A packed show floor, well-attended classes, and crowded, lively evening events equaled a successful annual conference for PSA Security Network.
Over 800 security industry professionals made their way to the 2007 PSA-TEC (an acronym for Training, Exhibits, and Conference), held May 7-11 at the Pheasant Run Resort & Spa in St. Charles, Ill. This year's show floor featured 20 new exhibitors, including Cisco, DSC, Exacq Technologies, and LG Electronics USA.
"We were incredibly pleased with the turnout for the 2007 PSA-TEC," said Bill Bozeman, CPP, president and CEO of PSA Security Network. "We had the largest number of attendees ever proving that PSA-TEC has become the go-to event for PSA members and non-members who are interested in security systems integration and the issue of IT convergence."
Educational opportunities at PSA-TEC featured a number of vendor certification courses, including classes from Integral Technologies, AMAG, and Stentofon. Vendor courses were offered by Bosch, Pelco, International Fiber Systems (ifs), Magal Senstar, and several others. As part of PSA's continued commitment to provide IP technology education, numerous IT certifications from CompTIA to Microsoft were offered. The IPUserGroup USA presented IP-in-Action LIVE, a one-day event providing timely information on IP-centric physical security solutions.
But PSA-TEC wasn't all business. Attendees relaxed, had fun, and got in some excellent networking at events like the opening mixer, the Jam Session (where some PSA members left their day jobs behind to provide the entertainment), and a Mardi Gras-themed hospitality event.
At the Vendor Appreciation Awards ceremony, PSA recognized several of its vendor partners who have provided PSA with outstanding service and quality products. Winning vendors achieved high scores on a survey completed by PSA members and PSA staff. Scoring was based on seven performance categories: technical support, price advantage, responsiveness, ship dates, return authorizations, local rep support, and product quality and reliability.
This year's winners were:
• Superstar Awards: CSC, Integral Technologies, Inc., Network Video Technologies (NVT), and Pelco
• Star Awards: Altronix, Dedicated Micros, deView Electronics, and TransTech Systems
• Rising Star Awards: CBC (America) Corp., Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies, Keri Systems, Inc., March Networks, Sanyo Fisher Company, and Speco Technologies
• Outstanding New Vendor Award: Tri-Ed Distribution
• Manufacturers' Rep Awards: Mike Taylor, AMAG Technology; Bruce Dawson Associates; Jeff Johnson, deView Electronics; Kelly Ruth, deView Electronics
• Customer Service Awards: Penny Boroditz, Altronix; Claudia Gualotuna, AMAG Technology; Becky Prince, Bosch Security Systems; Tan Gutierrez, CSC; Brian Murphy, Ditek; Chris Ralston, Ditek; Stephanie Walch, GE Security; Navdeep Sibia, Keri Systems, Inc.
• Team Award: TransTech Systems – Courtney Hahn, Frankie Lessell, Laura Pearcy
Keynote speaker John Mack, co-founder and CEO of investment bank USBX Advisory Services, spoke about mergers and acquisitions in the security industry, which he said will continue to be strong in 2007. He also advised security system integrators and others to build recurring revenue into their businesses.
The 2008 PSA-TEC will once again be held at the Pheasant Run Resort May 5-9. For further information on PSA, call 800-525-9422 or visit www.psasecurity.com.
