Big News, Big Shows
Aug 1, 2003 12:00 PM,
Billilynne Keller
Big things have been happening at the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA).
CEDIA’s annual trade exposition has broken into the ranks of the top 100 trade shows in the United States. CEDIA Expo, where the industry’s latest home-networking trends and breakthrough technologies are unveiled, is now the 95th-largest U.S. trade show. CEDIA’s entry into the top 100 indicates the pace at which this industry continues to grow.
CEDIA Expo will be held this year at the Indiana Convention Center and RCA Dome in Indianapolis on September 3 through 7. For more information or to register for the show, please visit www.cedia.org/expo.
Also in May, CEDIA, the International Communications Industries Association (ICIA/InfoComm), and the National Systems Contractors Association (NSCA) announced their partnership to develop and produce joint trade exhibitions in Europe and Asia for the benefit of their respective members and industries.
Together, CEDIA, ICIA, and NSCA have agreed to host their first European show, Integrated Systems Europe, at the PALEXPO in Geneva, February 3 through 5, 2004. With CEDIA’s focus on home networking and home automation, NSCA’s focus on integrated electronic systems for commercial construction, and ICIA’s focus on audiovisual systems integration and communications for the professional market, the associations are planning an umbrella trade event, the first of its kind in Europe.
CEDIA, NSCA, and ICIA will also join in with InfoCommAsia Pte to conduct shows in Singapore and Shanghai. The first combined shows will be in 2004 for China (Integrated Systems China) and 2005 for Asia (Integrated Systems Asia).
We are very excited about this new partnership, and our respective memberships and Boards of Directors strongly support this venture. All three organizations have a keen interest in extending our education and marketing opportunities around the world. Together we are able to offer a significant contribution.
In June CEDIA and AVAD, LLC, a national distributor of products and services to the custom installation market, announced their partnership to deliver certification opportunities to professionals across the country.
CEDIA offers a nationally recognized Professional Certification program for electronic systems technicians and designers, as well as supports certification preparation seminars. CEDIA Professional Certification delivers a range of benefits to individuals, consumers, and manufacturers. By defining a series of benchmarks for designers and installers, CEDIA Professional Certification promotes professionalism and growth throughout the industry.
CEDIA and AVAD will provide the Installer Level I Certification preparation course and exam at 19 AVAD partner-firm locations throughout the United States. This partnership allows CEDIA to expand its educational offerings and bring certification opportunities to more professionals throughout the year.
Applications for the training and certification courses can be found on CEDIA’s Web site at www.cedia.org/avadcertification.
In light of today’s economy and the general worldwide business environment, CEDIA continues to forge new alliances and develop new opportunities. In everything we undertake, we first ask ourselves, “Is it good for the industry? Is it good for our membership?”
Big things are happening at CEDIA, and we will continue to look for new opportunities that help support the industry.
Billilynne Kelleris executive director of CEDIA.
