News

CEDIA AGM and Business and Technology Forum Heads to Warwickshire (27/8/2010)

CEDIA (the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association) has announced that the 2010 Business and Technology Forum, incorporating the CEDIA Region 1 AGM, will take place at the Barceló Walton Hall and Hotel, Warwickshire on the 5th and 6th October 2010. The event will feature a broad education programme designed to add value to dealer businesses, sponsors confirmed are AWE, Crestron, Opus Technologies, Genesis Technologies and Rako.

The first day of this year’s event will be given over to a number of Business and Technology forums. This will feature a series of one hour panel sessions chaired by leading industry editors and subject matter gurus. “Will the Tablet Kill The Touchscreen?” is a session chaired by Essential Install’s Editor-in-Chief, Dan Sait followed by “Is Broadcast TV dead?” The third panel of the day will look at a related subject, 3D, and ask the question – is it a genuine opportunity for our industry or just empty hype? Whilst the final session will face up to, perhaps, the biggest business issue of all in the sector: “How To Succeed In An Increasingly Commoditised Marketplace?” This session will be chaired by Paddy Baker, the Editor of the industry’s online newsletter, IE Residential.

Outside of the forum sessions there will be other training opportunities at the event. On the second day of the event Fraser Stride from award-winning CEDIA member company, Finite Solutions, will be hosting a half day morning session, entitled “Creating a Marketing & PR Strategy For Your Business”. Also on the second day, CEDIA’s Director of Professional Development, Peter Aylett will co-host a course with Operations Director, Matt Nimmons entitled “How To Win A CEDIA Award”.

On the evening of 5th October, CEDIA Region 1 will host its AGM. Here, CEDIA Board members will present a review of the Association’s activities, including reports on the key areas of education, marketing, the Home Technology Event, membership development and finance. The results of voting for Board positions will also be announced. Members attending the AGM will also have the opportunity to ask questions and raise matters of interest.

All event sponsors will host stands displaying products and will have personnel on hand to answer any questions or deal with issues that delegates might have.

CEDIA will also be hosting a New Members’ Lunch on the 6th October for members that have joined the Association in the past 12 months. This free informal session will give members the opportunity to network and mingle with other new members and CEDIA representatives. A short presentation by CEDIA’s Membership Development Officer, Michelle Ford, will be followed by an interactive Q&A session and then lunch.

CEDIA members booking early will be able to take advantage of an early bird discount. Book before 2nd September at the special rate of £145 plus VAT, which includes accommodation, food and training. After the 2nd September tickets will cost £185 plus VAT. Non-members are welcome to attend the AGM and Business and Technology Forum at a price of £250 plus VAT. Delegates should visit www.cedia.co.uk and go to the ‘Events’ area to book online for the Business and Technology Forum and the New Members’ Lunch, or for further information.

www.cedia.co.uk