Arlington, Va. -- Oct. 3, 2019 – The Consumer Technology Association (CTA)® today announced Adam Devine, owner of Devine Concepts in Naples, FL, as the recipient of the Mobile Electronics Certified Professional (MECP) Technician of the Year.

A Master Installation Technician for four years, Devine has been certified for almost 18 years. He was selected by the Vehicle Technology Division of CTA and MECP-certified experts in the aftermarket industry for his dedication to excellence and customer satisfaction; his role as a mentor to many in the industry; and constantly striving to further his knowledge on complex elements.

“We’re excited to announce Adam Devine as the MECP Technician of the Year,” said Jeff Cantrell, MECP Committee Chairman. “The MECP program recognizes professionals who maintain industry best practices and seek continuing education in order to provide clients with outstanding service and installations. Adam has gone to great lengths to maintain and grow his own certification over many years, market the program to his clients, and maintain the highest standards in every installation.”

MECP, owned by CTA, is a certification program for installation technicians and salespeople of mobile electronics and aftermarket automotive equipment. It is the only nationally recognized program that certifies technicians on the installation techniques and capabilities of automobile information technology, entertainment, navigation and safety/security systems.

Devine will receive an expenses-paid trip to CES® 2020 and accept the award on the CTA Stage in the Grand Lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center. CES 2020 will take place Jan. 7-10, 2020 in Las Vegas, NV.

Be at the center of vehicle technology at CES 2020 and see the latest and greatest in self-driving vehicles, concept cars and connected vehicles.

Arlington, VA, December 12, 2016 - The Consumer Technology Association (CTA)™ launched an enhanced online resource for the Mobile Electronics Certified Professional (MECP) Program. Improvements to the redesigned MECP.com include "easy-to-find" information about certification, testing centers and a consumer resource explaining the benefits of using MECP-certified technicians, according to the organization. Additionally, with the launch of the new site, employers will now be able to easily access a career center.

MECP, owned and operated by CTA, is the only nationally recognized credential that certifies mobile technology installation technicians and sales people on automotive information technology, entertainment, navigation, safety and security systems.

"CTA is thrilled to announce these added features and functionalities to our MECP program, all designed to enhance and grow this important program," said Ellen Savage, vice president of membership programs, CTA. "The MECP program seeks to produce a higher level of professionalism in the mobile electronics installation field. Using an MECP technician provides peace of mind that the technology in the vehicle is installed or serviced by a qualified industry professional."

Highlights to the new MECP.com include:

• MECP Certification - The site provides information about every level of certification and allows users to order study guides, identify test center locations and register for exams.
• Career Center - Whether someone is an MECP-certified professional looking for a job or an employer looking to hire a certified professional, the career center allows users to post their resumes and browse jobs, connect with professionals and recruit the best talent.
• Main Hub - The hub offers MECP information related to professionals;employers, including the value of MECP professionals and sample job descriptions to help hire MECP professionals and educate employees; and vehicle owners, such as the new technologies available for older vehicles, in a mobile-friendly format.

    Visit the new MECP.com website today.                            

Arlington, VA, October 23, 2017 – The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) mourns the loss of its dear friend Jim Barry who passed away Friday night at the age of 71. Following a distinguished career in journalism, Barry served as CTA’s Digital Answerman for the past 22 years, showcasing and explaining technology products to consumers via television and radio appearances along with newspaper interviews across the country.

“Jim was a remarkable person who was dedicated to and passionate about our industry. As a tireless media spokesperson, he helped introduce millions of consumers to the latest tech innovations,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CTA. “Jim was respected by everyone he worked with including manufacturers, retailers and the media and made many friends along the way. Jim also was a respected journalist who covered our industry in a thoughtful and insightful style. Along the way, he helped mentor many of our staff, educating them and igniting their passion for our industry. The entire CTA family will miss him dearly.”

Barry served as a judge for the Consumer Technology Hall of Fame since the inception of the program in 2000. A strong industry advocate and historian, he contributed his industry expertise as well as his personal relationships to the judging process. Barry also served as an Innovation Entrepreneur Awards (IEA) judge each year since the program began in 2012 and was a frequent contributor to CTA’s publications including i3 and Digital America.

Prior to his roles with CTA, Barry had a long career in journalism including holding positions as editor of Dealerscope Magazine and editor of Video Magazine where he covered many of the industry’s most important product introductions including the VCR, DVD and Digital TV, to name a few. He also started the Contract Publishing Division of Crosby Vandenburg Group in Boston creating and producing custom magazines for ESPN, WGBH, Massachusetts Hospital Association and others.

A proud native son of Ridgefield Park, NJ, he lived in and embraced Boston as his adopted hometown and was an avid supporter of the Boston Red Sox. Barry is survived by his wife of 40 years, Kate Barry and their two daughters, Moira Rose and Fiona.

Arlington, VA, June 20, 2016 - The Consumer Technology Association (CTA)™ and Tech. Co. are joining forces to host a unique combined conference where the biggest names in tech meet the cutting edge of the startup world: Innovate! and Celebrate. Registration opens today for this new event designed for tech companies at every stage. 

WHAT: Innovate! and Celebrate will connect the consumer technology industry around the theme of fostering innovation in companies of all sizes. CTA brings its expertise in custom research, industry forecasts and programming on emerging technology trends while Tech.Co will have a dedicated program for startups that includes speakers, mentoring, office hours, workshops and fun excursions. The event will culminate with a global startup competition, featuring innovative technology demos, to select Tech.Co's Startup of the Year. Event highlights will be featured on social media platforms with the hashtag #InnovateCelebrate.

As the event nears, check the Innovate! and Celebrate website for scheduling updates.

WHEN/WHERE: Innovate! and Celebrate

                                September 20-22

                                Fairmont

                                170 South Market Street

                                San Jose, CA 95113

REGISTER: Registration is open for Innovate! and Celebrate. Media can contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information. 

2-15-2017, Multichannel.com -- The Consumer Technology Association has asked the Department of Transportation and Office of Management and Budget to rethink National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) guidelines for distracted driving and their impact on portable devices like smart phones, saying they could have a huge impact on mobile devices and apps.

That came in a letter to the new heads of both those agencies.

The guidelines were released Dec. 5, which falls within the post-election period during which Republicans warned against taking substantive auctions. They were phase two of NHTSA's distracted driver guidelines. The first deal with devices built into vehicles by the manufacturer.

"[F]ar too many are put at risk by drivers who are distracted by their cellphones," said then-U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. "These commonsense guidelines, grounded in the best research available, will help designers of mobile devices build products that cut down on distraction on the road."

The guidelines "encourage[d] manufacturers to implement features such as pairing, where a portable device is linked to a vehicle’s infotainment system, as well as Driver Mode, which is a simplified user interface. Both pairing and Driver Mode will reduce the potential for unsafe driver distraction by limiting the time a driver’s eyes are off the road, while at the same time preserving the full functionality of these devices when they are used at other times."

CTA says it is concerned about distracted driving, too, but argues that NHTSA "does not have the authority to dictate the design of smartphone apps and other devices used in cars," saying its proposal to do so "is dangerously expansive, representing the worst of government overreach."

"While NHTSA maintains that the proposed guidelines would be voluntary and nonbinding, in practice they could  have a sweeping effect on the multibillion dollar market for mobile devices and apps."

Read the rest of the story HERE.

Daily Caller -- Soon, our cars will be able to provide and share real-time data — such as windshield-wiper activity, drive times and outside temperatures — that can keep us safer on the road.

Car companies will be able to aggregate, geotag and share this data with weather reporters and local government officials who make school-closing or public-safety decisions. The benefits of car-data collection and consumption are about to be realized in life-changing ways.

These automotive data-collection systems will be on display at CES 2016 in Las Vegas the week of Jan. 4. Nine carmakers and more than 115 automotive tech companies will be exhibiting their technological advances at the annual consumer electronics trade show.

The Vehicle Intelligence Marketplace at CES 2016 will showcase, among other things, the latest in car-safety tech, such as parking assistance, collision avoidance, emergency braking and in-vehicle communications. They are all making cars safer and drivers more connected.

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2016/01/08/how-car-data-can-save-time-lives-and-repairs-without-sacrificing-privacy/#ixzz3xB8LvBCy

Maeda brings significant industry experience and an understanding of the trends in the integration of technology in automobiles with the goal of increasing driver safety.

TORRANCE, CALIF. – March 14, 2017 -- Rydeen Mobile Electronics, makers of a unique line of automotive aftermarket products that promote driver safety, announced that company president Phil Maeda has been elected to the Consumer Technology Association’s Vehicle Technology Division (VTD) board. Maeda is an automotive industry veteran and visionary, founding Rydeen after senior level marketing and management roles with leading automotive tech companies such as Clarion and Fujitsu Ten / Eclipse.

According to VTD board chair Bob Fields, “The mission of the VTD is to grow consumer awareness of in-vehicle technology, foster the expansion of the pool of qualified technicians and engage the makers of innovative technologies in the vehicle through advocacy and promotional activity. In order for the VTD to fulfill its mission, we must have a diverse membership that can provide the right balance of perspective and insight into the issues the industry faces. Phil's perspective as leader of Rydeen, a maker of vehicle safety products that provides the aftermarket with OEM solutions for the many cars already on the road today, is well needed, as the safety category is a growing opportunity for our retailers and these products prevent injuries and save lives.”

Rydeen’s unique line of automotive aftermarket products is focused on bringing safety and peace of mind to drivers. The company’s latest innovation is the BSS1 Radar Blind Spot Detection System. The BSS1 is an easy-to-install microwave radar-based system that alerts a driver of vehicles in the right or left blind spot before and during a lane change maneuver.
“It’s an honor to be elected to the Vehicle Technology Division board and have the chance to serve our industry with such an esteemed group of technology leaders,” said Maeda. “I’m very excited at the opportunity to bring my perspective to the board’s focus on the importance of vehicle safety with regards to technology, and to share my experience regarding trends in vehicle safety products based on the success of the Rydeen brand and products such as our BSS1 Radar Blind Spot Detection System.”

Click the following link to read a recent interview with Maeda regarding his appointment: http://www.thepodcasts.com/Rydeen/PhilMaedaInterview.pdf.