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.
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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.
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
ALMA sets 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.
Symposia
ALMA International holds an annual event called "ALMA International Symposium & Expo" currently held in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA just before the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The event is designed to showcase the loudspeaker and acoustics industry through education, networking, demonstrations, and exhibits. It is the only event of its kind in the world. Education and networking events are divided into 3 tracks: Technical Content, Business Content, Student Content.
Publications
ALMA publishes the Test Signal CD developed as a companion to the EIA-426-B standard: “Loudspeakers, Optimum Amplifier Power (April 1998)” also known as ANSI/EIA-426-B-1998.
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.