Advanced Video, Card ID Solutions Pace ASIS 2006

SAN DIEGO – The 52nd annual ASIS Int’l Seminar and Exhibits at the San Diego Convention Center provided a grand stage on which to put on view the inexorable advances of technology in the security industry.

Among the most prominent product lines on display, none were hotter than video surveillance. Video vendors were seemingly everywhere, no surprise given the progression and proliferation of IP-based cameras, networked systems and analytics.

Among the sizable video footprint at the show, Tamron, Sanyo and TOA Electronics Inc. attracted attention for new product entrants. Another major focus was Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 201. With federal agencies moving to comply with the directive that requires issuing a new ID card to every government employee and private contractor, numerous companies such as IR Security & Safety touted their latest access control technologies during the conference.

Attendance was also actively discussed during the convention, held Sept. 25-28.

ASIS representatives say this year’s event attracted around 23,000 attendees, a 17-percent increase from last year’s show and an all-time record. In all, about 850 vendors displayed and demonstrated thousands of wares and security solutions.

However, many ASIS regulars talked openly about what they perceived to be lighter attendance compared to past events.

Opinions vary as to why attendance may have been lacking this year. Several exhibitor representatives who spoke with Security Sales & Integration wondered if the West Coast site might have affected attendance.

“This show is down over last year’s in Orlando,” said Bob Navarro, Southeast regional manager with Continental Access, a NAPCO Security Group company. “We expected more traffic. Last year we were so busy we couldn’t get to everyone.”

That’s not to suggest this year’s ASIS was a disappointment. Navarro says that while there most definitely were fewer security professionals in attendance, by his estimation, he was pleased with the quality of leads the show produced for his company.

Tom Davenport, national sales manager for CALL24 Wireless Callbox Systems, echoed a similar opinion, saying his company attracted several promising leads from security professionals that traveled to San Diego from around California, Oregon and Washington. Davenport says his only lament is he would have preferred to see more geographic diversity among the potential clientele.

“From the heartland section of the country and eastward, I haven’t seen too many of them here,” he said.

The 2007 ASIS expo will be held Sept. 24-27 in Las Vegas.

If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!

Tagged with: GSX Industry News

Security Is Our Business, Too

For professionals who recommend, buy and install all types of electronic security equipment, a free subscription to Commercial Integrator + Security Sales & Integration is like having a consultant on call. You’ll find an ideal balance of technology and business coverage, with installation tips and techniques for products and updates on how to add to your bottom line.

A FREE subscription to the top resource for security and integration industry will prove to be invaluable.

Subscribe Today!

Get Our Newsletters