The National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA) and Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA) have partnered to own and produce the annual Electronic Security Expo (ESX).
In a joint announcement, the two associations say ESX will focus “on the product, technical and management training needs of installing and monitoring companies and the trends toward integration and Internet Protocol (IP) enabled security systems in the commercial, industrial, institutional and residential markets.”
The inaugural event will be held in the Nashville Convention Center; seminars will run June 25-27, 2008, and exhibits, June 26-27. More than 150 exhibitors and upward of 3,500 attendees from across the country are expected at the debut event, according to the announcement.
“Our members are looking for a dedicated forum that will provide them with ideas, products and services to expand their businesses and increase profitability,” says John Murphy, president of CSAA and CEO of Vector Security of Pittsburgh, Pa. “Events that traditionally addressed this need are now focusing heavily on other audiences like end-users and government and defense practitioners. CSAA believes that the time has come to offer an expanded trade show and conference program that will be of value to both large and small members of both associations. That’s what this event will be all about and why we are launching it.”
NBFAA members are becoming acquainted with and adopting the trend toward systems integration and IP based technology, says George Gunning, president of NBFAA and CEO of USA Alarm Systems of Monrovia, Calif.
“Most of our members are already heavily engaged with access control, video surveillance, IP-enabled security, ID systems, outdoor protection — the full range of security and life safety technologies in addition to our traditional strengths in burglar and fire alarm systems,” Gunning says. “Our 2,500 member companies want to do more security systems integration with other home and building systems. We are excited to be sponsoring an industry-owned event that will help the installing and monitoring companies move forward faster in the integrated systems realm.”
The two associations say they plan to host meetings and industry functions in conjunction with the event and be integrally involved in the development and delivery of the ESX keynotes, general sessions, along with providing a robust education program for integration and monitoring companies.
The associations will also work to produce special seminars and a recognition program aimed at illuminating industry best practices of installation and monitoring companies, and programs to attract and recognize the next generation of industry leaders.
According to CSAA, the new event will take the place of its annual midyear meeting.