At its 2013 AGM, held on Thursday 28th November, Wendy Griffiths, Executive Director of CEDIA in Region 1 highlighted a year of significant successes, with membership standing at an all-time high of 577 from 38 countries.

Taking place at the London Transport Museum in front of more than 80 members, the CEDIA AGM offered a detailed review of the Association’s activities in the past 12 months.

“We are meeting the objectives set by the CEDIA Board in terms of professionalism, awareness, engagement and membership,” said Wendy. “Key initiatives have delivered in these areas and will continue to deliver, for the benefit of all CEDIA members. Belonging to CEDIA brings distinct advantages. Our efforts are focussed on helping CEDIA businesses make sure that they’re in the right shape to capitalise on growth opportunities as the economic recovery gathers pace.”

In the AGM, CEDIA revealed that more than 171 members had joined the trade body in 2013, bringing the total up to its highest point ever for the Region. The UK remains the largest single country within CEDIA Region 1 at 321, but, internationally, representation is increasing rapidly, and now exceeds 20 members in France, Italy, South Africa and India.

In professional development, CEDIA has introduced a new Residential Networking Specialist Certification and a new Gateway Certification this year. A total of 86 education courses have been delivered across the Region. CEDIA has also achieved a 71% increase on its Certification programme, with 89 delegates passing CEDIA Certification examinations in 2013. This brings the total of CEDIA Certified professionals to 783 across the Region.

In early 2014, CEDIA revealed that it will introduce CEDIA ESC (Electrotechnical Certification Scheme) cards, affiliated to the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS), to make it easier for Home Technology Integrators to access building sites. Holding an ECS card will mean that CEDIA members will be able to prove their identity, qualified status and occupation when working on-site.

CEDIA revealed that its Recommended Wiring Guidelines, now available in four languages, has been downloaded over 2,000 times from the CEDIA website in 2013. CEDIA has also organised 9 Smart Home Technology CPD events, 4 Technology for Living events, 2 Focus Groups and 6 RIBA roadshows to help grow awareness for the Association. On-line technical and business learning resources continue to increase with more than 800 downloads of white papers and other Best Practice documentation reported from the CEDIA website.

More than 220 CEDIA members are now qualified to present the Association’s “Designing Integrated Future-Ready Homes” CPD, with over 600 presentations delivered to architects and specifiers in the last twelve months. The course has been delivered in the UK, France, Italy, South Africa and Spain.

In marketing, CEDIA highlighted extensive media coverage in specialist homes and interiors publications, national press and online, culminating in a video of a CEDIA award-winning home featuring on the FT How To Spend It website. The CEDIA.org consumer-facing website has to date received more than 30,000 page views and generated over 100 consumer enquiries for members. The Association has also produced a new marketing guide for members and has just announced a new reciprocal agreement with the Registered Digital Institute to help build profile and awareness for CEDIA members, click here for more information.

Meanwhile, the CEDIA Awards go from strength to strength. The scheme which attracted a record 160 project entries from 15 countries and culminated in a sell-out Gala Dinner for 300 guests in June was hailed by CEDIA as the “best to date”. In 2014, a new online submissions process will make the Awards easier than ever to enter.

The AGM followed a special keynote presentation by Wilfried Van Baelen, CEO of Auro Technologies and Galaxy Studios on “3D Audio”. As Founder and CEO of Galaxy Studios and Auro Technologies, Wilfried shared his thoughts on the neuroscientific background to 3D Audio and the implications of the new standard for the residential custom installation sector.

For further information on the AGM or any aspect of CEDIA’s work, contact the CEDIA office on +44 (0)1480 213744, email, or browse the CEDIA website.