2012 NSCA Business & Leadership Conference to Be Held in Dallas, Texas
Aug 16, 2011 5:32 PM
Early Registration Discounts Available
NSCA will host its 14th annual Business & Leadership Conference (BLC), March 1-3, 2012, at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas in Dallas, Texas. Coming off it its most successful and largest event in 2011, attendees of the 2012 event will hear from leading experts to discuss factors affecting growth and profit to increase profitability.
The Four Seasons is home to a Tournament Players Club (TPC) golf course that hosts the HP Byron Nelson Championship – a PGA tour event. Just 20 minutes outside of downtown Dallas, the resort boasts a world-class spa in a serene setting. Convenient for attendees traveling from either coast or Canada, this year’s location provides a business setting prime for the essential component of the BLC: networking.
New to this year’s event is the return of the NSCA Education Foundation Charity Golf Tournament. Previously held at the NSCA Systems Integration Expo, the Foundation will host the tournament on Thursday, March 1, prior to the conference’s opening reception.
Early bird discounts on registration fees are available from September through December 2011 at a rate of $949, which is a savings of $100 savings. Conference alumni who register before September 18 will receive an additional $100 in savings off the regular registration cost.
More information about speakers, events and participants will be announced this fall. Visit www.nsca.org/blc for more information or call NSCA at 1.800.446.6722.
The Growing Effect of AV/IT Convergence
Latest NSCA Research Details Digital Networking in the Low-Voltage Systems Industry
The latest Market Intelligence Briefing (MIB) report from the NSCA, Part I: AV/IT Convergence in the Low-Voltage Systems Contracting Channel, is the first in a two-part series detailing the dynamics and prevailing trends of digital AV systems integration and IT influences on low-voltage systems. This first report examines convergence issues from the perspective of integrators and design consultants; Part II will reveal the views of technology managers.
Integrators take pride in their digital AV systems expertise, but the new MIB found that their IT knowledge is also increasing. Despite the impression that the industry is getting smaller because of this convergence, survey respondents indicated an ever-growing list of IT expertise, including: wireless connectivity, computer and information systems, video conferencing and data management. This shows the diverse applications available as IT becomes more prominent in digital AV. Integrators said nearly half of their workloads come from systems involving digital networks in the last three years; consultants reported that these types of jobs accounted for more than 70 percent of their work.
The report also highlights:
- Staffing implications for both design and installation, as well as internal operations of low-voltage systems and digital AV.
- Working relationships between AV and IT managers. Previously, it was assumed that IT managers were taking over AV coordination. However, this report shows that consultants are increasingly partnering with building facility IT managers. Accordingly, larger integration firms work more closely with IT managers throughout the design and specification phase of most projects.
Competition comes not only from IT managers, but also from other integration firms that specialize in IT systems design. This is a change from previous reports, which indicated security integrators were more of a threat.
While digital networking becomes more prominent, there is still little collaboration between IT and AV managers (21 percent); most respondents indicated their partnerships were “occasional” at best. However, 71 percent of respondents say they definitely or probably will partner with IT professionals in the next three years.
While this evolution provides both opportunities and challenges, one of the integrators’ greatest fears is that they will not have the IT knowledge needed, and the quality of AV systems will not withstand the ever-changing landscape. Consequently, this report also includes several ideas on technology developments and the training required to stay on top of these evolving networks. Most integrators said training from manufacturers and online publications was how they acquired their news and information about digital networking.
The commercial electronic systems channel is morphing into a less insular and more dynamic industry. Understanding the dynamics between AV and IT provides greater insight into the future of the industry that will be reflected in Part II, available this fall.
NSCA’s quarterly MIBs provide NSCA members with current data on key industry issues complete with statistical results, interpretation, implications, market knowledge and implementation goals. NSCA members can obtain a free copy of the full report at www.nsca.org/mib.
2012 NSCA Business & Leadership Conference to Be Held in Dallas, Texas
Aug 16, 2011 5:32 PM
Early Registration Discounts Available
Industry Professionals Support Education at InfoComm 2011
NSCA Education Foundation Raises More Than $78,000; Elects Leadership
The NSCA Education Foundation raised more than $78,000 during special events and through contributions from industry professionals during fun, community-building fundraisers at InfoComm 2011.
“Through its charitable events, the NSCA Education Foundation works to attract qualified, new individuals to the industry and give financial assistance to current industry professionals,” said Barbra Snitker, managing director of the Foundation. “All proceeds raised during InfoComm will benefit system contractor professionals through the Foundation’s initiatives to promote the industry and advocate for opportunities.”
The NSCA Education Foundation launched a new fundraising challenge at this year’s show. In “60 to Victory,” sponsored by Herman Procurement & Logistics, participants were challenged participants to complete a set of crazy challenges in 60 seconds or less. A winner was chosen each day on Wednesday and Thursday; John Wiszniewski of ESA Communications Ltd. and Robert Kenny of Hyperscreens LLC each won $500.
Thursday evening marked the return of the Industry Charity Concert featuring the industry’s own Drunk Unkles. The band performed for a packed house at B.B. King’s Restaurant & Blues Club in Orlando. The popular “Blues & Booze” jam session was a thank you to the industry by platinum sponsor, AMX; gold sponsor, Christie Digital Systems; silver sponsors RPVisual Solutions and SurgeX; bronze sponsors BARCO, Chief Manufacturing, FSR and NEC; and contributing sponsors AVI-SPL, Advance Sound Company, Bosch Communications Systems, Cardone, Solomon & Associates, Cerami & Associates, Electrosonic; Hudson Marketing, Inc., Shen, Milsom & Wilke and Synnex. Since 2006, the band has helped raise more than $500,000 for Foundation initiatives.
In addition, earlier this year, the Education Foundation board elected Daniel Nix, vice president of sales – Americas, Bosch Security Systems, Inc., Communications Systems Division, to serve as vice president of the Foundation. The board also re-elected Andy Musci, owner and president of Altel Systems Inc., as president of the Board of Directors and Maureen Pajerski, vice president of Rauland-Borg Corporation, to serve as secretary/treasurer.
“I am honored to have been elected as vice president of the Foundation,” Daniel Nix comments. “I look forward to serving alongside my distinguished colleagues on the board, continuing to strengthen our industry by helping to educate the next generation of AV professionals.”
Other NSCA Education Foundation Board Members include:
- Tom Frericks, past president, Copp Systems Integrator
- Scott Dhaenens, AMX
- Catherine Shanahan, Shanahan Sound
- Steve Emspak, Shen Milsom & Wilke
- Rob Grubb, Bose Professional Systems
- Claire Ford, Honorary Ex-Officio, Ford Audio-Video
- Loyd Ivey, Honorary Ex-Officio, Mitek Corporation/Atlas Sound
The NSCA Education Foundation is funded by generous contributions from members of the systems integration community, NSCA members and charity events throughout the year. For more information about the NSCA Education Foundation, visit www.nscafoundation.org or call 800.446.6722.
