INDIANAPOLIS (September 15, 2016) – CEDIA and CEDIA EMEA today announce their intent to formally integrate to one unified worldwide association which will bring significant benefits to all members.

“Many of our members may not realize that CEDIA EMEA has been operating under a licensing agreement since that office opened in 1997,” said Vin Bruno, CEDIA CEO. “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 globalization 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 – Salt River, 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 organization, 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.

Added Value for All CEDIA Members
Unifying as one global organization 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 revitalize 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 September 15 – 20, 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 January 1, 2017 and the new board will take office at the first board meeting in January.