In September 2004, the CEDIA Board of Directors
announced the “rising bar” membership requirements
strategic plan. Over the next several years, new requirements
for membership will raise the standards for member companies
while building a new foundation that further develops the expanding
custom electronics industry.
The first phase in the plan was the creation
of the Provisional membership level. CEDIA is now implementing
the second phase. Effective January 31, 2006, all Residential
Electronic System Professional members will be required to
employ one CEDIA Certified Professional. Companies achieving
this standard will be considered “Full Members” of
the association. Companies that do not comply by January 31,
2006 will be placed at the Provisional membership level, removed
from the CEDIA Finder Service and will have until March 31st,
2006 to relinquish the CEDIA branding from all company material.
This standard will ensure that CEDIA Members
represent the highest level of excellence in our industry.
It will also ensure that CEDIA Members have a significant competitive
advantage versus non-member companies.
CEDIA Certification
CEDIA Certification is the new standard for membership
because it provides so many advantages to CEDIA member companies:
- It provides a clear, objective standard by which companies
can evaluate their employees’ skills
- It provides a tangible level of success for employees
as they develop their professional expertise
- It proves Residential Electronic Systems company’s
superior value and creditability to prospective customers
including consumers, architects, builders, and interior
designers
- It provides a basis for customers to choose their company
over others without CEDIA certification
Moreover, the importance of CEDIA Certification
goes beyond simple achievement. According to the 2004 CEDIA
Member Survey, companies with 3-30 employees with at least
one CEDIA certified employee have higher gross revenues than
those without CEDIA Certified employees. It pays to be CEDIA
Certified.
The Path to Success
CEDIA Certification is the gold standard for
the residential electronic systems industry. But it is not
beyond the reach of any CEDIA Member company. CEDIA provides
dozens of CEDIA University education, certification review
and certification exam opportunities throughout the year. The
CEDIA professional staff is also willing and accessible to
help with any questions about the certification process.
The Payout
CEDIA’s new membership requirements have
one focus: making CEDIA members the best in the business in
the eyes of the consumers, architects, builders and interior
designers, as well as the industry. By 2006, CEDIA membership
will stand for industry prestige, proven skills, significant
competitive advantage, and greater sales potential. The CEDIA
staff and its volunteers stand ready to help every CEDIA member
take advantage of these benefits.
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