AliceIt’s official; the votes are in, (no, not those votes): CEDIA has announced a formal integration between CEDIA and CEDIA EMEA. The recent AGM in London saw the CEDIA members in attendance vote for or against the global integration, with a unified CEDIA coming out on top. So how will this announcement affect CEDIA members going forward?
Firstly, to assist in the initial integration phase, a CEDIA Governance Task Force has determined the slate, approved by both boards. The 2017 global board of directors will begin their positions beginning January 1, 2017. At that time, the board may choose to appoint up to four skills-based directors, while the executive committee will also be determined in the New Year.
The 2017 global board comprises:
- Christiaan Beukes; Sphere Custom Design & Installation – Salt River, Cape Town, South Africa
- Henry Clifford; LiveWire – Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Ken Erdmann; Erdmann Electric – Springville, Utah, USA
- Dennis Erskine; Erskine Group, LLC – Vancouver, Washington, Canada
- Omar Hikal; Archimedia – Cairo, Egypt
- Greg Margolis; HomeTronics, Inc – Dallas, Texas, USA
- Rob Sutherland; Inspired Dwellings – London, England
- Giles Sutton; James + Giles – London, England
- Joe Whitaker; The Thoughtful Home – Clayton, Missouri, USA
During the AGM, the new chair of CEDIA’s volunteer Board of Directors, Giles Sutton took the stage to inform attendees about what will be changing for CEDIA, admitting that while CEDIA has always enjoyed a strong and productive partnership, the organisation identified that the member experience could be more seamless, the brand voice more consistent, and its services to members improved.
1.Better Deployment Of Resources Globally
Members will benefit from having access to all CEDIA products and services, no matter where they are based without having to have regional membership
“Take education as an example – CEDIA members will be able to access the entire library of 150 hours of online training, including newly developed education which is extensive, immersive and invaluable,” said Giles. “Going forward, education will be developed with international input, taking into consideration both global developments, as well as local market needs.
CEDIA will place an emphasis on education, allowing access to skills training no matter where members are located. Going forward education will be developed with global input, taking into consideration both global developments, as well as local market needs.
2.Streamlined Governance
“With integration, CEDIA will streamline its governance to make decision-making more efficient, representative and consistent,” Giles stated.
Instead of two separate governing boards, the association will be governed by a 13-member global board, comprised of nine elected directors who are home technology professionals matching the geographical diversity of the membership and up to four appointed skills-based directors.
3.Global Support
“The integration of CEDIA strengthens the voice and influence of the association, and its members, both globally and locally,” Giles clarified.
CEDIA members will now have access to a much broader support system through CEDIA’s collective global staff and the deeper resources that it brings. As a global organisation, CEDIA will also be able to better advocate for members who work across international borders, and deploy resources wherever they are required by members around the world.
As the industry continues to develop in new and emerging territories outside of CEDIA’s core markets (the US and UK), growth will be spearheaded by a Global Development team led by Wendy Griffiths in her new role of vice president, Global Development.
4.Strengthened Global Membership Profile
Regional membership no longer exists. All CEDIA members will have worldwide access to the global benefits of membership with consistency in member categories, benefits and dues, no matter where you are based.
5.Financial and Operational Efficiencies
“Unifying as one global organisation increases operational efficiencies while decreasing expenses and tax burdens; and these savings will be invested directly back into member programs,” Giles pledged.
“With over 50 staff working under one strategy and one board, we will be better equipped to deploy beneficial resources to our members wherever they are in the world.”
To enable CEDIA to do this, the two offices in Indianapolis and Cambridgeshire will remain as they are.
“They will develop goods and services for the membership, but also give continuity in the form of local support through staff members you’re familiar with. We recognise these are people who understand your business and are on the end of the phone to answer any questions you have. Part of our success as an association is our ability to provide regional benefits and connections to local markets, so we will continue to deliver in these areas.”
With combined resources, the idea is that CEDIA will be better able to fund outreach to both consumers and the design/build industry whilst revitalising efforts to grow and develop membership in additional countries.
“Our unified voice and messaging will ensure that every dollar or pound we spend in promoting CEDIA is amplified,” Giles added. “As we grow globally, we become more relevant, allowing us to have more opportunities to set standards, work with government and education and raise awareness of the industry within the building and construction industry.
“It allows CEDIA to better advocate for members who work across international borders and, through collaborative efforts, we will raise awareness of the industry and the profile of our members, both globally and locally – the new brand which we launched last year is a good example of this approach in practice,” he concluded.
“Operating as one global organisation is an important step for CEDIA as we seek to strengthen our global voice and influence,” added Vin Bruno, CEDIA CEO. “Our increased operational efficiencies will ensure that we are able to continue to deploy the resources CEDIA members need to be successful in every region.”