The Home Technology Association (HTA) is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year, and alongside it, the creation of the first and only standard of excellence within the custom integration market. Giving some of the best-qualified technology firms a mark of distinction within the industry while giving homeowners a badge of quality to find qualified professionals by, the HTA has grown considerably since its inception.
Today, hundreds of HTA Certified integrators in the US and Canada now have access to valuable sales and marketing tools, industry partner outreach, ongoing education, and more. In addition, the HTA has also forged alliances with many 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)
- NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association).
HTA Reflects on Its Role Within the Industry
By forging alliances between the different trades, the HTA sees itself now as the bridge between the design-build and integration communities, making HTA Certified integration firms the go-to resource for interior designers, architects, builders, and specifiers.
“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,” adds Christian.
“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.”
The HTA also sees its ongoing education and content contribution to the trade association as creating a more natural and easily navigable pathway between the varied trade associations, member and partner brands. That way, the association notes, it can build member confidence in specifying technology into projects and partnering with the right professional for each project.
“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,” says Josh Christian, Home Technology Association CEO.
“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.”
