SILVER SPRING, Md. – The Security Industry Association (SIA) has announced the schedule, speaker lineup and program for the 2024 AcceleRISE conference, hosted by SIA’s RISE community for young professionals and emerging leaders in the security industry.
This year’s AcceleRISE is scheduled for Aug. 12-14 in Washington, D.C.
AcceleRISE is “an exciting, innovative conference created specifically for young security talent and designed to ignite new thinking, strengthen leadership and sharpen business acumen,” according to the SIA announcement.
The event “tackles the issues that matter most to emerging leaders in the security industry and features a diverse array of premier learning sessions, interactive workshops and lively activities geared toward rising stars in the industry,” the announcement says.
“SIA RISE’s AcceleRISE conference is hands down the best opportunity for young professionals to come together, learn from some of the brightest voices in our industry and create relationships that will carry them forward in their careers,” says SIA RISE chairperson Dakota Bierly, business development manager at Northland Controls, in the announcement.
“This year, we have struck a really nice balance between soft skills, like leadership development and mastering the art of networking, and technical conversations, like how blockchain will impact the future of security; however, what I look forward to most every year is the debate,” she says.
“Year over year, it’s amazing to see attendees walk away feeling inspired, with new ideas, new connection, and a fresh perspective on the security industry,” says Bierly. “Whether you are a company considering sending your employees or a young professional looking to attend, I encourage you to invest in the future of our industry by showing up, being present and experiencing the impact for yourself.”
Why RISE Created the AcceleRISE Conference
Session topics for AcceleRISE 2024 include:
- Shake Hands and Make Friends: A Crash Course in Networking
- Making the Transition From Team Player to Team Leader
- Decentralized ID: Blockchain’s Game Changer for Security Industry Applications
- Tips From an Impatient Sales Lady
- Selling Sustainability: A Lesson in Adaptive Leadership
- The Influence Insider’s Playbook: Mastering the Art Without Authority
- Authenticity vs. Business Acumen
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Fostering Inclusive Communities
- Debate: Mobile vs. Physical Credentials
- Customer Experience Is King in the Security Industry
- Synergizing Product Management, Marketing and Sales: A Road Map From Concept to Customer
RISE will also host talks by executive leaders, an artificial intelligence group activity and more.
Outside the conference sessions, attendees will have the chance to form relationships with other young professionals and leaders, many of whom are RISE members, enjoy a networking happy hour and explore Washington, D.C., through a moonlight monuments tour, kickball on the National Mall and tours of the U.S. Capitol.
Speakers for the 2024 AcceleRISE event include:
- Angie Barnes, executive vice president of sales, NAVCO
- Susan Bierly, owner and president, IMC Water Coolers
- Jessica Chadwick, group product manager, Wavelynx
- Kelly DeLeo, director of service and solutions, Axis Communications
- Colin DePree, sales strategy, Salto Systems
- Kevin Engelhardt, president, North America, Securitas Technology
- Kabir Maiga, CEO, PassiveBolt
- Lindsay Martin-Nez, CEO, BadgePass
- Jennifer McCloskey, owner and president, Girardi Associates
- Amy Musanti, director of sustainability, ASSA ABLOY
- Esteban Pastor, senior product manager, ZKTeco USA
- Rich Sefcik, director of client success, Brivo
- Sandra Williams, vice president of operations, Boon Edam
- Matt Winn, vice president of communications, HID Global
- Fadil Zain, integration sales consultant, Allegion Canada
“AcceleRISE promises a conference agenda for young professionals that will deliver a unique experience for these leaders in the seat of our nation’s power center,” said SIA CEO Don Erickson in the announcement.
“The RISE Steering Committee has raised the bar even higher on this year’s event to offer premier one-of-a-kind career development and business education sessions, networking offerings, interactive workshops and fun opportunities to explore our nation’s capital,” he says.
