In early February, Jamie Briesemeister, Co-Founder and CEO of Integration Controls, headed to Orlando to see what Design & Construction Week–a combination of the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS 2022) and the International Builders Show (IBS 2022)—had to offer. Aside from inspiring and educating builders and kitchen & bath designers, she wanted practical concepts for our local clients here in St. Louis, Missouri, and the surrounding areas.

She sought products and initiatives that combine the best of smart home technology and design, and ones that were not just ideas but can actually be used in projects today for our St. Louis homeowners / clientele.

Without further ado, here is Jamie’s Design & Construction Week roundup of news and views from the shows. (See a complete slideshow of this exciting week on Facebook.)

Small Business Saturday is a retail event that occurs in November and was initially created (by American Express) to encourage consumers to shop locally, in person and online, at small businesses. It’s a great opportunity for small businesses to increase sales during the holiday shopping season as they compete with companies like Amazon or Walmart. Plus, it reminds people of the benefits of shopping local, such as keeping your money invested in the community, creating a personal connection to local businesses, delivering enhanced expertise and service, and helping you find those unique and diverse products and services for the very best gift—even for the quirkiest folks on your list. 

Small Business Saturday is more than an event, however, it’s a mindset we can all enjoy year-round! So avoid the lines and shipping delays this holiday season and give your loved ones an experience to remember...one that will last long after the thrill of the season is over. 

Technological enhancements to the home not only bring beauty, they also bring convenience and a better quality of life, almost magically.

What kind of magic can we provide?  Here are three examples for smart-home gifting this holiday season:

Every industry has its share of certifications. In our industry, we have them for best of class installation, building networks, designing acoustically-accurate rooms and home theaters, and more. While these certifications typically stay with an individual, until recently, there hasn't been a certification for an entire company.

Enter the Home Technology Association, or HTA.

This Home Technology Association certification is no quick or easy thing to attain. It's arduous. It involves a deep dive into design practices, implementation, insurance, service policies, employment manuals, and overall -- how business is conducted. In fact, HTA-certified home technology professionals have a seal of approval that is in many ways much more significant than a Better Business Bureau "A+" rating -- although that's important too. The Home Technology Association fact checks every response and piece of information a prospective dealer submits when seeking certification, so that when a business carries that designation, you can be sure it's well-deserved and hard-earned.

We know technology can be confusing and, since 2004, we have been here to simplify technology in your homes and businesses.  This holiday season, let us also simplify gift-giving with these top five technologies that are easy to give, implement, and expand upon.  Want a holiday tech item that won't be obsolete as soon as it's installed?  These functional gifts will also stand the test of time while making life easy and fun.