INDIANAPOLIS —
Capitol, a CE distributor for residential
systems, light commercial contractors, retailers
and premium incentive resellers, is urging attendees at
this week’s CEDIA Expo to expand into the light commercial
marketplace.
“Throughout all the market changes, light commercial
has maintained steady growth in recent years, with
a strong emphasis on opportunities in A/V conferencing,
digital signage and architectural audio,” said Jeff
Kussard, Capitol’s strategic development director.
“Without belaboring the point, the residential market
will continue to be a challenge for residential pros who
previously specialized in new housing starts, which is
precisely why Capitol has been and will continue to be
bullish about helping our customers intensify their business
in the light commercial channel,” Kussard said.
Capitol said its 2011 CEDIA Expo booth is dedicating
ample real estate to products that are geared to
both the residential and light commercial markets, with
an emphasis on technologies that solve installation
challenges on a variety of projects. Included in the mix
are products that represent the cutting edge in business
communications technologies supporting VoIP
and HD video conferencing, security, sound masking,
networking, digital signage and more.
Capitol is playing a prominent role in the CEDIA
education program as well, with four courses that are
designed to help residential specialists make a smooth
and profitable transition into light commercial. Taught by industry veteran and certified CEDIA instructor Mike
Marko, all four of Capitol’s CEDIA courses carry a CEU
credit value of 0.75, and Capitol will award a free Toshiba
Thrive tablet PC to one lucky attendee. Included will
be courses on IP Network Cameras and Surveillance
(Sept. 9, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., CEU Value: 0.75), Digital
Signage and Video Conferencing (Sept. 9, 12 p.m.
to 1:30 p.m., CEU Value: 0.75), Commercial Audio and
70 Volt Systems (Sept. 9, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., CEU
Value: 0.75), and Phone Systems–Digital and IP Based
(Sept. 9, 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., CEU Value: 0.75).
Kussard added that far from being a momentary diversion
until the residential market rebounds to pre-2008
levels, the move toward light commercial is a necessary
and permanent measure for any residential specialist
who plans to remain profitable in the coming years.
