Crestron Electronics, a worldwide industry leader in both the commercial and residential smart technology space, has opened a dramatic and dynamic new Crestron Experience Center (CEC) in the heart of Manhattan at 200 Lexington Avenue in the renowned New York Design Center. A grand opening ceremony was held with the media, customers, integrators and other special guests on Tuesday, October 15th, previewing the space which offers visitors an expansive roster of “hands-on” experiences and even includes a “workshop” for true first-person experiences where visitors can – among other things – discover new possibilities they didn’t know existed.
See more on this all-new flagship Crestron Experience Center in Manhattan
This all-new Crestron Experience Center offers a clever blend of displays for both the commercial and residential sides of their business. I’m a big fan of experience centers as there is no better way to give clients or potential clients the experience of interacting with complete systems installed in environments that are much like those in which the client intends to use them.
I recently told you about a significantly redesigned Crestron Experience Center at the company’s headquarters in Rockleigh, NJ which contained a complete Crestron Home OS 4 system installed in a apartment environment like those in Manhattan, that allows a visitor to have a direct experience with all that OS 4 brings to their homes. The fully integrated installation demo’d copious entertainment options, HVAC systems control, a wide range of lighting options, motorized shades for natural light control, room-to-room communications, and more.
A Wide Variety of Spaces and Technologies
This new flagship CEC in Manhattan goes even further with a greater variety of setups. As integrators well know, in initial discussions with clients, asking them what they want doesn’t really work. The client just doesn’t know what the possibilities are. But walk them through a complete experience center showcasing a wide variety of spaces and allowing them to interact with the gear – now they have a much better idea of what the available options are, and which of those best meets their needs and desires.
In designing this particular experience center, Crestron took extra care to make the systems shown in various layouts here more engaging and inviting. It’s not a “Look, but don’t touch” kind of space…more like a “Feel free to touch, please!” kind of space.
An Interactive Journey
The company calls this CEC “…more than just a showroom; it’s an interactive journey…” And they weren’t exaggerating. As you walk through the space, all keypads, touchpanels, and remotes are fully operable. Video and audio sources are available throughout the space – both on the residential side and the commercial side. It was like being a kid in a candy store!
Beyond just a new location, the Crestron Experience Center represents an investment in our partners and customers, offering them the opportunity to engage directly with our solutions, explore new innovations, and collaborate to solve real-life challenges. This center provides an unparalleled platform for visitors to experience Crestron’s capabilities and inspire new possibilities to drive their success and their growth in the rapidly evolving markets.
Brad Hintze, Crestron Executive Vice President of Global Marketing
Familiar Spaces with a Beyond-All-Expectations Twist
The design is both clever and intuitive, with dedicated spaces that visitors will be familiar with, but with a beyond-all-expectations twist thanks to the application of Crestron’s innovative technologies. So scenarios such as huddle spaces and conference rooms – and even a fully equipped modern Manhattan-style apartment space – are all turned into so much more, by Crestron technology.
Visitors will receive personalized tours which will offer deeper insights into how Crestron’s capabilities greatly empower the use cases on display. For example, sure to be a visitor favorite is a massive 11-foot video wall that is powered by Crestron’s popular DM NVX AV-over-IP platform. Visitors will be able to instantly recognize how this system renders the space perfect for presentations, product launches, and yes, even industry gatherings.
Resi & Commercial Integrators Can See The Other Side
Integrators who visit this Flagship CEC will also get an opportunity to see the company’s technologies from the other side of their business. So, for example, residential integrators can see an impressive array of the company’s powerhouse commercial products, which just might be the ticket for that light commercial installation they have coming up. And of course, vice versa for those commercial integrators whose client CEO – delighted at a completed boardroom installation – asked the integrator to quote on an easy-to-operate whole home AV system for their residence.
Here’s something particularly cool – this CEC includes a workshop…a literal workshop…where visitors can go hands-on with Crestron technologies to set up a system, test different configurations, and discover new possibilities. They’ll even have the opportunity to try out products that are in beta and not released yet.
Crestron Commerical Prowess on Full Display
And while I’ve focused more on the residential side, Crestron’s commercial prowess will be on full display as well. A leader in unified communications, the popular Crestron Flex videoconferencing system and 1 Beyond intelligent video solutions will be on full display. For years, Crestron has focused on creating technology tools that empower businesses with more effective meetings, better productivity, and enhanced teamwork. And speaking of teamwork, the company’s tools enable seamless integration with leading collaboration platforms for more engaging meetings.
Visitors will also experience Crestron’s AirMedia wireless presentation and conferencing solutions that elegantly enable wireless collaboration. And as I mentioned above, the company’s popular DM NVX AV-over-IP solution, famous for delivering high-performance AV anywhere you need it with rock-solid reliability will be a central feature in the CEC.
Crestron Home OS Smart Home Solutions are Highlighted
The company has made a serious commitment to residential as well, and its Crestron Home OS 4 will be on display for visitors to experience simple, solid, scalable, smart home solutions for any size home – from tiny homes to mega castles.
Our global experience centers have long been an important pillar of our business and are key locations for offering hands-on interactions. This New York City location is a testament to our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences and continuing to push the boundaries of what we can offer. We want our clients to see firsthand how Crestron solutions can transform their spaces and enhance their lives
Brad Hintze
See the Crestron Experience Center by Yourself and With Your Clients
The Crestron Experience Center at the New York Design Center is open to the public by appointment. To schedule an appointment, reach out to the company at this link…
Learn more about Crestron at crestron.com.
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