Two-day program offers training on the technical and management keys to succeeding with media centers.
Framingham, Mass. – February 25, 2008 – Electronic House Expo (EHX) announced their comprehensive two-day conference program, Media Center University (MCU), practical how-to training on the technical and management keys to succeeding with media centers as a core product discipline of the custom electronics integration business. Sponsored and developed by industry leading technology companies, Exceptional Innovation and Microsoft, MCU will run March 11-12 during EHX Spring 2008, which will be held March 11-15 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
MCU courses will be taught by leading technologists from the supplier companies with contributions from market leading integrators who have been pioneering with the media center platform. Attendees will learn not only from the instructors and panelists, but also from peers in the audience, all of whom understand the emerging importance of the media center platform and are working to implement it as a core offering in their product/service mix.
The program will be broken into four half-day segments and conference-goers may attend both individual segments and the program as a whole. Day 1 of the program offers the added value of providing coursework that will prepare attendees to pass the test for an important soon-available industry certification, Digital Home Technology Specialist in Media Centers, which MCU sponsors, EI and Microsoft and producer, EH Publishing, are promoting.
Day 1: Media Center 101
Segment 1: Optimizing Media Centers for Entertainment & Networking
Tuesday, March 11, 9:00am - 12:00pm
This session discusses the elements of a Media Center, as well as how to make it work well in-home theater and whole-house applications. It also reviews the traits and capabilities of Media Centers that are preconfigured for application in the custom environment.
Segment 2: Whole-House Integration of Media Center Systems
Tuesday, March 11, 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Media Centers offer a variety of options for whole-house music and automation. This section addresses the key hardware and software issues for creating and supporting an integrated system.
Day Two: Media Center Business Fundamentals & Tech Enthusiast Workshops
Segment 3: Media Center Content, Services & Business Opportunities
Wednesday, March 12, 9:30am - 12:30pm
In this session attendees will hear from integrators who have figured out successful sales, support and pricing models. They will also learn about online products and services that can benefit their customers and aid their bottom line.
Segment 4: Media Center Tech Enthusiast Workshop
Wednesday, March 12, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
The first half of the session, the most interactive of all the courses, features presentations from the proprietors and hosts of the popular media center tech forum, The Green Button. Part two mixes Green Button enthusiasts and MCU sponsor representatives and attendees in roundtables to workshop the unanswered challenges and report out there thoughts on likely fixes and paths to finding ultimate solutions. All of the segments proceedings will be captured in a transcript available to attendees and elements of the segment content will also be posted at a new online forum, The Green Button Think Tank on Custom Integration, for further interaction and networking.
EHX plans to draw 10,000 attendees and 300 exhibitors. This event will attract the most successful custom electronics professionals as well as custom retailers, computer VARs, systems integrators, electrical contractors, builders, and the like all seeking new products and solutions for their custom electronics businesses. EHX has established itself as the only event focused on the broad market of CE integration and retailing, and brings insight into the latest trends and innovations that drive this industry.
The exhibit floor features Platinum Sponsor – Life|Ware from Exceptional Innovations, Gold Sponsor – Square D/Clipsal, and Silver Sponsors – Colorado vNet, ELAN/HomeLogic, Russound, Superna, Universal Remote Control. These companies will join over 300 exhibiting companies on the Expo Floor who will showcase thousands of new products, tools, and solutions for every aspect of the CE industry, including Audio/Video Entertainment; Networking and Digital Convergence; Comfort and Control; and Electrical and Security.
Access to Media Center University is available with the full MCU program packages or single segment selections. Registration is open at www.ehxweb.com or by calling 800-315-1581.
About EHX
Electronic House Expo, a Tradeshow Week magazine Fastest 50 event for five years running, is the fastest growing trade event of the $13 billion custom electronics industry. Held twice annually and sponsored by CEA’s TechHome Division, EHX attracts a large and dynamic audience of custom electronics integrators, retailers and allied trades to interact with leading suppliers of audio/video entertainment, digital convergence, networking and communications, comfort and control, and security and electrical products. For more information, visit www.ehxweb.com.
About EH Publishing
EH Publishing, Inc. is the information leader and resource for the electronic home industry. Serving the technology and construction markets, EH Publishing, Inc. reaches more than half a million home electronic professionals and consumers worldwide. Founded in 1994, EH Publishing, Inc. has defined, cultivated and raised awareness of the $15 billion electronic/installed home industry through its products, which include print publications, on-line publications, trade shows and market studies. EH Publishing, Inc. is the industry's source for home technology information and market analysis, with the targeted print and on-line publications: Electronic House, Home Electronic Ideas, CE Pro, CE Pro Retailing, ChannelPro, TecHome Builder, Live Sound, and targeted tradeshows: Electronic House Expo (EHX), TecHome Builder Expo (TBX), Worship Facilities Conference and Expo (WFX), RoboBusiness Conference and Expo, RoboDevelopment Conference and Expo, and Electronic Security Expo(ESX). To find out more, visit www.ehpub.com.
About CEA
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $148 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,200 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES – Where Entertainment, Technology and Business Converge. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA’s industry services. Find CEA online at www.CE.org.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Digital Music Forum East
February 26-27, 2008, New York, NY
EHX Spring 2008
March 11-15, 2008, Orlando, FL
2008 PARA Conference
March 12-14, 2008, Orlando, FL
Digital Patriots Dinner
April 2, 2008, Washington, DC
CEA Washington Forum
April 2-4, 2008, Washington, DC
International CES/Hometech
May 25-27, 2008, Dubai, UAE
ConnectionsTM: The Digital Living Conference and Showcase
June 24-26, 2008, Santa Clara, CA
SINOCES 2008
July 10-13, 2008, Qingdao, China
CEA Industry Forum
October 19-22, 2008, Las Vegas, NV
Digital Hollywood
October 27-30, 2008, Hollywood, CA
EHX Fall 2008
November 4-7, 2008, Long Beach, CA
Contact:
For event inquiries:
Nancy Franco
(508) 663-1500 x234
nfranco@ehpub.com
For exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities:
George Keegan
(508) 663-1500 x229
gkeegan@ehpub.com
For media inquiries:
Jessica Camerato
(508) 663-1500 x296
jcamerato@ehpub.com
###
