CEDIA has opened voting to fill the three open seats on the board due to term expiration. The organization has selected seven potential candidates, all of whom are integrators with two international candidates. CEDIA says the Boards Governance committee, after an “in-depth process” has determined that these seven candidates “met the competencies required” to be placed on the ballot.
Archives for 2017
Welcome to the Last CEDIA-Produced Show
As we all gather in San Diego for our annual pilgrimage to CEDIA, it can seem like another year/another show. But this show is different – it is the last CEDIA show produced by CEDIA. A fact leading many to wonder…what does the future hold, for both the show and the organization? We’ve spoken to several members and exhibitors to learn of their mood heading into this seminal event.
See how many are feeling about this, the last CEDIA-produced show… [Read more…] about Welcome to the Last CEDIA-Produced Show
AudioControl Expands Maestro Series with New M5 Pre-Pro
AudioControl, the scrappy specialty manufacturer for both home and mobile electronics, announced today that it is launching the M5 Preamp-Processor as part of its popular Maestro home theater processor line. The M5 appears to be a worthy contender for one of the best values in a high-end, if not audiophile, preamp-processor with all the right stuff at a reasonable price.
See more details on the impressive Maestro M5… [Read more…] about AudioControl Expands Maestro Series with New M5 Pre-Pro
Josh.ai Launches New Hardware Solution – Josh Micro
Josh.ai, the high-end voice control solution that created quite a buzz at last year’s CEDIA show, announced today that it is launching its first hardware product, Josh Micro. Josh Micro includes a home control processor, far-field microphone array, and a superior user interface in a small package that “fits in the palm of your hand.” It also disconnects Josh.ai from the need to talk into your smartphone…or to a nearby Amazon Echo.
See more on Josh Micro… [Read more…] about Josh.ai Launches New Hardware Solution – Josh Micro
Savant Throws Some Shade on Competitors
Savant Systems announced today that it is launching a line of shades and brackets, entering a new category for the home automation company. This new line is known simply as Savant Shades and the company says they are “innovative” and “design-forward” shades with a unique “fascia-free” design that eliminates the unsightly window box that exists to conceal wires, screws or fasteners on traditional and competitive shading systems.
See more on this new line from Savant… [Read more…] about Savant Throws Some Shade on Competitors
CEDIA Integrators Raise Funds for Houston Colleagues Hit by Harvey
A group of integrators, including Premier Group in Carmel, Indiana and Integration Controls in St. Louis, MO have come together to launch a fund-raising effort on YouCaring.com to benefit CEDIA integrators impacted by Harvey, the storm that has battered Houston and surrounding area over the last few days. Noting the “the flooding in Houston is nothing short of catastrophic,” the group are hoping to raise at least $20,000 to help affected integrators rebuild their businesses.
See more on this grassroots effort of integrators helping integrators… [Read more…] about CEDIA Integrators Raise Funds for Houston Colleagues Hit by Harvey
Is Gibson Brands Headed for a Default?
Moody’s Hits Gibson Brands with Another Credit Downgrade
Moody’s Investors Service, one of the largest credit rating services in the world, has downgraded the credit rating for Gibson Brands, the Nashville-based parent of Gibson Guitar, Onkyo, Teac, KRK, Philips, Stanton and more. Moody’s has set their rating on Gibson Brands debt to Caa3, down one step from Caa2.
The move caused Wall Street investment analyst The Street to raise the specter of the possibility of Gibson Brands defaulting on their debt.
See why Moody’s says the Gibson Brands situation is unsustainable… [Read more…] about Is Gibson Brands Headed for a Default?
On Eve of Last CEDIA-Produced Show, Are We at a Turning Point?
What a weird time it is for CEDIA members. We are about to head to San Diego in a couple of weeks for the last-ever CEDIA show produced by CEDIA, after which we are losing the greatest revenue-generator for the organization…we have no CEO (just a temporary fill-in) and the reason for the previous CEO’s exit has never been explained…we have been globalized, the benefits of which to American members aren’t exactly clear…we are awaiting a new strategic plan which is being crafted by a consultant in England…and the organization is about to spend some $14 million to build a new building before we even have the strategic plan to tell us if that makes any sense.
It seems as though the organization is at some kind of a turning point. But are things turning up, or down? We talked to some leading industry executives to get their perspective on what’s going on at CEDIA.
See what some are saying about the direction of CEDIA… [Read more…] about On Eve of Last CEDIA-Produced Show, Are We at a Turning Point?
Thiel Audio’s New CEO, Elyse McKenna, Talks to Strata-Gee
New CEO Outlines a New Future for the 40-Year Old Brand
You practically need a scorecard to keep track of the revolving group of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) that have come and gone from Nashville-based Thiel Audio. The specialty speaker company has had five CEOs in four years – leading to an unending series of disjointed actions from a disconnected group of high-powered executives, each with their own vision of where to take the company.
Now it is new Thiel CEO Elyse McKenna’s turn…and she has a plan… [Read more…] about Thiel Audio’s New CEO, Elyse McKenna, Talks to Strata-Gee
B&H Photo Pays $3.2M to Settle Federal Charges
BREAKING NEWS
Just over a year ago, we told you about the Federal government bringing charges against popular retailer B&H Foto & Electronics Corp., better known as B&H Photo Video, alleging discrimination, bias, and harassment of workers at its Brooklyn Navy Yard warehouse. Filed by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, the action by the government told a seamy tale of material mistreatment of certain employees at the company, a Federal contractor subject to specific rules governing treatment of workers.
