CEDIA announced on Wednesday that it has hired Robert Keeler to join the organization as its new Senior Director of Sales, Sponsorships, and Partnerships. Keeler is ex- a lot of well-known companies in this industry and he takes on a primary sales responsibility at the trade association.
CEDIA
CEDIA Celebrates, Hoping You Don’t Notice That Little Spark Catching in the Corner

On March 28th CEDIA held a grand opening gala to celebrate their brand new $14 million glass and stone castle in Fishers, IN with about 250 of their closest friends. Depending on your viewpoint, this new facility is either a shining shrine to the strength of the custom integration tech association – or it is a monument to the monumental arrogance and ego of an association that is drifting further away from the very community it purports to serve.
But what many of these guests to the opening celebrations didn’t know was that, as they sipped champagne and oohed an ahhhd over the new gorgeous digs, there was yet another small member flare-up taking place in the background…with significant members expressing strong dissent on yet another Association initiative.
See more on this two worlds of CEDIA…
[Read more…] about CEDIA Celebrates, Hoping You Don’t Notice That Little Spark Catching in the CornerCEDIA Admits Membership Declined in 2018
‘We Do Anticipate Membership Will Be Down in 2018’
Last week, I posted an extensive report on CEDIA’s annual State-of-the-Association presentation which took place last month via a webinar for members. Certain staff and board members offered a long and detailed presentation on the many aspects of the Association’s activities in 2018. As I said then, it at times felt more like a sales pitch, than a report to members, but nonetheless they did have much to talk about.
However, my antenna went up when a chart of the number of members was shown, seeming to indicate a signficant decline. I followed up with CEDIA after the presentation for clarification – and now we know – CEDIA membership has most likely declined in 2018.
See what I learned about the state of CEDIA membership in 2018… [Read more…] about CEDIA Admits Membership Declined in 2018
CEDIA Tells Members Everything’s Fine; But Is It?
The Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA), held their annual member’s webinar where association staff and board representatives review the “State of the Association” for those members tuning in to the webcast. The polished, prepared presentation offered an upbeat assessment on the organization’s accomplishments in 2018. But, as you might suspect, I uncovered a couple of interesting issues in which I’m seeking some follow-up clarification.
See what CEDIA presented to members… [Read more…] about CEDIA Tells Members Everything’s Fine; But Is It?
Emerald Expositions CEO Resigns, Q3 Results Released
For Owner of CEDIA Expo, There’s Trouble in Emerald City
Emerald Expositions’ stock nose-dived 19% in early afternoon trading last Thursday as the company released its third quarter fiscal results and announced that David Loechner has resigned as the company’s President and CEO. Current CFO Philip Evans takes over as Interim President and CEO.
What’s going on at Emerald Expositions?… [Read more…] about Emerald Expositions CEO Resigns, Q3 Results Released
NY/NJ Tech Summit – 2nd Verse Same as the 1st
The NY/NJ Tech Summit rolled in to the Big Apple last week, almost exactly one year after its first iteration, which took place last year in the MetLife Stadium…a really unique venue. This year, I looked forward to it with great anticipation, interested to see if the Summit would begin to gain traction and what changes would take place as a result of the show being acquired by CEDIA.
There were interesting answers to both of these questions. See more below… [Read more…] about NY/NJ Tech Summit – 2nd Verse Same as the 1st
Residential Systems: New Takes on Tech Training
Will you indulge me for a moment? I want to draw your attention to an article I wrote for Residential Systems titled New Takes on Tech Training. Regular Strata-gee readers are most likely aware of the fact that I also write for Residential Systems, and this article is one that I’m quite proud of.
Why am I proud of this particular article? Read on… [Read more…] about Residential Systems: New Takes on Tech Training
Emerald Expositions Reports Attendance Flat at CEDIA Expo 2018
Emerald Expositions Events, Inc. (stock symbol: EEX) reported last week that attendance at CEDIA Expo 2018, the first Expo run totally by Emerald Expositions employees, had an attendance of “more than 20,000 home tech pros” or flat as compared to their announcement of “more than 20,000 home tech professionals” at the event last year.
See more on this announcement from Emerald which has some new data… [Read more…] about Emerald Expositions Reports Attendance Flat at CEDIA Expo 2018
AudioControl’s Expo18 Product Launches Personify Flexibility

AudioControl, the Seattle, WA-based specialty electronics maker of innovative solutions, announced three new gems at CEDIA Expo 2018 – a new Rialto 400 zone amplifier, the Avalon G3 four-channel amplifier, and a new CM Series 70-volt line of commercial amplifiers. These new products are not only clever solutions to integrators needs, they absolutely personify the concept of flexibility.
See more on AudioControl’s flexible new products… [Read more…] about AudioControl’s Expo18 Product Launches Personify Flexibility
CEDIA Market Stats Reveal Opportunities for Members
Like past years at Expo, CEDIA presented a summary of their findings from the recently completed Size and Scope survey at Expo 2018. This year, however, the presentation was made by Grant Farnsworth of The Farnsworth Group, an Indianapolis-based market statistics consultant who did an excellent job in conveying a lot of detailed and important data to show attendees.