TechTalk: Technology + Design-Build Teams = Winning!

Second annual CEDIA TechTalk sponsored by Women in Consumer Technology

When: Thursday, September 12 at 3:00 pm – 3:50 pm

Where: CEDIA EXPO, Denver Convention Center, Smart Stage

Moderated by: Danielle Karr, Architect & Designer Program Manager, Control4

WiCT strongly believes in supporting the intersection of the design-build community with the CEDIA channel, which is why we are hosting a special TechTalk panel that will provide a boots-on-the-ground conversation about how designers, architects, and builders can successfully work together with an integrator on a project. We feel strongly that the recipe for success comes from collaboration on every project between established teams that include professionals from each discipline including the architect, builder, interior designer, landscape designer, lighting designer and the technology designer, and this panel will explore how to win with this collaboration.

Moderator: Danielle Karr

Designer and Architect Program Manager

Danielle is the Designer and Architect Program Manager as well as the Certified Showroom Program Specialist at Control4, where she connects with interior designers and architects to explore and shape the future of smart home and the professional design industry. An experienced marketing strategist, copywriter, and editor, Danielle supports the design industry in smart home education and events, the Control4 Certified Showroom partners, channel initiatives, and brand marketing.

Stace McGee

Principal at Environmental Dynamics, Inc

Stace McGee has been helping clients design their dream buildings for 20 years.  Integrating systems to ensure that buildings perform to their maximum potential saves his clients’ money and reduces their environmental footprint. Stace’s passion for residential architecture is realized through the design of sustainable custom home and multi-family buildings.

Sara Gutterman

Green Builder Media, Co-Founder & CEO

Sara is the Co-Founder and CEO of Green Builder® Media, the leading media company in North America focused on green building and sustainable living.  With a comprehensive suite of print and digital media solutions, demonstration projects, case studies, online training, and live events, and market intelligence services, Green Builder Media assists building professionals in preparing themselves for the evolving green economy and helps homeowners understand how to live more sustainably.

Joe Whitaker

Founder, Inventor, Designer, Integrator, Entrepreneur, Freelance Writer, CEDIA Board Member

Joe Whitaker has 20 years of experience in the Custom Systems Integration and Design Industry. As one of the most proactive members of the CEDIA Community and Control4 tech community, Joe continues to design and implement amazing solutions while contributing to the consumer knowledgebase and writing for CE Pro, Electronic House, and TecHome Builder. Joe hosted and assisted in the development of the first Design Connection Tours at CEDIA EXPO 2018 and has been a vocal proponent of the movement of Designers and Home Tech Pros working hand in hand. Joe has also helped in product development, creation, and preproduction testing with top manufacturers like Control4, Origin Acoustics, Tru Audio, NOON Home, Nexus21, Sony, Platinum Tools, Sanus, Nyne, Stealth Acoustics, Simply Reliable, VANCO, and many more.

Toni Sabatino

Designer, Owner, Toni Sabatino Style

An award-winning kitchen designer, Sabatino has designed residential and commercial projects on Long Island as well as in Brooklyn and Manhattan, and beyond New York’s borders to resort destinations including Vermont, Palm Beach and Las Vegas. Her style is a mix of high and low design elements, with a focus on distinctive details, large scale, rich colors and sophisticated patterns. Sabatino’s expertise goes beyond the kitchen and bath, working to create whole homes with a focus on lifestyle. As president of the Manhattan Chapter of NKBA for 2018-2019, the designer is displaying her skills as an industry leader.

Brian Pagel

Senior Vice President, Emerald Expositions

An industry veteran, Brian stated his career at Shore Varrone in 1998 and has worked in a variety of leadership roles with VNU, Nielsen Expositions and Emerald Expositions.  In his current role as Senior Vice President, Brian manages a growing portfolio of industry leading face to face events and media assets serving residential kitchen and bath design, custom electronics, gourmet pizza/pasta, paving and marine military spaces.  Brian has produced over 100 events in his career, successfully repositioned several struggling properties and was a part of the deal team that acquired CEDIA Expo in 2017 and EH Media in 2018.  In 2013 he championed an effort to co-locate KBIS with the International Builders Show (IBS), creating Design and Construction Week. Brian holds a degree in Organizational Communications from the University of Kansas and is an active volunteer with both the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) and the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE).  He is also a frequent industry speaker, blogger and guest columnist.