Connecting Tech + Design with Katye (McGregor) Bennett

Interior Designer Molly Switzer (Portland, OR) returns to share what she's excited to see and experience during KBIS 2023, the annual tradeshow for the professional kitchen and bath industry, co-located with the International Builders Show, the National Hardware Show, and Design & Construction Week. Learn more about Molly by visiting her website www.mollynswitzer.com.

Air and water quality in the home is something that should be front-of-mind for us all. Thankfully, companies like RePure have brought solutions to market that make it easy to do it right. Learn what they do, how they do it, and how to improve air and water quality by utilizing their products and resources in this episode of Connecting Tech+Design with RePure President, Michael Don Ham — who is also WELL AP certified, a member of the WELL Faculty, and a Fitwel Ambassador. For interior designers, architects, and technology integration professionals, this episode offers valuable insights as well as new market opportunities. Download and tune in today! To learn more about RePure, visit www.puretech-alliance.com and www.linkedin.com/company/52175681/admin, and to connect with Michael Don Ham, go to www.linkedin.com/in/michael-d-ham.

“Every building holds a narrative, the story of the house and those who live in it. This is where I find the inspiration and the purpose behind my architectural design work,” says Alison Strickland (B.Arch MRAIC), Founder & Design Director of Narratif Design based in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. In this episode, we discuss what she calls the 'story of your space" and the five values that underpin each project, as well as her view on tech and what clients are looking for. Get to know Alison Strickland in this fun and inspiring episode of Connecting Tech+Design! Learn more about Narratif Design by visiting www.narratif.ca.

CEDIA Expo is the annual gathering of the residential technology community brands, integration firms, associations, and those who support the industry. This trade-only event takes place this week in Dallas, TX. Tune in to hear what the residential audiovisual industry is eager to see, learn, do, eat & drink this week, what they have their eyes on, and where they're planning to spend their time during CEDIA Expo. Take notes, there's a lot of great info shared in this episode! 

Savant's smart living showcase, referred to as Vegas Modern 001, was brought to life in partnership with Las Vegas-based design-led firm, Blue Heron, and technology integrator Eagle Sentry. The ultra-modern 15,000-square-foot home was designed with the latest technology advances, all brilliantly hidden in plain sight. Hear how it was done and learn about some of the home's finest features from Aaron Gutin, Specification Development Director at Savant Systems. Learn more about the project by visiting https://www.savant.com/node/3716110.

Concealing tech is easy when the right products are used. Learn how easy it is with Wall-Smart, whose products enable a clean look that lets design aesthetics remain at the forefront. Visit www.wall-smart.com to see the company's full lineup and how to become a brand partner.

KBIS 2022, part of Design & Construction Week, had record attendance. Hear about touchless tech, voice control, and other hot trends, new products that stood out, some of the talks that took place and everything else that contributed to the show's success from Chelsie Butler, Executive Editor, Kitchen & Bath Business Magazine.

Josh is a voice-controlled automation system that was borne from the notion that your home should inspire, embolden, and delight you and the people around you. Utilizing advanced AI technologies, including natural interfaces like voice and touch, Josh orchestrates the technology in all aspects of your home to deliver an exciting and effortless living experience. Fun, functional, and enjoyable, Josh offers uncompromising privacy and is like no other brand on the market today. Hear what that means and learn how to connect with this future-thinking brand in this episode of Connecting Tech+Design.

The annual gathering of the design-build-construct industries is back! Veronika Miller, CEO of Modenus Media and Host of Design Uncut walks us through the talks, panel sessions, and DMMtalks Lounge discussions taking place during KBIS, and host Katye McGregor Bennett shares what's happening during IBS, both collectively known as Design & Construction Week, taking place in Orlando, FL in February 2022. Tune in and see what the pros will be talking about, the types of products brands will be showing, and how influencers are likely going to promote it all.

Chef Nick, as he's known in the Napa, CA food world, shares a few Thanksgiving feast hacks, some of his favorite holiday traditions, and ways to simplify the often-arduous meal. Ever Weber-grilled your bird for the big day? Nick walks us through it, step-by-step. We also discuss sous vide cooking and what makes it such a great option (especially when oven space is at a premium). Download, tune in, and enjoy. Bon Apetít, foodies and technicurians!

What exactly is a high-performance home? Chris Laumer-Giddens of Atlanta, GA-based Architecture & Design firm LG Squared talks about high performance and off-grid homes and what it takes to make a home more efficient, no matter how old (or new) it is. We also talk about the term "high performance" and the different meanings as it relates to home construction, home technology, materials, surfaces, and more. Chris also shares details of the "Leakiest house ever tested" project, a 1920's era home that's being renovated with the hopes of achieving Passive House Certification. Hosted by Katye McGregor Bennett. 

Ramsin Khachi, principal of KHACHI Design + Build, designer & custom home builder, and host of the YouTube series Bespoke in the Burbs shares some of his favorite finds for fabulous outdoor entertaining environments and ways homeowners and design-build pros can create an outdoor living space unlike any other. Grab your notebook and get ready to write. We're talking about furniture and fixtures, kitchens and dining areas, fireplaces, shading systems, how to get great audio and video in the backyard, a smart umbrella that follows the sun, and even a pool floor that can be raised and lowered. There’s a TON of great info being shared in this episode that you'll definitely want to learn more about! Learn more about KHACHI Design+Build here: https://khachi.com/

Is there a correlation between interior design and emotional wellness? You bet there is! Laura Muller, CEO of Four Point Design Build, Inc. shares some of her professional and personal experiences as well as some fascinating examples of what works, why, and ways the design-build and tech integration communities can bring greater awareness to the true and vital value of designing for mental and emotional wellness.

Josh.ai CEO Alex Capecelatro shares details about Nano, the world's first Architectural Microphone, and Josh Core, an elegantly designed server that acts as the central brain for this truly remarkable voice-automated home technology ecosystem. This changes the voice control and automation game entirely and offers a fun way to interact with your home, in a manner that's safe, secure, and maintains your privacy. Tune in to learn about this fascinating new tech offering.

Smart Women, Smart Homes, Smart Design Panel Session revisited. Hear how three women working in the design-build, technology integration, and luxury integration fields have risen in the ranks and how their careers evolved, how technology plays a role in the lives of their customers and what some of the leading trends in luxury residential design are. Jennifer Convy co-moderates, and shares tips for making the best impression on camera in this now-normal world filled with video calls, webcasts, and online everything. Download, tune-in, and share thoughts! #avtweeps #kmbpodcasts

People are spending time at home now more than ever and as they do, they're finding they want a better entertainment environment, they want to control light, and they want to take advantage of the outdoors — which can easily be accommodated with smart shades and projection screens made for indoor & outdoor use. SI shares ways integration and design pros are utilizing these products to provide clients with the solutions they need and the inspiration to do more down the road. With weekly training sessions being offered that provide everything one needs to know to succeed in these burgeoning categories and attendance topping 300+ a week, it's clear the integration and design communities want to lean-in and learn more. Download, tune-in, listen, and see what the buzz is all about! #avtweeps #kmbpodcasts @CEDIA @NKBA @HTACertified #connectingtandd #themoreyouknow #intelligenthomes #smarthome #interiordesign #smartshades #bigscreenexperience #connectingtechanddesign

Katye chats with Laurence Carr of Laurence Carr Design, NYC. The episode kicks-off with a chat about human-centric design, wellness, and how e-Design is booming and goes on to explore the timing of each trade's involvement in projects, how interior designers and architects define their role and scope of work, and how they typically involve technology integration pros. Download, tune-in, listen, and learn! #avtweeps #kmbpodcasts @CEDIA @NKBA @HTACertified #connectingtandd #themoreyouknow #connectedkitchens #connectedbath #smarthome #interiordesign #architecture #connectingtechanddesign

A fun chat about KBIS 2020, where tech made an appearance or was the centerpiece, and the type of connected kitchen and bath experiences and environments homeowners are looking for in 2020 and beyond. Guests talk about trends, what they saw at KBIS, and how they experienced the show through social media. Designers, architects, manufacturers, and the AV integration community, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Download, tune-in, listen, and learn! #avtweeps #kmbpodcasts @CEDIA @NKBA #connectingtandd #themoreyouknow @kbis2020 #ibs2020 #connectedkitchens #connectedbath #smarthome

Special mashup show combining CEDIA Podcast hosts Ed Wenck and Walt Zerbe, KB Talks substitute-host Molly Switzer, AV Trade Talk and Connecting Tech + Design host Katye (McGregor) Bennett, with special guests integrators Joe Whitaker of Thoughtful Integrations and Gordon Van Zuiden of cyberManor talking connected homes, energy management, human centric lighting, security, AI, machine learning, and how it's all coming together in the modern home by way of tech integrators, interior designers, architects, and adjacent trades. Download, tune-in, and listen! #avtweeps #cediaexpo #kmbpodcasts @CEDIA @CEDIAExpo @KMBTalks @NKBA @ConnectingTandD @AVTradeTalk

Mark Coxon is not only a veteran of the AV industry but an approachable, knowledgeable, skilled salesperson with some great insights for AV integrators, designers, and architects to consider when selling tech or integrating it into their designs. Fantastic suggestions provided throughout the conversation, so bring a notepad and grab some great takeaways. Download, tune-in, and get your learn on!

It's been 2 years since Emerald Expositions acquired CEDIA Expo and much has changed or evolved, as Brian Pagel, Executive Vice President of Emerald Expositions discusses with Katye in this episode. From the Design + Connection pavilion and tour, to the Smart Stage sessions like TechBites and TechStarters, plus a convention center full of the most compelling residential tech you'll find, CEDIA Expo never disappoints. Download, tune-in, and listen, especially if you plan to attend CEDIA Expo or are considering it! #avtweeps #cediaexpo #kmbpodcasts @CEDIA @CEDIAExpo

Instead of bridging the gap between design and technology Séura is focused on eliminating it, both indoors and out. In this episode Katye talks with Tony Blodgett, sales manager for Séura, about outdoor AV and how to optimize the entertainment experience. Tune-in and learn how Séura is working to find the perfect harmony of design and technology in every product and project so that every individual gets the most from every space they are in. Learn more about Séura here: https://www.seura.com/.

Buffalo, NY-area's Southtown Audio Video approaches commercial & residential tech integration with a straight-forward, consultative approach. In this episode Katye talks with owner Heather Sidorowicz about this, what she recommends and what she was eager to see during InfoComm 2019, where this podcast was recorded. Heather also talks about her role on the CEDIA Board of Directors and offers some suggestions for women coming into or already part of the audio-visual industry (currently and historically very heavily male-dominated). Many thanks and huge hugs to Starin Marketing and Chris Neto for inviting us to be part of BASE CAMP, where indie podcasts like Connecting Tech + Design were provided a station to record episodes like this one.

Episode 6: Kim Spencer and Sam Nord of Listen Technologies share what's new in the Pro AV space and the attractions, venues, and hospitality markets and ways Listen Tech's offering has evolved to meet the needs of both facilities managers and guests, fans, and attendees. Sam and Kim also talk about Listen's recent product introductions and enhancements and what attendees of InfoComm 2019 can expect to see or experience in booth 6153.

Episode 4: Discussing Portland, OR interior designer Molly Switzer's recent smart Home projects and how she's working with tech integrators to achieve the client's vision as well as tech trends in the kitchen and bath and how that's now driving more whole-home focus for her as a designer.

Episode 5: Discussion about modern modular design with Danny Forster, designer, television host, film and television producer, director, professor, and speaker.

Episode 3: Guests: Ryan Herd, Joe Whitaker, Toni Sabatino, Molly Switzer, Robin Fisher, David Van Wert

Episode 2: Discussing how voice control, automation, and AI interact, how homes are made better and more entertaining, a round table w/ Robin Fisher, Alex Capecelatro, Chris Smith and Bruce of Cloud9 Smart.

Intro & Preview episode discussing how we live and work at the intersection of tech and design and therefore, why we're launching Connecting Tech + Design. Guest (and show inspiration) Toni Sabatino of Toni Sabatino Style in NYC shares a little bit about herself, her work, and types of projects she typically is involved with, and her role as President of the NKBA Manhattan chapter. Oh, and there's talk about the CEDIA Design Connection Tour, too, which you won't want to miss!