In 2000, Jason Knott joined EH Publishing as Editor-in-Chief of CE Pro. Throughout the past 20 years, he has helped the publication to become the leading information resource for the smart home integration industry.
Knott is now Chief Content Officer for Emerald’s Connected Brands and works together with the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)® on its Mark of Excellence Awards program.
To recognize his contributions and accomplishments to the industry, CTA’s Smart Home Division has selected Knott as the winner of the 2021 Smart Home Leadership Award.
In a chat with CTA, Knott reflects on winning this year’s Smart Home Leadership Award and discusses the future of the smart home industry.
By far, I am most proud of the contributions I have been able to make over the past 30 years to help integration companies run their businesses more successfully. Some examples of that would be:
• Educating integrators on potential new avenues of income, such as recurring monthly revenue through service agreements or security monitoring.
• Introducing dealers to new manufacturers and new categories of equipment, such as wellness, indoor air quality monitoring/filtering, video surveillance, energy storage, cellphone signal boosters, etc.
• Acting as a conduit to connect dealers together in peer-to-peer relationships where they can share ideas.
• Working with organizations like the CTA to help foster recognition for the smart home industry.
The entrepreneurial spirit of the integration community is invigorating. When I encounter a dealer who says, “I read about that in CE Pro and it has helped my business,” that makes me feel like a million bucks!
At its heart, CE Pro is a business resource, not a technology publication or website. Our mission is “to help you run your business better” and we have stayed true to that mission.
I believe the smart home industry will be ubiquitous in nearly every home. The market will continue to grow, both in terms of the Internet of Things (IoT) and DIY, and in terms of high-end professional installation. The companies that ultimately succeed will be those that adapt to the constantly changing environment of technology.
I have to credit the entire team at CE Pro for this recognition, both past and present. This accolade would not be possible without key contributions from Julie Jacobson and Ken Moyes at EH Publishing. Today, my cohorts Arlen Schweiger, Bob Archer, Andrew Nichols, Katie Stockham and Graeme Burke, as well the entire staff, are invaluable to our success.
I want to thank CTA personally for this honor. Working with the association’s team for the past 20 years on the Mark of Excellence Awards has been great.
Each year, CTA presents the award to an individual who has made significant contributions to the growth and success of the smart home industry and shows continued dedication and service to the consumer tech industry.