The California Alarm Association (CAA) — the nation’s largest state alarm association — gathered under the palm trees of Palm Springs for its 2005 Summer Convention, where CAA members discussed some of the hot issues in the alarm industry, saw firsthand some of the newest products, honored some of their own and shared a few poolside laughs to the sounds of big band music.
The CAA reported a 25-percent increase in attendance for this year’s summer event at the Hilton Palm Springs Resort. Educational sessions were capped by a thorough discussion of NFPA 731 (see related story here.) and a discussion of the “most expensive HR mistakes.” Another session featured a mock city council demonstrating how to deal with city governments formulating alarm ordinances. Stan Martin, executive director of the Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC), filled in as the mayor of the mythical “Horizon, Calif.”
Accompanying the networking opportunities in the main ballroom were displays from several companies including Dedicated Micros, Tri-Ed Distribution, Wheelock and ADI.
The event culminated in a poolside dinner and dance as the sun set behind the nearby San Jacinto mountains with music from a full 1930s-style big band.
During the convention, CAA President Jon Sargent announced Rod Uffindell, head of Walnut Creek, Calif.’s Denalect Alarm, as the winner of this year’s George Weinstock lifetime achievement award. The CAA will officially present Uffindell with the award at its Dec. 1-3 Winter Convention in San Francisco.
Just after providing attendees a report on the convention, CAA Board of Directors member and Associates Chairman Harvey Eisenstadt was surprised when Sargent presented him with the CAA’s Mark Shubert Award for an associate member who is an active participant and “helps the industry grow.”
“I’m at a loss for words,” Eisenstadt, the director, national accounts for Bosch Security Systems, told attendees. “This is something I will truly cherish.”
