WASHINGTON — Even if an alarm professional travels to Washington, the closest they may come to legislators and government customers is during a tour of the Capitol. However, an annual event this June sponsored by the Security Industry Association (SIA) will bring the government directly to security dealers, integrators and manufacturers.

The 2006 SIA Government Sales and Marketing Summit will take place from Monday, June 12 to Wednesday, June 14 at Washington D.C.’s Melrose Hotel. Security Sales & Integration is a premier sponsor of the event.

Attendees will be able to attend interactive education sessions, as well as network directly with federal government customers. The event, open to non-SIA members, will introduce companies just getting into the government market to their new customers as well as give greater market intelligence to those that already have a foothold in the market.

“The bottom line of this event is to develop stronger relationships with government officials. It is about outcomes,” says Don Erickson, SIA’s director of government relations. “What’s nice about this conference is it appeals to people who need a refresher on GSA [General Services Administration] and those who have dealt with GSA for a long time. I’ll look at this conference as a success if people are better positioned to sell their products.”

Expected to attend on the security side are dealers, integrators, manufacturers and consultants who will be able to interact with federal procurement officers, Congressional leaders and advisors, and representatives from key government contractors.

As an integrator himself, summit chairman Rob Hile relishes the opportunity to have direct access to government customers. “The reason why I am so enthusiastic is we have a chance to put key decision makers in the government with key manufacturers and providers in our industry. The summit bridges that gap,” says Hile, vice president of business development for Convergint Technologies LLC of Schaumburg, Ill.

Hile adds the summit is not only a chance for dealers and integrators to gain new customers, but also to discuss issues important to the alarm industry with legislative leaders.

“It’s a combination of both lobbying and getting business. A secondary part of what we’re doing is teaching service people on how to talk to people on Capital Hill,” Hile says. “Or you could just say ‘thank you.’ There are a lot of positive things happening for the security industry in terms of legislation right now.”

For more information on the 2006 SIA Government Sales and Marketing Summit, go to www.siaonline.org or call (703) 647-8493.

 

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