CE Pro Podcast

Recorded live from the Smart Stage at CEDIA Expo 2026, CE Pro Executive Editor Zachary Comeau sits down with leading members of the CE Pro 100 to discuss the state of the custom integration industry. Panelists Michelle Ferlauto, Tom Clancy, Mike Restrepo and Andy Klein share their perspectives on the opportunities and challenges facing integrators today, from changing client expectations and evolving technology to business growth, staffing and the future of the channel. Hear directly from som...

CE Pro Executive Editor Zachary Comeau sits down with Coastal Source CEO and founder Franco D’Ascanio to preview Destination Outdoors at CEDIA Expo 2026 and the exclusive CE Pro 100 event taking place there Tuesday night. D’Ascanio discusses Coastal Source’s latest outdoor audio, lighting, power and cabling solutions, the growing opportunity in outdoor living, and what it means for the company to help recognize the industry’s leading CE Pro 100 integrators.

At the cusp of Audio Advice Live (and on the heels of acquiring Sound Components), CE Pro Senior Editor Nick Boever sat down with Scott Newnam, CEO of Audio Advice, to talk about the company’s latest acquisition, how its growth plan differs from others in the channel, and how integrators can better chart their own business growth, whether its building a stronger client list, adding locations or planning for eventual succession.

As Daryl Friedman prepares for his final CEDIA Expo as CEO, he joins the CE Pro Podcast to reflect on his tenure leading the association, the evolution of the custom integration industry, and what's next for CEDIA. In this conversation, Friedman discusses the growing role of AI, why integrators must become equal partners with architects and designers, CEDIA's advocacy efforts, and why he believes technology integration will soon be viewed as an essential trade alongside electrical and HVAC w...

CEDIA Expo 2026 is shaping up to be one of the custom integration industry's biggest events, and manufacturers are investing more than ever. In this CE Pro Podcast, Zachary Comeau sits down with CEDIA Expo leaders Jason McGraw and Brian Pagel, along with Josh.ai CEO Alex Capecelatro and Origin Acoustics CEO Nick Berry, to discuss why the show remains the industry's premier gathering, how attendee feedback is shaping the event, and why hands-on experiences continue to matter in an AI-driven wo...