In this show-floor discussion, the HiddenWires editorial team reflect on the themes they spotted at CEDIA Expo 2026. US correspondent Michael Heiss draws on his experiences since the Expo's earliest editions, exploring how the show’s attendance and ambition have evolved alongside market growth. Other topics in the discussion include the rising importance of audio in home entertainment; human-centric R&D; and the smarter control experiences shaping how end users interact with technology.