TMA Transitions 2021 Annual Meeting to Virtual Format
TMA decided to switch its in-person 2021 Annual Meeting to a virtual format citing concerns for attendees’ health and well-being.
(Image: Andrey Popov/stock.adobe.com)
McLEAN, Va. — The Monitoring Association (TMA) announced Monday it would forgo hosting an in-person Annual Meeting in 2021 due to ongoing concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic and will instead transition to a virtual event.
Originally set to take place in Maui, Oct. 9-14, the virtual meeting will take place Oct. 12-14.
“While the decision to cancel our face-to-face meeting was a difficult one to make for several reasons, the increasing cases of COVID and the impact of the Delta Variant coupled with a reduction in the potential number of available hospital beds and emerging international travel restrictions, left us with little-to-no alternatives,” remarks TMA President Don Young. “We could not consciously place our members, guests, or their families in a position that may potentially compromise their health.”
Following are abridged session highlights that were scheduled for the in-person event:
- Elizabeth Parks, president, Parks Associates, will present “Connectivity … Home and Work Transformed: New Service Markets,” an interactive presentation highlighting the research firm’s latest consumer and SMB research. Included topics: current demand for home and business services, the impact of 5G, the impact of DIY products and the future role of value-added services.
- John Brady, principal, TRG Associates, will deliver the results of his annual industry Attrition Study, with a focus on the impact to company valuations and M&A.
- “The M&A Market From a Legal, Investment and Financial Perspective” session will be moderated by industry attorney Les Gold and feature panelists Michael Barnes (Barnes Associates), John Mack (Imperial Capital) and Mark Melendes (CIBC Bank USA).
- “Professional Monitoring: Telling Our Extraordinary Story” will give a toolkit of actionable, real-world ideas on how to draw attention to the unique value of professional monitoring. Moderator David Morgan (Security Dealer Marketing) will be joined by panelists Daniel Oppenheim (Affiliated Monitoring), Ralph Sevinor (Wayne Alarm) and Bob Tucker (ADT, corporate communications).
- “Technology Update: WiFi and Broadband Challenges and Recommendations for the Alarm Industry” will feature leaders within TMA’s Technology committee reviewing specific issues and making recommendations on WiFi and broadband challenges impacting the professional monitoring industry.
- “Working From Home: The Impact on Organizational Culture and Staff,” with Steve Schmit, senior staff engineer, UL, and Justin Bailey, president, Avantguard. Schmit will report on the latest update to the 2021 Work From Home Standard and Virtual Workplace Guidelines, while Bailey will detail successful WFH implementation strategies and the impact on company organizational culture and staff.
- “AVS-01 Scoring Alarms: Impact of Scoring Intrusion Alarms” will be explained and explored with panelists Morgan Hertel (Rapid Response Monitoring Services), Larry Folsom (ADT), David Holl (Public Safety Director, Lower Allen Township) and Steve Schmit (UL).
- “Risks and Opportunities in the Future” will be moderated by Donald Young (ADT), who will be joined by Scott Harkins, vice president sales and marketing, Resideo.
A featured keynote address will be provided by Jennifer Scanlon, president and CEO of UL. In her session, titled “Collaboration — Our Force Multiplier for Forging a Profitable Future,” Scanlon will address the megatrends that are reshaping the alarm and monitoring industry. Prior to UL, Scanlon was president and CEO of USG Corp., where she also served as CIO. She led the company through a major international expansion, digital transformation, and sustainable evolution, enhancing its ability to meet customer needs.
“We have an outstanding program set to deliver and a slate of interesting and compelling speakers who are prepared to address this year’s meeting attendees virtually,” states TMA Education Committee Co-Chair John Brady. “We are also fortunate to have a platform that provides for a high level of interaction between speakers and attendees. We’re anticipating a great meeting!”
The latest event information, including updated registration options, can be found on the TMA website.
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