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Associations Focus: Back to School

Association membership offers AV professionals plenty of educational opportunities this summer.

Associations Focus: Back to School

Aug 1, 2007 12:00 PM

Association membership offers AV professionals plenty of educational opportunities this summer.

CEDIA

NSCA

InfoComm International

CEDIA

SNEAK PEEK AT CEDIA EXPO 2007

As summer comes to a close, it’s time to begin preparation for CEDIA’s residential electronic systems contractor show — CEDIA Expo 2007. The expo offers great benefits for your business, including hundreds of education courses, full-day workshops, free manufacturer product training, and the newest products and technology from hundreds of exhibitors. Visit www.cedia.org/expo for more information.

Here is a brief preview of what CEDIA has in store for you this year:

Swing with the best at CEDIA Expo’s Golf Outing. CEDIA’s annual Golf Outing kicks off the expo on Sept. 4 with a great opportunity to network with peers in an environment that integrates opportunities to relax with the chance to conduct business. The format for the outing is a scramble in which each golfer plays from the best drive. Space is limited to the first 144 registrants.

Shine at the CEDIA Technician Olympics. The CEDIA Technician Olympics presents a fun opportunity to showcase skills and talents in the residential electronic systems industry. Teams may participate in all events, or may select specific events in which to compete. Enter this year’s event for your chance to beat the two-time defending Technician Olympics champions. Visit www.cedia.org/expo/att_special_events1.php for detailed information.

Take a walk down memory lane at CEDIA’s Electronic Lifestyles Awards Banquet. Join CEDIA in a ’70s-style celebration as we recognize the outstanding achievements of our members. The Electronic Lifestyles Awards Banquet will be held Sept. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Centennial Ballroom of the Hyatt Denver Convention Center Hotel. Join us and your peers in an evening of celebration to honor the best in the industry.

Rock at CEDIA Expo with the Goo Goo Dolls. Let your expo end with a bang! The platinum-selling rock band the Goo Goo Dolls will perform live at CEDIA Expo 2007, Sept. 8 at 10:30 p.m. Join us for this private concert in the Wells Fargo Theatre. Doors open at 9:30 p.m.

Free wristbands will be available onsite only in Lobby A on a first-come, first-serve basis beginning Sept. 6 at noon. Sponsored by Life|ware.

For more information about CEDIA Expo or to register, visit www.cedia.org/expo.

PROTECTING CEDIA MEMBERS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL

During the 2007 legislative sessions, CEDIA has tracked more than 600 bills in 49 states. The majority of this legislation deals with statewide electrical licensing proposals, which regulate electronic systems contractors and technicians, electronic waste (e-waste) programs, and broadband legislation. Not only does CEDIA do the majority of its work at the state level, the association continues to work for its members at the local level. Highlighted below are a few of the cases CEDIA has represented this year.

A strong presence in New York. In November 2006, a New York electrician requested an interpretation relating to low-voltage electrical work — specifically, installation of a lighting control system. The Electrical Code Revision and Interpretation Committee ruled the complete lighting control system shall be installed by a New York City Licensed Electrician.

With that in mind, CEDIA attended a hearing to get clarification on this ruling. The committee heard CEDIA’s concerns and asked CEDIA to submit questions related to lighting control system installations. These questions were brought before the committee, and the committee has deferred the questions to the New York City Department of Buildings’ legal department. CEDIA currently awaits the ruling.

Moving forward in New York City. The implementation of a low-voltage installer certification exam is in progress, and CEDIA continues to work with the New York City Department of Buildings. Beginning in 2003, New York City had a low-voltage installer certification requirement in city code. The requirement has not yet been implemented, and a meeting was held for all stakeholders in the low-voltage community to gather information on the process of creating a low-voltage certification exam and requirements.

CEDIA representatives attended this meeting and provided feedback to the Department of Buildings staff. The meeting determined a subcommittee of participants to find a common denominator of training for each group. CEDIA is participating in the subcommittee and will continue to monitor and provide information for the New York City low-voltage installer certification.

CEDIA AND INDUSTRY PARTNERS FIGHT LICENSING LEGISLATION

CEDIA and several other associations have been active on licensing legislation introduced in December 2006 by the City of Philadelphia. The bill proposed the licensing of all individuals who perform electrical or telecommunications work in Philadelphia. CEDIA co-authored a letter of opposition on the issue with BICSI, InfoComm International, NBFAA, NSCA, the Pennsylvania Burglar & Fire Alarm Association, and the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association (SBCA). CEDIA also worked with the Southeast Pennsylvania ABC Chapter and the Independent Electrical Contractors Philadelphia chapter on the issue.

CEDIA will continue to be active at each level of government to ensure that legislation initiatives do not impede your ability to freely own and operate your business. Members are encouraged to contact CEDIA when they hear of legislation at the local level that would impede their businesses. Please contact Darren Reaman at [email protected] or (800) 669-5329 with questions.

For more information on CEDIA, visitwww.cedia.orgor call (800) 669-5329.

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Associations Focus: Back to School

Aug 1, 2007 12:00 PM

Association membership offers AV professionals plenty of educational opportunities this summer.

CEDIA

NSCA

InfoComm International

NSCA

BACK TO SCHOOL

Just as summer reaches its sultry peak, NSCA’s Electronic Systems Technician (EST) training program is about to begin.

NSCA University’s EST Training Series is frequently cited as the most complete program of its kind available for technicians and installers. It is also one of the most flexible, allowing you to train staff members inhouse and according to their individual levels of experience.

Using a combination of instructor-led online classes and hands-on local schooling hosted by an approved facilitator, the EST Training Series offers three distinct course levels. Level 1 provides an entry-level foray into the low-voltage trade, while levels 2 and 3 provide advanced knowledge. Designed for more experienced technicians, levels 2 and 3 cover far-reaching topics, including fiber optics, high-end test equipment, wireless communications, and access-control systems.

EST Master Instructor Larry Garter oversees the EST Training Series. Garter directly manages online instruction, lesson plan development, material coordination, and support. He is a long-standing NSCA member with 25 years of experience in the communications industry. He is also the founder and principal of Techplex, a technology consulting firm based in Roscommon, Mich.

Student registrations for upcoming Level 1-3 EST Training Series instruction must be received by Aug. 27. To register, contact NSCA at (800) 446-6722 or visit www.nsca.org.

NSCA NAMES EDUCATOR AND INSTRUCTORS OF THE YEAR

Randy Vaughan was recently named the 2007 NSCA Educator of the Year. Vaughan, president of Portsmouth, Va.-based AE Systems, was singled out for the distinction based upon high instructor and course evaluation rankings he received from NSCA University students.

Teaching within NSCA University’s College of System Sales, Vaughan imparted his own ineffable wisdom to students in classes with course titles such as “Talk the Talk for New Sales Professionals” and “Killer Proposal Writing.”

For the second year running, NSCA also honored top-rated educators within each of NSCA University’s individual colleges with Instructor of the Year accolades. These recipients were Marc Forman (Alarm, Electronics, and Communications) from the College of Systems Sales; Gary Kayye (Kayye Consulting) from the College of Business; Blair McNair (JBL Professional) from the College of System Design; John Murray (ProSonic Solutions) from the College of Technical Knowledge; Brad Nelson (Sound Solutions Northwest) from the College of Project Management; and Ernest Schirmer (Acentech) from the College of Allied Professionals.

NSCA SEEKS EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS AWARDS NOMINEES

Do you know someone with a business strategy that has brought about unexpected growth? Are you a commercial electronic systems company that has experienced exceptional results because of your efforts?

Meet these criteria and you just may find yourself in line to receive one of NSCA’s Excellence in Business Awards, which will be handed out at this year’s Fall Business Conference, Oct. 21-23, in San Diego. Nominate yourself or others. The awards will be given based upon success in categories including growth strategies, professional development, fiscal responsibility, and philanthropic contributions.

Only four companies will be selected for the awards; winners will receive complimentary admission to the Fall Business Conference (an $845 value), have an opportunity to tell their story at the conference’s opening night reception, and be highlighted in member newsletters and other industry publications.

Visit www.fallbiz.com and click “awards” to fill out the nomination form online.

AUDIO-TECHNICA GIVES $10K TO EDUCATION

Audio-Technica has contributed an additional $10,000 in support of the NSCA Education Foundation, maintaining its place at the elite Founder’s Club giving level.

The gift will be put toward the foundation’s 2007-2008 budget. Initiatives for the next fiscal year include programs to reach out to students, finance student scholarships and memberships, develop curriculum, and fund further education for industry professionals.

For more information about NSCA, visitwww.nsca.orgor call (800) 446-6722.

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Associations Focus: Back to School

Aug 1, 2007 12:00 PM

Association membership offers AV professionals plenty of educational opportunities this summer.

CEDIA

NSCA

InfoComm International

INFOCOMM INTERNATIONAL

ESSENTIALS TEXT AVAILABLE IN HARD COVER

More than 22,000 people have taken InfoComm’s Essentials of the AV Industry online class. Now InfoComm’s most popular online class is available as a book.

Essentials of the AV Industry contains the essential audio, video, and systems technology on which AV solutions are based. Filled with color charts and photos, this valuable resource encapsulates the basics of AV, with information that anyone in the industry can benefit from. This long-anticipated volume is a must for your AV training program.

When InfoComm debuted the Essentials of the AV Industry online course in 1997, the members and staff never dreamed of the impact it would have on the industry. Since that time, InfoComm has had more than 22,000 enrollments in this online course. On any given day, more than 1,500 people are enrolled in the course or have access to its content. It is used as a training tool around the world, and has been translated into Spanish and German.

Since the Essentials of the AV Industry classroom course was released, people have asked for the content of the course in a hard copy reference work. Many people appreciated the clear explanations of the science and technology provided in the classroom course and wanted to be able to refer to the material long after the course expiration date.

Essentials of the AV Industry is now available in book form for $99. Call customer service at (800) 659-7469 to order your copy today. InfoComm International hopes that you use it well in your career as an audiovisual professional.

For more information about InfoComm International, visitinfocomm.org.

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