CEDIA and CEDIA EMEA have announced their intent to formally combine into one unified worldwide association that will bring significant benefits to all members.

“Many of our members may not realise that CEDIA EMEA has been operating under a licensing agreement since that office opened in 1997,” says CEDIA chief executive Vin Bruno.

“While we have enjoyed a strong and productive partnership, we have identified that the member experience could be more seamless, the brand voice more consistent and our services to members improved through a formal integration.”

This strategic move towards formal integration follows the increasing globalisation of CEDIA member businesses and is a natural evolution for CEDIA after the implementation of the new global brand last year. The integration brings with it several key benefits including streamlined governance, broad global support, and added value for all CEDIA members.

Streamlined Governance

With integration, CEDIA will streamline its governance to make decision-making more efficient, representative and consistent. Instead of two separate governing boards, the association will be governed by a 13-member global board, comprised of nine elected directors who are home technology professionals matching the geographical diversity of the membership and up to four appointed skills-based directors.

To ensure continuity, stability and balance during the initial integration period, a CEDIA Governance Task Force has determined the slate, approved by both boards.

Christiaan Beukes

Sphere Custom Design & Installation – Cape Town, South Africa

Henry Clifford

LiveWire – Richmond, Virginia

Ken Erdmann

Erdmann Electric – Springville, Utah

Dennis Erskine

Erskine Group, LLC – Vancouver, Washington

Omar Hikal

Archimedia – Cairo, Egypt

Greg Margolis

HomeTronics, Inc – Dallas, Texas

Rob Sutherland

Inspired Dwellings – London, England

Giles Sutton

JAMES + GILES – London, England

Joe Whitaker

The Thoughtful Home – Clayton, Missouri

Global Support

The integration of CEDIA strengthens the voice and influence of the association, and its members, both globally and locally. CEDIA members will now have access to a much broader support system through CEDIA’s collective global staff and the deeper resources that it brings.

As a global organisation, CEDIA will also be able to better advocate for members who work across international borders, and deploy resources wherever they are required by members around the world.

As the industry continues to develop in new and emerging territories outside of CEDIA’s core markets (i.e. US and UK), growth will be spearheaded by a global development team led by Wendy Griffiths in her new role of Vice President, Global Development.

Matt Nimmons has accepted the position of Managing Director, EMEA, and will oversee the operations and staff in Cambridgeshire.

Added Value for All CEDIA Members

Unifying as one global organisation increases operational efficiencies while decreasing expenses and tax burdens; and these savings will be invested directly back into member programs.

With combined resources, CEDIA will be better able to fund outreach to both consumers and the design/build industry and revitalise efforts to grow and develop membership in additional countries. Our unified voice and messaging will ensure that every dollar we spend in promoting CEDIA is amplified.

CEDIA Americas and Asia Pacific members are encouraged to vote in support of the global integration and new slate of board members. Voting for CEDIA Americas and Asia Pacific will be open 15 – 20 September 2016. Voting stations will be available at the CEDIA 2016 show in the CEDIA booth, as well as through traditional online voting, mail and fax.

CEDIA EMEA members will vote at their annual general meeting, which is in November. The effective date of the integration will be 1 January 2017 and the new board will take office at the first board meeting in January.