends,” said Lisa Slayman, President of Slayman Design Associates and Slayman Cinema. “People don’t understand the magnitude of the technology and how complicated these high-end home installations are, but we’re bringing that to the forefront and showcasing what’s possible. Seeing is one thing, but physically experiencing these rooms are the only way to really understand what makes them so amazing. Once you’ve spent a few hours in a purpose-built eSports, gaming, and multisport simulation environment you will never forget the experience.”
Much like a dedicated home theater, eSports, gaming, and multisport simulator rooms need to be self-contained environments where players, and those in the audience, feel the sensation of sight and sound transporting them to another reality, freeing their mind of everything else. This is not your typical theater – it’s much, much more.
Think about this. An eSports, gaming, and multisport room can include sports everyone in the home enjoys and perhaps, desires to be competitive in. Golf, football, baseball, soccer, skiing, snowboarding, race car driving, cycling, rowing, and even cricket, rugby, bocce – you name it – the options for virtual sports simulation at home are practically limitless.
How big is gaming? According to a recent study from GamerHub, the gaming industry is now over twice the size of the music and movie industries combined. Yes, you read that correctly. That is HUGE and it raises the question, ‘Why are so many integrators ignoring this massive opportunity to incorporate gaming into the projects being done by our industry?’
“Most integrators don’t know how to implement everything that goes into a room like this – they’re sharing this with us as we are talking about this new offering. Many don’t know much about the gaming industry, haven’t gotten immersed in VR yet, and are intimidated by it,” says Todd Astill, President of Nerve Park City. “This category is greatly ignored now simply because integrators sell what they have always sold, and it’s easy to get stuck in that rut.” Until now.
ENTER A NEW REALM OF REALITY AND TURN YOUR ROOM INTO A COMPLETELY IMMERSIVE VIDEO GAME EXPERIENCE. IMAGE: LISA SLAYMAN
Another enormous untapped market for those interested in getting into this business is professional athletes. Many athletes are big-time gamers during the season and are even more active in the off-season because they can’t risk injury playing another high-octane sport. Being the competitive people they are, these athletes often turn to gaming for their off-season fix. Rather than hitting the slopes or playing games in their bedroom on a computer monitor, why not set them up with a room that can accommodate not only movies, but gaming and multisport simulation so they can compete with their teammates when they feel the need, and connect with family and friends when they need some downtime? Athletes, like most people, want to be immersed in the experience and what better way to do that than eSports, gaming, and multisport simulation rooms decked-out with crystal-clear sound, epic visuals, prime acoustics, and plush seating with options for viewers and gamers to get in on the action.
“Online gaming is what drives the gaming industry because people want to compete with others all over the world. They want to share what they are doing,” adds Astill. “The only reason athletes don’t have what we as integrators offer, is because they don’t know it exists. And it’s our job to change that. Lisa and I are paving the way.”
Astill says education is key — about gaming, simulation, and selling the lifestyle — and that there are no boundaries with gaming; you can connect with anyone anywhere. He emphasized that Integrators need to show technology is a way to connect with people rather than a way to isolate ourselves; that it’s about the social aspect and a way for families to draw closer.
The process for integrators to deliver an extraordinary home entertainment center comes down to four things, according to Astill and Slayman. The first aspect is to create one large social space and not scatter the experience throughout the house. Second is to not compromise the quality or integrity of the experience by providing and the best solutions to make it both beautiful and functional. The third factor is selling the lifestyle, not the technology. Customers are concerned with what is in it for them, not the nuts and bolts of the installation. Paint a picture of the ultimate visual and physical experience using visuals that represent the client’s interests as well as what’s trending. And fourth, champion the experience of friends gathering and famil bonding, where multiple generations can be in the same space enjoying themselves and their time together.
Thanks, in great part to the Pandemic, “people are now more interested in entertainment at home rather than going out; they’ve rediscovered that being home with family is awesome and they want a unique, dedicated entertainment space,” Astill concluded. “The convergence of all this demand is reinvigorating the opportunity for integrators to take the latest technology and turn it into something incredible, something no one else has.”
Contact Information: Lisa Slayman, ASID, IIDA
SLAYMAN DESIGN ASSOCIATES, INC. | SLAYMAN CINEMA slaymandesign.com
1485 Glenneyre, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Tel: 949-715-4110
Todd Astill
President, Nerve Park City
6400 N Business Loop Rd, Unit G
Park City, UT 84098 [email protected]
(435) 333-1313
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.
It’s up to you to show your clients the value of the service your company provides, which isn’t always easy.
I actually started this month’s column with a completely different topic in mind. Yet, I kept coming back to a recent experience that I can’t help but share. Try to forget, for just a few minutes, that it’s warm outside…
First, some background. I live in the mountains, in a small town called Red Lodge, Mont., about 80 miles northeast of Yellowstone National Park. Winters here are long and can be wicked, but those who live here know what to expect. This year was no exception. It snowed heavily in the early season, again in December, but in mid-April, right as our local Red Lodge Mountain ski resort closed for the season, we got over 5 feet of snow in a two-day period. It was awesome! We had a snow party at our house and made the most of being snowbound. I parked a bottle of champagne, some OJ, and flutes in a snowbank in our yard while we listened to music, played with our dog Jackson, and grilled steak. It’s possible someone might have seen me skipping around in an inflatable sumo costume.
On the other end of the spectrum, many were snowed in for three days or more, and most were not happy about it. I shared our story and posted a heartfelt thank you and high-five to our snow removal provider and boy, were there a lot of negative comments from locals. “They are way too expensive!” was the resounding sentiment when they asked who plowed our driveway and yard before 9:00 AM on Day 1 of the snow event and every morning that followed, and when it was done, they brought in the skip loader, again, to clean it all up. We didn’t have to call, we didn’t have to question whether they’d be there, we just knew they would and they did.
What I found odd about all of this — and the reason I’m telling this tale — is that the very same people complaining about price were also complaining about service. The other snow removal services simply couldn’t get to our neighborhood for a few days because they don’t have the right equipment or team to make it happen any sooner. Let that settle in for a minute. Sound familiar?
Getty Images
Living in this environment is manageable for us because we retain the right service providers. One of the most important ones is our snow removal company. They’re local, they have all the right equipment, and they’re always here first thing in the morning. When the bill comes, I usually don’t know what the amount will be, but I’m happy to pay it and am honestly never surprised. I know what to expect, not because I watch the clock to see when they arrived, left, and checked to see what they accomplished, but rather because I know what it takes to do what they do, and I want no part of it. They are worth every penny in my book. I love Baldwin’s and they’ve taken great care of us over the years. So, I tell people about the quality of their work, and I comment, post about them, and publish positive reviews to share my joy of how they take care of my needs, proactively, before I ever have to ask. Do they ever ask me to do this? No. Their service is what motivates me to do these things. They provide immeasurable joy and peace of mind.
So, what does my snow story have to do with AV and marketing? Everything!
You see, in the world of AV, we face the same challenges. Far too many people think professional AV integration is expensive and they shy away from it until they’re faced with a scenario where the experience truly matters. Want internet that works, supports your needs, is proactively updated, and is secure from outside intrusion? Want peace of mind and ambiance, as well as entertainment? Want a seamless, fun technology experience throughout the home and across the property that all who enter can easily use? It’s when people feel the positivity of the experience and realize it brings them joy that they will share that sentiment with others. What they paid or pay isn’t what’s front of mind — the experience and the value they get is what they’ll remember and tell others. When that happens, when people start sharing the love for your company on their own, your company’s visibility and reach are organically and, potentially, exponentially expanded. This is the holy grail.
Go out to the digital sphere and look at your business from the outside-in, noting how your services are promoted and the messaging used. Look internally and externally. How does your pricing compare to your competition? How does your service compare? Look at how people are responding. Do people in your market — the kind of customers you want to have — know firsthand or perceive your company to be a great provider who they know and trust? Do you really know?
Here’s another way of looking at it. Does your company rely on word of mouth? Active on social media, not just with posts but commenting, sharing posts, posting on related and relevant community pages and groups? Does it feel like your company is fully engaged with your audience and prospects or does it feel more like a post-and-go situation (only posting, not engaging)? More than anything else, when you look at your company’s social media feeds and marketing efforts in general, are you inspired by them? Would customers in your portfolio or prospects tell you the same thing? Better yet, would they act on the messaging they’re being presented?
Given it’s now the middle of the year, I encourage you to block a few hours on your schedule to do a deep dive into how your company communicates, presents itself, promotes its services and expertise, and how people are responding to it. If responses seem light or nonexistent, start looking at other companies’ feeds and, when you do, be sure to also look outside of our industry for cues. Take screenshots, notes, and spend time with your team working on ways your company can better communicate not only what it does, but how it brings joy to your clientele. Do this quarterly, without fail.
After projects are completed, ask for feedback and share positive sentiments with the world. While you’re at it, ask your happy customers to do the same, to share their joy for your company in their social media, by posting reviews, sharing info with their friends and peers. When they do, return it in spades and thank them, publicly. In my experience, ask, and you shall receive. Reciprocate and you will reap far greater rewards than you can imagine.
Not sure how to do this or need some inspiration to get off-center with your marketing, communications, or promotional activities? Shoot me an email at [email protected] and let’s talk. KMB is here and happy to help!
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.
Here are some tips on positioning your showroom to get more traction, traffic, and leads.
It’s an undeniable fact that showrooms are back and they’re hotter than ever. Brands, integration firms, and interior designers are partnering in some cases, and rep firms are getting in on the game now, too. Providing experience-rich environments filled with tech is a high priority for many in the channel. Whether they’re called a showroom, experience center, design center, or some other snazzy term, these purpose-built spaces have been carefully curated to cater to the needs of today’s homeowner and provide everything needed to get people from merely considering smart home tech to committing to it.But, how do you go about promoting your showroom, experience center, design center, or snazzy, tech showcase space? Here are some tips and how-to’s you can use to raise awareness of your space and start getting a return on your investment.
Showcase Well-Known “Destination” Brands
Certain brands have an almost cult-like appeal that attracts both audio-video fanatics and luxury lifestyle consumers alike. When you feature these unique, or “statement,” brands in your showroom, you can tap into a new audience and capture new clientele, creating a pipeline of potential opportunities for your company. Integration Controls, for example, recently added Bang & Olufsen to their line card. They are beginning to market the relationship with an SEO-rich blog they will use to promote B&O on social media that will attract local customers with a penchant for the design-forward. Events are planned this summer.
“We are bringing the Bang & Olufsen line of products into St. Louis because we believe it simplifies and enriches the experience of enjoying entertainment at home. At the same time, it provides a unique look and modern aesthetic not found in traditional audio-visual showrooms,” says Jamie Briesemeister, CEO of Integration Controls. This approach differentiates the Integration Controls brand and makes them a go-to in the market for those seeking Bang & Olufsen. Great idea!
Bang & Olufsen Beolab 90 speakers
Brilliant AV’s new Brilliant Experience Center in Southern California [see this issue’s “Showroom Showcase”] offers one-of-a-kind brand experiences in an easily navigated space filled with vignettes that showcase the many ways tech enhances lifestyles. Also taking the brand-alignment route, Brilliant AV was recently minted as the first company in California designated as an exclusive brand location for a Focal Powered by Naim store. The latest smart home technologies from brand partners like Sonos, Lutron, Control4, Sonance, Samsung, Screen Innovations, Alarm.com, and others are also prominently featured. “Our goal is to provide our visitors with a hands-on experience to see, hear, and feel the benefits of these systems firsthand,” says Matt Walin, CEO of Brilliant AV.
This brand-centric approach differentiates their company and, by partnering with brands to promote the new space, Brilliant AV was able to tap into additional marketing funds and has effectively created a pipeline that will attract new local clientele. More than 150 invited guests attended their recent grand opening soirée, a catered, California casual evening event that included clients, trade partners, and prospects, staff, and supporters. Brilliant AV utilized email marketing and social media marketing to promote the event and tapped into their network of supporters to spread the word. Additional events for interior designers, architects, and consumers are planned.
Paul Bochner of Electronic Concepts has also had great success with marketing unique brands in his New Jersey showroom. “The key to our showroom is having destination brands and experiences that bring end users, potential customers, designers, and builders into our space,” he says. “We try to show off products and solutions that they likely cannot experience any other way.”
Electronic Concepts Showroom in New Jersey.
Create a Space That Beckons Customers AND Partners
Speaking of attracting trades and partners, sometimes it’s the space itself that does the talking. Matt and Dana DeVance of Texas-based DeVance Electronic Lifestyles designed their showroom to be a spot where they could co-market with other local businesses to execute innovative events that tap into tangential customer bases. See the feature story about DeVance’s showroom to learn more about some of the innovative event marketing they did, including teaming up with a local luxury car dealership for an exclusive event to test drive vehicles. Fun!
Uniquely, Joaquin Rivera and the team at ByDesign Sound & Video Marketing are creating a 4600-square-foot Experience and Training Center in Southern California [see this issue’s “Showroom Showcase”]. To me, this is a great idea for a rep firm, especially one that caters to the design process and offers a great deal of support in this area to integration firms, interior designers, and architects. “It has been our goal to have a design and training center since the inception of ByDesign VSM. We represent high-end, boutique brands that are oftentimes as beautiful to look at as they are to use. Homeowners and our trade partners will be far more likely inclined to say yes to products when they can experience them, and that’s what this space will provide — an opportunity for integration firms, interior designers, architects, and consumers to experience tech in an environment built to showcase their use,” says Rivera.
A Video Speaks a Million Words
Want more foot traffic? Capture and produce video for your website, social media, and marketing efforts to build interest in your space.
“The high-production videos we did 100 percent got us more calls and foot traffic. Yes, we spent a significant amount of time, energy, and money on these videos, but we still get calls and comments that people have or are seeing our videos on social,” says Bochner. “Video is my favorite mode of marketing. If you can create the content, it’s the best move.”
If you’ve read my recent columns here, you know my position on video for marketing. There simply is no more valuable an asset than video.
Need help sorting out a strategy to promote your space or funding it, creatively? Drop me a line or give me a call! Email [email protected] to get the conversation started.
Focus on the Experiential
It’s been talked about ad nauseam, but it always bears repeating. People do not respond to a room full of blinking lights, digital displays, or a variety of content being blasted at them from every direction. They want to know how tech will work and what it will do, and they need to be assured it will be easy to use. Design and deliver a space that provides the overarching experience one can expect and some hands-on aspects. This makes the presentation more tangible and authentic.
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.
Breaking AV Industry News: Longtime CE Pro Editor Jason Knott Joins the D-Tools Team. We didn’t see this one coming but, wow, what a move! Tune in to hear what it was about D-Tools that piqued Jason’s interest so much that he had to join the team. Hint: it’s all in the numbers. Download, listen, and share your thoughts, #avtweeps! Learn more about D-Tools at www.d-tools.com.
What’s hot now in outdoor entertainment design and products
There’s no question about it — outdoor living continues to heat up as a home design trend. Driving it is the homeowner’s desire to connect with nature and outdoor entertaining, partially spurred on by the pandemic and the desire to gather safely outdoors.
In 2022 “The Future of Home Design” survey conducted by the New Home Trends Institute (NHTI), showed just 28 percent of respondents chose an open yard in the survey compared with other more popular features, such as covered outdoor rooms/open-air rooms (73 percent), patios (68 percent), and decks (55 percent). Say goodbye to the sprawling lawns of yesteryear.
According to NAHB, the percentage of single-family homes with patios has risen to 63 percent. Home buyers across generations have also noted interest in exterior living, with millennials indicating an interest in front porches as well to foster a sense of community. In the face of dwindling lot sizes, 38 percent of architectural designers included roof decks in their designs in 2020—another growing trend.
Bringing it all together, we polled top designers and design-minded integrators to determine what their favorite trends and brands are for outdoor living projects this year.
Trend #1: The Kicked-Up Outdoor Kitchen
According to Michael Kaestner of Kaestner Designs in Philadelphia, the outdoor living market has been rapidly expanding, especially when it comes to outdoor kitchens.
“We have seen a large uptick in project requests for both the inside the home as well as outside. In order to keep up with this momentum shift, I’ve partnered with vendors who supply materials that focus on enhancing my clients’ outdoor lifestyles,” said Kaestner.
Kimberly Kerl, owner of Kustom Home Design in Greer, S.C., adds that it’s not just kitchen cabinetry that’s becoming more sophisticated for the outdoor kitchen, it’s also the appliances.
“Grills are still a staple, but cooking technology has really evolved to include infrared heat, indirect heat, pellets, rotisserie and wood chips rather than just gas or charcoal,” she said. “Beyond the grill, side burners and power burners that can heat a large stock pot for seafood boils and turkey frying are common. Teppanyaki style grills, which are basically very large griddle surfaces, are gaining in popularity along with pizza ovens and even warming drawers. Smokers are popular and have several different heating and monitoring methods, including app-based tools. Finally, refrigeration is frequently requested and often coupled with an ice maker or built-in cooler.”
Tristan Gary of Tristan Gary Designs gave us the scoop on some other amazing outdoor kitchen finds spied at KBIS, notably John Michael Outdoor Kitchens with collections featuring marine-grade 316 stainless steel exteriors, coupled with high-quality 304 stainless steel interiors. The outdoor collection is featured with Blum Movento soft close door hinges and drawer slides for impeccable functionality. Outdoor cabinets are fitted with a rubberized gasket to keep elements outside.
Gary also loved the Modular Outdoor Kitchen Units by VLAZE, with mobile prep tables, dining room tables, and planters in stunning colors and finishes.
Trend #2: Blurring the Line Between In and Out
Making your outdoors like a continuation of the interior of your home is still a strong trend.
“Many people are spending more time at home, often in spaces that no longer accommodate their needs,” said Jesse Collins, REHAU director of marketing and communications. “As a result, we are seeing more projects that are elevating outdoor components of the home to create more livable space as well as renovating indoor spaces to connect more with the outdoors.”
Coverings 2022, North America’s largest international tile and stone exhibition, saw this trend take root even in flooring options. Tile of Spain notes that rooms that have access to outdoor living continue to trend, and many companies from Spain answered the call with tiles that gracefully go from an indoor room to an outdoor space.
Wellness design consultant Jamie Gold noted the proliferation of new porcelain pavers, outdoor tile with slip resistance and outdoor-friendly countertops. “There is also an emphasis on home entertaining outdoors with bars, taps, outdoor ice, beverage fridges, and freezers,” she said.
Trend #3: Covered Outdoor Living Room
Covered outdoor rooms address the space allocation debate and meet the desire for privacy. Often set up to mimic the comfort—and even the finishes—of the home’s interior, these spaces are an indoor-outdoor hybrid.
“Here in the Pacific Northwest we are seeing a lot of these,” said Molly Switzer of Portland-based Molly N Switzer Designs, explaining that these spaces are an extension of the need to meet safely but wanting more than a simple round of folding chairs in the lawn. These open-air spaces have more elaborate lighting or skylight windows and are often finished beneath with wood. “Where we see tech is in the lighting and the extension of the sound system, which naturally ties into the rest of the home. We use fans to move air during summer months and heating elements for the longer-lasting non-summer months.”
According to Switzer, there are also various shade and screen systems that offer wind protection as well as light control and bug protection. These spaces are being outfitted with robust outdoor Wi-Fi so that guests and homeowners can stay connected at all times.
Music, movies, control and lighting are of course a must for any well-appointed outdoor haven. A qualified integrator will need to be onboard with the design from the beginning stages in order to execute correctly and limit cost overruns.
Trend #4: Performance Materials for Rugged Outdoor Use
While using materials better suited for the outdoors has always been de rigueur in al fresco design, materials used for the outdoors are only getting more durable. Jessica Duce, who owns interior design firm JDuce Design and Vacation Rental Designers, has installed outdoor furniture for just about every climate, from beachfront homes to Rocky Mountain homes to Blue Ridge Mountain homes to the heat and humidity of the South. Her favorite outdoor furniture is Polywood, which she uses pretty consistently for vacation rental projects. She also loves Southern Home Outdoor, a family-owned company based in Mobile, Ala., that creates beautiful lasting outdoor furniture all in-house. “The use of performance fabrics that can withstand the elements for cushions, pillows, ottomans, etc, is everywhere. A rattan look with the endurance for outdoors is also popular,” she added.
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.
It’s an undeniable fact that showrooms are back and they’re hotter than ever. Brands, integration firms, and interior designers are partnering in some cases, and rep firms are getting in on the game now, too. Providing experience-rich environments filled with tech is a high priority for many in the channel. Whether they’re called a showroom, experience center, design center, or some other snazzy term, these purpose-built spaces have been carefully curated to cater to the needs of today’s homeowner and provide everything needed to get people from merely considering smart home tech to committing to it.But, how do you go about promoting your showroom, experience center, design center, or snazzy, tech showcase space? Here are some tips and how-to’s you can use to raise awareness of your space and start getting a return on your investment.
