Your 2014 ISC West Guide

SSI provides an overview of the 46th annual ISC West conference to help dealers and integrators plan their show schedules.

A harsh winter filled with heavy snow-storms, sleet, freezing rain, slippery and slushy roads have left numerous individuals nationwide wishing for spring’s arrival. After all, springtime brings forth nicer weather and bright, colorful flowers, but it also represents a time of renewal, rejuvenation and rebirth. It’s a time where people can sow new seeds, start innovative projects and come forth with fresh ideas. And what better way for security dealers and integrators to learn ways to reinvigorate their businesses than at the 46th annual International Security Conference (ISC) West?

Hosted by Reed Exhibitions and exclusively sponsored by the Security Industry Association (SIA), ISC West reconvenes at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas on April 2-4. As the largest exhibition hall in North America dedicated to security, the event attracts more than 26,000 security dealers, consultants, end users and representatives from manufacturers, distributors and central stations, among other industry professionals. The show will also host 1,000+ exhibitors that will showcase more than 10,000 products and technologies on the show floor. SIA’s annual New Product Showcase, a favorite among show-goers, will honor the most recent, innovative products, which will give integrators ideas on what technologies they can use in upcoming projects.

A definite can’t-miss event at the show includes the keynote address at ISC West titled “The Great Debate 2014: Use It or Lose It!” During this panel industry leaders will engage in a lively debate on how the latest technologies driven by the consumer and IT worlds can positively or negatively influence your organization’s security initiatives.

If you need help navigating the show floor, event organizers have got you covered with the ISC Mobile app for Web-enabled cellphones and tablets and the “My Show Planner.” Each resource allows users to search for exhibitors, view floor plans, review educational sessions and build show agendas.

Although that’s a lot of information to absorb, we haven’t even cracked the surface of the massive exhibition that is ISC West. The following offers a glimpse of the show to help attendees plan a productive schedule.

Relax, Network Before the Big Show
Although ISC West is a way for integrators and dealers to find tips to build their businesses, you know what they say about all work and no play; after all, you will be in Vegas! That said, show organizers have included events that allow attendees to relax, unwind and network.

For the 19th consecutive year, SSI will host the SAMMY Awards, allowing attendees to socialize and network with industry colleagues. Show-goers can also tee up at the Alarm Industry Research and Education Foundation’s (AIREF) annual golf tournament on the day before the big event.

6 Trailblazers Enter Hall of Fame

During the 11th annual SSI Hall of Fame ceremony, six electronic security industry pioneers will be acknowledged for their contributions to the trade. These praiseworthy stalwarts will join more than 67 other professionals who have made permanent imprints on the industry and in their communities.

In alphabetical order, the inductees are: Tony Byerly, executive vice president of electronic security, Diebold; Pat Egan, president, Select Security; Martin Gren, co-founder, Axis Communications; Jim Henry, executive vice president, Kratos Public Safety & Security; Gordon Hope, vice president of marketing and business development, Honeywell Security; and Peder Kolind, founder, Brink’s.

Original SSI Hall of Fame inductee Ron Davis, who also pens “The Big Idea” column, will once again serve as emcee at this year’s ceremony.

Looking to kick off ISC West in style? How about hitting up Chateau Nightclub and Gardens at Paris Las Vegas where SIA will host its Market Leaders Reception on the eve of the conference.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to network with safety and security officials in the travel and tourism industry as ISC West will share the stage with the International Tourism Safety Association Conference (ITSAC). Scheduled for April 2-3, ITSAC focuses on providing delegates with new information, trends, equipment, strategies and best practices in keeping visitors safe. 

“ISC West is known as the launching pad for new physical security products and services,” says Ed Several, senior vice president and general manager, ISC Events. “We’re delighted to work with the International Tourism Safety Association to bring their members to the show, where they can see the newest products and technologies that can be immediately implemented in their organizations.”

SIA Education@ISC Continues to Deliver

While networking is beneficial to strengthening business operation, education plays an even bigger role. Realizing that, Reed Exhibitions will host more than 75 education seminars and sessions through the SIA Education@ISC West Series.

PDQ Award Recognizes Alarm Management Programs

Cutting down on false alarms can certainly be a demanding task, so when an alarm firm implements a successful false alarm management program, it definitely deserves praise. Hence, one extraordinary business will take home the sought-after Police Dispatch Quality (PDQ) Award at the Electronic Security Expo (ESX) in Nashville, Tenn., June 23-26, for creating best practices that help prevent false alarm dispatches.

Started in 2005, the PDQ Award program is presented by the Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC), False Alarm Reduction Association (FARA), SSI and the Installation Quality (IQ) pro-gram. This year’s award presentation will take place during the ESX Industry IceBreaker Luncheon on June 24 at noon. PDQ Award judges are now reviewing entries.
The award-winning company will receive $1,000 courtesy of Honeywell to attend the awards ceremony. Additionally, SSI will highlight the award recipient’s program ideas and best practices in October’s Alarm Response Issue.

Past honorees include two-time winner Vector Security, HS Technology, Custom Alarm, Broadview Security (formerly Brink’s Home Security), Atronic Alarm Systems and Alarm Detection Systems.

Held on April 1-3, the three-day pro-gram allows attendees to qualify for Associated Locksmith of America education credits (AEU), ASIS continuing professional education (CPE) credits and NICET continuing professional development (CPD) points.

On the first day of the series, the Inter-national Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC) will host a one-day comprehensive security consulting seminar aimed to help dealers, installers, systems integrators, security consultants and more develop, market and deliver security consultation services effectively.

Returning this year is the PSA-TEC @ ISC Series, which will focus general sales training, system design, installation and deployment. SSI Convergence Channel columnist Paul Boucherle will also moderate the “Top 10 Lessons Learned Implementing IP Centric Solutions” panel, geared to educate integrators on the most common pitfalls in IP implementations and how to remedy a mistake. “During this panel, we’ll discuss lessons learned from the field when implementing IP technology successfully,” Boucherle explains.

He will also host the “Driving Business Success: Leadership at All Levels” panel to help attendees develop skills to conduct themselves as leaders in their organizations. “We did the business panel last year, but this is the next level up,” Boucherle says. “We’ll share lessons of leadership from different perspectives that will help attendees improve on how they look at leadership.”


Education Becomes More Hands-on

As in years past, SIA Education @ ISC West will continue to offer the Business Development and Technology tracks for dealers and installers.

In the business development track, attendees can participate in the “Structural Challenges in Converting Product Companies and Product Offerings Into RMR.” This session will outline the challenges of becoming an RMR-based service operation at each level of the organization and techniques and strategies for overcoming those hurdles.

With cyber-security becoming more prevalent in society today, show-goers will gain knowledge on the scope of a threat, how it could impact security vendors and end users and public/private partnership opportunities through the “Surviving the Cyber Tsunami: Cybersecurity Worries and Opportunities for Security Contractors” panel.

In the technology track, dealers and installers will review new strategies for effectively implementing the latest technologies. Sessions include, “Tapping Into New Markets With Cloud Technology,” “How IP Audio Surveillance Enhances Security Management Systems” and “Retrofit and Migration Strategies for Video and Access Control Systems.”

At the request of attendees, show-goers have added the “Learning Lab Workshops” and “Sales Workshops.” The learning lab workshops are designed to increase learning value through hands-on experience working with different products, while the sales workshops are geared to help attendees hone sales skills and strategy to drive tangible business results.

Tracks tailored specifically for central stations, school security and vendor solutions will also be available for attendees.

For more event information, visit iscwest.com.

 

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