For more information about CEDIA, visit the association's Web site, www.cedia.org, or phone 800 669 5329.
CEDIAís Inaugural Management Conference A True Success
The Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) hosted over 140 custom installation business owners at its inaugural Management Conference. The conference was held November 4-6 in Scottsdale, Arizona, and was created to provide executive level training for custom electronic corporate executives. Attendee feedback following the conference indicates that the conference was a true success and planning for the second annual conference is now underway. In early 1999, a task force was initiated to identify the most current critical needs of CEDIA professionals. Relevant topics were identified and experts were brought in for working with the committee to create a seamless menu of seminar topics that are key to the advancement of this industry. It was determined that the 1999 conference would address the need for growth-management training stemming from the rapid increase in business throughout the custom installation industry. The program provided CEOs/Principles with the knowledge and tools needed to maximize their companies' growth. ""One of our primary goals as an association is to remain a step ahead where member needs are concerned,"" said Billilynne Keller, CEDIA's Executive Director. ""This conference is an example of CEDIA's commitment to 'forward thinking and out-of-the-box ideas.' We have long had the most extensive education program from a technical standpoint. Incredible growth within the industry has now mandated a need to take our education program to the management level as well."" CEDIA enlisted experts from the financial, human resources and management fields for the two-day conference, which included two keynote addresses and three intensive workshops. Highlights of the conference included speakers Howard Putnam, former CEO of Southwest Airlines; Jack Canfield, expert on human behavior and author of the best-selling Chicken Soup for the Soul series; Michael Gerber, author of The E-Myth series and business development expert; Dick Outcalt and Pat Johnson, business strategists and financial planning experts with Outcalt & Johnson: Retail Strategists, LLC; and Susan Gallant, an organization and management consultant. Outside the classroom, attendees made valuable contacts with dealers across North America. Dealers discussed the future of the industry, as well as shared specific information on business development, employee issues and other concerns of industry professionals. Attendee feedback, to date, indicates that participants left the conference with renewed enthusiasm and an increased knowledge of how to shape their businesses for growth and maintain the stability of the company throughout the growth process. CEDIA was founded in 1989 and represents more than 1,600 member companies that specialize in designing and installing electronic systems - typically media rooms, single- or multi-room entertainment systems, home automation and communication systems, and integrated whole house subsystems providing control of lighting, security and HVAC systems. Members are established, insured businesses with bona fide qualifications and experience in this specialized field.