Associations Focus: New Initiatives
Oct 1, 2007 12:00 PM
NSCA
The National Systems Contractors Association (NSCA) would like to reiterate its goals and mission. While the association looks forward to working with InfoComm International to consolidate the industry event calendar, there is no intention by either NSCA or InfoComm to merge the associations. Each organization will operate independently and be governed by separate leadership. NSCA plans to continue offering valuable benefits to our members including high-quality educational programs and excellent customer service.
NEW NSCA JOB BOARD
Matching the right person to the right job can be tricky. Whether you’re looking to find or fill a position, NSCA’s new online job board will make it easier to connect to the right people.
“This is a great way to bring new people into the industry as well as match seasoned veterans with our member companies,” says Jodi Montgomery, senior director of member services. “We are committed to helping our members find a qualified workforce. This year, in conjunction with the NSCA Education Foundation, we will be focusing heavily on promoting the NSCA job board, with free résumé posting and job-searching features, to community colleges and vocational-technical schools nationwide.”
Anyone looking for a job in the industry can log on to www.nsca.org/jobs to begin their search. By entering personalized information, job seekers can submit their résumé to all registered employers. NSCA’s online job board delivers results that match your skills and training.
NSCA’s job board also makes it easy for busy companies to find the right staff. Employers can search online for résumés, collect résumés via email, and receive alerts when job postings are due to expire. With a few clicks of the mouse, employers can view detailed information about potential employees.
To take advantage of this new member resource, visit www.nsca.org/jobs.
NSCA EDUCATION FOUNDATION AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS
Heather Boyce has always been interested in the audio industry. NSCA Education Foundation Scholarships will help her and four others develop skills to enter into our workforce.
“There are very few women in this field. I was extremely grateful for this scholarship so I could finally pursue my dream of going to school for audio engineering,” says Boyce, student at Full Sail Real World Education in Winter Park, Fla.
All of the selected students received a $1,000 scholarship from the NSCA Education Foundation. The students were chosen based on letters of recommendation, grade point average, and work experience in the commercial electronic systems industry.
“It is great to see organizations like
the NSCA Education Foundation investing in those who are just getting started in the industry,” says scholarship winner Brennan Wilkins.
“The industry has been clamoring for this,” says NSCA Education Foundation President Tom Frericks. “We need to build our workforce to keep up with the demand for skilled workers in our industry. These scholarships will help bring in the next generation of systems integrators.”
In addition to his schoolwork, Bakersfield College student Spencer Cordes gets on-the-job training by doing CAD work for NSCA member Serban Sound and Engineering.
“I look forward to working in the engineering industry, and this scholarship will benefit me greatly,” Cordes says.
Lindsay Mescher is using her scholarship to further her education at Brown Mackie College in Cincinnati.
“I am pursuing a dream I’ve had since I was a little girl,” Mescher says. “After graduating, I will attend another school to obtain my bachelor’s degree for the business of music. I have a great feeling about my plans.”
Stephen Jacobs plans to study audio arts and acoustics at Columbia College in Chicago.
“The electronic systems industry [plays] such a major role in the future of technology,” Jacobs says.
NSCA ADDS ADVANCED PROJECT MANAGEMENT COURSE
Project managers have a new tool to boost management skills. Beginning in October, NSCA will offer a course in advanced project management. The new, two-day class provides an enhanced opportunity for business professionals to increase their knowledge base.
Advanced Project Management, intended for those with prior management experience, offers five clear advantages. Course objectives include: how to plan your financial goals, identify and reduce project risks, limit your legal liability, effectively manage employees, and improve your communication skills. An exam is included as part of the registration cost.
NSCA will continue to offer its Project Management of Systems Projects course — with a twist. The updated course includes new case studies and an exam component, which is included in the price of registration. Both classes meet eligibility requirements toward renewing credentials for the Project Management Professional designation.
NSCA will also provide training in estimating and project management for owners. Courses will be held regionally throughout the year. Course locations include: Phoenix; Burnsville, Minn.; Suwanee, Ga.; Dallas; Rockleigh, N.J.; and Cypress, Calif.
For more information, call (800) 446-6722 or email education@nsca.org.
BOSTON GLOBE FEATURES NSCA BOARD MEMBER
Catherine Shanahan has led an interesting and varied life, having studied criminal justice, worked in the security field for a decade, and now running a successful business. Boston Globe writer Davis Bushnell profiled Shanahan in a recent newspaper article.
After joining her family’s television sales/service shop, she became owner of Shanahan Sound and Electronics. Shanahan took what was good and made it better by adapting the business to serve a broad base of audio and video customers.
“Catherine is a smart and savvy businesswoman and we’re fortunate to have her on our NSCA Board of Directors,” says NSCA Executive Director Chuck Wilson. “The fact that she’s featured in a national publication is a testament to her business acumen.”
Shanahan took over the company’s reins in 1994, moved the original family business away from the once-golden television era and grew it to serve a new cadre of audio and video customers. Her Lowell-based company posted revenues of nearly $3 million last year.
Among Shanahan’s 450 clients in New England are houses of worship, universities, museums, corporate facilities, and manufacturing plants. Shanahan partners with nearly 50 product companies to provide a wide array of systems and integrated solutions.
For more information about Shanahan Sound and Electronics, please visit www.shanahansound.com. To read the Boston Globe article, go to www.boston.com/business/articles/2007/09/06/putting_her_company_on_sound_footing.
NSCA Calendar of Events
Oct. 21-23
Fall Business Conference
San Diego
Nov. 26
Project Management for Owners
Bosch/Telex
Burnsville, Minn.
Nov. 27
Bosch/Telex
Estimating of Systems Projects
Burnsville, Minn.
Nov. 28-29
Advanced Project Management
Bosch/Telex
Burnsville, Minn.
Associations Focus: New Initiatives
Oct 1, 2007 12:00 PM
CEDIA
CEDIA is adding a second tradeshow to the calendar. Due to the overwhelming success of CEDIA Expo and the need for additional events, CEDIA will hold CEDIA Spring Expo April 29-May 2, 2008, at the Dallas Convention Center.
CEDIA Expo, which took place in Denver this past September (and will again in ’08), is the largest tradeshow serving the residential electronic systems industry. This single event is ranked as the 70th largest tradeshow in North America by Tradeshow Week magazine.
CEDIA Spring Expo, which was created in response to the continued growth of CEDIA Expo and the electronic systems industry, will offer more opportunities for electronic systems contractors to experience the technology, education, and networking that has made CEDIA Expo a perennial success.
“Spring EXPO will help to eliminate the waiting list for new exhibitors and offer more opportunities for the different CEDIA stakeholders — including attendees, education and certification participants, and manufacturers,” says CEDIA Executive Director Don Gilpin.
Additional information is available at www.cedia.org/springexpo. Interested exhibitors may contact Jennifer Roth at (800) 669-5329 ext. 139 or at jroth@cedia.org.
CEDIA MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE
CEDIA’s Management Conference, slated for Feb. 27-March 1, 2008, at the Paradise Point Resort and Spa in San Diego, brings together electronic systems business owners and managers from across the country for three days to learn from industry experts, network with peers, and increase their strategic planning initiatives. Attendees will spend the day absorbing strategic business tips and stories of trading success and setbacks with colleagues who have been there.
Attendees will also learn real-world strategic planning ideas and tactics for day-to-day operations. There will also be intense, high-level networking with new and veteran electronic systems contractors and exciting, thought-provoking speakers, presentations, and forums.
Online registration opens Nov. 14, 2007. Early-bird registration discount ends Jan. 30, 2008. Visit www.cedia.org/mc for more information and to hear alumni attendees describe their experiences at previous conferences.
CEDIAWIRE CONNECTS MEDIA TO INFORMED MEMBERS
CEDIA recently launched CEDIAwire in response to growing interest in the electronic systems industry across all forms of media. CEDIAwire is a tool that will gather media inquiries and connect news outlets with technology experts, electronic systems contractors, manufacturers, and industry insiders who are willing to contribute stories.
Members can get involved by completing an online form indicating their areas of expertise, company success stories, and preferred method of contact. The media can visit www.cedia.org/pressresources to request expert information to support a story. Watch www.cedia.org as well as CEDIA’s member communications for additional details.
Associations Focus: New Initiatives
Oct 1, 2007 12:00 PM
INFOCOMM INTERNATIONAL
The InfoComm Academy in Fairfax, Va., will be filled with audiovisual professionals looking to expand their knowledge during the last quarter of 2007. The state-of-the-art classroom, hands-on lab, robust curriculum, and esteemed faculty are some of the reasons so many choose InfoComm for their education and training needs.
Register today by contacting an InfoComm International customer service agent at (703) 273-7200. For more information, visit InfoComm’s website at www.infocomm.org.
InfoComm Classes
Design School
Level 1: The Principles of Applied AV Design
Oct. 28-30
Level 2: Facilities Design
Dec. 2-4
Level 3: Systems Design
Dec. 5-7
Installation School
Installation Technician
Nov. 4-6
Lead Installation Technician
Nov. 7-9
Project Management
Oct. 24-26
AV/IT Integration
Nov. 11-13