ESX 2023 Equals Excitement, Engagement, Enjoyment
Hundreds of security pros connect, compare notes and learn at ESA’s flagship event.
Pye-Barker Fire & Safety CEO Bart Proctor speaks during the ESX OpenXChange session as moderator George De Marco, Parks Associates' Elizabeth Parks and Becklar's Tyler Tribe look on.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Earlier this year, the roaring success in attendance and intensity of ISC West signified revitalization of the electronic security industry. Now, less than three months later, though fewer in numbers and thankfully absent the pandemonium, the Electronic Security Expo (ESX) continued that momentum. Produced by the Electronic Security Association (ESA), ESX gathered a couple hundred of the industry’s top dealer/integrator company leaders and managers June 5-8 for exceptional educational sessions, networking opportunities, motivational keynotes, achievement awards, vendor exhibits, committee meetings, and leisure activities.
Here is an overview of what transpired:
June 5
ESA Meetings
The association jumpstarted ESX with several meetings, including those for Associate Members, Annual Meeting, Education Committee and Executive Management Professionals (EMP), to discuss industry trends and more.
Executive Leadership Workshops
Provided an opportunity for connecting with, learning from and growing with other C-suite security and life-safety company operators and owners. The program offered insights to freshen up leadership approaches and motivate teams in an intensive afternoon of workshops, led by experts including sales authority John Maxwell.
Opening Celebration
Day 1 concluded with live music, local beer and spirits, and a mix of local flavors to celebrate the launch of ESX 2023. It was an opportunity to mix and mingle with other attendees and catch up with old industry friends in a casual, laidback environment, and included karaoke fun.
June 6
OpenXchange Breakfast
Moderated by George De Marco, this session addresses new technologies, services, go-to market strategies and the changing competitive landscape. Expert panelists this year included Elizabeth Parks from Parks Associates, Bart Proctor of Pye-Barker and Tyler Tribe of Becklar. The lively panel focused on likely business impacts in the near term and long run, including technologies to watch like ChatGPT.
Education Sessions
The education sessions continued on Tuesday. They focused on women in security, marketing, emergency response systems, reducing truck rolls and more.
Expo Opens
ESX’s expo floor included dozens of exhibiting vendors spanning fire detection, access control, smart home, video surveillance, IT/networking and more. A stage was set up in the center of the hall where special presentations were held throughout the day. ESA also presented vendors with its Innovation Awards.
Keynote Luncheon
Jon Acuff’s inspirational session was titled, “Soundtracks: How the Best Teams Overcome Overthinking to Navigate Change, Increase Productivity and Win Consistently.” The Sara E. Jackson award was also presented after the keynote to Kirk MacDowell of MacGuard Security Advisors.
SIAC Awards Reception
Kirk MacDowell received the Security Industry Alarm Coalition’s William N. Moody Award. SIAC, in partnership with Security Sales & Integration, also announced CPI Security as the 2023 winner of the Police Dispatch Quality (PDQ) Award.
Pub Crawl
After a day on the expo floor, attendees visited the local Kentucky nightlife during the traditional ESX Pub Crawl.
June 7
Education Sessions
Wednesday’s packed presentations focused on driving higher RMR, fire alarms, recruitment and retention, talent acquisition, sales, tracking KPIs, and more.
General Session
Speaker and skydiver Kenyon Salo talked about not waiting to pursue bucket list interests. Also, ESA presented the Morris Weinstock Person of the Year Award to Jamie Vos.
Expo Concludes
Attendees were able to connect for lunch on the expo floor while continuing to make connections with peers in the industry. Interactive presentations also continued from the stage area in the middle of the hall.
75th Diamond Jubilee
ESA commemorated its 75th year (for most of that the organization was known as the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association) with a 1920s-themed celebration at the Frazier History Museum.
June 8
Education Sessions Conclude
Classes included “How to Encourage Collaboration Between Sales and Installation Staff” and “The Top Applications and Monitoring Services for Video Surveillance,” designed to help electronic security pros move their businesses forward with more efficiencies and productivity.
Closing Luncheon
Former U.S. Army Black Hawk pilot Elizabeth McCormick shared professional development secrets for success with her stories of overcoming overwhelming obstacles.
Bourbon Experience
Buses picked up attendees and headed over to two distilleries. Both the Evan Williams Distillery and Stitzel-Weller Distillery are on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
ESX returns to the Kentucky International Convention Center June 3-6, 2024.
Click here to see exclusive photos of ESX 2023 and get more details of what took place this year.
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About the Author
Scott Goldfine, Editor-in-Chief and Associate Publisher
Scott Goldfine is Editor-in-Chief and Associate Publisher of Security Sales & Integration. Well-versed in the technical and business aspects of electronic security (video surveillance, access control, systems integration, intrusion detection, fire/life safety), Goldfine is nationally recognized as an industry expert and speaker. Goldfine is involved in several security events and organizations, including the Electronic Security Association (ESA), Security Industry Association (SIA), Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC), False Alarm Reduction Association (FARA), ASIS Int'l and more. Goldfine also serves on several boards, including the SIA Marketing Committee, CSAA Marketing and Communications Committee, PSA Cybersecurity Advisory Council and Robolliance. He is a certified alarm technician, former cable-TV tech, audio company entrepreneur, and lifelong electronics and computers enthusiast. Goldfine joined Security Sales & Integration in 1998.
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