The EMEA wing of CEDIA is no more-- the association announces plans to to become a single unified worldwide organisation, one promising "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,” CEDIA CEO Vin Bruno says. “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.”
The move towards integration comes as CEDIA member businesses are becoming more globalised. As such, it is a natural move for the association after it implemented a new global brand last year. The integration brings a number of key benefits, including streamlined governance, broad global support, and added value for all members.
The integration of CEDIA provides members with a broader support system via global staff, not to mention deeper resources. As a global organisation CEDIA should be able to better advocate for members working across international borders, and deploy resources wherever required by members around the world.
A unified global organisation also brings about operational efficiencies and decreased expenses and tax burdens, and such savings will be invested back into member programs.
Leading the integrated CEDIA is a 13-member global board comprised of 9 elected directors (all home technology professionals matching the geographic diversity of the membership) and up to 4 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.
CEDIA EMEA members can cast their vote on the global integration plan and the new slate of board members at the annual general meeting taking place on November 2016. The effective date of integration will be 1 January 2017, and the new board will take office at the first board meeting in January.
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