What Commercial Integrator does

Commercial Integrator is a B2B trade media brand serving the commercial audiovisual (AV) integration industry. It is owned and operated by Emerald X, LLC, a diversified B2B media company, and operates as part of the Emerald Media Network alongside sister publication Security Sales & Integration. The publication's core product is the commercialintegrator.com editorial website, organized into topic-driven verticals (News, Insights, Projects, Videos, Podcasts, Sponsored Content) and supplemented by a Resources hub containing gated Deep Dive reports (covering DVLED, AVoIP, Broadcast AV, Digital Signage, UCC, Emergency Communications, Retail, Software & Business Resources), White Papers, Webinars, a Nxtbook-hosted digital flipbook edition, and an annual State of the Industry report produced in partnership with NSCA. Supporting programming includes the Inside Buzz podcast series, multiple annual awards programs (BEST Awards, Integration Awards, TNT Awards, 40 Under 40, AV Living Legends, Quest for Quality, Make a Difference, IoT/Connected Product Awards), and the Commercial Integrator Expo (CIX) co-produced with CEDIA Expo, which features Smart Stage programming, PitchFest, keynotes, and a multi-city rotation starting in Denver in 2026.

The business model is a diversified B2B media revenue stack. Primary revenue comes from advertising and sponsorships, including display advertising, the 34-sponsor InfoComm 2026 Spotlight Sponsor program, sponsored content, and event sponsorships sold to AV manufacturers, distributors, and service providers. Secondary streams include a paid digital subscription funnel routed through Emerald X Dragon Forms, exhibitor and sponsor revenue from the CIX trade show, and content licensing through the Emerald X media network (evgmedia.com/ci). Pricing is quote-based for advertising and event sponsorships, while subscription pricing is undisclosed but billed annually. Go-to-market is community-led: the publication grows audience and advertiser relationships through editorial content, awards programs that double as peer recognition, podcast and webinar programming, and recurring live event coverage (CEDIA Expo/CIX, InfoComm, ISE, NSCA BLC, Total Tech Summit, SAVe Conference).

Commercial Integrator serves three primary stakeholder groups. The core audience is commercial AV integrators, design-build firms, and systems contractors who design and install AV systems for end customers across corporate, education, government, hospitality, retail, healthcare, houses of worship, and venue markets. A secondary segment is AV manufacturers, distributors, and vendors (e.g., Shure, Sennheiser, Barco, Biamp, Christie, Yamaha, NETGEAR, Planar, ADI, Midwich, Wesco/Liberty, Yealink, AtlasIED, Audio-Technica, Panasonic, Lightware, MAXHUB, Sharp) that advertise and sponsor content, awards, and events to reach integrator buyers. A tertiary segment comprises industry associations and analyst firms (AVIXA, NSCA, CEDIA, IMCCA, PSNI Global Alliance, WAVIT) that co-produce awards, certifications, and research. The publication's editorial team, led by Group Editor Dan Ferrisi (overseeing both Commercial and Security titles), is based in Framingham, Massachusetts, with customer service operations in Lincolnshire, Illinois.

Name

Commercial Integrator

Legal name

Emerald X, LLC

Website

https://commercialintegrator.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Commercial Integrator is a B2B trade media brand owned by Emerald X, LLC that delivers news, deep-dive research, podcasts, awards programs, and the CIX trade show to the commercial audiovisual integration industry, serving AV integrators, manufacturers, distributors, and industry associations globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Media / B2B Publishing

NAICS

Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Conferences & Conventions Operations Services (Registration, AV, Logistics) (MPAGAGAM)

Keywords

• B2B trade media
• Commercial AV integration
• Pro AV news
• Industry awards programs
• Trade show publishing

Headquarters

HQ city

Framingham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Advertising & Sponsorships: Display advertising, InfoComm 2026 Spotlight Sponsorships, and other paid placements sold to AV manufacturers, distributors, and service providers (over 30 named sponsors in the 2026 spotlight).
2. Media Kit & Editorial Calendar: Lead-generation media kit and editorial calendar gated behind a form download, used to support advertising sales.
3. Paid Subscription: Paid digital subscription funnel via the Emerald X Dragon Forms Subscribe URL for the publication.
4. Events / Trade Shows: Revenue from co-producing the Commercial Integrator Expo (CIX) co-located with CEDIA Expo, including exhibitor and sponsor fees.
5. Sponsored Content & Licensing: Dedicated Sponsored Content section plus content licensing through Emerald X (evgmedia.com/ci).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Commercial Integrator is a B2B trade media brand that publishes editorial content, news, deep-dive industry reports, podcasts, webinars, and awards programs covering the commercial audiovisual (AV) integration industry. It also co-produces the Commercial Integrator Expo (CIX) trade show alongside CEDIA Expo and sells advertising, sponsorships, and media-kit services to AV manufacturers, distributors, and integrators.

Product overview

Commercial Integrator is a B2B trade media brand — not a single unified software product — operated as a platform-plus-modules architecture by Emerald X, LLC. Its core offering is the editorial website at commercialintegrator.com, organized into topic-driven content verticals (News, Insights, Podcasts, Videos, Projects, Sponsored Content) and supported by a Resources hub containing Deep Dives, White Papers, Webinars, the Digital Edition, and the State of the Industry report. Adjacent offerings include the annual Awards programs (BEST, Integration, TNT, IoT/Connected Product, Make a Difference, Quest for Quality), the Commercial Integrator Expo (CIX) live event co-located with CEDIA Expo, advertising/media-kit services, Newsletters, and a partnership link-out to the AV-iQ product directory.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Commercial Integrator Expo (CIX): Co-located pro-AV trade show event held alongside CEDIA Expo, produced in partnership with Emerald X.
• AV Living Legends
• BEST Awards
• Integration Awards
• 40 Under 40
• Inside Buzz
• #HealthyAV
• #HerAVStory
• #MyAVJourney

Products and services

• News Daily news coverage of the commercial AV integration industry, including product launches, M&A, personnel moves, and event reporting for commercial AV integrators and vendors.
• Insights Long-form analysis, opinion pieces, executive interviews, and trend commentary targeted at AV integrators and technology decision-makers.
• Resources / Deep Dives Original research reports and deep-dive surveys covering AV-over-IP, DVLED, broadcast AV, emergency communications, retail, software/business resources, UCC, sound masking, performance audio, command-and-control, esports, and digital signage, used as gated lead-generation assets.
• Webinars Educational webinars covering commercial audio, AI in AV, digital signage business building, NSCA BLC takeaways, and AI-powered workplace topics for commercial AV integrators and vendors.
• Digital Edition Digital flipbook edition of the Commercial Integrator magazine, hosted on the Nxtbook platform and co-branded with Security Sales.
• State of the Industry Annual state-of-the-industry benchmark published in partnership with NSCA, examining revenue trends, economic shifts, and technological evolution in commercial AV.
• Podcasts (Inside Buzz) Ongoing podcast series featuring conversations with AV industry executives on topics ranging from lighting control and pro AV distribution to leadership and AV design.
• Awards Programs (BEST, Integration, TNT, IoT/Connected Product, Make a Difference, Quest for Quality) Multiple annual awards recognizing AV products, integration projects, new technology, IoT/connected products, philanthropic efforts, and supplier service quality in the commercial AV industry.
• Projects Showcase Editorial coverage of notable commercial AV integration installations across venues including houses of worship, retail, hospitality, transportation, education, corporate, and entertainment.
• Videos Video editorial including sponsored interviews, product hands-on reviews, and event coverage such as ISE, InfoComm, and CEDIA Expo/CIX.
• Sponsored Content Vendor-produced and editorially reviewed paid content covering product news, show previews, and integrator enablement from across the pro AV industry.
• Newsletters Email newsletters delivering curated AV industry news, insights, and product updates to subscribers.
• Commercial Integrator Expo (CIX) Annual trade show co-located with CEDIA Expo, featuring a Smart Stage, PitchFest, education tracks, IMCCA unified-communications programming, and a multi-city rotation beginning in Denver in 2026.
• Advertising / Media Kit B2B media sales offerings providing advertisers access to the commercial integration audience via the website, newsletters, webinars, awards, and the Commercial Integrator Expo.

Named customers35 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record.

• CEDIAStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-produces the CEDIA Expo / Commercial Integrator Expo (CIX) trade show, the flagship in-person event for the commercial and residential AV integration industries. The 2026 edition is in Denver with new multi-city rotation strategy announced for future years, and the show features Smart Stage programming, PitchFest, Battle of the Bands, keynotes, and security solutions showcase.
• Emerald X, LLCStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company of Commercial Integrator. The 2026 copyright is held by Emerald X, LLC, and the publication operates as part of the Emerald Media Network alongside sister title Security Sales & Integration. Emerald X also runs authorized service providers, the Emerald code of conduct, careers, and content licensing (evgmedia.com/ci).
• NSCA (National Systems Contractors Association)Strategic or Co-development PartnerCo-administers the Integrator of the Year awards program with Commercial Integrator and Security Sales & Integration; partners on the State of the Industry report, the biannual Compensation & Benefits Survey/Report, the NSCA Ignite internship program, and the BLC conference.
• AVIXAStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association partnership covering InfoComm 2026 and ISE event programming, IOTA market reports, AVIXA-accredited training modules (Lindy Academy), and the 529 plan expansion that covers AVIXA certification costs.
• IMCCAStrategic or Co-development PartnerInteractive Multimedia & Collaborative Communications Alliance; partnership to strengthen unified communications programming at CIX (formerly Commercial Integrator Expo) and Smart Stage content.
• PSNI Global AllianceStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred Vendor Partner program coverage, PSNI Quality Cup Award winners, and 2026 PSNI Board of Directors announcements (marking 40 years at ISE 2026).
• WAVIT (Women in AV/IT)GTM or Marketing PartnerEditorial coverage of WAVIT board expansion, Mary Cook Empowerment Scholarship, and #HerAVStory series.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• AVIXA: Industry trade association for the pro AV industry that produces InfoComm and publishes market research (IOTA). A partner but also a competitor for audience attention, original research, and AV vendor mindshare.
• NSCA (National Systems Contractors Association): Trade association for commercial AV integrators that produces the State of the Industry report, BLC conference, and Ignite program. Co-partner with Commercial Integrator but also an independent content and event producer.

Direct peers

• Sound & Communications: B2B trade publication serving the commercial audio, AV, and systems integration industry. Competes for editorial attention, integrator mindshare, and audio manufacturer advertising spend.
• rAVe Publications: B2B trade media covering the commercial and residential AV industry with news, videos, and podcasts. Direct competitor to Commercial Integrator for AV integrator audience and AV vendor advertising dollars.
• Security Sales & Integration: Sister publication under the Emerald X media network, co-branded with Commercial Integrator in the digital edition. Adjacent vertical (security integration) with shared editorial, awards, and Integrator of the Year programs.
• AV Technology / AVNetwork: B2B media brand covering AV in education, corporate, and government verticals, with overlapping advertiser base of AV manufacturers, integrators, and IT/UC vendors.
• Systems Contractor News (SCN): Long-running AV trade publication covering commercial AV installation and integration, targeting the same integrator and installer readership as Commercial Integrator with overlapping advertiser base.

Emerging players

• ProSound News: B2B trade publication covering professional audio with audience overlap in pro AV installation. Comparable in advertiser base (audio manufacturers) but narrower in editorial scope than Commercial Integrator.

Regional players

• Installation Magazine: EMEA-focused B2B publication covering AV and systems integration. Comparable in editorial scope but serves a primarily European integrator audience distinct from Commercial Integrator's North America core.

Others

• AV-iQ: Product catalog directory for the pro AV industry, surfaced directly in Commercial Integrator's navigation. Adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a direct editorial competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/commintegrator
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/commintegrator
• Facebookfacebook.com/commintegrator
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/commercial-integrator

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Commercial Integrator