I think some of you missed the question. He didn’t ask if he should go to cedia. He’s asking is there any valid reason to join cedia. Only one person has given a reason to join and that was because some architects do recognize cedia certification. Personally, I’ve not met an architect that knew what cedia is.

I can say I have signed over $500k worth of projects in the last two years at least in part because of CEDIA membership
Not because it’s CEDIA because no one knows what that is but because I’m a member of a professional trade organization. And I make clients aware of it and it has value. It’s something else I have that others don’t

For the cost I don’t understand why anyone wouldn’t

There you go!

If it's working for you,stick with it.

I can tell people I am a member of Integration Pros and it will have the same effect.

You misunderstand. Most architects and designers do not know what CEDIA is, that is absolutely the case. However, when you get the registered out reach instructor certification, you are allowed to teach courses that get architects and designers their CEU credits that they have to have to keep up their memberships in their trade organizations. It gives them a reason to actually allow you to spend a couple hours with them educating them, as opposed to just a cold call saying “hi this is what I do, I know we’ve never met, but would you like to help me make some money?”

What dose it cost for a Cedia memebership to the outreach certificate level ?

I can tell them I graduated from the "First Order of Wiring Gurus and Electronics Genius Preparatory Academy"

I somehow missed this nugget from last year:
[Link: cedia.net]

W...T...F...
Your membership dollars hard at work LOL!!!

Yup.

They'll say "REALLY, what is that?, or will just nod like it means something.

Just like saying your a member of any trade organization. What client has heard of any of them? If your looking for something a client or builder or architect has heard of. Get THX certified. Everyone has heard of THX. But who has heard of SMTPE?

If having clients/builders architect recognize the group your a part is what you desire then CEDIA doesn’t meet that criteria. But again neither do most trade organizations
There’s what a half dozen electrician organizations? Know any of them?

From one of the electrical organizations
“Outside of education and networking, one of the largest benefits for electrical pros is the additional credibility to your business. By adding a note on your business card or website that you’re a member of an electrical organization, customers will notice and it will differentiate you from the competition.”

I think the value I get from CEDIA is worth the dues. Others may not.

When I belonged to an electronics trade association in the 80's and 90's, the primary benefits were fellowship and education. Everyone likes to belong to a group with like minded people. Our group occasionally had guest speakers that taught cost of doing business, etc, but we learned so much from each other.

Enter the Internet and forums like this. The educational side is met here and elsewhere on the 'net. Google knows everything. I have gotten a lifetime of valuable information from you guys here and on IP.

That leaves the fellowship part. Some of you like that part at CEDIA. Some of that is met here also. In Northern California, we have some regional expos that are excellent. I meet up with my local reps and there is no astronomical cost associated with entry (it's free) and hotels/meals (I can drive home at the end of the day, and lunch for these one-day events is provided).

With the fact that none of our designers or architects have heard of CEDIA, I think mentioning the fact that you belong to Integration Pros would be equally as effective.

I see less reason to join CEDIA than ever.

CEDIA to me only means a convention, a time to meet and greet, catch up, exchange horror stories. Its NOTHING more than that, likely never will be. WHy would I ever want to pay a yearly fee for that?

CEDIA isn't bad.
We all just wish it was more.

The CATCH 22 is CEDIA is volunteer driven, so it's only as good as those who put into it. And several that put their all in, ended up out of business. Maybe it's a curse or difficulty of trying to focus on two things at once.