Multiple sources over the last several weeks have reported that LG Electronics has decided not to exhibit at the upcoming 2025 CEDIA Expo, which begins in less than three weeks at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado. While many industry people appear to be aware of this fact, most have no idea why the leading TV maker has made this decision.
Learn more on LG bypassing the 2025 CEDIA Expo
LG Electronics, for many integrators a cornerstone TV brand renowned for its OLED technology, has decided not to exhibit at the 2025 CEDIA Expo. The “why” remains a bit of a mystery, but in a post on Facebook, Emerald’s CEDIA show manager Jason McGraw confirmed that LG is not exhibiting this year.
A quick look at the list of exhibitors confirms that LG does not have any booth space on the floor. The company does, however, have a meeting room at the show. This suggests that at least some of their executives will be attending the event…if not exhibiting.
LG Exec Would Neither Confirm Nor Deny
I reached out to a high-level LG executive about the situation. This executive would neither confirm nor deny the news that LG had pulled out of the show. He also demurred when asked to explain the company’s thinking around exhibiting at the event.
However, he did make a somewhat veiled reference to a group within the company looking at alternative exposition options. Whatever that means… Could they be planning on using the meeting room as an alternative exposition space? Perhaps allowing controlled access and only showing key dealers certain new products? This is all conjecture, but perhaps it could be what that hazy reference was alluding to.
Early in the Rumor Process
In the very early stages of the rumor, it was suggested that both LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics were exiting the show. But it turns out that Samsung is on the list of exhibitors scheduled to display at CEDIA Expo 2025. In fact, the listing shows them sharing the booth space with Harman Luxury Audio, which is almost comically highlighted, even though they’ve owned that division for years.
Integrators Speak Out About Expo on Facebook
In a long thread in the CEDIA Pros Group on Facebook, many integrators traded rumors and complained about the declining draw of CEDIA Expo, which was purchased by Emerald Expositions back in 2017. While McGraw would pop in from time to time to dispel rumors and suggest Emerald is taking actions to reinvigorate the show, it was clear there is some dissatisfaction among integrators.
What do you think? Do you think LG leaving the event is a sign of a weakening show? Or rather indicates waning interest in the custom integraton community? Or do you think CEDIA Expo is as strong as ever? Share your thoughts on this story in the Comment section below…
For More Information…
See more on LG Electronics by visiting lg.com.
Learn all about CEDIA Expo 2025 at cediaexpo.com.
“Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.” LG didn’t pull out, at least not recently. I’ve known they weren’t planning to attend for at least a month or longer. LG’s Home Appliance business was down over 25% YoY in Q2, compared to the rest of their US business segments which ALL grew YoY. Where there is smoke, there’s fire and this has nothing to do with CEDIA and the Expo itself, IMO.
LG is not a player in the integration side. For them not being is of zero consequence. Further proves it’s a Sony Samsung space. TCL can spend on a big booth. Integrators will not fall for a poor integration product. If they sell to the easy, least expensive dealer buyer so be it. The smart money follows Sony and Samsung. Both LG and TCL lose in the long run for top CEDIA profiled integrators. They know better.
Ted -. LG is participating as an exhibitor at CEDIA Expo/CIX 2025 and has a demo room at the convention center where they plan to show some of their latest displays.
Also for the record, Harman and Samsung have contracted for a shared exhibit space and did so last fall in preparation for this year’s show – that has been their plan all along.
I would like to encourage industry members with questions or concerns about the show to contact me directly at jason.mcgraw@emeraldx.com
350 exhibitors, CEDIA and Emerald are preparing for another terrific show in Denver next month and we look forward to seeing everyone there!
Thank you,
Jason
Jason McGraw
Group Vice President and Show Director
CEDIA Expo/CIX
Emerald
Thanks Jason,
I believe the LG “demo room” you refer to is the MR 210 room, is that correct?
See you at the show!
Ted
Ted,
I think its over on the High Performance Audio side which makes me believe its more of a display room than a meeting room.