by KMB Communications | Mar 26, 2018 | Technology & Business Summit
New event from the Integrator Network and the Technology & Business Summit events addresses converging technologies, delivers valuable education, and offers impactful insights
The Technology & Business Summit, a business development and education event produced by Integrator Network and supported by independent manufacturer rep firms across the US, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2018 with an expanded schedule that spans from California to New York and the addition of the new CASTLE Summit.
The CASTLE Summit, an acronym for Converging Audio/Video Security Technology Lighting and Entertainment, is a trade-only event that will take place at the Fort Lauderdale/Coral Springs Marriott in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, May 1 – 3, 2018. The event will include manufacturers, rep firms, dealers, service providers and consultants within the residential and commercial AV, security, and lighting industries.
A focused and fun, education-oriented trade show and industry gathering, CASTLE addresses the crossover between home automation and smart home technologies, security, integrated A/V systems, and DIY products, and offers education providing the skills and tactics needed professionals across these channels need to stay competitive as technologies continue to converge. CASTLE includes three days of education, two days of exhibits and live demos, and plenty of one-on-one time with manufacturers and reps. Day 1 is Manufacturer/Rep Seminars only. Day 2 is Exhibits, Live Demos, a Keynote and Industry Oriented Seminars. Day 3 is Exhibits and Live demos and a different Keynote and Seminars.
Two Keynotes are offered; Both take place from 8:00 – 9:15 AM:
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Wednesday, May 2nd, features Julie Jacobson of CE Pro magazine discussing The Uberization of Smart Home Services.
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Thursday, May 3rd, is an All-Star panel session exploring Hot Topics & Disruptive Technologies That Will Affect Your Business with experts Eric Bodley, Julie Jacobson, Frank White, and Bryce Nordstrand.
“Like the Technology & Business Summits, the new CASTLE Summit is structured to help professionals develop, grow, and fortify their business by developing new skills and exploring new revenue streams,” says Mark Cichowski, CEO of Integrator Network. “There is so much to see and do, we are encouraging people to attend multiple days. The CASTLE Summit provides attendees a new opportunity to experience exactly how distinctly different industries can effectively complement each other. Every year, more professionals from outside the AV trade are attending the Tech Summit events and we realized it was time to expand our reach and strengthen our connections with commercial AV, lighting, and security systems integrators, manufacturers, distributors and associated pros supporting the market. We are excited to see the CASTLE Summit debut in Florida this year. We appreciate the reps coming together to drive this evolving event and the support of the displaying companies working to further develop the converging marketplace.”
With CEDIA as an education partner CASTLE offers top-notch seminars and workshops delivered by entertaining and insightful subject matter experts and providing real-world knowledge. Training on trending technologies, networking and IoT, lighting, security, and network connectivity will be offered while presentations will teach attendees how to sell value, how to make advanced sales, and will detail other business topics. The CASTLE Summit is free to attend and lunch is provided at no charge, enabling attendees to stay for the day — or all three — and soak in all the CASTLE Summit has to offer.
The inaugural CASTLE Summit is conveniently located for attendees from across Florida and the Southeast U.S. “All you really need to do is get there, and we take care of most of the rest,” says Cichowski. “As we open our doors to lighting and security professionals for the first time ever, we expect they will see the tremendous benefit such a small investment of time can deliver in terms of knowledge, networking connections, and business growth.”
View the CASTLE Summit schedule of events here.
Register to attend the CASTLE Summit here.
Book discounted hotel rooms here.
About the CASTLE Summit
The Converging Audio/Video Security Technology Lighting & Entertainment Summit (CASTLE Summit) is a two-day event in Florida, that offers home automation, security, lighting, and integrated A/V systems integrators the opportunity to interface with manufacturers, reps, and dealers in residential and commercial Security, Lighting, and Commercial A/V channels. To learn more, visit www.techsummitflorida.com.
About the Technology & Business Summit
The Technology & Business Summit is a cooperative effort between multiple Independent Manufacturer Rep Firms based in various territories. It is a business development event to benefit integrators and exhibitors of all sizes. To learn more, visit www.techsummitevents.com.
Event Contact:
Mark Cichowski, Integrator Network (949) 472-4141, [email protected]
by KMB Communications | Jul 26, 2017 | Azione Unlimited
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Azione Unlimited Appoints New Board Members to Help Envision the Future of the Buying Group, Support Growth, and Promote Azione 2.0 Initiatives
Chris Smith of Cloud9 Smart and Frank Sterns of Sony join the Azione Advisory Board to represent the interests of integrator and manufacturer members, respectively
Chester Springs, PA (July 24, 2017) Azione Unlimited (AU), the education and buying group for custom installers and home technology professionals, has elected two new custom electronics industry professionals to join the Azione Advisory Board. Chris Smith, Vice President, Business Development for Cloud9 Smart, and Frank Sterns, Vice President of AV specialty and custom integration channels at Sony, join the board, effective immediately. They will replace Don Dixon of Definitive Electronics and Eric Bodley of Future Ready Solutions, whose two-year terms recently ended.
Azione Unlimited is the only buying group where dealers and vendors are both equal members of the organization and, likewise, five dealer members and five vendor members make up the Advisory Board. The Advisory Board members collaborate on ideas and initiatives, supporting Azione President Richard Glikes as he leads the buying group into the future with Azione 2.0.
“I thank Eric Bodley of Future Ready Solutions and Don Dixon of Definitive Electronics for their five years of service as Advisory Board members, and the hard work, insight, and inspiration they offered to our membership during that time,” says Azione President Richard Glikes.
Chris Smith joins fellow dealer members: Travis Leo, of Residential Systems; Jason Voorhees, of Cantara Designs; Kim Michaels, of Electronic Environments; and Eric Thies of DSI Luxury, while Sterns joins fellow vendor members: Keith Haas, of Integra; Jason Sloan, of Sonance; George Walter, of RAYVA; Ryan Donaher of Meridian.
Sony joined Azione Unlimited in 2015 and, since then, the company, including Frank Sterns, has helped support Azione dealers, provided educational opportunities, and played a large role networking events and opportunities for the organization. Sterns, who describes himself as a “strategic thinker focused on accountability and results,” helped lead the charge to bring Sony’s 4K Ultra HD TV’s, projectors, and ES AVR’s to the custom integration channel. He has won multiple industry awards and is a highly regarded industry veteran.
In his role on the Azione Advisory Board, Sterns plans to use his strategic communications background to bring members even closer together and help members take advantage of the many innovations in the display technologies field. “I am thrilled and excited to join the Azione Unlimited Advisory Board. Azione member dealers are among the best CI integrators in the country and I look forward to contributing to their continued growth in these exciting times,” says Sterns.
Chris Smith, one of Azione’s 175+ dealer members, is an industry veteran with experience working with both manufacturers and integrators. Currently, the Vice President, Business Development, for New York, NY-based technology integrator Cloud9 Smart, Smith was recognized as one of Dealerscope’s Top 40 under 40 industry professionals this year. He has previously worked for McIntosh Labs and B&W Group.
“I am honored and proud to be included as a member of the Board of Directors of Azione Unlimited. I look forward to working with my fellow board members (comprised of both dealers and vendors!), along with the finest integrators, retailers, manufacturers, and leadership within our industry. I look forward to contributing to a group that creates and executes opportunities for continued growth, education, and professionalism,” says Smith.
“Azione 2.0 is about growth, collaboration, and communication,” says Glikes. “I can’t think of any better individuals to help promote that spirit than Sterns and Smith. They are bright, enthusiastic, and well-prepared to work with the board as, together, we lead Azione membership toward an even more prosperous future.”
For interviews or media tours, please contact Katye (McGregor) Bennett of KMB Communications, Inc. by phoning (425) 328-8640 or emailing [email protected].
About Azione Unlimited
Azione Unlimited, the education and buying group for integrators, is a consortium of like-minded custom installers, home technology professionals, and vendors. The organization helps its members achieve greater levels of prosperity, technical acumen, and sophistication in running their businesses and serving customers. Founded by industry veteran Richard Glikes and headquartered in Chester Springs, PA, the organization is celebrating its fifth year. In addition to two high-energy, information-packed conferences per year, Azione provides its members with a host of benefits, from product discounts to educational middle management meetings, and marketing tools. Learn more at www.azioneunlimited.com or by following @AzioneUnlimited on Twitter.
All products, product names, trademarks and registrations mentioned are the property of their respective owners, all rights reserved.
Media Contact
Katye (McGregor) Bennett | KMB Communications, Inc.
(425) 328-8640 | [email protected] | www.kmbcomm.com
