by KMB Communications | Nov 11, 2024 | Home Technology Association, News
Los Angeles, CA (November 11, 2024) – The Home Technology Association (HTA) — recognized for setting the gold standard for home technology integrators — is proud to announce the expansion of its HTA Certification program to the United Kingdom. This milestone comes in response to demand from UK-based integrators seeking to distinguish themselves with the HTA’s mark of excellence.
UK integrators can now join an elite group of integration firms that provide first-rate technology experiences for homeowners and serve as technology design partners to architects, interior designers, and building professionals. The certification is a testament to a company’s technical proficiency, exceptional customer service, comprehensive aftercare, and sterling industry reputation.
“Since the HTA launched in 2017, we learned quickly that top integrators throughout the globe are looking to differentiate themselves from the ‘AV guys’ that have hurt the reputation of the home technology integration industry,” said HTA CEO Josh Christian. “We look forward to bringing the HTA Certification standard to the United Kingdom, helping qualified integrators there earn the business they rightfully deserve, and helping raise the stature and importance of integrators to the UK’s design and build communities.”
The HTA has already updated the HTA Certified integrator locator and calibrated their technology budgeting tool for UK users. When visitors use the HTA Certified locator or budgeting tool, it will automatically sense the country where the user is (for the UK, U.S., and Canada).
With this expansion, UK integrators, homeowners, builders, architects, and interior designers can now leverage the full suite of HTA resources. From educational articles, to the technology budgeting tool, technology checklists, a sales closer tool, and the HTA Design Partner program, the association continues to lead the way in supporting its HTA Certified integrators. This makes it easier for integrators to forge relationships with the design and build trades and provide better technology experiences for homeowners and related trades alike
The four founding UK-based HTA Certification integrators gave the following feedback:
“HTA assurance establishes we are who we say we are, we can do what we say we can do, and we have a track record of successful projects and happy clients to prove it. Only when companies are measured can they be compared, and HTA is the tool by which to be measured. We are proud to spearhead their adoption outside of the U.S. and Canada and bring their determined due diligence to a wider audience.”
– Kevin Andrews, Founder and Creative Director of Ideaworks Ltd in London, England
“Advances in technology have ironically opened the market to companies who — regardless of their level of experience, skill, or knowledge — are quite easily able to gain access to equipment. There is no organization, group, or association where we can all come together to help keep these standards high, until now. We really hope by embarking on this journey with the HTA we can inspire other companies to step up and help us make this industry what it needs and deserves to be.”
– Simon Fulstow, founder and managing director of SONA Projects in Cheshire, England
“After a tour of our Experience Centre, most homeowners’ reaction is, ‘I want all of this awesome stuff!’ but of course very few are able or prepared to pay for everything that’s on offer. The HTA budget calculator helps the homeowner decide where they want to focus their budget in a matter of minutes, which is a huge time-saver for both the integrator and the homeowner.”
– James Ratcliffe, owner of Homeplay Ltd in Weybridge, England
“We are delighted to acquire the Home Technology Association (HTA) Certification.
This certification ratifies our 25 years of technical expertise, excellent customer service, the highest quality of delivery and an unparalleled reputation within the residential and hospitality sector. We are looking forward to being a part of the HTA.”
– Steven Worrell, MD of Smartcomm Ltd in High Wycombe, England
Note to readers and editors: Some of the above quotes have been shortened. The unedited quotes, along with quotes from manufacturers, trade partners, industry reps, and North American integrators, can be found here.
Well-qualified integrators can apply for HTA Certification at https://htacertified.org/apply.
Images for use:
General HTA Certified logo
HTA Design Partner logo
About the Home Technology Association
The Home Technology Association (HTA) created the first and only standard of excellence for home technology integration firms. The HTA gives the best-qualified technology integrators a prestigious certification to differentiate these exceptional firms. HTA Certification is a badge of quality, designed to help homeowners get consistently first-rate technology experiences. Homeowners, builders, architects, and interior designers who hire HTA Certified integrators have peace of mind knowing they are working with truly professional firms that have passed the HTA’s rigorous certification process, which focuses on technical competency, first-rate customer service, aftercare support, and a positive business reputation.
The Home Technology Association is also the creator of the HTA Design Partner and HTA Technology Partner programs designed to elevate the role of qualified home technology integrators as technology design consultants that trade partners should include on all their residential projects. In addition, the Home Technology Association actively collaborates with design and build trade associations such as AIBD, ASID, IDS, NAHB, NARI, and the NKBA. The HTA helps bridge the design and collaboration gap between the home technology integration industry and design and build professionals. This is accomplished via educational articles, webinars, classes, budgeting tools, technology assessment forms, a brand Resource Guide, and an integrator finder tool to help them incorporate technology into their projects easier. Learn more by visiting HTACertified.org and by following the Home Technology Association (HTA) on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube & Pinterest.
HTA Media Contact:
KMB Communications
Katye McGregor Bennett
+1 406-446-1283
[email protected]
by KMB Communications | Jan 17, 2023 | Home Technology Association, News
The new program clearly defines how Home Technology firms and Design/Build pros should work together to achieve successful project outcomes.
LOS ANGELES, CA (January 17, 2023) – The Home Technology Association (HTA)—the resource for the most qualified and professional home technology integrators—announced its new HTA Design Partner program today. The new HTA Design Partner professional designation identifies design-centric home technology integrators as a service to architects, interior designers, builders, and end users. The program was created to recognize the home technology professionals that not only offer technology consultation and design but those who collaborate with design and build teams to ensure that the technology is integrated into the home in the best way possible.
The need for this type of program in the home technology industry has grown over the years. When planning a new construction or remodeling project, it is vital that the client’s technology needs are considered and designed early to avoid compromises, change orders, and project delays. The HTA Design Partner program serves as the basis for effective collaboration between the trades and addresses issues that have kept them from engaging integrators early on projects in the past. This will lead to better trade relationships and integrators being hired at the beginning stages as technology design consultants.
“The HTA Design Partner and corresponding HTA Technology Partner programs are brilliant ways to solve most, if not all, of the issues that we see on the job site when you integrate new people into the design process. This is going to streamline the process from design to build and reduce the amount of time and errors that we see. It will also make for an improved experience for the consumer. Everyone wins,” says Eric Goranson, Host of Around the House Show, Radio & TV Personality, Interior Designer, and Certified Kitchen Designer.
A qualified home technology integrator should be a trusted design team member for early technology consultation and design. Yet, only a small percentage of home technology integrators provide design and engineering documentation. An even smaller percentage offers a technology consultation phase of service. The HTA Design Partner designation is only available to those that meet stringent HTA Certification guidelines that serve as the basis for successful design collaboration and coordination with architects, builders, and interior designers. The framework for collaboration was created with the input of architects, interior designers, general contractors, and design-centric home technology integration firms and is the basis for successful design collaboration and coordination between integrators and design-build professionals. By providing these guidelines, the HTA is helping the custom integration industry by defining a code of conduct and rules of engagement that if adhered to, will help elevate the reputation of the home technology integration industry.
“Architecture and technology have never been more intertwined than today,” notes Shawn Brown of Vessel Studio, Architect, AIA. “Our design process requires the acknowledgment and integration of all systems early to help create a responsive, thoughtful, and forward-thinking approach to architecture. The HTA Design Partner program provides us the confidence to engage the right home technology integrator when we need them the most, during the design process.”
Likewise, architects, interior designers, and general contractors that handle their clients’ technology needs proactively can opt into the corresponding ‘HTA Technology Partner’ program. These forward-thinking design and build professionals understand that their clients’ safety and entertainment needs must be determined early because home technology systems affect space planning, aesthetics, and the coordination of other trades such as framing contractors, electricians, and HVAC contractors.
”When we introduced SLAs into our company, it clearly established the rules of engagement between our company and our clients. We have revolutionized our service department and this has resulted in happier clients. All expectations were clear on both sides. We need this same type of rules of engagement between integrators and design and build partners. The HTA Design / Technology Partner programs achieve this wonderfully”, says Eric Thies, President of DSI Luxury Technology.
Visit https://htacertified.org/app/articles/what-is-an-hta-design-partner/ to learn more about the HTA Design Partner program.
Visit https://htacertified.org/app/articles/what-is-an-hta-technology-partner/ to learn more about the HTA Technology Partner program.
About the Home Technology Association
The Home Technology Association (HTA) created the first and only standard of excellence for home technology integration firms. The HTA gives the best-qualified technology integrators a prestigious certification to differentiate these exceptional firms. HTA Certification is a badge of quality, designed to help homeowners get consistently first-rate technology experiences. Homeowners, builders, architects, and interior designers that hire HTA Certified integrators have peace of mind knowing they are working with truly professional firms that have passed the HTA’s rigorous certification process, which focuses on technical competency, first-rate customer service, aftercare support, and a positive business reputation.
The Home Technology Association is also the creator of the HTA Design Partner and HTA Technology Partner programs designed to elevate the role of qualified home technology integrators as technology design consultants that trade partners should include on all of their residential projects. In addition, the Home Technology Association actively collaborates with design and build trade associations such as AIBD, ASID, IDS, NAHB, NARI, and the NKBA. The HTA helps bridge the design and collaboration gap between the home technology integration industry and design and build professionals. This is accomplished via educational articles, webinars, classes, budgeting tools, technology assessment forms, a brand Resource Guide, and an integrator finder tool to help them incorporate technology into their projects easier. Learn more by visiting HTACertified.org and by following the Home Technology Association (HTA) on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube & Pinterest.
All products, product names, trademarks and registrations mentioned are the property of their respective owners, all rights reserved.
HTA Media Contact
For interviews or media inquiries, please contact Katye (McGregor) Bennett of KMB Communications by phoning (425) 328-8640 or emailing [email protected].
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by KMB Communications | Oct 13, 2022 | Home Technology Association, News
HTA expands its reach and forges alliances with prestigious associations to bridge the gap between the design-build and integration communities.
LOS ANGELES, CA – The Home Technology Association (HTA)—the resource for the most qualified and professional home technology integrators—celebrates its fifth anniversary this year. The HTA created the first and only standard of excellence for home technology integration firms in 2017, giving the best-qualified technology integrators a prestigious certification and endorsement developed to differentiate exceptional firms. Since then, HTA has fulfilled its purpose as a badge of quality and to help homeowners get consistently first-rate technology experiences.
In those five years, HTA has grown, expanding its reach significantly. Today, hundreds of HTA Certified integrators in the US and Canada now reap the rewards of the HTA Certification distinction, utilizing it in their marketing efforts to differentiate and elevate their firms. HTA Certified firms have access to valuable sales and marketing tools, industry partner outreach, ongoing education, and more.
The Home Technology Association has also forged alliances with prestigious associations and organizations from adjacent trades, including AIBD (American Institute of Building Design), ASID (American Society of Interior Designers), IDS (Interior Design Society), NAHB (National Association of Home Builders), NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry), and NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association). These alliances help bridge the gap between the design-build and integration communities and make HTA Certified integration firms the go-to resource for interior designers, architects, builders, and specifiers. HTA’s ongoing education and content contribution to these trade associations creates a more natural and easily navigable pathway from their membership to HTA Certified integration firms and HTA Supporting Brands. It is also helping to build member confidence in specifying technology into projects and partnering with the right integrator for each project.
“What really drives us is doing everything in our power to change how integrators are brought to new construction and remodeling projects. Integrators decry being brought to the project too late to do their best work, and we all know how nobody wins when this happens. The HTA is serving as the bridge association between the best integrators and architects, interior designers, and contractors, educating them on why it is in their best interests to engage a qualified integrator at the earliest stage in their process and as often as possible,” says Josh Christian, Home Technology Association CEO.
Also of note is the significant success of the HTA Supporting Brand program, with more than 50 of the top smart home technology manufacturers on board supporting their mission. HTA Supporting Brands have the unique opportunity to speak to the top integration firms and designers, architects, builders, and specifiers via HTA’s social media, email campaigns, webinars, and other digital marketing activities. The HTA is currently accepting additional Sponsoring Brands in all product categories.
“We are very proud of what the Home Technology Association has accomplished in five short years. The need for a standard of excellence for integration firms was clear to us, and it is great to receive confirmation of this fact from hundreds of HTA Certified Integrators in addition to manufacturers, rep firms, industry service providers, and trade publications,” adds Christian. “We have enabled our certified integrators to easily differentiate and elevate their firms, and many use their HTA Certified status to eliminate unqualified companies from bidding on projects. Consumers and trade partners alike respect and prefer the HTA standard.”
To learn more about becoming an HTA Certified integration firm or Supporting Brand, connect with Josh Christian here; https://htacertified.org/app/contact-us/.
To submit an application to become an HTA Certified integrator, apply at: htacertified.org/apply.
About the Home Technology Association
The Home Technology Association (HTA) created the first and only standard of excellence for home technology integration firms. The HTA gives the best-qualified technology integrators a prestigious certification and endorsement developed to differentiate these exceptional firms. HTA Certification is a badge of quality, designed to help homeowners get consistently first-rate technology experiences. Homeowners, builders, architects, and interior designers that hire HTA Certified integrators have peace of mind knowing they are working with truly professional firms that have passed the HTA’s rigorous, 60-point HTA certification process, which focuses on technical competency, first-rate customer service, aftercare support, and a positive business reputation. These stringent criteria were developed by industry veterans and HTA’s Board of Advisors, including top executives from Lutron, Crestron, Control4, Savant, and others. Additionally, HTA’s Supporting Brands program enables expanded outreach to architects, designers, builders, and related trade associations from leading manufacturers and service providers who support HTA’s mission of delivering exemplary technology experiences. Learn more by visiting HTACertified.org and by following the Home Technology Association (HTA) on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube & Pinterest.
All products, product names, trademarks, and registrations mentioned are the property of their respective owners, all rights reserved.
HTA Media Contact
For interviews or media inquiries, please contact Katye (McGregor) Bennett of KMB Communications by phoning (425) 328-8640 or emailing [email protected].
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by KMB Communications | Oct 10, 2022 | Home Technology Association, News
HTA expands its reach and forges alliances with prestigious associations to bridge the gap between the design-build and integration communities.
LOS ANGELES, CA – The Home Technology Association (HTA)—the resource for the most qualified and professional home technology integrators—celebrates its fifth anniversary this year. The HTA created the first and only standard of excellence for home technology integration firms in 2017, giving the best-qualified technology integrators a prestigious certification and endorsement developed to differentiate exceptional firms. Since then, HTA has fulfilled its purpose as a badge of quality and to help homeowners get consistently first-rate technology experiences.
In those five years, HTA has grown, expanding its reach significantly. Today, hundreds of HTA Certified integrators in the US and Canada now reap the rewards of the HTA Certification distinction, utilizing it in their marketing efforts to differentiate and elevate their firms. HTA Certified firms have access to valuable sales and marketing tools, industry partner outreach, ongoing education, and more.
The Home Technology Association has also forged alliances with prestigious associations and organizations from adjacent trades, including AIBD (American Institute of Building Design), ASID (American Society of Interior Designers), IDS (Interior Design Society), NAHB (National Association of Home Builders), NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry), and NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association). These alliances help bridge the gap between the design-build and integration communities and make HTA Certified integration firms the go-to resource for interior designers, architects, builders, and specifiers. HTA’s ongoing education and content contribution to these trade associations creates a more natural and easily navigable pathway from their membership to HTA Certified integration firms and HTA Supporting Brands. It is also helping to build member confidence in specifying technology into projects and partnering with the right integrator for each project.
“What really drives us is doing everything in our power to change how integrators are brought to new construction and remodeling projects. Integrators decry being brought to the project too late to do their best work, and we all know how nobody wins when this happens. The HTA is serving as the bridge association between the best integrators and architects, interior designers, and contractors, educating them on why it is in their best interests to engage a qualified integrator at the earliest stage in their process and as often as possible,” says Josh Christian, Home Technology Association CEO.
Also of note is the significant success of the HTA Supporting Brand program, with more than 50 of the top smart home technology manufacturers on board supporting their mission. HTA Supporting Brands have the unique opportunity to speak to the top integration firms and designers, architects, builders, and specifiers via HTA’s social media, email campaigns, webinars, and other digital marketing activities. The HTA is currently accepting additional Sponsoring Brands in all product categories.
“We are very proud of what the Home Technology Association has accomplished in five short years. The need for a standard of excellence for integration firms was clear to us, and it is great to receive confirmation of this fact from hundreds of HTA Certified Integrators in addition to manufacturers, rep firms, industry service providers, and trade publications,” adds Christian. “We have enabled our certified integrators to easily differentiate and elevate their firms, and many use their HTA Certified status to eliminate unqualified companies from bidding on projects. Consumers and trade partners alike respect and prefer the HTA standard.
To learn more about becoming an HTA Certified integration firm or Supporting Brand, connect with Josh Christian here; https://htacertified.org/app/contact-us/.
To submit an application to become an HTA Certified integrator, apply at: htacertified.org/apply.
About the Home Technology Association
The Home Technology Association (HTA) created the first and only standard of excellence for home technology integration firms. The HTA gives the best-qualified technology integrators a prestigious certification and endorsement developed to differentiate these exceptional firms. HTA Certification is a badge of quality, designed to help homeowners get consistently first-rate technology experiences. Homeowners, builders, architects, and interior designers that hire HTA Certified integrators have peace of mind knowing they are working with truly professional firms that have passed the HTA’s rigorous, 60-point HTA certification process, which focuses on technical competency, first-rate customer service, aftercare support, and a positive business reputation. These stringent criteria were developed by industry veterans and HTA’s Board of Advisors, including top executives from Lutron, Crestron, Control4, Savant, and others. Additionally, HTA’s Supporting Brands program enables expanded outreach to architects, designers, builders, and related trade associations from leading manufacturers and service providers who support HTA’s mission of delivering exemplary technology experiences. Learn more by visiting HTACertified.org and by following the Home Technology Association (HTA) on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube & Pinterest.
All products, product names, trademarks, and registrations mentioned are the property of their respective owners, all rights reserved.
HTA Media Contact
For interviews or media inquiries, please contact Katye (McGregor) Bennett of KMB Communications by phoning (425) 328-8640 or emailing [email protected].
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by KMB Communications | May 25, 2021 | Home Technology Association
The Home Technology Association (HTA) and Home Technology Specialists of America (HTSA) collaborate to bring mutual benefits to members and bridge the gap between industry groups.
SANTA MONICA, CA (May 25, 2021) – The Home Technology Association (HTA), the first and only third-party certification for home technology installation companies, announced today that Tom Doherty, Director, New Technology Initiatives at Home Technology Specialists of America
(HTSA), has joined HTA’s Board of Advisors, kicking off a strategic, mutually beneficial collaboration between the two groups.
Through this new arrangement, HTA will provide HTSA members access to HTA’s robust library of articles, webinars, videos, and custom programming that has proven beneficial in educating, inspiring, and engaging architects, designers, and specifiers. In return, HTSA will promote to its members the value and virtue of HTA Certification, with Doherty serving in an advisory capacity to HTA at the highest level.
HTSA is a member-driven community industry consortium that delivers education, technologies, vendors, marketing programs, and events to some of the top integrators in the country. This new collaboration is in addition to one HTA already formed with Azione Unlimited and just one of many announcements that HTA will make over the coming months as it aligns more deeply with associations and organizations from both the home technology industry and adjacent trades.
“We believe a gap exists between the disparate associations in the home technology industry and the specifier community and are actively pursuing alliances to address that,” says Josh Christian, CEO of HTA. “HTA helps some of the finest integrators in the country increase their closing ratios and build stronger, more profitable businesses. HTSA shares similar goals in helping these integrators succeed. This common interest allows us to be strategic in maximizing our educational resources by sharing and collaborating. It is an ideal time to launch this initiative as the world recovers from the pandemic and integrators need to maximize their sales efficiency. We welcome Tom to our Board of Advisors.”
“I am pleased to accept the invitation from the Home Technology Association to become a member of its Board of Advisors. I look forward to working with HTA CEO, Josh Christian and the other distinguished and talented Board of Advisors, many I have known for decades. It is my hope that my perspective as an integrator, manufacturer, trade association leader and now also a buying group representative will bring value in progressing HTA’s important mission,” says Doherty.
“HTA has done a good job of promoting the value of high-quality integration services to the specifier community,” says Jon Robbins, Executive Director of Home Technology Specialists of America. “HTSA is pleased to collaborate on this mission with HTA.”
“I see a strong synergy between what the HTSA and the Home Technology Association are doing. They both help the best integration firms grow stronger. Whereas HTSA’s educational and growth programs help an already distinguished group of integration firms improve their businesses, the HTA helps homeowners, architects, interior designers, and builders find the best integrators, many of which are HTSA members. This is a win for the homeowner, the HTSA, and the industry’s reputation,” says Navot Shoresh, Founder and CVO of HTA Certified firm Spire Integrated Systems.
“As an HTSA member, Audio Command Systems is thrilled that this combined relationship with HTA offers yet another opportunity to provide HTSA members a resource to share proven, industry best practices, which I am confident will only strengthen our channel as a whole,” says Thomas Clancy, Executive Vice President of HTA Certified firm Audio Command Systems.
Visit htacertified.org/HTA-industry-relationships to learn more.
About the Home Technology Association
The Home Technology Association (HTA) created the first and only standard of excellence for home technology integration firms. The HTA gives the best qualified technology integrators a prestigious certification and endorsement developed to differentiate these exceptional firms. HTA Certification is a badge of quality, designed to help homeowners get consistently first-rate technology experiences. Homeowners, builders, architects, and interior designers that hire HTA Certified integrators have peace of mind knowing they are working with truly professional firms that have passed the HTA’s rigorous, 60-point HTA certification process, which focuses on technical competency, first-rate customer service, aftercare support, and a positive business reputation. These stringent criteria were developed by industry veterans and HTA’s Board of Advisors, including top executives from Lutron, Crestron, Control4, Savant, and others. Additionally, HTA’s Supporting Brands program enables expanded outreach to architects, designers, builders, and related trade associations from leading manufacturers and service providers who support HTA’s mission of delivering exemplary technology experiences. Learn more by visiting HTACertified.org and by following the Home Technology Association (HTA) on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube & Pinterest.
About Home Technology Specialists of America (HTSA)
Home Technology Specialists of America, Inc. (HTSA) is an international trade consortium of the finest residential technology retail and custom integration specialists across the U.S. and Canada. HTSA members design, specify, install and service the finest premium, high-performance 
technology solutions for the residential and commercial channels. Today’s sophisticated networked systems demand a highly-trained, professional installation specialist. Whether it’s smart home automation, dedicated media rooms & theaters, lighting fixtures & systems, or high-res whole-house audio/video networks – HTSA members will professionally interface products and integrate sub-systems with compelling designs for the home, at the office, or on the go.
Based in Chicago, IL, HTSA is proudly member-owned and offers industry-best programs with the leading technology brands. With a renowned team of brilliant educators on staff who create unparalleled proprietary educational programs, HTSA is instrumental in driving the success of all consortium members.
To learn more about HTSA, see: www.htsa.com; or connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
