Every industry has its share of certifications. In our industry, we have them for best of class installation, building networks, designing acoustically-accurate rooms and home theaters, and more. While these certifications typically stay with an individual, until recently, there hasn't been a certification for an entire company.

Enter the Home Technology Association, or HTA.

This Home Technology Association certification is no quick or easy thing to attain. It's arduous. It involves a deep dive into design practices, implementation, insurance, service policies, employment manuals, and overall -- how business is conducted. In fact, HTA-certified home technology professionals have a seal of approval that is in many ways much more significant than a Better Business Bureau "A+" rating -- although that's important too. The Home Technology Association fact checks every response and piece of information a prospective dealer submits when seeking certification, so that when a business carries that designation, you can be sure it's well-deserved and hard-earned.

In 2004, my husband Jeff and I co-founded Integration Controls in St. Louis, MO.

Our vision was the same then as it is now: simplify technology for our clients, using the right products and solutions to meet their needs and exceed expectations.

Take a minute (and one second, to be exact) for an inside look at what motivates the people behind Integration Controls.

We're incredibly proud to be able to say that we've been a member of CEDIA since 2005. It means a lot to us, to be a part of this outstanding community, but what does it mean for you? We'd like to answer some of the common questions we get about our CEDIA certification and help show you how working with a CEDIA member directly benefits you as a client.

It's absolutely true what they say about loving your work: If you're passionate about what you are doing, it'll show in the final product.

One of our favorite projects received a silver award in technical design in 2013. You can read about the full case study here or read the highlights below:

The first round of this project, technologically enhancing a 5,000-square-foot-lodge, was completed in 2011 and in 2012 the client reached back out to us for phase two.