Dec 8

Written by: Jeremy Glowacki
12/8/2009 5:53 AM 

I’ve been writing and reading about CEDIA’s Industry Outreach Education and Registered Outreach Instructor Programs over the past couple years, but wanted to gain a much better understanding of what these courses are all about. So I asked CEDIA’s PR director Jamie Antcliff to allow me sit in on a class at the association’s Indianapolis headquarters and chat with Matt Carter, who helps direct the program and teach the course.

Essentially, CEDIA’s Registered Outreach Instructor (ROI) program enables CEDIA members to provide continuing education to their local design and build industry partners. CEDIA members who take and pass the ROI “Train the Trainer” class can present CEDIA-developed courseware to industry partners within their geographic regions.

This member benefit will impact a CEDIA electronic systems contractor’s ability to develop new business relationships without the cost of course development or submission for approval through industry partner associations.

The goal is to raise the level of respect we get as an industry because other trade groups  realize that CEDIA members are genuine, knowledgeable resources.  

Already, there have been 275 courses delivered by CEDIA ROIs and 8,577 “touches” by combined Industry Outreach efforts (including 2,921 touches by ROIs), tradeshows, education offerings, etc.

According to Antcliff, as an ROI you will receive:

• The opportunity to author articles in leading CEDIA and industry partner publications

• Crosspoint resources

• ROI marketing tools

• Advertisement via print publications, the CEDIA web site, and e-blasts to industry partners

• Consideration to present at regional speaking events

• Quarterly newsletter

• Special promotions on ROI and CEDIA merchandise

But I’d rather let Matt Carter do the talking, because he knows the program so well. Check out my video interview with Carter, who is the president of Encore Technology + Design, an ESC firm in Raleigh, North Carolina.