Two Associations, One Vision: Better Spaces Through Technology

Great connecting with @Sanket Sawant, CEDIA's Regional Development Consultant, at the High End & Smart Home Show Dubai. Our conversation highlighted something I'm seeing more of as an @AVIXA Xchange Advocate: the growing convergence between residential and commercial AV markets.

Regional Trends We're Witnessing in the GCC:

🏠 Luxury Residential Demanding Commercial-Grade Reliability
High-end homes now expect enterprise-level performance, uptime, and integration capabilities. Clients want systems that work flawlessly, whether it's a boardroom or a home theater.

🏢 Offices Adopting Home-Like Comfort
Modern workplaces are incorporating residential design elements such as intuitive controls, personalized environments, and seamless user experiences that feel as natural as your smart home.

🌆 Smart City Initiatives Bridging Both Worlds
Projects across the GCC are creating spaces where the lines between public, commercial, and residential technology blur completely.

The Convergence Reality:

What impressed me most about Sanket's perspective was how CEDIA's focus on education and community building mirrors what we're achieving here on AVIXA Xchange. Both organizations recognize that:

• User experience standards are rising everywhere

• IoT platforms now work seamlessly across domains

• Integration expertise translates between markets

• Trust and relationships drive cross-sector opportunities

Discussion Questions for Our Community:

1. Have you seen "resimercial" projects in your market? What unique challenges or opportunities did they present?

2. How are residential integration standards influencing your commercial projects? Are clients demanding more intuitive, home-like experiences in workplace environments?

3. What technologies work well in both residential and commercial applications? Audio systems? Control platforms? Digital signage?

4. Regional Perspective: How do cultural preferences in the GCC, APAC, or your region influence the convergence of residential and commercial AV?

Moving Forward:

As advocates for our respective communities, we have a responsibility to share knowledge, raise standards, and ensure technology truly serves people, whether they're at home, at work, or anywhere in between.

What trends are you seeing in your region? Let's discuss in the comments!