AV Trade Talk

Blustream isn’t a new brand. But for many technology integrators in the U.S., it may still be one of the industry’s best-kept secrets.

In this episode of AV Trade Talk, host Katye McGregor Bennett and KMB’s Bob Archer sit down with Eric Randt, General Manager of Blustream US, to talk about the company, its growing investment in the U.S. residential integration market, and why choice is at the center of its strategy.

Rather than pushing dealers toward a single ecosystem, Blustream wants to give integrators more ways to design the system that best supports the experience their customer is asking for. That philosophy comes to life at CEDIA Expo 2026 through real-world demonstrations showing how Blustream works alongside leading control, audio, networking, and AV technologies.

Eric provides a preview of what attendees can expect at Booth #3211, including practical residential applications for Dante, AV-over-IP, intelligent power management, BLUNet, and an early look at the next-generation PROSync platform with 4K/120 and 8K capability. The company will showcase 14 new and updated products while demonstrating how an open, integration-friendly approach can give dealers greater flexibility as systems become increasingly connected and complex.

There’s also plenty of candid conversation about Eric’s history in the channel, why he bet on Blustream US, what it really takes to build a CEDIA Expo booth—and why taking one apart somehow happens exponentially faster.

If Blustream isn’t already on your radar, this episode explains why it probably should be.

Tune in, then visit Blustream at CEDIA Expo 2026, Booth #3211, to see the technology in action.

#AVTradeTalk #AVtweeps #CEDIAExpo #blustreamav #AVoverIP #Dante

The CE Pro All Star Band feature technology integrator industry members, including dealers, manufacturers, and even members of the KMB Communications team. The band will play at 8 p.m., Wednesday Sept. 2 at the Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom.

Paul Bochner from AHT New York Metro and Joesph Cali from Gryphon Audio LA discuss on AV Trade Talk the revival of stereo including the growing trend of "analog rooms."

In this episode of the Mastering Connectivity Podcast, hosted by Katye McGregor Bennett and presented by Kordz, the conversation makes one thing clear: as homes become more intelligent, automated, and interconnected, integrators must expand their role beyond performance and convenience to include protecting the integrity of the systems they deploy.

Joining the discussion are James Chen, Managing Director of Kordz; Kyle Steele of GlobeWave Integration; and senior cybersecurity educator Jeff Sonnleitner. Together, they explore why every connected device can introduce risk, how cybersecurity is becoming foundational to systems design, and what integrators need to do now to be better prepared.

The episode also reinforces a bigger idea: even as technology advances rapidly, the responsibility of the integrator remains deeply human. Designing and deploying smarter homes must go hand in hand with protecting the people who live in them.

🎙️ Tune in now to stay ahead of the curve and explore more connectivity insights, episodes, and engineering resources at kordz.com/articles.

Thanks for listening, downloading, and supporting the AV Trade Talk podcast!

In this episode of AV Trade Talk, host Katye McGregor Bennett is joined by Team KMB’s Bob Archer and Lisa Montgomery for a candid, practical conversation about CEDIA Expo, award season, and what brands and integrators should be doing now to prepare stronger entries. 

Drawing from years of editorial experience, judging, and award-entry development, the conversation covers what really matters, from documentation, photography, and word counts to differentiation, approvals, usage rights, and the long-term marketing value of a well-built submission. 

If you are considering the CEDIA Smart Home Awards, CE Pro Home of the Year, Technology Designer Performance Home Awards, or other industry recognition programs, this episode offers smart, useful guidance on how to get organized and make your work stand out.

You’ll hear about:

Why documentation, strong photography, and using the full word count matter

How to frame project challenges and customization so judges see what makes an entry different

What to know about homeowner approvals, photographer rights, and usage terms before you submit or promote anything publicly

Why award entries can become valuable marketing assets long after the judging is done

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of AV Trade Talk!