Associations Focus: Building the Buzz
May 1, 2007 12:00 PM
InfoComm forecasts a great tradeshow, CEDIA promotes success through certification, and NSCA takes the pulse of the industry.
INFOCOMM INTERNATIONAL
INFOCOMM 07 TO FEATURE FORUMS, CONTESTS, AND AWARDS
InfoComm 07, the largest tradeshow serving the professional audiovisual industry according to the association, will be held June 15-21 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif., and will feature a wide array of special events.
Always engaging and thought-provoking, the free Manufacturers Forum, scheduled from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on June 18, offers a glimpse into AV industry trends and predictions from some of the biggest names in the business. This year’s event, the fourth annual, is moderated by Gary Kayye, CTS, of Kayye Consulting, and will feature thoughts from panelists Gerry Remers, president and COO of Christie Digital Systems; George Feldstein, president of Crestron Electronics; Andrew Edwards, president and CEO of Extron Electronics; Michael MacDonald, executive vice president of Harman Pro Group; and Rick Snyder, president, Americas, Tandberg.
Immediately following the Manufacturers Forum is InfoComm’s Big Night, a free special event sponsored by Barco and Bosch Communications Systems. The evening will begin as a networking event, providing attendees with the opportunity to grow their list of contacts, connect with friends, and discuss industry issues over drinks and hors d’oeuvres.
Afterward, the best in the professional AV industry will be recognized during a fast-paced awards ceremony. Award winners will be announced while images of their achievements are displayed. InfoComm International will present the Harald Thiel Volunteer of the Year, Distinguished Achievement, and Educator of the Year awards. The awards ceremony will be immediately followed by drinks, dancing, and the AV Industry Battle of the Bands, where three industry bands will compete on a state-of-the-art stage for the crowd’s affection and prizes. Bands interested in entering the contest can visit www.infocommshow.org for a complete list of rules.
This year, for the first time, InfoComm will offer a rack-building contest, sponsored by AMX, Extron, and Middle Atlantic. Systems integrator teams will compete in a 24-hour contest to design and build a fully operational AV system. Attendees should stop by the contest area in Hall E throughout the show to watch the build process, learn best practices for installation and rack-building essentials from the pros in InfoComm’s new hands-on lab, and see who wins. Visit sponsors’ booths to enter to win the contest’s winning rack system, valued at $25,000. Visit infocommshow.org/html/842_2748.htm for official rules and entry instructions.
InfoComm 07 show sponsors include Barco, Bosch Communications Systems, Christie, Crestron, Extron, Sony, and Tandberg. For more news on InfoComm 07 before, during, and after the show, visit www.infocommshow.org and www.svconline.com.
For more information about InfoComm International, visitinfocomm.org.
Associations Focus: Building the Buzz
May 1, 2007 12:00 PM
InfoComm forecasts a great tradeshow, CEDIA promotes success through certification, and NSCA takes the pulse of the industry.
CEDIA
CERTIFIED FOR SUCCESS
Join CEDIA for a celebration! During the month of May, CEDIA, its membership, and industry supporters will celebrate CEDIA University’s professional education and certification program.
CEDIA University’s Certification Program, with nearly 5,000 active certified professionals, is dedicated to setting the highest standards in the residential custom electronic design and installation industry. From start to finish, CEDIA University’s Certification Program involves quality-conscious technicians and designers in an effort to promote to users that companies with CEDIA-certified employees offer uncompromising quality and expertise.
Each certification exam is developed by CEDIA in conjunction with nationally recognized subject matter experts and under the guidance of professional test development specialists to ensure the validity and accuracy of both the content and test format.
WHO BENEFITS FROM CEDIA CERTIFICATION?
Obtaining CEDIA Professional Certification can increase your company’s quality, productivity, and profits. CEDIA certification helps electronic systems contractors and contractor companies achieve a competitive advantage by enabling them to gain the trust of their clients and industry colleagues. Professional certification creates a path for career-minded individuals who expect to reap the rewards from their efforts and expertise, and it helps companies establish clear standards by which to measure existing staff and new hires.
Manufacturers and consumers benefit from certification, too. CEDIA certification leads to proper installation and service of equipment by highly skilled and trained technicians. Manufacturers reap the benefit of reduced demand on their technical support department. And when consumers select a custom installation company staffed by CEDIA-certified professionals, they can trust that the installers working in their homes are trained, highly knowledgeable, and skilled professionals who will provide professional and courteous service and install equipment correctly for maximum performance.
CERTIFICATION TRAINING
CEDIA is offering several events this summer to help you ensure your employees obtain, and maintain, certification. Visit www.cedia.net/certification/2006_calendar.php for available dates.
Already certified? Call CEDIA’s marketing team at (800) 669-5329 for tools to market your certification. For more information regarding CEDIA’s certification program, contact the certification department at (800) 669-5329 or email [email protected].
For more information on CEDIA, visitwww.cedia.orgor call (800) 669-5329.
Associations Focus: Building the Buzz
May 1, 2007 12:00 PM
InfoComm forecasts a great tradeshow, CEDIA promotes success through certification, and NSCA takes the pulse of the industry.
NSCA
NSCA OFFERS INDUSTRY OUTLOOK
In which direction is the AV marketplace really headed? With the help of Sherman Oaks, Calif.-based Stiernberg Consulting, NSCA reveals the answer in its second-quarter Market Intelligence Briefing, Systems Integration and Networking Trends, now available to members.
Focusing on systems integration and audio and video networking, the latest Market Intelligence Briefing explores everything from the types of networks contractors and consultants are specifying to the industry’s acceptance of systems integration and networking technology in various applications.
Systems integration and AV systems networking have been slowly evolving for almost two decades. Within the past three years, this rate of change has accelerated as both disciplines have become more mainstream in commercial settings and technological convergence has made itself felt on a wider scale.
Results of the survey detail where systems integration and AV networking are heading in relation to technical and business aspects influencing systems contractors, independent technical and design consultants, and manufacturers. The data gathered offers insight into the current trends and challenges facing the industry and indicates what is needed to ensure continued growth.
The report also shows the number of networkable products being offered from manufacturers, the top three technologies being used within AV networks, and the latest on what the future may hold in terms of networking standards.
SELF-FUNDED HEALTH INSURANCE
NSCA’s new SystemsPlus Mutual Insurance Company (SPMIC) offers members a self-funded health insurance program designed to distribute a portion of its net profits back to its policyholders. The product of a joint effort between the NSCA and Coventry Health Care, NSCA’s Bethesda, Md.-based partner and reinsurer in the venture, SPMIC acts as a self-funding conduit to pay the costs of members’ claims and related administration fees. Coverage is offered to NSCA member companies with two or more employees.
“Conceptually, SystemsPlus was designed to allow smaller businesses to gain the pricing advantages normally reserved for larger, corporate employers purchasing group health insurance,” Coventry Senior Account Executive Pat Stopulos says. “By using the SystemsPlus plan, you pay for your own claims. Coupled with SPMIC’s stop loss coverage, this solution presents a unique opportunity for NSCA members to control their own health costs and bring value to the table.”
For more information about NSCA, visitwww.nsca.orgor call (800) 446-6722.
