Essential Install | News
Visitors are
encouraged to get
hands-on with the tech
at the new Unicam
Innovation Hub
Unicam Innovation Hub
Dubbed as a digital playground in the heart
of the UK, distributor Unicam has opened an
innovative new way to interact with and learn
more about the brands it distributes.
Unicam says that by paying a visit to this
Leeds-based facility, installers and end-users
are able to get hands-on with the latest,
most exciting technology available, explore
what’s possible and learn how technology
can change and impact on businesses and
customer journeys in the all-new Unicam
Innovation Hub.
The Innovation Hub focuses on key areas such as retail, corporate, marketing and all things digital. The company’s experts
are on-hand to guide visitors through the maze of technology and help them develop the next killer idea for a business.
The Innovation Hub also brings CEDIA training sessions to a new base in the north of England, offering a range of
courses in Unicam’s purpose built collaborative training facility.
Unicam’s brand offering includes high-quality integrated TVs from ad notam, connectivity and control from
HDanywhere, Global Caché, loudspeakers from Garvan and Novasonar along with iPod docking products from viveroo.
The company also delivers support and design assistance to get the most from domestic and commercial projects.
More information: Unicam +44 (0)113 2858299, www.unicamgroup.com
CEDIA To Create New Unified Global Entity
Plans are in place
to make CEDIA a
global organisation
CEDIA and CEDIA EMEA have announced plans to unify
the two organisations into one global association, in a
move that the group says will bring significant benefits to
members across the globe.
Announcing the move during the association’s annual
CEDIA Expo in Dallas, Texas, Vin Bruno, said: “Many of
our members may not realise that CEDIA EMEA has been
operating under a licensing agreement since that office
opened in 1997.
“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.”
CEDIA has increasingly been moving to globalise its
business, calling many to question whether CEDIA EMEA
and the main branch of CEDIA could remain separate for
much longer. The industry is also beginning to break into
the mainstream, with partnerships with technology giants
such as Amazon already on the table.
Undeniably, there are different issues facing the
many different areas that this new merged organisation
will need to take into account, the maturity of different
markets being one. However, CEDIA is confident
that if the two organisations join forces for consistent
messaging and governance it will be able to replicate its
success globally, rather than in select markets.
With integration, CEDIA will streamline its
governance to make decision-making more efficient,
representative and consistent. Instead of two separate
governing boards, the association will be governed by
a 13-member global board, comprised of nine elected
directors who are home technology professionals
matching the geographical diversity of the membership
and up to four 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.
Through the global organisation, CEDIA says
members will have access to a broader support system
through CEDIA’s collective global staff and the deeper
resources that it brings. As a global organisation, CEDIA
says that it will also be able to better advocate for
members who work across international borders and
deploy resources wherever they are required.
Growth into new areas will be spearheaded by a
global development team led by Wendy Griffiths in her
new role of vice president, global development. Matt
Nimmons has accepted the position of MD, EMEA, and
will oversee the operations and staff in Cambridgeshire.
Unifying as one global organisation is designed
to increase operational efficiencies while decreasing
expenses and tax burdens with savings being invested
directly back into member programs.
The effective date of the integration will be January 1
2017 and the new board will take office at the first board
meeting in January.
More Information: CEDIA 44 (0) 1480 213744,
www.cedia.co.uk
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