Independent Programmers Council

Mission

To serve the needs and interests of programmers of control systems, audio, lighting and other systems who are not employed by hardware vendors or integrators. The council seeks to raise the stature of independent programmers in the industry, provide collective feedback to vendors, define standards of practice and share professional resources.

Activities and Goals

Working groups have been established by the Independent Programmers Council Steering Committee to drive key initiatives designed to address industry relations, membership criteria and standards of practice, while also helping inform and educate the industry on the importance and value of using third party programming services.

Previously, the council developed Roadmap to Control, a set of recommendations for the implementation and documentation of serial and IP control interfaces within the professional audiovisual and information communications industries.

Currently the IPC working groups focus on education, best business practices, membership, and public relations. These groups are currently collaborating with other councils and committees on the following working initiatives:

  • CTS-P Certification – Pursuing a programming-specific certification within InfoComm International benefiting all programmers, whether independent or working for an integrator or consultant
  • Best Business Practices – Establishing a list of critical business practices which should be met by professional independent programming firms, and expected by their clients. Topics include insurance requirements, business contracts, project management, data storage, and project documentation and general business practices.
  • Independent Programmers Market Survey – Defining the nature and extent of the independent programmer community; the IPC regularly conducts surveys focused on understanding the composition the independent programming market
  • Independent Programmers Membership Directory – A comprehensive, globally distributed directory of all InfoComm Independent Programming Council members, with company informational data as well as regional listings or quick reference
  • New Educational Offerings – Introduction of an InfoComm seminar entitled “The Role of the Independent Programmer in Project Success.” Additionally, OnDemand courses are in development and look to be offered in the coming year.

    • The Independent Programmers Council recently developed a set of guidelines called the Code of Excellence for Independent Programmers.  This is a voluntary document available to all InfoComm independent programmer members.  If you choose to participate, please return the signed form to Rachel Melnykovich at rmelnykovich@infocomm.org or by fax 703.278.8082. 

    Councils and Committees Resources

    Are you an AV Independent Programmer? Download this PDF to see why you should be a member of InfoComm and the Independent Programmers Council.

    Chair
    Steve Greenblatt, CTS®
    Control Concepts
    steveg@controlconcepts.com

    2009 Independent Programmers Council Member List

    2009 Steering Committee

    • Steve Greenblatt, CTS, Control Concepts, Inc., Council Chair
    • Matt Grisafe, CTS, AV Programming Associates
    • Marc LaVecchia, BMA Software Solutions, Inc.
    • Bernard Morgan, Intelligent Control Systems Plus
    • John Michener, CTS, Rocking M Coding

    One major benefit of being a member of the council is the use of our eGroups on InfoComm Community.
    Only members of the council can be part of the council EGroups. To join the council, fill out and send in the Council & Committee application. If you have any questions, send an email to membership@infocomm.org.

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