Association of Loudspeaker Manufacturing & Acoustics International
The Association of Loudspeaker Manufacturing & Acoustics International (ALMA International) is a not-for-profit trade association open to companies that design, manufacture, sell and/or test loudspeakers, loudspeaker components, and loudspeaker systems and electroacoustic devices and equipment.
History
The American Loudspeaker Manufacturers Association (ALMA) was founded in 1964 and was originally composed solely of U.S. loudspeaker manufacturers, then expanded to include North, Central and South America. In 2001, the association expanded its membership base to become a global organization to better reflect its growing international membership base. Members are loudspeaker engineers, designers, management, students, and educators. The association is now known as ALMA International - The Association of Loudspeaker Manufacturing & Acoustics International serving the electro-acoustic and audio industry as well as the entire audio signal chain.
Membership
Membership is open to companies, employees, consultants, individuals and free to full-time students and educators participating in this and/or related fields. Universities and other academic institutions are eligible to join as supporting members.
Committees
ALMA has several committees. Information about each is available on the ALMA website.
- Standards
- Education
- Marketing and Membership
- Student
- AISE (ALMA International Symposium & Expo)
Standards
ALMA participates in technical standards for the industry and coordinates international standards with AES, EIA and IEC as part of establishing, publishing and promoting technical standards for use in designing and manufacturing loudspeakers and loudspeaker components.
Symposium & Expo
ALMA International holds an annual event called AISE (ALMA International Symposium & Expo) previously held in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA just before the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). As of 2019, AISE moves to June and will be held just prior to InfoComm. Like InfoComm, the event will now alternate between Orlando and Las Vegas. Odd years in Orlando, and even years in Las Vegas. The event is designed to showcase the business and education of the electro-acoustic and audio industry through education, networking, demonstrations, and exhibits. It is the only event of its kind in the world that caters to a targeted, professional audience.. Education and networking events are divided into 3 tracks: Technical Content, Business Content, Student Content.
ALMAgrams & Test CD
ALMA sells the EIA-426-B standard: “Loudspeakers, Optimum Amplifier Power (April 1998)” also known as ANSI/EIA-426-B-1998 and may be ordered online at https://almaint.org.
ALMA International publishes a monthly newsletter called ALMAgrams with industry news, ALMA news, and more. It is free and may be subscribed to on the ALMA International website.