CI Connect 2026 Brings The Custom Installation Community Together

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A new event is trying to solve a familiar problem in custom installation: you can read spec sheets all day, but you only really understand residential technology when you see it working and speak to the people behind it. We break down Monitor Audio Group’s announcement of CI Connect 2026, a two-day open event built for the custom installation community and hosted at their headquarters in Rayleigh, Essex on 7 and 8 October.

We walk through what visitors can expect, from integrated smart home solutions you can experience first-hand to live product demonstrations, guest speaker seminars, and mini training sessions designed for busy integrators. If you make decisions about control systems, lighting, cinema rooms, or whole-home audio, this is the sort of hands-on environment that can speed up learning, reduce install risk, and spark better design choices. We also highlight the networking angle, with direct access to industry experts and respected brands in one place.

You will hear the early list of participating brands, including Cedia, Control4, Monitor Audio, The Chord Company, Infinity Seating, QMotion EMEA, Rako Lighting, Together for Cinema and more, plus a note that further partner announcements are still to come. We also share Michael Johnson’s view that the industry thrives on face-to-face interaction, and why events like this can help strengthen relationships and maintain momentum into 2027.

If CI Connect 2026 sounds useful, register via the Inside CI website, then subscribe, share the brief with a colleague, and leave us a review so more integrators can find the news.

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Transcript

Welcome And News Brief Setup

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Welcome to the Inside CI. Welcome to the Inside CI news brief for Tuesday, 21 July 2026. The latest custom installation news in minutes for busy integrators and industry professionals. Written by humans, voiced by AI for your convenience.

CIConnect 2026 Event Announcement

SPEAKER_00 0:21

Monitor Audio Group has announced a two-day open event for the custom installation industry. Taking place on October 7th and 8th. CIConnect aims to encourage collaboration across the sector, bringing together technology brands, the industry's trade association, and charity partners, hosted at Monitor Audio Group's headquarters in Rayleigh, Essex.

What Visitors Can See And Do

SPEAKER_00 0:45

CIConnect 2026 promises to showcase the latest innovations in residential technology, offering visitors the opportunity to experience integrated smart home solutions, attend live product demonstrations, watch guest speaker seminars, engage in mini training sessions, and speak directly with industry experts and network with some of the sector's most respected brands.

Participating Brands And More To Come

SPEAKER_00 1:09

Participating brands include Cedia, The Chord Company, Cinema Lux, Control 4, Infinity Seating, Monitor Audio, 1AV, QMotion EMEA, Rico Lighting, Together for Cinema, Trinoff, and Wii Quote. Further partner announcements will be announced in the coming weeks.

Why It Matters Plus Registration

SPEAKER_00 1:30

We are excited to launch this brand new event, says Michael Johnson, commercial head, UK, and Global Marketing Director. This industry thrives on face-to-face interaction, and CIConnect 2026 has been designed to bring the custom installation community together in a collaborative, hands-on environment. By gathering a number of leading brands under one roof, the event will give visitors the perfect opportunity to discover new technologies, strengthen industry relationships, and maintain momentum heading into 2027. Visitor registration is now open via the Inside CI website. Be sure to pop over to the Inside CI website for all the latest news, reviews, and interviews. Also, be sure to listen to our sister podcast Inside CI Tech Talk for all the latest interviews, discussions, and reviews by our hosts Stuart Burgess and Simon Gregory.