News

CEDIA announces second phase of new requirements for association membership (13/4/2005)

The Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) announced the second phase of new requirements for association membership that raises the affiliation standards for member companies while building a new foundation that further develops the expanding custom electronics industry.

Set to take effect January 31, 2006, the second phase will require all member companies to employ at least one full-time CEDIA Certified Professional. Companies who qualify will be considered "Full" members of the association. This ensures that CEDIA members represent the highest level of excellence in the custom electronics industry and bring a significant competitive advantage to the marketplace.

"CEDIA membership is growing tremendously, and we want to make sure we present the Îcream of the cropâ for our members," said Ray Lepper, president of CEDIA and owner of Home Media Stores in Richmond, Va. "Requiring companies to employ a full-time CEDIA Certified Professional will allow the association to emphasize its brand essence within the custom electronics industry and raise the standards for non-members who are striving to achieve excellence in their work. This can only be obtained if the company is a CEDIA member."

Employing a CEDIA Certified Professional will provide a clear, objective standard by which companies can evaluate their employeesâ skills. It will demonstrate the companyâs superior value and credibility to prospective customers, including architects, builders, interior designers, and consumers. In addition, employing a CEDIA Certified Professional will provide a basis for customers to choose their company over others lacking CEDIA certification.

Beyond the essential benefits of being a CEDIA member, the 2004 CEDIA Member Survey shows companies with three (3) to thirty (30) employees with at least one CEDIA Certified Professional have higher gross revenues than those without certified employees. The result is qualified companies with greater chances of achieving financial success through its CEDIA affiliation and employment of a CEDIA Certified Professional.

Current CEDIA members that do not comply by January 31, 2006, will be placed at the Provisional Membership class. They will be removed from the Finder Service on CEDIAâs Web site and will have until March 31, 2006, to relinquish all CEDIA branding from all company material.

CEDIA introduced the first phase of membership requirements in 2004. The new Provisional Membership class is a place for both new companies to get on board with CEDIA and for non-compliant companies who are not full CEDIA members. Companies at the Provisional level share some of the benefits of Full members but are encouraged to be a Full CEDIA member because of the numerous advantages that apply.

To help obtain CEDIA Certification, CEDIA throughout the year provides many opportunities through CEDIA University education, certification reviews and exams.

"I am confident that by 2006, CEDIA membership will stand even more clearly for industry prestige, proven skills, significant competitive advantage and greater sales potential," said Lepper. "Companies in the custom electronics industry are thriving, and we want to offer our services to them as the ticket to success."

www.cedia.org