Press Room

For Immediate Release

February 2 , 2009

Media Contacts:

CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles® Awards Competition Now Open

Two new categories highlighting sustainability and wow factor, plus a new partnership with HGTVPro, help broaden winners’ and entrants’ exposure

INDIANAPOLIS (February 2, 2010)—The Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association’s (CEDIA’s) annual Electronic Lifestyles® Awards competition is now underway, with the online entry system officially open. CEDIA members interested in entering their  projects may view guidelines and begin the entry process now at www.cedia.org/awards.

The Electronic Lifestyles® Awards competition offers electronic systems contractors (ESCs) a chance to showcase their best work through the Designer Awards competition, which features six project categories, including Large Home Theater and Hidden Installation. ESCs can also enter the Sustainable Lifestyles Best Practices Recognition category, which recognizes one company whose business practices facilitate a reduced impact on the environment.

The program also allows manufacturers to highlight their best products and technologies through the Manufacturers’ Excellence Awards competition. Categories include Best New Product, the Horizon Award, and the Product Hall of Fame. New in 2010, manufacturers can also compete for a Sustainable Lifestyles Product Innovation award, which recognizes a product that facilitates reduced energy consumption, as well as an Attendees’ Choice award, which will be voted on by ESCs attending CEDIA EXPO.

For the first time ever, CEDIA has launched a partnership with HGTVPro.com to offer an Audience Choice award. Visitors to HGTVPro.com – whose 800,000 monthly viewers include homeowners as well as building, remodeling, and design professionals – will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite projects in the Large Home Theater, Media Room, and Integrated Home categories.

“CEDIA’s Electronic Lifestyles® competition is a unique member benefit that provides a platform for our members to showcase the broad range of expertise and talent they offer to clients,” said Jamie Riley, director of public relations and marketing for CEDIA. “Many of the winners and entrants from past awards competitions have been featured in national and regional publications, and with our new partnership with HGTVPro.com, the amount of exposure our members will receive is tremendous.”

CEDIA is also accepting nominations for the Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes an individual who has demonstrated outstanding, creative, innovative, and visionary leadership in the residential electronic systems industry.

Winners in all categories will be announced at the CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles® Awards Banquet during CEDIA EXPO 2010 in Atlanta Sept. 25. Winners will also receive promotion in CEDIA publications and will be highlighted in select industry publications.

The online entry system will remain open until Friday, May 7 at 5:00 p.m. (Pacific) for entries in the Designer Awards competition; Friday, May 14 at 5:00 p.m. (Pacific) for Manufacturers’ Excellence Awards entries; and Friday, May 28 at 5:00 p.m. (Pacific) for Lifetime Achievement Award nominations. Learn more and view past winners at www.cedia.org/awards.

About CEDIA

CEDIA is an international trade association of companies that specialize in designing and installing electronic systems for the home. The association was founded in September 1989 and has more than 3,500 member companies worldwide. CEDIA Members are established and insured businesses with bona fide qualifications and experience in this specialized field. For more information, visit the association's website at www.cedia.org.

Follow @CEDIA on Twitter, find us on Facebook at facebook.com/CEDIA.Region2, or join the CEDIA group on LinkedIn.

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