Duncan Wardle to keynote CEDIA Expo 2026

By AI, Created 5:26 PM UTC, May 28, 2026, /AGP/ – CEDIA says former Disney innovation chief Duncan Wardle will headline CEDIA Expo 2026 on Sept. 2 in Denver. The talk is meant to give smart home pros practical ideas for creativity, collaboration and differentiation as AI and competition reshape the market.

Why it matters: - CEDIA is bringing in a speaker known for Disney’s innovation culture as smart home firms face faster technology shifts and tougher competition. - The keynote is aimed at helping integrators strengthen the human skills that can set them apart as AI expands. - CEDIA says the session will also connect directly to a Wednesday workshop for attendees who want to go deeper.

What happened: - CEDIA announced that former Disney executive Duncan Wardle will deliver the keynote for CEDIA Expo 2026. - The keynote is scheduled for Sept. 2 at 8 a.m. in the Mile High Ballroom. - CEDIA Expo 2026 is the annual event for the smart home and residential technology industry. - CEDIA Global President and CEO Daryl Friedman introduced the keynote as a fit for the association’s community.

The details: - Wardle previously served as Head of Innovation and Creativity at Disney. - During 25 years at Disney, Wardle worked with teams at Disney Parks, Lucasfilm, Marvel, Pixar, Imagineering and Animation. - CEDIA says Wardle will share tools and techniques for more creative project work, better collaboration and new opportunities in client interactions. - Wardle will also discuss design thinking principles tailored for CEDIA members. - Attendees can continue exploring those ideas during Wednesday’s CEDIA workshop. - Wardle now delivers keynotes, masterclasses and ideation forums around the world. - His work focuses on helping audiences find unlikely connections that lead to disruptive thinking and new ideas. - Wardle is a multiple TEDx speaker and has been featured in Fast Company, Forbes and Inc. - He teaches Innovation and Creativity Masterclasses at Harvard, Yale and Stanford. - Wardle holds the American Citizen Award presented at the White House, an Honours MBA and Honours Doctorate from Edinburgh University, and the Duke of Edinburgh Award presented by Queen Elizabeth. - More information is available at the CEDIA keynote page.

Between the lines: - CEDIA is framing the keynote around a broader industry question: how smart home professionals stay differentiated when technology alone is no longer enough. - The emphasis on storytelling, curiosity and intuition signals a message that creative and interpersonal skills are becoming more valuable alongside technical expertise. - The Disney connection gives CEDIA a recognizable example of innovation that members can translate into client-facing work.

What’s next: - CEDIA members can use the keynote and workshop to look for practical ways to improve project design, client communication and team collaboration. - CEDIA Expo 2026 will continue building out its programming ahead of the Sept. 2 keynote. - Wardle is expected to use the session to connect Disney-style innovation methods to the smart home market.