News

ICIA/InfoComm, CEDIA Announce Residential Program Partnership to Support ProAV Industry at InfoComm 05 (3/2/2005)

The International Communications Industries Association, Inc.¨ (ICIA¨) and the Custom Electronic Design Installation Association (CEDIA), are joining forces to offer for the first time a residential education program at InfoComm International, the premier conference and exhibition for the professional audiovisual and information communications industry. The program, CEDIA University courses at InfoComm, will take place at the upcoming InfoComm Conference and Exhibition in the Las Vegas Convention Center, June 8 -10, 2005.

"As the trade association for the professional AV industry, ICIA must prepare our members to succeed as they seek to expand their services into the residential market," said Randal A. Lemke, Ph.D, Executive Director of ICIA. "We're delighted that CEDIA is offering its expertise in residential education at InfoComm 05 for companies in the professional AV industry who wish to expand their businesses."

ICIA's members and InfoComm attendees include commercial AV solutions providers for permanent installations as well as live events; many are manufacturers and integrators of high-end home theater, home security and home office products and services. These companies have seen a strong demand from the residential market for AV products and services. Fully 20 percent of ICIA's dealer members are currently in the home market, according to ICIA's market studies, and the majority of those surveyed believe that the home market offers excellent revenue opportunities.

Billilynne Keller, CEDIA's Executive Director stated that "CEDIA welcomes the opportunity to educate and introduce the professional and commercial side of the industry to the residential arena. We are looking forward to participating."

CEDIA University is designed to give professional audiovisual systems integrators, dealers, VARs and design consultants who attend InfoComm the opportunity to learn about various aspects of custom residential systems, applications and business practices. CEDIA will present ten two-hour seminars including:

Data Communications for Residential Systems Contractors
The Art of Managing Home Cinema Projects
Design and Documentation of Large Home Systems
Digital Video in the Analog World of Home Theater
Home Theater in the Real World
Project Management 101: The PMI Model
Home Networking 101: Introduction to Home Networking for the Custom A/V Installer

Registration for any residential session includes complimentary admission to the InfoComm Show floor. Registration for all InfoComm courses will be available online beginning January 17, 2005.

In addition to CEDIA University, ICIA is launching a Residential Systems Pavilion at InfoComm 05. The exhibit floor attraction will be a valuable resource to InfoComm attendees to find products and services for the home market and will provide information for becoming successful in the home integration business.

An added feature of InfoComm is the AVolution NextGen Home, a demonstration of the home of the future. Using cutting-edge technologies, from advanced electronics to super-strong energy efficient structures, the NextGen Home is designed to show the latest enhancements for quality, durability, efficiency, safety and affordability.

With 2004 attendance at 23,000, InfoComm 05 is expected to attract a record number of AV professionals including buyers and sellers of AV technology. More than 90 percent of the exhibition space has already been committed, with over 700 companies expected to exhibit at InfoComm 05. In addition to the new Residential Systems Integration Pavilion, other new exhibit floor features will include a Digital Signage Pavilion and a Security Pavilion as well as the return of the successful Pro Lighting and Staging, Streaming Media/Video Production and Collaborative Conferencing Pavilions; and an exciting line-up of special events, educational courses and award programs.

www.infocomm.org