Associations Focus: Designed for Success
Sep 1, 2006 12:00 PM
NSCA
NSCA PARTNERS WITH INDUSTRY TRAINERS
In order to provide more opportunities for professionals with C-SI or C-EST designations and participants in the Certificate of Completion Program (CCP) to accumulate Learning Units (LUs), NSCA is developing partnerships with manufacturers and other industry training providers. Already, the NSCA Partner Provider Program has garnered much interest, signing three participants shortly after its launch. The Syn-Aud-Con seminars were the first to receive NSCA Partner Provider status, followed shortly thereafter by courses from Brawn Consulting and Extron Electronics.
“Industry training providers who become a designated NSCA Partner Provider will not only receive positive recognition for providing course material that meets the high standards of NSCA, [but] they will also have access to a growing base of EST and CCP participants,” says Ian Wolfe of the NSCA Education Committee. “NSCA Partner Providers will be able to differentiate themselves from other educational offerings in the industry with this new designation and additionally reap the benefits of promotion of their courses on the NSCA website and collateral materials.”
Courses that are eligible for NSCA Partner Provider status include manufacturer training, inhouse training, community college courses, association education beyond NSCA, and independent provider training.
Those interested in becoming an NSCA Partner Provider should visit www.nsca.org/LUProvider and download a Partner Provider Application. Return completed forms or request additional information from Chad Sowers, senior manager of education programs, at [email protected] or (800) 446-6722.
NSCA PUTS MEMBERS ON THE MAP
NSCA is putting its members on the map with a new search function on its redesigned website (www.nsca.org). Via the new map-based interface, the ever-growing number of visitors to the site will be able to easily connect with an NSCA member company in their region.
“NSCA is in a unique position because of all the outreach we do to architects, engineers, consultants, facility managers, and building owners,” says NSCA Executive Director Chuck Wilson. “As our audience grows, we want to promote our members by developing tools that will help them grow their businesses. We’re putting our members on the map by showcasing their talents, skillsets, and certifications. The Members on the Map search engine is just the latest service we’re providing to our members to help them manage their resources more effectively. This new feature and offerings like our SystemsPlus insurance programs, Tech Tutorials, and A/E Toolkit all serve to enhance our members’ businesses.”
CONVERGENCE SUMMIT REPORT TO BE UNVEILED
This year’s NSCA Fall Business Conference will include a special session on the impact of technological convergence on the low-voltage systems business in which industry gurus will unveil the findings of a Convergence Summit held in August. They will share the results of their examination of the technology, protocols, platforms, and skillsets that members will need to possess to thrive as AV/IT and security converge. There’s still time to register for the Fall Business Conference, to be held Oct. 26-28 in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Visit www.fallbiz.org.
QSC DONATES $25,000 TO NSCA EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Last month, QSC Audio Products donated $25,000 toward the NSCA Education Foundation’s training efforts for the commercial electronic systems industry. “Technical knowledge is the life blood of our industry. We actively support the NSCA and NSCA Education Foundation’s commitment to and leadership in education. Investing in education is investing in the health of our industry,” says Barry Andrews, CEO of QSC Audio Products.
For more information about NSCA, visitwww.nsca.orgor call (800) 446-6722.
NSCA Calendar of Events
Sept. 28
C-SI and C-EST Exam registration deadline
San Francisco
Oct. 6
Project Management for Systems
Project registration deadline
San Francisco
Oct. 18
C-SI One-day Review
San Francisco
Oct. 18-19
C-EST Two-day Review
San Francisco
Oct. 19
C-SI Exam
San Francisco
Oct. 20
C-EST Exam
San Francisco
Oct. 19-20
Project Management for Systems Projects
San Francisco
Oct. 26-28
Fall Business Conference
Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Oct. 27
C-EST Review registration deadline
Columbia, Md.
Nov. 10
C-SI Review registration deadline
Columbia, Md.
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Associations Focus: Designed for Success
Sep 1, 2006 12:00 PM
INFOCOMM INTERNATIONAL
BICSI AND INFOCOMM COLLABORATE ON INFORMATIVE REFERENCE GUIDE
Building Industry Consulting Service International (BICSI) and InfoComm International are pleased to offer their first joint definitive reference guide, AV Design Reference Manual. BICSI serves nearly 25,000 building industry consultants, cabling contractors, manufacturers, systems integrators, electrical contractors, users, and other information transport system professionals in 90 countries across the globe.
For years, professionals in the structured cabling and AV industries have lived parallel professional lives, separated only by the boardroom walls. Each industry has its own set of best practices and distinct ways of getting the job done. Each industry is firmly rooted in professional excellence and comprehensive continuing education, yet those walls and ceilings continue to divide us.
Rather than focusing on what separates the AV and structured cabling industries, the leadership teams at BICSI and InfoComm International have decided the time has come to share our expertise and strength for the continued benefit of both professions. Just as cables and wiring pass through the walls and ceiling, so will our pipeline of knowledge.
The guide explains and illustrates key principles of AV design and includes chapters on signals, transmission, infrastructure, and networking, as well as acoustics, lighting, interior design, and audio and video components.
This reference tool is ideal for AV industry professionals, architects, contractors, facility managers, and anyone who manages people responsible for AV. The book can be purchased as a printed manual, as a CD, or as a combined package of manual and CD. The manual costs $179 for members or $358 for non-members. The manual and CD are $279 for members and $538 for non-members. Shipping charges will be applied after purchase. Please allow seven to 10 business days for delivery. Note that EduBucks may not be used for this manual.
To purchase your copy, please contact an InfoComm customer service representative at [email protected].
The joint authorship of this definitive reference guide is merely the first step in the free flow of industry information and education. Members of each association can now participate in many of the other associations’ curriculum programs at member pricing. Continuing Education Credits or Renewal Units can be earned for BICSI’s RCDD program and InfoComm’s CTS program by completing classes offered by the other association. The organizations will also offer select training programs at each other’s tradeshows. Please visit www.bicsi.org or www.infocomm.org for more information.
As the largest pro AV trade association, InfoComm has long welcomed collaboration with other groups to harness best practices and uphold intra-industry quality. Whether it involves working with architects, design-build experts, or integrators to create the AV Best Practices Guide, or working with BICSI to ensure that there is a comprehensive approach to cabling and wiring on both sides of the conference room wall, InfoComm is committed to harnessing synergies that will increase the public’s satisfaction with the end result.
InfoComm is making great strides toward addressing the need for quality control in the AV industry. Certification, education, and collaboration with other organizations committed to quality are the keys to a successful and healthy industry.
For more information about InfoComm International, visitinfocomm.org.
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Associations Focus: Designed for Success
Sep 1, 2006 12:00 PM
CEDIA
SEMINAR AND CERTIFICATION TIME
Knowledge, productivity, and competence — these are all results that you will gain through CEDIA University Education and certification.
CEDIA University and certification provide best practices, information, and skills tailored for each of your employees. Each course, workshop, seminar, certification, and boot camp has been designed and developed to make your company more successful. Check out upcoming CEDIA University and certification dates below, and find the one that is right for you.
- Electronic Systems Technician Boot Camp (EST)
Oct. 17-19, Nov. 8-10, Dec. 5-7Spend three short days in CEDIA’s Training Facility learning the latest industry techniques. Your employees will learn through a combination of short lectures and hands-on workshops from some of the best instructors in the industry. Also, they will be guided through several basic aspects of installation. New hires in the custom residential electronic systems industry will be provided comprehensive training. - Electronic Systems Project Management Boot Camp
Oct. 5-6The ESPM Boot Camp targets individuals responsible for managing custom electronics installations, such as project managers, project engineers, and field supervisors. This two-day course will help participants understand the stages of project management, including understanding the scope of work, project planning, project implementation, and project closing. You will learn how to create a project binder, plan a kick-off meeting, develop a detailed daily logbook, break down a project into phases, create a work breakdown structure, and more. - Designer Boot Camp
Oct. 3-4In Designer Boot Camp, you’ll spend two days examining the challenges of designing your own residential integrated systems and exploring how to design complex systems for convenience and simplicity. During Designer Boot Camp, you will learn how to develop an engineering design philosophy, lay out a system design on floor plans, perform a project needs analysis, and much more. - Five-Day Designer School (New)
Dec. 11-15Go beyond the Designer Boot Camp with CEDIA’s new five-day Designer School. Spend one full week designing residential systems with industry expert Todd B. Adams. The day features morning and afternoon lectures, with hands-on activities in the computer lab, designing integration systems. Course work includes structured cabling, home theater, music, lighting control, HVAC, and security integration. - Business Boot Camp:
Oct. 19-21In just three days, you’ll be on your way to developing your own business plan and creating the tools required to keep your business on the right track. Business Boot Camp attendees focus on operations, sales, and marketing, and develop a solid understanding of basic accounting methods required by all residential integration companies. This boot camp is recommended for new business owners or those who are ready to take their company to the next level of success. - Intensive Business Planning Workshop
Nov. 18Plan your way to the future by developing a polished business plan to lead your company to financial success. Such a strategy can help you communicate with other professionals and attract the interest of investors. This one-day seminar teaches how to develop a business plan and other skills that can put your business on the right track for the future, such as how to create a financial plan, operational plan, and marketing plan.
To learn more or to register for any of these opportunities, visit www.cedia.org/education.
CEDIA Calendar of Events
Sept. 13-17
2006 CEDIA Expo
Denver
(Note: Pre-conference activities begin on Sept. 12.)
Sept. 12-16
Installer I & II Designer Review and Exam
Home Theater Designer Exam
Denver
Sept. 15
Installer Level I Review and Exam
Thornhill, Ohio
Mobile Dynamics
Oct. 3
Installer Level I Review and Exam
San Francisco
ADI
Oct. 5
Installer Level I Review and Exam
Bellevue, Wash.
AVAD
Oct. 5-6
ESPM Residential Boot Camp
Indianapolis
Oct. 11-14
CU On the Road
Fairfield, N.Y.
Middle Atlantic Products
Oct. 13
Installer Level I Review and Exam
Thornhill, Ohio
Mobile Dynamics
Oct. 17-19
EST Residential Boot Camp
Indianapolis
Oct. 20
Installer Level I Exam
Indianapolis
Oct. 25-26
Installer Level I Review and Exam
San Diego
AVAD
For more information on CEDIA, visitwww.cedia.orgor call (800) 669-5329.
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