We recently detailed the announcement that IntegrateU opened its training platform to a wider swath of the custom integration industry through a partnership with Nationwide Marketing Group’s CI division. That partnership included Azione Unlimited, which is part of the NMG CI collective. Turns out, that was only a snippet of the new education and leadership training program development that was underway for Azione dealers.
In a statement released this week, The Smart Home Association detailed a number of education and training initiatives that are detailed to arm integrators with the tools and resources they need, across multiple disciplines, to boost their business.
In addition to the IntegrateU partnership, the new and expanded programs for Azione members include:
Lighting Excellence Dojo: Considered a “cornerstone” of the group’s 2025 partnership strategy, Azione members will have direct access to hands-on, real-world lighting education through the Lighting Excellence Dojo, a program founded by renowned lighting design expert Bruce Clark.
“We’re excited to invite Azione dealer members into the Lighting Excellence Dojo,” Clark said in the statement. “Our goal is simple: build lighting confidence, elevate capability, and unleash creativity. This is a milestone moment for education in our channel, and we’re proud to share it with the Azione community—and we’re just getting started.”
CEDIA Learning Academy: Azione renewed its commitment to the revamped CEDIA Learning Academy. Through the partnership, dealers get complimentary access to the full suite of CEDIA’s professional training modules, which cover just about every aspect of the business. New updates to the platform include microlearning tracks, certification prep tools, and role-specific roadmaps for technicians, project managers, and sales professionals.
Azione said it will promote cohort-based progress among its members in a way to enhance completion rates and encourage peer accountability.
Revamped Leadership Symposium: A new slate of Azione Leadership Symposiums were announced as well, with a few new twists. The two announced symposiums—Emerging Leaders and Sales Leaders—are free to attend and include hands-on learning, vendor-led sessions, and exclusive facility tours. Attendees will also receive travel reimbursements and customized takeaway resources they’ll be able to implement back at their businesses.
“Our mission with education has always been to enrich every layer of the integration business,” said Patrick McCarthy, Executive Director of Azione Unlimited. “We’re creating a comprehensive and practical educational framework by integrating best-in-class learning partners and adding high-impact training experiences. This is about empowering people—from entry-level techs to seasoned leaders—to thrive and innovate on their own terms.”
The goal of the initiatives, Azione said, is to continue building a “robust portfolio” of educational resources that help custom integrators elevate their businesses.
