What does the current state of the integration sector really look like? In this session, Angela McDonald presents the latest Member Pulse and Sector Health Update, drawing on industry data and a pre-conference survey of members. The session will explore emerging trends, current challenges, and the issues integrators say are shaping their businesses right now. By combining survey insights with ongoing industry tracking, this update provides a practical snapshot of where the sector stands today—and the opportunities and priorities for the months ahead.

As homes become more connected and energy systems grow more complex, the skills required by installers and integrators are evolving. This session explores emerging VET pathways from traditional energy trades into smart home integration roles and examines how national training products are being redesigned to support these skills. The discussion will also look at workforce planning for the energy transition, what it means for integrators’ future roles, and how industry can help co-design training programs that better support smart home and energy technologies. Practical insights will also highlight how structured training can support safety, compliance, and quality as part of a broader business strategy.

Electronic Assistive Technology (EAT) brings together traditional environmental control systems with modern smart home technology to support people living with disabilities. This session explores the latest research into how technology is being used in real-world disability contexts, including adoption trends, barriers, and opportunities. Drawing on participatory research with people living with spinal cord injury, the presentation outlines co-designed principles for best practice and highlights the role integrators and suppliers can play in delivering solutions that enhance independence, functionality, and dignity. The session also looks ahead to how the industry can work more closely with people with disabilities and allied health professionals to create more inclusive technology solutions.

For decades, the Smart Home has been defined by what happens behind the walls and inside the rack. But as we approach 2026, the next frontier of integration isn’t just about the wires, it’s about who (or what) is pulling them. In this provocative and practical 45-minute session, Dr Stephen Hart challenges the displacement narrative by drawing on a career that has come full circle. Stephen began his journey on the shop floor as an Apprentice Telecommunications Technician with Telstra in the 1980s, where he managed largely autonomous electromechanical telephony systems. This unique background - combining early trade roots with a Doctor of Education and decades of executive leadership in organizational culture - provides a rare perspective on how humans interact with complex, autonomous machines. Drawing from his research at Roboethics, Stephen propositions that the future for CEDIA professionals is not a choice between human and machine, but a mastery…