Technology and Design Converge at Day of Discovery 2026

Technology is becoming an increasingly important part of the residential design process, but integrating it successfully takes more than selecting the right products. It requires collaboration between architects, designers, builders, and technology professionals from the earliest stages of a project.

That is the focus of Technology Designer Magazine’s Day of Discovery at CEDIA Expo 2026, taking place September 2–3 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. Designed specifically for architects, designers and builders, the program offers a closer look at how technology can enhance residential spaces while complementing the design vision.

Best of all, the Day of Discovery Pass is free for eligible architects, designers and builders.

See Technology Through a Design Lens

Day of Discovery gives design-build professionals an opportunity to explore the CEDIA Expo exhibit hall with their work and clients in mind. More than 350 brands will showcase technologies spanning lighting, shading, audio, video, automation, wellness, energy management, and more.

For those who want a more curated experience, the program offers both guided and self-guided exhibit hall tours. Guided tours take place at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 2 and 3, giving attendees the opportunity to explore the show floor with industry experts and engage directly with exhibitors.

New for 2026, Technology Designer has also created curated self-guided tours focused on areas including intelligent lighting, energy management, automated window treatments, and technology designed to disappear into the architecture.

Education Built for the Design-Build Community

Day of Discovery also includes four complimentary CEDIA education sessions developed around the intersection of technology and residential design.

The program begins Sept. 2 with “Invisible Innovation: Integrating Hidden Technology into Design,” exploring how solutions such as hidden speakers, architectural lighting, concealed screens, motorized lifts, and flush-mount devices can be integrated without compromising the visual character of a space.

Later that day, “The Sound of Wellness” will examine how lighting, acoustics, air quality, control interfaces, and other technologies can work together to create more intentional wellness spaces.

On Sept. 3, attendees can explore “Principles of Great Outdoor Entertainment Design & Installation,” covering everything from immersive audio and landscape lighting to Wi-Fi, outdoor displays, and the challenges of delivering technology in exterior environments.

The program concludes with “Dreamhouse Team: Real-World Design-Build Partnerships,” a candid look at how designer-integrator teams navigate the realities of residential projects, including budgets, timelines, infrastructure, millwork, lighting, technology visibility, and late-stage changes.

A Look Inside a Standout Design-Build Project

The Day of Discovery experience continues with the Technology Designer Magazine Luncheon on Sept. 2.

Editor-in-Chief Douglas Weinstein will lead a conversation about the Phoenix House in Vancouver, British Columbia, bringing together architect Nick Bray, builder Todd Best, interior designer Josephina Serra and technology designer Mike Freedman.

The group will explore how the different trades worked together throughout the design-build process to bring the project to life, offering attendees a firsthand look at the collaboration behind a highly integrated residential environment.

Attendance is free, although seating is limited and requires an RSVP following registration.

Connect With the People Behind the Projects

The Day of Discovery Cocktail Networking Reception will take place Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 5–6:30 p.m., bringing architects, designers, builders and technology professionals together in an informal setting designed to encourage conversation and collaboration.

For professionals who increasingly find themselves working across traditional trade boundaries, these connections can be just as valuable as what they discover on the show floor.

Make Day of Discovery Part of Your CEDIA Expo Experience

Technology is no longer an afterthought in residential design. When considered early and integrated thoughtfully, it can influence how a space looks, feels, and functions.

Day of Discovery offers architects, designers, and builders a dedicated way to explore that intersection at CEDIA Expo 2026, with access to the exhibit hall, curated tours, education, networking, and conversations with professionals who are putting these ideas into practice.

The Day of Discovery Pass is free for eligible architects, designers and builders, making it an easy way to add a design-focused experience to a visit to CEDIA Expo.

CEDIA Expo 2026 takes place September 1–4 in Denver, Colorado.