Outreach

Ranked as one of CEDIA’s most valuable member benefits, the CEDIA Outreach Instructor program enables members to provide continuing education to industry partners.

The CEDIA Outreach Instructor (COI) program enables members to provide continuing education to their local design and build industry partners, helping establish vital business-to-business networking contacts and raising the awareness of CEDIA, its members, and the home technology industry.

COIs are CEDIA members who have attended and passed the “Train the Trainer” course with a peer-evaluated presentation session. After passing the comprehensive “Train the Trainer” course, CEDIA supplies the tools needed to successfully leverage this member-to-member benefit in your local market.

In order to maintain this CEDIA designation, COIs are required to follow strict guidelines that include meeting deadlines for registering upcoming classes, reporting participant attendance, and maintaining minimum evaluation ratings.

View upcoming offerings of the “Train the Trainer” course.
If you are located in the EMEA region, please view upcoming courses here.

Questions? Contact training@cedia.org or call us at 800.669.5329.

CEDIA Outreach Instructor (COI) FAQs

What is the mission of the CEDIA Outreach Instructor (COI) Program?

The COI program was developed to contribute to the prosperity of CEDIA members and to raise awareness of the industry and CEDIA within residential building channels. This is done by empowering CEDIA members to deliver a consistent message through relevant high quality education while upholding the highest industry standards.

Why should I become a COI?

This valuable member benefit program enables instructors to provide continuing education to their local design and build industry partners, helping you establish vital business-to-business networking contacts and raising the awareness of CEDIA, its members, and the custom electronics industry.

What are the requirements to become a COI?

Your company must be a CEDIA member and you must successfully complete the “Train the Trainer” course and pass the peer-evaluated presentation portion of the training class.

How do I maintain my COI credential?

There is no continuing education requirement or renewal fee, but instructors are required to follow program guidelines for registering upcoming classes, reporting attendance, and maintaining minimum evaluation ratings. If a COI changes companies, the credential stays with the individual, but they can only actively participate in the program if currently employed with a CEDIA member company.

What is the cost to participate in the COI program?

The COI “Train the Trainer” course has a set registration fee of $149; however, there is no cost to access CEDIA-developed COI courseware — courses are provided free of charge upon passing the COI “Train the Trainer” class.

How long is the “Train the Trainer” class?

The “Train the Trainer” class is a 4-hour long class.

Do I need to complete any pre-work or prerequisites before taking the “Train the Trainer” class?

Pre-work, which is provided upon registration, is REQUIRED and should be reviewed and prepared prior to arrival. The pre-work information is extremely important, as part of it contains an abbreviated PowerPoint presentation which you will be expected to practice and present during the peer evaluation. This peer evaluation will be the determining factor as to whether or not a participant passes or fails the class.

Does becoming a COI affect my other CEDIA certifications?

Successful completion of the COI “Train the Trainer” course allows participants to earn eight CEUs toward a current CEDIA certification, and COIs may petition to earn one CEU per hour each time they teach a class. Additionally, in order to help your colleagues meet their continuing education requirements, CEDIA-certified staff at the COI's company may petition to earn one CEU per hour for each class in which they participates.

Which industry associations recognize the COI courseware?
These informative courses can be delivered to any organization, and currently, members of the following associations may receive continuing education credit for their attendance:
- American Institute of Architects (AIA)
- American Institute of Building Design (AIBD)
- American Society of Interior Designer, (ASID)
- International Interior Design Association (IIDA)
- Interior Designers of Canada (IDC)
- National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
- National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI)
- Ontario Association of Architects (OAA)
- Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC)
- Architects’ Association of New Brunswick (AANB)
- Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC)
- The Alberta Association of Architects (AAA)
- Saskatchewan Association of Architects (SAA)
- Manitoba Association of Architects (MAA)
- Nova Scotia Association of Architects (NSAA)
- Architects’ Association of Prince Edward Island (AAPEI)
- Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Architects (NAA)
- Northwest Territories Association of Architects (NWTAA)
For professionals with AIA, ASID, IIDA, and IDC, CEDIA will report their attendance directly to the association. For all other organizations, attendees can self-report using the certificate of completion that the COI provides.

What format is the courseware provided in?

The COI presentations are provided in Microsoft PowerPoint format, and each is password protected, which means no alterations of the presentations can be made. CEDIA does not provide unprotected files for Mac computers, iPads, or other tablet devices. Participants are advised to research the best methods for accessing these protected presentations and install the software needed to successfully use the courseware. It is recommended that Mac users purchase and install “PowerPoint for Macs.”

As a COI, would I charge my industry partners for classes?

The classes are designed to provide industry partners with free education and help COIs establish mutually-beneficial relationships with those businesses and organizations. COIs are not allowed to charge industry partners for their participation in these classes.

Can I offer the COI courses as online learning?

The COI courses are approved for face-to-face delivery only. Additional requirements are needed to satisfy online learning through various industry partner associations, and CEDIA has elected to submit its COI courses for in-person delivery only.

What if I have additional questions?

For additional information contact CEDIA Training at training@cedia.org or 317.328.4336.

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