Security professionals kicked off springtime in grand style by converging from all corners of the globe in Las Vegas to see the latest and greatest in security technology. The home of the world-renowned ISC West show was also the place to see and be seen.

Familiar Faces Among ISC Faithful
Lots of old friends stopped by at the Sands Convention Center to say hello or were spotted out and about in Sin City. They included: Ron Cats; Jamie Orvis; Lance and Veronica Dean; David Benhamou; Ron Spiller; Bud and Laurie Wulforst; Rodney Hooker; Mac Hammond; Ken Gould; Marshall Marinace, Paul and Ingrid Wainstein; Chester Donati; John and Ricki Dee Jennings; Bobby Rossman, Mark Rezko; Susan Ellerin. Others included: David King, Tech Southwest Research Institute; Bo Woods, Livingston Fire Protection; Alison Backers, Surveillance Technology; Douglas Kim, US Acoustics Technologies; Andrew Goldstone, Idesco; Spencer Hill, Telegard; Bill Mapes and Jaime Lopez, Post Alarm Systems; Scott Ludwick, General Alarm Services Inc.; Kerry Vessels, Vestech Enterprises; Dana Green, The Sage Group; Richie Grantham, A-Alarm Security Co. Inc.; Brad Staats and Matt Frost, Kertel Communications Inc.; Chad Asselstine, Kevin Allison and Chris Newsome, Fire Monitoring of Canada Inc.; Bill Cota, Total Systems Group; Jim McElliot, Honeywell Security; and scores of others.

SAMMYs Set Tone for Busy Week
The 12th Annual SAMMY Awards kicked off the festivities at the Venetian Hotel and, of course, was done in the fabulous style that is the trademark of SSI. This time, though, with its brand new publisher, John Lacasale, serving as the evening’s emcee, talk about trial by fire! … Winners hailed from across the globe, with the top installation awards going to HSM Electronic Protection Services of Illinois and Life & Property Security of Tennessee, while HSM also captured the top overall marketing honor.

Account Retention Talk Proves Popular
Also in the chic Venetian, NAPCO hosted a business-building seminar, discussing marketing insights citing consumer focus group findings and presented by Jorge Hevia. Also featured was guest speaker Bob Harris of Attrition Busters, formerly of Pacific Alarm fame, who presented an interactive segment on how-to’s for reducing attrition and saving account subscribers. The standing-room-only seminar, held the first night of ISCW, was a smash. On hand, to name a few, were Darren Capper, DIC Security Inc.; Sam Lyubarsky, Royal Security Corp.; Randy Morrison, A Security; Bob Stewart, First Class Security Systems; Bob Perkins, NW Security Network; Bob Palazzi, Keep Out Services; John Hopper, Chris Hill and Bill Hill, Sentry Alarm Systems of America; Dan Caufman, Custom Security; and James Loika, Alert Security Systems.

Glory, Golf Pace NBFAA Activities
The National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA) presented the Morris F. Weinstock Person of the Year Award to Chris Cage, general counsel for the U.S. division of Brink’s Inc., and the Sara E. Jackson Memorial Award to Greg Kessinger, owner of Safe Harbor Security, during The Evening Event at Treasure Island’s “Kahunaville” Lounge … People mingled, toasted to the winners with tropical-style drinks and just had a wonderful time … Kudos to NBFAA Prez George Gunning and Executive Director Merlin Guilbeau for putting this together.

“Golf Without Guilt,” the fundraiser for AIREF, was a great success again this year, thanks to co-chairs Bart Didden and Jamie Orvis … Winners included Scott Garrison, Dan Geiger, Charles Sorenson, Warren Partin, Mark Lagarde, Mel Mahler, Bill Russell, Robbie Russel, Mike McBride, George Abdoo, John Veness, Rick Gentile and Dan Pritchard.

Congrats to George De Marco (and, of course, his beautiful wife Julie and their children), who was presented the NBFAA President’s Award for his dedication to the association … And if that wasn’t enough, leadership awards went to Counte Cooley, Mike Miller and David Koenig.

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