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Audio Visual and Integrated Experience Association

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AVIXA is a non-profit organization for audiovisual companies and related professionals headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia. AVIXA was formed originally as the National Association of Visual Education Dealers in 1939 and has merged with other organizations and changed names several times since then, most recently from InfoComm International to AVIXA in 2017.[1]

AVIXA has over 11,400 members globally, with over 700 volunteers developing standards and training programs and holding trade shows to promote member products and solutions.

History

In 1939, eight dealers of audiovisual equipment formed the National Association of Visual Education Dealers (NAVED), with the goal of increasing American government funding of audiovisual equipment in education.[1] The Allied Non-Theatrical Film Association was formed that same year in New York City, New York with Wilfred K. Knighton as secretary for producers and distributors of 16 mm film, visual education dealers, equipment manufacturers, libraries and related entities.[2]

In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the use of motion picture film to keep the public informed during World War II, marking increasing formalization of government use of the motion picture film medium for information dissemination. Interest in audiovisual solutions grew and in 1946 NAVED held its first convention with exhibits in Chicago, Illinois.[3]

Due to the common goal of encouraging increased government funding of education, NAVED merged with the Allied Non-Theatrical Film Association in 1949 to form the National Audio-Visual Association (NAVA).[3]

President Dwight D. Eisenhower's signing of the National Defense Education Act in 1958 to support education was in direct support of NAVA's mandate. NAVA would continue growing and its members would promote or innovate technologies such as the first analog room equalization in 1962, the Philips compact cassette in 1963, the Kodak Ectagraphic Slide projector in 1969, and the JVC VHS videocassette recorder introduced at the NAVA show in 1977 in Anaheim, California. NAVA published "The Basics of Audio and Visual Systems Design" in 1983 as part of its mandate. [3]

In 1983, NAVA changed names to the International Communications Industries Association (ICIA). In 1990, at its InfoComm trade show in Anaheim, California, a side-by-side comparison of a variety of projectors was conducted.[3] Reflecting its more global focus, the ICIA promoted its first Asian trade show in Singapore in 1995, and its European trade show in Cologne, Germany in 1999.

In 1997, the ICIA promoted its first online course titled "Essentials of the AV Industry" as part of its global outreach.[3]

In 2005, NAVA changed names again to InfoComm International (or, more commonly, InfoComm).[3]In 2008, InfoComm became an ANSI-accredited Standards Developing Organization (SDO), and subsequently created the ISO/IEC 17024-compliant Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) and Certified Technology Specialist - Installation {CTS-I) standards in that same year, as well as the Certified Technology Specialist - Design (CTS-D) standard in 2009. InfoComm also published the ANSI/InfoComm 1M-2009 standard titled "Audio Coverage Uniformity in Enclosed Listener Areas", the 2010 standard ANSI/InfoComm 2M-2010 titled "Audiovisual Systems Design and Coordination Processes" and the 2011 standard ANSI/InfoComm 3M-2012 titled "Projected Image System Contrast Ratio Performance Standard" as part of its ongoing mandate of standardization of audiovisual processes and systems.[3]

In 2010, InfoComm launched virtual classroom courses using a model of interactive online learning via the Internet.[3]

In 2017, InfoComm International again changed its name to the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association, or AVIXA, reflecting a more diverse membership than in its past incarnations and increasingly creative outcomes.[3]

Membership

AVIXA has over 11,400 members as of 2022. These members comprise audiovisual equipment manufacturers, system integrators, dealers, distributors, consultants, programmers, live event companies, technology managers, content producers and multimedia professionals from over 80 countries around the world.[4] Its two membership types are:

  • Individual - Individual memberships are for individuals working within the industry, and are offered at basic, student, premium and elite levels with different access privileges to AVIXA's training and content
  • Enterprise - Enterprise memberships are for organizations of various types within the audiovisual industry, and provide additional benefits such as team training, trade show booth purchases, sponsorship programs and discounts on job posts on AVIXA's career site, in addition to access to industry and market intelligence.

Publications

AVIXA maintains a library of publications regarding current self-published audiovisual standards, recommended practices, guides and market research.[5] Some of these standards are published jointly with the American National Standards Institute as AVIXA is accredited by ANSI as a Standards Developing Organization. These standard are typically available for nominal fees on an individual basis, or as part of AVIXA's premium and elite membership levels. Standard are contributed to by a number of AVIXA committees and encompass the contributions of over 700 member volunteers.

Training and Certification

AVIXA offers numerous training courses on numerous topics in audiovisual systems.[6] Training is available for general knowledge as well as specific training for installers, live events professionals, designers, technology managers, IT professionals and project managers.

In addition to training, AVIXA offers three primary certifications:

  • CTS - Certified Technology Specialist, which is a general certification attesting to demonstrated skills and knowledge in creation, operation and servicing of audiovisual systems.
  • CTS-I - Certified Technology Specialist - Installation, which is a certification attesting to demonstrated skills and knowledge in installing and maintaining audiovisual systems through:
    • Following specifications, schematics, codes and safety protocols
    • Administering installation process logistics
    • Troubleshooting and problem-solving systems
    • Maintaining tools and equipment
    • Communicating with clients, designers and other trades, other installers and staff to provide the best audiovisual solutions for client needs, on time and within budget
  • CTS-D - Certified Technology Specialist - Design, which is a certification attesting to demonstrated skills and knowledge in audiovisual design through:
    • Assessment of client needs
    • Design of audiovisual systems
    • Preparation of audiovisual design documents
    • Coordination and collaboration with other professionals to create AV systems that satisfy client's requirements

Each of these certifications requires an examination by AVIXA prior to certification, as well as other minimum qualifications. The CTS-I certification is available to CTS holders after a minimum of two years of experience in installation of audiovisual systems according to the CTS-I handbook. The CTS-D is available to CTS holders after a minimum of two years of specific experience in design according to the CTS-D handbook. All CTS, CTS-I and CTS-D certification holders must complete regular training of a designated number of Renewal Units (RU) to maintain certification.

Enterprise members are able to create training courses on specific topics, products and solutions. Depending on the length and complexity of these, successful completion by professionals can count towards Renewal Units (RU) for continued certification.

References

  1. ^ a b "About Us | AVIXA". Avixa Portal. Retrieved 2022-07-31.
  2. ^ Judkins, Calvert Jay (1949). National Associations of the United States. U.S. Department of Commerce.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i "AV Milestones" (PDF). Retrieved 2022-07-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ "Membership | AVIXA". Avixa Portal. Retrieved 2022-07-31.
  5. ^ "Published Standards | AVIXA". Avixa Portal. Retrieved 2022-07-31.
  6. ^ "Training | AVIXA". Avixa Portal. Retrieved 2022-07-31.

AVIXA

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