Infocomm Academy

May 11, 2005 4:27 PM

           

One of the few value-adds in our industry that isn't becoming commoditized is knowledge. To be competitive you must know more; it's that simple. So this year, the venerable InfoComm Academy takes on additional importance, something the members of ICIA's Professional Education and Training Committee (PETC) were clearly thinking about when they planned a weeklong roster of educational opportunities with more than 200 sessions to choose from.

InfoComm Academy is part of a comprehensive educational environment that encompasses the show floor, the topic-specific pavilions, the co-located events for specialties such as videoconferencing and worship, and the pre-show sessions, as well as the seminar and workshops that InfoComm Academy is famous for. The combination of classroom learning and hands-on is a powerful one. Consider this: if you are interested in gaining a better understanding of Residential AV systems for example, you can choose among nine courses, see hands-on demonstrations of systems at the Residential Pavilion on the show floor, attend Manufacturers Training sessions in relevant products, peruse the show floor for residential-ready gear at one of the hundreds of manufacturer booths, and take in the fascinating Next Gen Home demonstration—an actual prototype of a modern, AV-enabled home.

Overall, education sessions at InfoComm span basic, intermediate, and advanced course levels. Basic courses require no prior knowledge of the subject. Intermediate courses assume a solid working knowledge and vocabulary of the topic plus one or more years of hands-on/application experience. Advanced courses assume a comprehensive grasp of theory and concepts, prior training, ideally prior intermediate-level course work on the topic, and two years or more of hands on/application experience and/or training in the topic. It is to everyone's benefit that InfoComm follows these course level breakdowns carefully—basic classes truly are basic, and advanced classes truly are advanced, explains Melissa Taggart, ICIA VP of education and workforce development. "We had requests for attendees for more intermediate and advanced classes. We're very aware that people come here to work hard and learn the tougher stuff from their peers in the industry."

The week starts with the Institute for Professional Development—seven three-day intensive courses on today's most relevant sales and technology topics, including two certification-related courses. The debut success of Super Tuesday last year—more than 600 people attended the one-day courses—continues with another seven offerings this year. For more see pages 4 and 5.

By mid-week, the seminars and workshops will be in full swing on a wide range of topics from technical minutiae to market intelligence. More Design School courses than ever will be available at the show, including what Taggart calls mini-seminars from the actual ICIA Design School reflecting a growing interest in the CTS-D certification and curriculum. "This gives people a chance to sample Design School at the show and decide if they want to commit further, either to pursue a CTS-D or to take advantage of the some of the Design School courses that are offered throughout the year."

Those who wish to can now take the CTS-D test at InfoComm, says Bill Natress, chair of the CTS committee. (To find out how visit www.infocommshow.org). "There is a growing understanding that AV designers need to be just as technical as anyone else. There is no other design certification out there. The CTS-D designation tells clients something about the quality of system they are going to get, and it's part of further professionalizing this industry. Through the certification process—and many other things ICIA does—we're starting to put a much-needed framework of language and practices around the industry."

InfoComm en Espanol

Nuevo este ano: doscursos de InfoComm Academy en espanol. Curso S32: La teaoria-practica de los sistemas de audio distribuido para proyectos de mediana y gran escala. Curso S5: Introducciona las Interfases Audiovisuales.

Certification @InfoComm

Individual certification as Certified Technical Specialist (CTS)—whether general, or for design, integration, or sales—as well as company certification through ICIA's growing CAVSP program, is valuable in today's knowledge-intensive market. ICIA has just earned national registry status from the National Certification Commission. NCC acceptance verifies that ICIA's program is comprehensive and objective, and that it meets the criteria established by the NCC for professional certification programs. Attendees can test for general certification at the show. Register for the test, either in advance through the online or faxed form, or onsite at the Registration area (cost is $200). For the first time, attendees can prep for the test in a special CTS Prep course—part of the Institute for Professional Development, or you can prepare through ICIA's Essentials of the AV Industry online course. InfoComm is also a great place for the more than 3,000 CTS holders to get renewal credits since nearly everything you can do during InfoComm week earns these credits. Select sessions also earn renewal credits toward CEDIA, AIA, and BISCI certification. For more, see www.infocomm.org/education/certification/renewal.cfm.