Jordan O'BrienCEDIA and CEDIA EMEA have announced plans to unify the two organisations into one global association, in a move that the group says will bring ‘significant’ benefits to members across the globe.
Announcing the move during the association’s annual CEDIA Expo in Dallas, Texas, Vin Bruno notes: “Many of our members may not realise that CEDIA EMEA has been operating under a licensing agreement since that office opened in 1997.
“While we have enjoyed a strong and productive partnership, we have identified that the member experience could be more seamless, the brand voice more consistent and our services to members improved through a formal integration.”
CEDIA has increasingly been moving to globalise its business, calling many to question whether CEDIA EMEA and the main branch of CEDIA could remain separate for much longer. The industry is also one beginning to break into the mainstream, with partnerships with technology giants such as Amazon already on the table.
Despite the recent moves in the industry however, many will still cite significant differences between the custom install markets in North America and Europe – with the industry having moved on significantly in prominence in the US market. The differences in the markets could cause issues for some, but CEDIA is confident that if the two organisations join forces for consistent messaging and governance it will be able to replicate its success globally, rather than in select markets.
With integration, CEDIA will streamline its governance to make decision-making more efficient, representative and consistent. 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.
To ensure continuity, stability and balance during the initial integration period, a CEDIA Governance Task Force has determined the slate, approved by both boards. The names on that task for are as follows:
- Christiaan Beukes – Sphere Custom Design & Installation – Cape Town, South Africa
- Henry Clifford – LiveWire – Richmond, Virginia
- Ken Erdmann – Erdmann Electric – Springville, Utah
- Dennis Erskine – Erskine Group, LLC – Vancouver, Washington
- Omar Hikal – Archimedia – Cairo, Egypt
- Greg Margolis – HomeTronics, Inc – Dallas, Texas
- Rob Sutherland – Inspired Dwellings – London, England
- Giles Sutton – JAMES + GILES – London, England
- Joe Whitaker – The Thoughtful Home – Clayton, Missouri
Global Support
Through the global organisation CEDIA members will supposedly 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 says that it 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 (ie US & UK), growth will be spearheaded by a global development team led by Wendy Griffiths in her new role of vice president, global development. Matt Nimmons has accepted the position of Managing Director, EMEA, and will oversee the operations and staff in Cambridgeshire.
Unifying as one global organisation is designed to increase operational efficiencies while decreasing expenses and tax burdens; with these savings being invested directly back into member programs. With combined resources, CEDIA says it will be better able to fund outreach to both consumers and the design/build industry and revitalise efforts to grow and develop membership in additional countries.
CEDIA Americas and Asia Pacific members are being encouraged to vote in support of the global integration and new slate of board members. Voting for CEDIA Americas and Asia Pacific will be open 15 – 20 September 2016. Voting stations will be available at the CEDIA 2016 show in the CEDIA booth, as well as through traditional online voting, mail and fax. CEDIA EMEA members will vote at their annual general meeting, which is in November. The effective date of the integration will be January 1 2017 and the new board will take office at the first board meeting in January.