CEDIA has named its 2019 Volunteers of the Year recognised in three categories: a new volunteer, an education volunteer, and an overall volunteer.
Nominated by CEDIA staff, honourees are selected based on their contributions that enhance, develop, and refine the organisation’s programmes and offerings.
“Giving back to the industry is the backbone of what CEDIA is all about, and this year’s honourees are true standouts for their volunteerism,” said Tabatha O’Connor, CEDIA’s global president and CEO. “The industry and the organisation thrive when members lend their expertise to the rest of the world.”
Geoff Meads from Presto Web Design has received this year’s overall volunteer of the year award. Meads has been involved with CEDIA since the mid-2000s and is now the owner of Presto.
Contributing to training and e-learning courses, Meads has served as a regular instructor for more than 15 years. Holding a number of CEDIA certifications including ESC-T, ESC-D, and ESC-N, he has made a name for himself as a trusted subject matter expert, podcast guest, coach, and mentor who has boosted all facets of the organisation and industry.
Education Volunteer of the Year went to Jamie Briesemeister, managing principal of Integration Controls. After becoming a CEDIA member, Briesemeister took up as many courses as possible to dill the schedule at her first CEDIA Expo.
She began volunteering on the Professional Development Advisory Council, then as a co-chair of the Business Xchange task force, in class instruction, and is currently the Business Working Group Chair.
When she was previously recognised as CEDIA’s Volunteer of the Year in 2015, she said: “I care about CEDIA and this industry!”
Finally, Michael Robinson, project director of Perfect Integration has been named the New Volunteer of the Year. Increasing his involvement with CEDIA this year, Robinson has served on the Industry Relations Advisory Council and on the Task Force for EMEA Continuing Professional Development Creation. He also earned his ESC-D credential from CEDIA earlier this year.
O’Connor continued: “Please join me in congratulating Geoff Meads, Jamie Briesemeister, and Michael Robinson for demonstrating leadership in action through the hard work they’ve put in to nurture the industry and drive it forward.”
The three volunteers will be honoured during this year’s CEDIA Expo, taking place from 10-14th September at the Colorado Convention Centre in Denver.