Associations Focus: Foundations of Education
Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Certification and management-training courses highlight trade associations’ commitments in the new year.
NSCA
SHURE RENEWS COMMITMENT TO NSCA INDUSTRY EDUCATION
Shure continues its support of industry education initiatives for a third year with its recent commitment to match up to $25,000 in contributions to the NSCA Education Foundation’s fundraising campaign.
“We take pride in and feel an obligation to continue our support of the NSCA Education Foundation because of our shared commitment to ensuring high-quality training and education of future audio professionals,” says Shure U.S. Vice President and General Manager Al Hershner. “Through this matching campaign, we encourage others in our industry to join us in contributing to the expansion of the foundation’s activities.”
”We are honored that Shure continues to support our programs,” says Tom Frericks, president of the NSCA Education Foundation. “Each year, industry members meet Shure’s challenge, which emphasizes the value the industry places on the foundation’s initiatives.”
As part of this year’s campaign, Shure will match up to 50 percent of contributions made to the NSCA Education Foundation through July 31, 2008, with a maximum contribution of $25,000. This fiscal year, the foundation will focus on student scholarships, outreach to schools, and funding education for industry professionals.
For more information about the campaign or the NSCA Education Foundation, visit www.nscafoundation.org or call (800) 446-6722.
NSCA PROVIDES REGIONAL TRAINING COURSES FOR TWO INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS
Whether you are just beginning a career in the commercial electronics systems field or you are a seasoned veteran, the NSCA has the right certification to help you succeed.
“Certification is a great way for individuals to set themselves apart and for companies to gain a competitive edge in the marketplace,” says Chuck Wilson, NSCA executive director. “NSCA certification is especially significant given the knowledge and skills necessary to receive this certification. The designation is truly earned.”
Begin by taking the NSCA University online assessment at www.nsca.org to gauge your knowledge. Then enroll in the program that best suits your experience and skills. You can choose a classroom program or participate in an onsite review.
NSCA’s Certified Systems Installer (C-SI) certification is an industry-recognized credential for entry-level systems installers and technicians. To receive certification, you must take and pass a 75-question written exam and also pass a hands-on performance verification exam. The classroom program takes four weeks.
NSCA’s Certified Electronics Systems Technician (C-EST) certification is another industry-recognized credential for established installers and technicians. It’s the second step toward becoming certified as an electronic-systems technician and integrator. Spend eight weeks online or take a two-day onsite review before being tested. To become certified as a C-EST, you must pass a 100-question written exam, as well as demonstrate technical skills through a hands-on performance verification exam.
For more information about the EST program, call (800) 446-6722, or visit www.nsca.org.
NSCA ONLINE JOB BOARD SIMPLIFIES JOB SEARCH
Launched in September, NSCA’s Online Job Board is a critical tool to help pair employees with employers. Employers can search online for resumés, collect resumés via email, and receive alerts when job postings are due to expire. NSCA makes it easy for busy companies to find the right staff.
“This is a great way to bring new people into the industry as well as match seasoned veterans with our member companies,” says Jodi Montgomery, senior director of member services.
Job seekers can submit their resumés to all registered employers, allow employers to search their resumés, and receive daily job match emails. Visit the new job board at www.nsca.org/jobs to take advantage of this valuable member resource.
For more information about NSCA, visitwww.nsca.orgor call (800) 446-6722.
Associations Focus: Foundations of Education
Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Certification and management-training courses highlight trade associations’ commitments in the new year.
INFOCOMM INTERNATIONAL
INFOCOMM ANNOUNCES 2008 BOARD OF GOVERNORS
As of Jan. 1, 2008, Jay Armand, CTS, of Advanced Audio Visual will ascend to chairman of the board; Mark Valenti of the Sextant Group will become president; and Jay Rogina of Spinitar will be designated president-elect. The InfoComm membership also elected Tom Stimson, CTS, of the Stimson Group, as secretary-treasurer of the board of governors for the 2008 term.
Mike White, CTS, Multi-Media Solutions, was re-elected to a governor-at-large position, and Paul Peck of Avidex was elected to a governor-at-large term, beginning in 2008.
Several council chairs were elected including SAVVI Chair Barry Goldin, CTS, of Audio Video Systems; Independent Programmers Chair Steve Greenblatt, CTS, of Control Concepts; Manufacturers Council Chair Kirk Horlbeck of Liberty Wire, and Cable and European Council Chair Greg Jeffreys of Paradigm Audio Visual. In addition, Tim Cape, CTS-D, of Technitect, chair of the Independent Consultants in AV Technologies (ICAT) Council; and Todd Dunn, CTS, of Denmar Services, chair of the Presentations Council, were re-elected to their positions. Matt Emerson, CTS, of CEAVCO Audio Visual, was appointed by the InfoComm board to chair the Rental and Staging Council, to complete Stimson’s term.
Appointed to the board as heads of the association’s committees are Rosanne Lang of Crestron, who will serve as chair of the Exhibitors Committee; Jim Ford, PE, of Ford Audio-Video, who will serve as chair of the Membership Committee; and L. William Nattress III, CTS-D, CTS-I, of Shen Milsom & Wilke, who has been re-appointed as chair of the Professional Education and Training Committee (PETC).
“InfoComm has a robust agenda planned for 2008,” says InfoComm Executive Director Randal A. Lemke, Ph.D. “With the board of governors’ expertise and commitment to the association, we plan to further grow our tradeshow, education, and certification programs, and while providing superb networking opportunities and support for our members.”
InfoComm gratefully acknowledges the contributions of Randy Pagnan, CTS, of Rp Visuals, who is exiting from his leadership position, but will remain a strong supporter of the association and the AV industry. “Randy Pagnan will be missed as chairman of the board of governors,” Lemke says. “His enthusiasm for the AV industry and unique perspectives made him a great leader for the association. We also thank our other outgoing board members, including Blake Brubaker, CTS; Lee Dodson, CTS; Chad Gillenwater; Howard Nunes, CTS; Brian Pipe; and Jim Smith, CTS, for their dedicated service.”
For more information about InfoComm International, visitinfocomm.org.
Associations Focus: Foundations of Education
Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Certification and management-training courses highlight trade associations’ commitments in the new year.
CEDIA
BUILD A BETTER BUSINESS AT MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE
Management Conference 2008 offers a lineup unlike anything else. This year CEDIA broadened its horizons for presentation ideas and conference content. There is something for everyone at this event built exclusively for residential electronic systems business owners and managers.
Strategic Management Forums are one aspect of the Management Conference program that provides attendees with ideas to implement into their business. They combine stand-up instruction and small workgroups, where attendees will develop materials with peers that can be used within their business.
EFFECTIVE EMPLOYEE RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION SKILLS
Attendees will learn practical techniques used to identify, differentiate, and hire employees. A human resources forum leader, experienced in the residential electronic systems industry, will engage attendees in a knowledge-building session complete with real-life examples.
SERVICE CONTRACTS AND WARRANTIES
Attendees will gain knowledge on selling extended-service contracts — an untapped segment in the industry. As systems get more complex, the maintenance on them can be pretty extensive. Offering clients prepaid service contracts gives them hassle-free service and provides the integrator with recurring revenue, raising the market value of their company.
MANAGING OFF-SITE EMPLOYEES
A panel of your peers will review the secrets to their successes while engaging the group in brainstorming successful techniques and solutions for managing your most valuable and expensive resource — your employees.
THE ONE-PAGE STRATEGIC PLAN
The One-Page Strategic Plan will introduce you to a planning model that guides you through a strategic planning process, taking you from the big picture down to the next right move. It provides step-by-step guidelines for practical procedures that efficiently implement your strategic plan in your business. You will leave this session with the foundation of a strategic plan for your business.
Visit www.cedia.org/mc for more details or to register. Registration is now open. Early bird registration closes Jan. 30.
ELECTRONIC LIFESTYLES AWARDS DEADLINES
- Designer Awards: May 2
- Manufacturers’Excellence Awards: May 9
- Electronic Systems Contractor & Technician of the Year: June 6
- Lifetime Achievement Nomination: May 30
Technical expertise, performance, overall planning — these three characteristics are essential to win the 2008 Electronic Lifestyles Designer Awards competition. Don’t miss your opportunity to be recognized as one of the best.
There are new categories, more awards, plus a Product Hall of Fame. Be sure to enter CEDIA’s Manufacturers’ Excellence Awards competition and have your product showcased.
New guidelines are available in early February. Visit www.cedia.org/awards. Contact Kathryn Schenk for questions at (800) 669-5329 ext. 157, or email [email protected].
For more information on CEDIA, visitwww.cedia.orgor call (800) 669-5329.
