News

CEDIA Announces New Board at AGM (13/11/2006)

Following its recent AGM, CEDIA (the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association) has revealed the composition of the newly elected CEDIA Board, which will be headed by incoming Chairman Simon Williams. CEDIA Board members also provided the AGM audience with information on the Association's future plans, including a series of new education and marketing initiatives to help the industry sustain its impressive growth.

Simon Williams, from design and installation company Olive, takes up the position of CEDIA Chairman, following four years service as a Board member, most recently as Vice Chairman and Membership Chair. New to the Board will be Jane Scotland from London-based company, Beyond The Invisible and Raphael Oberholzer from Swiss-based installation company smart home s.a.. David Graham of Grahams Hi-Fi and Robert Hallam from Ireland's InControl both return to the CEDIA Board in new roles. The full Board which will serve for a two year period on the new Board (unless otherwise stated) is as follows, with their assigned responsibilities and development tasks:

Simon Williams, (Olive): Chairman
Steve Martin (Martin Kleiser): Vice Chairman and Education Chair
Jane Scotland (Beyond the Invisible): Marketing Chair
Paul Helliar (D&T Electronics): ESP Expo Chair
Stuart Tickle (AWE Europe): Treasurer and Trade Supplier Expo Chair (currently, with one year left to serve)
Robin van Meeuwen (Crestron): Trade Supplier Council Chair (currently, with one year left to serve)
David Graham (Grahams Hi-fi): Membership Chair
Robert Hallam (InControl): Non-UK Membership
Raphael Oberholzer (smart home s.a.): Non-UK membership
David Hyman (Discrete Architectural Electronics) will continue to serve as an active member of the Board for a further two years as Immediate Past Chairman.

"This is an exciting time for CEDIA, both here in the UK, and increasingly in Europe, Africa and the Middle East" says Simon Williams, CEDIA Chairman. "The demand for home electronics is growing fast in these territories which brings fantastic opportunities for all CEDIA members, and challenges in how we can best equip ourselves to meet these needs. The new Board is full of energy, enthusiasm and a great deal of experience that will help CEDIA members make the most of what lies ahead."

As part of the AGM, Steve Martin, CEDIA Education Chair highlighted the growth of the education programme. Four new one day courses have been created this year and a further four are in development whilst CEDIA Expo 2006 featured 176 education hours. He also reported the successful opening of the CEDIA training facility at the CEDIA Head Office in St Neots and announced that the number of UK CEDIA Certified Instructors now stands at 25. Steve then outlined initiatives for the next year which include backing a bid by Nottingham University for DTI funding for 'Smart Homes' on campus; increasing CEDIA seminar presentations to building specifiers and consumers; the roll out of the newly revised CPD course to other building trade organisations; partnerships with tertiary education establishments on foundation and graduate degrees in Residential Electronic Systems; and new courses, curriculum development and materials to be undertaken in conjunction with CEDIA US and CEDIA Australasia.

In marketing, CEDIA remains committed to participating at relevant exhibitions both in the UK and abroad, building on the successful 'House of the Future Today' feature which was a centrepiece attraction at Grand Designs Live. CEDIA is also getting involved with innovative projects, such as the Osborne House at the BRE and the National Self Build and Renovation Centre at Swindon. Robin Courtenay, Marketing Chair, also announced continued progress on the strengthening of links with other influential trade associations, such as RIBA and BIDA, and continuing investment in the successful PR campaign, run by Wildwood PR.

On the back of the most successful Expo ever, the Board also revealed that plans are well under way for Expo 2007 with the vast majority of the expanded floor space already reserved. The CEDIA Board is confident that the exhibition, seminar programme and attendance will continue to grow in its new home at ExCeL London, with Expo 2007 running from 25-28 June 2007.

"On behalf of CEDIA UK, we would like to thank all outgoing board members for their hard work, commitment and dedication to the organisation's work and the development of the custom installation industry" added Simon Williams. "Robin Courtenay (SMC), Stephen Gough (Audiofile) and Dean Gillings (Flamingbox) have made important contributions in their time as Board members and we will aim to continue their good work over the next two years".

The CEDIA AGM took place on Thursday 26th October at the Hellidon Lakes Hotel, near Banbury. A copy of the AGM minutes is available through the CEDIA office.

www.cedia.co.uk