News

CEDIA Sets Dates and Location for Expanded 2007 Electronic Lifestyles Forum EXPO (30/3/2006)

Secondary EXPO trade show to debut along side industry outreach event

CEDIA President Andy Willcox announced today that CEDIA will introduce a second EXPO trade show in conjunction with its 2007 Electronic Lifestyles(R) Forum next year. The events are being marketed together as the 2007 CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles(R) Forum EXPO, and they will both be held April 18, 19, 20, and 21, at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas. Details on exhibit space are available in the event prospectus posted on the CEDIA website.

Willcox said adding a secondary EXPO trade show is important for CEDIA Members because residential electronic systems contracting continues to experience incredible growth, and one EXPO annually is not enough to meet industry demand for the high-quality trade show experience CEDIA delivers.

"Introducing our new trade show in conjunction with the second annual Electronic Lifestyles(R) Forum has the added benefit of being inclusive of the architects, builders, and interior designers who are participating in CEDIA's outreach programs," Willcox said. "Together, the 2007 CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles(R) Forum EXPO will truly offer unparalleled business development, industry outreach, networking, and education."

In particular, manufacturers with products relevant to home networking, media rooms, home theaters, smart appliances, and automation would benefit from the exposure to architects, builders, and interior designers by exhibiting at the 2007 CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles(R) Forum EXPO.

Utz Baldwin, event chairman, said that the "forum" component of the 2007 CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles(R) Forum EXPO is focused on increasing collaboration between architects, builders, interior designers, and residential electronic systems contractors. Baldwin also served as event chairman for the inaugural Electronic Lifestyles(R) Forum, which was held in San Francisco last month.

"No other event brings architects, builders, interior designers, and electronic systems contractors together for meaningful, applicable training, and networking," Baldwin said. "CEDIA is truly fulfilling its leadership role within the residential electronics systems industry by reaching out to other disciplines and creating profitable relationships for CEDIA Members."

CEDIA will again offer a broad array of industry outreach education sessions, such as "How to Design Home Theaters," "Understanding the Interior Design Process," and "The Fully Integrated Home." Additionally, CEDIA University will present its Electronic Systems Technician (EST) and Electronic Systems Designer (ESD) core curriculum courses and certification exams.

Robert Wright, of Bast/Wright Interiors, Inc. and president of the American Society of Interior Designers said "CEDIA's Electronic Lifestyles(R) event in San Francisco provided me with interior design and planning information I could immediately apply to my projects. I see many future opportunities for ASID and CEDIA to provide the right education and training so that our members can better understand our clients' needs."

Johnnie Long, Sr., owner of J. Long Builder, LTD in San Antonio, Texas, said "the light at the end of the tunnel is not a freight train! It's the "fourth trade" (CEDIA), in a combined effort with NAHB, to develop positive working relationships between ESC's and homebuilders."

The forum will also include panel discussions, numerous networking opportunities, and keynote addresses from internationally recognized professionals and technology experts.

www.cedia.org