Associations Focus: Honing Skills
Jun 1, 2006 12:00 PM
Seminars, training programs, and leadership conferences offer resources for professional growth.
CEDIA
PERSONALIZED EDUCATION
CEDIA University offers an educational curriculum for every employee in your company. The following curricula will be available at CEDIA Expo: Electronic Systems Technician (EST), Electronic Systems Designer (ESD), Electronic Systems Project Management (ESPM), Electronic Systems Business (ESB), and Electronic Systems Customer Relations (ESCR).
Review the CEDIA Expo registration brochure to register for all CEDIA University classes, special events, and keynote speakers, or visit www.cedia.org/expo. CEDIA University shows members how to create the finest residential electronic systems and reap the profits that go with them.
FREE LEADERSHIP SEMINAR
A free CEDIA seminar called “Volunteer and Become a CEDIA Leader” will review leadership checkpoints and show members how to fast-track skills while getting connected in the industry and CEDIA circles (CEU Value: 0.75). Anyone who is serious about taking his or her business to the next level will not want to miss this session at the show, Friday from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Instructor Marilyn Sanford of La Scala will demonstrate how involvement in CEDIA can help you hone your skills. Attend the seminar to learn how to:
- Get connected with peers, suppliers, and media
- Run meetings
- Manage expectations
- Delegate
- Oversee budgets
- Network
- Share best practices
- Take advantage of CEDIA opportunities.
CEDIA University certification is the product of nationally recognized subject matter experts and one of the leading certification and licensure testing companies in the global market. It establishes clear, objective standards for demonstrating your employees’ knowledge of residential electronic systems design and installation. This demonstrated proficiency provides a competitive advantage by giving prospective customers confidence in your abilities.
CEDIA UNIVERSITY CERTIFICATION
CEDIA University Certification is offered frequently during CEDIA Expo for your convenience, to allow you to enjoy the show and take advantage of the CEDIA University curriculum.
CEDIA University offers four certification exams: Installer Level I, Installer Level II, Designer, and Home Theater Design Specialist.
To further advance the certification program, more designer specialty exams will be developed and available in the near future. For more information on the CEDIA University Certification program, visit www.cedia.org/certification.
RIDE OR DRIVE GIVEAWAY
Go home in style! Participate in the CEDIA Expo Ride or Drive Giveaway for a chance to win a custom Harley or Mini Cooper. Contestants must visit all of the exhibitors’ booths listed on the game card received onsite and collect all 10 stamps for a chance to win a 2006 Harley Davidson CEDIA Custom Sportster or Mini Cooper. The final drawing will take place Sunday, Sept. 17 at 1:30 p.m. More details are available on p. 9 of the CEDIA Expo registration brochure.
TWO ROOMS, TWO SOUNDS
Proper calibration and installation of audio systems can make a significant difference in room audio quality. The Home Acoustics Alliance (HAA) and CEDIA — with the support of Runco, Stewart Filmscreen, Triad, Audio Control, and Lexicon — have installed identical audio systems in identical rooms at the Colorado Convention Center.
In room 208, the system has been set up to match the characteristics of a typical home theater installation. In room 212, CEDIA subject matter experts and HAA calibrators have designed, set up, and calibrated the audio system according to CEDIA standards. This is a dramatic demonstration of the techniques, skills, and results you can acquire through CEDIA University’s Designer courses.
Acoustics Demonstration Schedule:
- Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: Colorado Convention Center, rooms 208 and 212. Seating is limited.
For more information on CEDIA, visitwww.cedia.orgor call (800) 669-5329.
CEDIA Expo Registration Now Open
CEDIA Expo registration opened June 1, 2006. Early bird discounts end July 19, 2006. Don’t miss your chance to receive great discounts and great education. Register now!
Associations Focus: Honing Skills
Jun 1, 2006 12:00 PM
Seminars, training programs, and leadership conferences offer resources for professional growth.
NSCA
BACK TO SCHOOL WITH EST
This fall, all levels of electronic systems professionals will have the opportunity to hone their skills through enrollment in the Electronic Systems Technician (EST) Training Program. Whether used as an inhouse training program or in pursuit of EST certification or apprenticeship, NSCA’s educational programs save time, money, and effort for electronic systems companies that offer educational opportunities for their staff.
“The EST Training Series can be a variety of things to a variety of companies,” explains Norah Hammond, NSCA director of credentialing programs. “It’s like having a training department internally. This is a product that’s appropriate for training brand-new staff from the ground up, or for more experienced personnel to achieve advanced certification. Companies can use all four years of the EST training series to take them from the very basic to education about all low-voltage systems.”
The time to start planning for EST enrollment is now. Deadlines are in August, and the nine-month courses begin on Sept. 18. Each of the four levels of training offer a blend of online learning taught by EST Master Instructor Larry Garter and hands-on education provided by a facilitator within each participating company.
EST APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
The federally mandated EST Apprenticeship Program continues to gain traction nationwide with a new state-level approval in Washington state. This latest achievement in NSCA’s continuing effort to obtain acceptance for EST in SAC (State Apprenticeship Council) states will enable companies participating in apprenticeship training to pursue projects with state and federal apprenticeship requirements in Washington.
“This approval opens up opportunities for state-funded projects that Washington companies may have found harder to approach previously,” explains Dave Johnson, NSCA director of industry/government affairs. “Because NSCA manages the apprenticeship programs, the burdens of administration are eliminated for the business owner, making apprenticeship an excellent tool.”
NSCA is currently negotiating approvals in seven SAC states that require the additional step of local acceptance of federal apprenticeship programs like EST. There are 27 SAC states, and NSCA will pursue approval wherever there is interest from members. Those interested in initiating EST apprenticeship programs should contact the association. “The more the EST Apprenticeship Program is established across the country, the more our industry becomes accepted,” Johnson says.
MCGRAW-HILL PARTNERSHIP
McGraw-Hill Construction and NSCA have partnered to launch a new online store providing more than 8,000 analytic offerings, including forecasts, trend analysis, historical reviews, and market snapshots. McGraw-Hill Construction forecasts cover metro area and state-level trends, as well as five-year national outlooks for various market sectors. The publisher’s subcontractor potentials and historical reviews of markets help to inform business planning, and its SmartMarket Reports provide insights into specific growth segments such as healthcare construction and green building.
NSCA members will enjoy other privileges as part of the McGraw-Hill relationship, including a 25 percent discount on store purchases and reduced rates on versions of McGraw-Hill Construction’s Network and subscriptions to the publisher’s major industry magazines, Engineering News-Record and Architectural Record.
EDUCATION FOUNDATION SUPPORT
Two new integrator members have been elected to the NSCA Education Foundation Board: Claire Ford, CEO of Ford Audio-Video, and George Serban, president of Serban Sound Systems. Both bring a significant amount of industry experience to their new roles. Ford has directed the administrative and financial aspects of Ford AV since its inception in 1973, and Serban has served the commercial electronic systems industry for more than 40 years.
The NSCA Education Foundation’s newest President’s Club supporter is LG Electronics. LG’s support will assist in development of new education curricula and help fund participation in education programs. “LG supports the dealers and the NSCA Education Foundation’s efforts to advance and support the channel through education,” says Ron Snaidauf, vice president of LG Electronics.
FALL BUSINESS CONFERENCE
Registration for NSCA’s Fall Business Conference is open now at www.fallbiz.org. The two-and-a-half-day conference, scheduled for Oct. 26-28, 2006, in Myrtle Beach, S.C., will feature executive and management seminar tracks providing practical tactics for growth and the perspective of keynote speaker Pat Richie, founder and president of the Sports Leadership Group.
For more information about NSCA, visitwww.nsca.orgor call (800) 446-6722.
Associations Focus: Honing Skills
Jun 1, 2006 12:00 PM
Seminars, training programs, and leadership conferences offer resources for professional growth.
INFOCOMM INTERNATIONAL
EXPANDED MEMBER RESOURCES
Association membership already offers access to comprehensive information, education, and peer networking opportunities. In the last few months, InfoComm International has instituted programs and materials to offer its members even more services and resources. The new BusinessKit CD, for instance, includes HR software for AV managers and templates for presentations, agreements, and forms, as well as white papers and information about local and national government relations issues. Another resource is About AV, a PowerPoint presentation for association staff and members to use for meetings with people unfamiliar with the breadth of the industry. The association also provides member access to current state-by-state listings of the licensing requirements for electrical contractors, electricians, alarm installers, and professional engineers, as well as those performing low voltage/limited energy work. State-by-state information on licensure initiatives is also available.
CONNECTING MEMBERS
InfoComm also provides expanded opportunities for member discussion and education through regional roundtable events, webinars, and councils and committees. Free, one-day roundtable events feature expert speakers discussing hot topics in the AV world, while webinars offer expert insight and a chance for members to be part of the discussion about issues ranging from licensing and education to certification and best practices. InfoComm International councils provide opportunities for members to focus on common concerns and goals. Committees guide the planning and development of InfoComm and membership policies as well as education and training programs. Volunteer members develop programs that benefit InfoComm International members and the industry as a whole. Members can enhance their business networks and exercise their leadership skills through involvement in these industry-shaping bodies.
Finally, developed in response to member input, the first InfoComm Executive Business Conference will be held Sept. 22-23, 2006, in Chicago. This thought-provoking event will offer in-depth coverage of human resource issues and project management, and is designed for AV business owners, principals, executives, and their direct reports.
If you would like more information on these, or any other InfoComm International programs, please contact [email protected] or call (703) 273-7200.
For more information about InfoComm International, visitinfocomm.org.
