News - ESX

The Electronic Security Expo (ESX), is where cutting-edge business practices meet inspiration and where visionaries and industry decision-makers get down to business. This conference and trade show for electronic security and life safety dealers, integrators, and monitoring companies is the must-attend event for industry professionals who are serious about growing their business and competing at the next level.

“The quality of education at ESX is unmatched.” says George De Marco, ESX Chairman. “It’s all thanks to content delivered by fellow security pros who are in the trenches, running companies day in and day out. We welcome fresh perspectives from those with unique approaches, sharing best practices and ideas to empower entrepreneurs and decision-makers in effectively managing and expanding their organizations.”

ESX offers the most comprehensive educational sessions with presenters that have real-world industry experience, and it wants security pros to offer their expertise. Today, ESX opens the application process for industry professionals to contribute to its educational program: Electronic Security Expo Presenters

What ESX Searches for in Presenters

One of ESX’s core objectives is to provide peer-to-peer learning opportunities to its attendees. This means that ESX’s search for presenters focuses on security dealers and integrators who have had success implementing a new practice, business model, product or service. The goal of all sessions is to deliver practical and meaningful business and industry intelligence for entrepreneurs, C-level executives, functional managers, and influencers. The ESX Advisors have identified the key topics for the 2024 education program which is set to be announced to the public in the coming months. This call for presenters officially closes on FEBRUARY 16, 2024.

Benefits for Presenting at ESX

Establishing Authority: Presenting at a conference allows speakers to showcase their expertise, positioning themselves as an authority in their fields.
Networking: Presenters meet with over 50 industry experts speaking in the ESX program. Speaking at ESX provides a chance to connect with peers, potential collaborators, and even future employers or clients. Networking opportunities can extend beyond the classroom, during breaks, at social events and in our Speaker Lounge.
Professional Development: Preparing and delivering a presentation requires research, organization, and effective communication skills. The process of speaking at a conference can contribute to their personal and professional development.
Visibility and Exposure: Speaking at a conference can significantly increase presenter’s visibility within the industry. It puts you in front of a targeted audience, which can lead to recognition, invitations for collaborations, and even media coverage. Your company will also benefit from increased brand recognition within the industry.
Contributing to the Community: Speaking at conferences is a way to give back to the professional community. By sharing your insights and experiences, you contribute to the collective knowledge base of the industry.
Savings on ESX Registrations: ESX Speakers enjoy 30% off of their ESX registrations.

ESX Education Tracks

The sessions cover tactical advice in Sales, Operations, Management, Monitoring, and Executive Leadership to help businesses grow and stay competitive. Special emphasis is paid to building RMR or recurring revenue and on the business vertical of fire alarms.

Operations Track: Sponsored by The Connection Xchange (TCX)

Discover best practices that will improve your company’s operational excellence and the customer experience. Explore ways to build efficiencies in installation, service methodologies, and human resources. Examine how others are solving today’s most common operations struggles like recruiting and retaining employees, supply chain lags, truck rolls, job safety, training, and more.

Monitoring Track: Sponsored by RSPNDR Inc.

Delivering quality security and life safety monitoring services to end-users, including cloud-based lifestyle enhancements, is mission critical 24/7. Discover best-of-breed operator training, state-of-the-art technology infrastructure, and vital monitoring processes and procedures for next-gen central stations. Learn from seasoned professionals who share best practices to maximize your 24/7 monitoring operation effectively and profitably.

Sales Track: Sponsored by Prima

Learn to develop your brand and go-to-market strategy to keep the focus on building your RMR. Identify complementary markets, new products, and services that will give your sales teams the edge over the competition. Explore new sales management processes that will accelerate sales performance and increase your revenues and RMR.

Management Track: Sponsored by Napco

Learn to implement and manage key performance indicators that help to streamline processes and improve top and bottom-line results. Find ways to build a strong culture that helps you drive transformational leadership and change throughout the organization. Examine emerging trends and leading-edge technologies that will excite your customers’ changing demands and open new markets to evolve your business.

Executive Leadership Track

As the saying goes, “It can be lonely at the top.” But it doesn’t have to be. The most successful business leaders never stop learning. This track is an opportunity for connecting with, learning from and growing with other C-Suite operators and owners of electronic security and life safety companies. The program will offer insights to freshen up your leadership approach and motivate your team in an intensive afternoon of workshops led by experts.

Education Session Sponsorship Options Are Available

ESX highlights education aimed at peer-to-peer advice exchange for integrators, dealers and monitoring professionals. Manufacturers and service providers are encouraged to work with their partners to submit a speaker application.

Educational opportunities for manufacturers and service providers to drive thought leadership around industry trends are available through sponsorship purchases, including 60 minute and 30 minute Tech Talk sessions. The Executive Leadership track is also still available for sponsorship, allowing companies to provide introductory remarks and branding alongside executive-level content provided by ESX. For more information about exhibiting and sponsoring options, visit: https://esxweb.com/electronic-security-expo-sponsorship/

Expo Booth spaces and sponsorships are now available for the 2024 security industry trade show of the year, the Electronic Security Expo (ESX). Hosted by the Electronic Security Association (ESA), it is the largest trade show open exclusively to electronic security and life safety professionals, offering an unparalleled opportunity to have quality conversations with the best prospects.

ESX is a great place to promote your products or services. Since the ESX expo is specifically designed for electronic security professionals in the pro-installed channel, exhibitors will have the opportunity to showcase their products and/or services by qualified buyers and influencers. This channel-focused expo is large enough to see the latest products and services, and intimate enough to have meaningful business conversations.

“We exhibited at ESX 2023 in Louisville and found the show to be very intimate. There were a lot more decision makers motivated to buy, rather than to browse. Our interactions with prospects were significantly more intentional compared to other industry shows.” – Christelle James, COO at Ormandy Software

“We participate in many industry tradeshows,” says Tracy Larson, President of WeSuite LLC. “We are always impressed by the quality of the decision makers who are at ESX and their drive for investing in their businesses.”

“ESX is the most effective trade show we attend.” says Kevin Stone, Chief Operating Officer of Doyle Security. “We’re currently reviewing product offerings from three CCTV vendors that we spent time with this year alone!”

Early Bird pricing (Expires December 31) is $40 per square foot for ESA Member Companies and $42 per square foot for Non-Member Companies. You can learn more about the available booth space at esxweb.com/esx-floor-plan.

Beyond the tradeshow floor is an unparalleled opportunity to position your organization as a leading force in the marketplace. When this focused group comes together to share their ideas and solutions, the industry takes a bold leap forward in setting the pace for its future. ESX is a unique environment — and you have the opportunity to set your company apart through branding and thought leadership opportunities. If you’re interested in additional sponsorship options, take a look at ESX’s sponsorship brochure here: esxweb.com/electronic-security-expo-sponsorship.

The Electronic Security Expo (ESX) is the largest trade show of its kind, specifically designed for the pro-installed channel. It is a great opportunity to learn, network, and grow your company. There are many booths to choose from, in different sizes, to meet your company’s needs.

The ESX team is ready and willing to help all existing and potential exhibitors and sponsors explore all opportunities available at the upcoming 2024 event. Act now, expo booths and sponsorships are limited. Contact one of ESX’s team members to reserve a booth and promote your product or service, today.

Weinstock Leaders throughout history have come from all different walks of life and devoted themselves to all different causes. But they all share one common quality – they blaze a trail for others to follow in. Within the security industry, we have had many shining stars to look to who have brought us to the level of sophistication, technological achievements, and professionalism that today define our industry. It’s safe to say that many of these shining stars fashioned their pursuits by following in the footsteps of the trailblazers who came before them.

Leading the charge in defining our industry and planting the seeds for continued growth was Morris F. Weinstock. He launched Morse Signal Devices with his brother Jack way back in 1934 in Cleveland and later moved the business to California. It grew to become the biggest independent installing and monitoring provider in the Western U.S. Then, in 1947, Morris Weinstock contacted Ben Call of Call’s Police Signal Corp. in Boston and together they hired an advertising agency to send letters to 165 independent alarm companies across the U.S. to see if they’d be on board with forming an Association dedicated to serving the evolving efforts of the alarm industry. Together with Call, Weinstock launched the National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA) in 1948, now known as the Electronic Security Association (ESA), and later also served as the organization’s president.

So it was only fitting that in 1970, to honor his remarkable contributions to the industry, that the Morris F. Weinstock Award began being presented each year to an individual who followed in Weinstock’s trailblazing footsteps to advance the security industry. Since its inception, the Weinstock Person of the Year Award has always represented and recognized the best of the best, honoring someone who shines as truly stellar in the security industry. Industry advocates who have worked tirelessly in the security space have well earned this prestigious industry accolade over the years. And Jamie Vos, the 2023 Weinstock Person of the Year Award recipient, has also risen awesomely to this distinction.

President of Washington state-based Security Solutions Northwest Inc., Vos had industry DNA in him since birth. Security Solutions NW has been in business since 1904, yes, 1904! As Vos explains, the company started off as an everything store back in 1904; it grew into locksmithing and it changed hands a few times and his Dad bought it back in the 1970s. It was his father’s military service that led him to being interested in alarm systems. “After growing the company in the ‘70s, it became clear in the ‘90s that we had to continue to grow, so we started focusing in on the electronic and life safety side of the business. We changed our name in 2004 to Security Solutions Northwest Inc. to commemorate the anniversary of the first 100 years and we haven’t looked back.”

Indeed, Vos has always looked ahead, and his forward thinking has been instrumental in advancing the ESA and the industry itself to a higher level.

Vos’ devotion to the electronic security and life safety industry has been evident through his years of volunteering, giving back to the industry, and most recently, working to ensure ESA is on a path of sustainability. In addition to his responsibilities as Chairman, he also played an active role with ESA subsidiaries, the Electronic Security Expo and Security America Reassurance Group.

So what exactly was it that led Vos to become involved in the ESA some 16 years ago? The short version, Vos recalls, is that “Ultimately, my Dad was a big proponent of associations and thought it was the best way to learn from others.” That sense of humility did not fall far from his father’s tree. Vos credits so many others for catalyzing his work for the industry over the years.

“I’ve been able, through the help of many different people in the industry over the years, to serve in different ways.”

Initially, Vos worked to support the industry in its government affairs efforts, and also went on to work on licensing initiatives. As timing would have it, Vos served selflessly as President of ESA and then right after as Chairman during the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. His prior work with ESA well prepared him to weather that storm. “It all culminated to that. When you’re faced with COVID, and that really hit during my Chairmanship as I was the last President leaving and the first Chairman coming in then – it was clear that we were at a point that we had to look at sustainable financial futures for ESA,” he recalls. He points out that trade associations are in the process of changing, and when COVID hit, he recognized that the Association needed to rely on unused revenues because its members were struggling through COVID times.

“We had to take a deep dive and I’m excited that we got through that. It was very challenging but very rewarding. A lot of organizations struggled and we came through stronger; I’m very excited about where we are today.”

In fact, when asked which accomplishments in his professional career and work with ESA he is most proud of, Vos says that coming through COVID stronger ranks among the highest. “ESA came out stronger and so did my company. Weathering that challenge, taking it head on and seeing our teams rally behind it has been so inspiring. We charged forward and both organizations came out so much stronger. And we have achieved more sustainability from a financial perspective in a time when that seemed so hard to do.”

And while leadership definitely requires strength and tenacity, emotions also catalyze the effort. When asked how he has benefited personally and professionally from all his industry engagement and service, Vos is quick to say that so much of it comes from an emotional standpoint. “For me, personally, it’s been relationships, both personally and professionally, that gave me the opportunity to grow,” he points out. On the other hand, however, he adds that “Sometimes in business, you’re faced with challenges. If you’re coming from a place of emotion and not logic you have to re-look at it. That gives you the chance to take the next step as a leader.”

Vos has clearly been able to strike just the right balance. In answering the questions “What does ‘service to the industry’ mean to you? What inspires you to give back?’, he humbly replies that “It’s looking outside of yourself and your business and looking at what’s best for the industry as a whole. It’s about engaging in growing the overall betterment of the industry. So many people have invested in me. Giving back comes naturally out of getting. If anything, I’ve learned that if someone can help me, I can help someone else.”

To that end, Vos continues to set goals for advancing the Association and the industry as a whole. His primary goals are to support the efforts of the leadership coming in behind him to continue to drive a stable future for the association.

His recognition as the 2023 Weinstock Person of the Year Award recipient was a distinction he is awed by. “The lineup of people behind me and who put the effort in to grow the Association, it is a humbling experience. So many of my friends and the power of people who came before me – it’s so extraordinary to see the level of dedication they put into it,” he says.

“I am so humbled to even be considered for and then to receive such a prestigious award, to be honest, it’s something I’ll treasure forever. Boy, I hope that I did everyone of them proud. I don’t have any other word other than humbled. I so appreciate it.”

Much akin to Morris F. Weinstock himself, whose driving passion was to advance the goals and efforts of the security industry, Jamie Vos is driven by a deep care for the industry and possesses the humility of character to push those efforts forward graciously for the betterment of the industry as a whole.

May many others follow in Weinstock’s footsteps and those of all of our industry icons to continue to blaze new and innovative trails for the continued advancement of our industry!

Thank you to Resideo for sponsoring this award.

Named after Electronic Security Association’s (ESA’s) former president, the Sara E. Jackson Award recognizes and honors an ESA member’s work on an association committee, task force or board. ESA Chairman John Loud presented Kirk MacDowell with the award during the opening keynote luncheon at ESX 2023. We interviewed Kirk MacDowell to get a deeper look at his professional life and the steps and people that led him here.  

Beginnings in Law Enforcement

MacDowell began his career in law enforcement in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department as a full-time deputy. Wanting to further expand his horizons, he sought out the Security Industry Association, then based out of Santa Monica. There, he met George Weinstock, who became an influential mentor in his life. George’s father was Morris Weinstock, after whom the Morris F. Weinstock Award was named. MacDowell served part-time in the sheriff’s department and part-time in the Association for 29 years.

Volunteering for the Industry

Since then, he has also served the electronic security industry as past chairman at Alarm Industry Research and Education Foundation (AIREF); chairman at the Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC), chairman at the Leadership Identification and Nomination Committee of ESA (LINC); former board member at the Security Industry Association (SIA); former board member at The Monitoring Association (TMA); and past president of the Los Angeles County Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (LABFAA).

MacDowell is currently the CEO at MacGuard Security Advisors Inc., which specializes in working with electronic security companies to assess business operations, review short- and long-term business initiatives, and provide blueprints for long-term success.

Best-Practice Sharing Above Accolades

Despite his extensive knowledge and experience, Kirk does not consider any professional achievement to be of too much importance. The most meaningful moments to him are when an old mentee approaches him and says, “Do you remember when you told me this or the other?” or “you mentored me and helped me get to x or y place.” 

“I’d rather mentor others and have them remember and use that. Because to me, that’s the legacy. What I personally do is going to be forgotten, but what I can portray and share and what others can do that knowledge will be long remembered.” says MacDowell.

MacDowell has served in various official and unofficial mentorship roles, including an ESA mentorship program. Over the years, he has spent a lot of his time helping others in the industry pro bono, using his years of experience for their benefit. Now, working as a consultant, he works with dealers and creators, helping them learn the skills they need in order to move forward. “I think when we serve our colleagues, our families, and our communities with a servant leadership role, we become better for it. The older I get, the more that has become clear to me.” says MacDowell

MacDowell says he was shocked when he heard his name announced at the awards ceremony. Admittedly, he was distracted on his phone during the announcement, not expecting to hear his name called. Those around him told him afterwards his expression was of pure surprise. When we asked Kirk how he felt about receiving the award, he said he was honored but isn’t naturally comfortable with receiving awards. Instead, he told the story of Sarah E. Jackson, after whom the award is named, saying it’s critical that we remember why the award even exists in the first place.

A Bit of Background on Sara E. Jackson

Sara E. Jackson co-owned Denver Burglar Alarm with her husband in 1948. When her husband passed away unexpectedly, she took on full responsibility for the company. A year or two later, she was asked to step in as president for the NBFA, ESA’s precursor. Despite still being in a grieving period, she stepped up and ran the company successfully. 

“To me,” says Kirk. “When I look at receiving the Sara E. Jackson Award– if I can do half of what she did, I’m a happy guy. It means a of a lot to me [to receive this award] because she was an amazing person. I’m very honored.”

A Thank You to Kirk MacDowell’s Mentors & Peers

Kirk MacDowell mentioned a few mentors of his own that helped him become the leader he is today. First and foremost, were Sherman Block, the LA County Sheriff he served under, and George Weinstock. They were some of the first prime examples of good leadership Kirk encountered in his professional life. Over the years, there were many others, including Bob Cowan, Joey Chetta, who owned an alarm company, and Bob Jennison, a recipient of the Weinstock Award in California. These were all men who led by example and gave willingly, precepts Kirk strives to live by. 

“To me, it’s not about setting oneself up to be acknowledged, to win an award. It’s about taking the necessary steps to make sure that the industry is stronger, that we are better for it…It’s about trying to leave a legacy that somebody else can grab onto and say, ‘that’s who I want to be like’. I get up every morning and pray that I can be better than the day before. So, I think if we could set our sights on helping others thrive in the industry, then we’ve done our job, and we can all die happy and contented people.”

Just hours after receiving the Sara E. Jackson Award, MacDowell also received the William N. Moody Award from SIAC for his passion to advance positive alarm management and best industry practices.

“We salute Kirk MacDowell’s unwavering commitment to outstanding committee leadership. ESA’s achievements are shaped by the skill and expertise of volunteers like Kirk. We gratefully acknowledge his commitment to excellence by presenting him with the Sara E. Jackson Memorial Award.” says Merlin Guilbeau, CEO, of the Electronic Security Association – ESA

The Sara E Jackson Award is not only a recognition of past accomplishments but also a testament to Kirk MacDowell’s potential to shape a better future for the industry. By honoring those who dedicate themselves to service, it creates a ripple effect that inspires others to follow in their footsteps. Congratulations, Kirk MacDowell, on this well-deserved award.

Thank you to Telguard for sponsoring this award.

While ESX 2023 is now in the rearview mirror, security pros will have the coming months ahead to apply many of the best practices and business insights to their organizations.

The event promises quality interactions and best practice sharing among leaders in the electronic security and life safety industry. This is THE event for education and networking in the channel — and the 2023 event delivered just that.

TOP 4 REASONS ATTENDEES CAME:

To network with industry colleagues
To discover new business ideas, trends, opportunities, or strategies
To gain industry knowledge and perspective
To enhance leadership, management or business skills

The show’s impact will ripple well into 2024, when the industry’s leaders will gather again June 3-6 in Louisville, KY for ESX 2024.

87% of attendees rated these sessions VERY GOOD or EXCELLENT

TOP 10 EDUCATION SESSIONS:

Driving Higher RMR on Every Sale

Top Reasons Why You Should Be Offering Cloud-based Access Control Systems

6 Ways to Reduce Truck Rolls, Optimize Field Services and Increase Customer Satisfaction

Keeping Score – A Better Alarm Verification Method

Fear Not – How to Raise Your RMR and Labor Rates without Losing Customers

The State of Marketing and Digital Tools for the Modern Company

Leveraging Your Existing Customer Base for Sales and RMR Growth

Understanding Recurring Revenue Financing in Today’s Climate

The Business of Fire Alarms – Part 2: Understanding Codes, Standards, and New Technologies

How to Encourage Collaboration Between Sales and Installation Staff

WHAT ATTENDEES ARE SAYING ABOUT ESX

“Great week at ESX 2023. We’re excited to bring home new ideas to share with our team and customers!”

“An incredible week of learning and celebrating with friends from across our industry.”

“Our Preventia Security management team had such a great time at #ESX2023 in
Louisville, KY! It was a great experience for our leaders as they got to connect and network with other security professionals in our industry.”

“Some great discussion points and ideas that I took away on how to improve our operational response. Open and engaging dialog with valuable input from attendees as well.”

“This is the best national one stop place for our industry!”

Real World Advice to Bring Back to Your Business.

ESX 2023, the premier educational event for the electronic security and life safety industry, left its attendees buzzing with excitement and enriched with real world knowledge. It offered a comprehensive array of educational programming, boasting over 32 meticulously curated education sessions that catered to the diverse needs of integrators. These covered various topics, allowing attendees to delve deep into the areas most relevant to their business interests and professional aspirations.

The education sessions were separated into tracks including; Sales, Operations, Monitoring, and Management, which offered a well-rounded perspective on critical aspects of running a successful security and life safety business. Attendees had the opportunity to gain insights from industry leaders, thought-provoking speakers, and experienced professionals who shared their strategies and best practices.

RMR Focus

But the excellence of ESX 2023’s educational programming didn’t stop there. The event also featured specialized focuses which garnered significant attention, one being Recurring Monthly Revenue (RMR). Industry veterans shared their proven methods for increasing RMR streams and attrition reduction, empowering attendees to build stable and sustainable revenue models.

Fire Focus

Another compelling addition to the lineup was the sessions centered around entering the Fire business vertical. With the electronic security industry witnessing an increasing demand for integrated fire safety solutions, these sessions proved invaluable for businesses looking to diversify and tap into this market segment.

ESX 2023’s exceptional educational programming left a lasting impact on attendees, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to thrive in an ever-changing industry landscape. As the event came to a close, participants departed with a renewed sense of enthusiasm, armed with actionable strategies.

The Sales track was sponsored by Prima, the Operations track was sponsored by TCX – The Connection Exchange, the Management track was sponsored by Napco, the Monitoring track was sponsored by RSPNDR.

Check out the ESX Bonus Edition of Security Nation! It features ESX 2023 Highlights, Innovation Award Winners, The ESA Youth Scholarship Winners, ESA’s Weinstock Person of the Year and more! Click the image below to download.

Security Nation is a bi-monthly ESA Member electronic security magazine. Click here to view all the editions of Security Nation.

INSPIRATION & NETWORKING

The ESX Main Stage welcomed award winners, industry disrupters, and motivators for the audience of electronic security and life safety pros.

OPENXCHANGE BREAKFAST

ESXers met with visionary leaders that helped them rethink the future of the industry. This lively panel, from various segments of the industry focused on what’s likely to happen and how it’s going to impact your business in the near term and long run, including technologies that you should pay attention to, like Chat GPT.

PANELISTS

ELIZABETH PARKS, President and CMO, Parks Associates
BART PROCTOR, CEO and Managing Partner, Pye-Barker
TYLER TRIBE, CTO and Product Officer, Becklar

Sponsored By: Becklar, Security Business Magazine, Security InfoWatch

OPENING KEYNOTE LUNCHEON

SOUNDTRACKS: How the Best Teams Overcome Overthinking to Navigate Change, Increase Productivity, and Win Consistently, Featuring Jon Acuff

Overthinking isn’t a personality trait. It’s the sneakiest form of fear. It steals time, creativity, and energy. It’s the most expensive, least productive thing companies invest in without even knowing it. What if you could navigate change, increase productivity, and win consistently? If overthinking steals time, creativity, and energy, guess what your team is about to get back? Time, creativity, and energy.

ACUFF SHOWED ATTENDEES HOW TO:

Retire the broken soundtracks that have been holding you back
Replace them with new soundtracks that propel you forward
Repeat the new ones so often they become as automatic as the old ones

“If you can worry, you can wonder. If you can doubt, you can dominate. If you can spin, you can soar.” – Jon Acuff

Sponsored By: Security Systems News, Security America Industry Specific Insurance

ESA’s Sara E. Jackson Award was presented to Kirk MacDowell, President at MacGuard Security Advisors Inc. at this Main Stage event. This award was sponsored by Telguard

“I get up every morning and pray that I can be better than the day before. So, I think if we could set our sights on helping others thrive in the industry, then we’ve done our job. When I look at receiving the Sara E. Jackson Award, if I can do half of what she did, I’m a happy guy. It means a lot to me to receive this award, as she was an amazing person. I’m very honored.”- Kirk MacDowell

GENERAL SESSION

“The Bucket List Life” Create More Experiences, Share More Stories, & Live More Fulfilled, Featuring Kenyon Salo

Kenyon Salo showed attendees how his three simple concepts of living “The Bucket List Life” can lead to fulfillment on your life-long journey. During this highly energetic and engaging presentation, security pros learned how to create phenomenal experiences, share powerful stories and help others along the way.

“Kenyon delivers high energy, powerful, and heart touching content to help you create incredible experiences, connect with others, and live life more fulfilled.”

Sponsored By: Sponsored by ADI and SDM Magazine

ESA’s Weinstock Award was presented to Jamie Vos at this Main Stage event. This award was sponsored by Resideo.

“I am so humbled to even be considered for and then to receive such a prestigious award, to be honest, it’s something I’ll treasure forever. Boy, I hope that I did every one of them proud. I don’t have any other word other than humbled. I so very much appreciate it.” says Jamie Vos, President of Security Solutions Northwest, Inc.

CLOSING LUNCHEON

F.L.Y. First Lead Yourself, Featuring Elizabeth McCormick

Former US Army Black Hawk Pilor, Elizabeth McCormick, took the main stage and shared the professional development secrets for success with her stories of overcoming overwhelming obstacles, while…

Inspiring you to soar to success!
Unlock the key to boosting YOUR Confidence, elevating your effectiveness with customers and co-workers.
Prove the power of language on your personal power and your impact on those around you.
Soar to a higher level of advancement through influencing others to lead.

As a decorated former US Army Black Hawk Helicopter pilot, Elizabeth flew command and control, air assault, rappelling, top-secret intelligence missions, and also transported high level government VIPs including the Secretary of Defense. From there ESA’s Youth Scholarship, sponsored by COPS Monitoring, and SIAC’s William N. Moody Excellence Award were presented.

“Kenyon delivers high energy, powerful, and heart touching content to help you create incredible experiences, connect with others, and live life more fulfilled.”

WHERE THE INDUSTRY GATHERS.

The Electronic Security Expo (ESX) is the largest tradeshow open exclusively to security professionals, providing a platform for industry experts to gather and exchange knowledge, insights, and experiences. In addition to the wealth of information available through education sessions and the expo floor, ESX offered various networking opportunities that contribute to professional growth and relationship building.

Opening Celebration with a Live Karaoke Band

The kickoff networking event for ESX was the Opening Celebration, which set the tone for the entire event. This lively gathering offers security professionals an opportunity to come together in a relaxed and entertaining environment. The presence of a live karaoke band adds a unique element of fun, encouraging attendees to unleash their inner rock star or dance along while their fellow security pros hit the main stage. Attendees were also provided with local beer and spirits and a mix of local Louisville, Kentucky flavors. This event cultivates a sense of camaraderie among participants, fostering connections that extend beyond professional interests.

The Pub Crawl

At the pub crawl, ESXers visited the local Louisville nightlife while engaging in meaningful conversations with friends within the industry. By visiting multiple local establishments, attendees have the chance to interact with new people, fostering new connections and expanding their network. The relaxed and social atmosphere of the pub crawl encourages open dialogue, enabling individuals to exchange ideas, best practices, and industry insights in a relaxed setting. The pub crawl is an excellent avenue for establishing long-lasting relationships that extend beyond the confines of the tradeshow.

Weinstock Celebration

ESX’s Weinstock Celebration was the event that honored and recognized ESA’s Weinstock Person of the Year, Jamie Vos, for his outstanding achievements and service within the industry. In addition to celebrating this award, it was also ESA’s Diamond Jubilee which commemorated the association’s 75th anniversary. This milestone signifies the ESA’s long-standing commitment to the industry and offers attendees and ESA Members a chance to connect and reflect on how the association and its many volunteers contributed over the years. The event was 1920’s themed, and attendees were encouraged to dress in their finest prohibition-era attire while enjoying some giggle juice and exploring the Frazier History Museum in Louisville.

Day 1 – Monday

ESA Meetings

The Electronic Security Association, the owner of the event, jumpstarted the events at ESX with several meetings including the ESA Associate Member Meeting, ESA Annual Meeting, ESA Education Committee Meeting and Executive Management Professionals (EMP) Meeting to discuss industry trends and more. Thanks to everyone who attended the ESA Annual Meeting and supported our award winners for excellence in the industry, the installation of our newest Board members.

Executive Leadership Workshops

After the meetings attendees jumped into ESX’s Executive Leadership Workshops. These workshops were an opportunity for connecting with, learning from and growing with other C-Suite operators and owners of electronic security and life safety companies. The program offered insights to freshen up your leadership approach and motivate your team in an intensive afternoon of workshops led by experts. These leadership workshops were also led by a John Maxwell sales expert.

Opening Celebration

ESX finished Day 1 of the event right! There is no better way to take in Louisville than with live music, local beer and spirits, and a mix of local flavors as we celebrated the launch of ESX 2023! The Opening Celebration was a perfect opportunity to mix and mingle with other attendees and catch up with old industry friends in a more casual, laidback environment. This time around, the Opening Celebration had a LIVE Karaoke band to get security pros to sing the night away.

Day 2 – Tuesday

OpenXChange Breakfast

Moderated by George DeMarco, the OpenXChange Breakfast is where we talked about the newest-of-the new; technologies, services, and go-to market strategies and the changing competitive landscape that will influence the direction of our industry. Our expert panelists this year included Elizabeth Parks from Parks Associates, Bart Proctor of Pye-Barker and Tyler Tribe of Becklar. This lively panel, from various segments of the industry, focused on what’s likely to happen and how it’s going to impact your business in the near term and long run, including technologies that you should pay attention to, like ChatGPT.

Education Sessions

The education sessions continued on Tuesday. They focused on women in security, marketing, emergency response systems, reducing truck rolls and more.

Expo Open

ESX’s expo floor provides access to multiple exhibitors in varying industries such as Fire Detection, Access Control, Smart Home Building, Video Surveillance IT/Networking and so much more! Tuesday also offered 5 incredible educational sessions on sales, management, operations, monitoring and more from speakers with years of real-world experience, as well as free technical training to exhibitors and sponsors. Throughout the day, attendees were able to walk around the expo floor, observing the latest technology from exhibitors in the industry.

Keynote Luncheon

There also was the keynote luncheon on the main stage featuring Keynote Speaker Jon Acuff. Jon Acuff’s inspirational session was titled Soundtracks: How the Best Teams Overcome Overthinking to Navigate Change, Increase Productivity and Win Consistently. The Sara E. Jackson award was also presented after the Keynote to Kirk MacDowell of MacGuard Security Advisors.

Innovation Awards

The Innovation Awards recognize outstanding products and services that drive the electronic security and life safety industry forward. Our panel of ESX judges — integrator leaders from across the nation — presented the ESX Innovation Awards to products and services that offer significant growth opportunities to dealers, integrators and monitoring centers.

SIAC Awards Reception

The SIAC Awards Reception is where the Youth Scholarship award was announced. Individuals were honored throughout this networking reception, as we identified the industry’s leaders working to resolve alarm management issues. We awarded the PDQ Awards, along with SIACs William N. Moody Award.

Pub Crawl

After a day on the expo floor attendees visited the local Kentucky nightlife at the ESX Pub Crawl! Security pros shared experiences, caught up with friends and made new ones in a casual atmosphere. ESX is unique in that it offers opportunities where work meets play and industry friendships are formed.

Day 3 – Wednesday

Education Sessions

The education sessions continued through Wednesday. They focused on driving higher RMR, fire alarms, recruitment and retention, talent acquisition, sales, tracking KPI’s and more.

Expo Day 2 Activities

Attendees were able to connect with lunch on the expo floor while continuing to make connections with peers in the industry. This was a fantastic opportunity to showcase each product and service. Wednesday also held historical artifacts on the expo floor where attendees could get a unique bourbon trail tasting.

General Session

There also was the General Session on the main stage featuring Keynote Speaker Kenyon Salo. Just steps away from the expo floor, this highly energetic and engaging presentation, security pros learned how to create phenomenal experiences, share powerful stories, and help others along the way. Elevate your life, both personally and professionally.

75th Diamond Jubilee and Weinstock Celebration

The Electronic Security Association (ESA) celebrated its 75th year with a Diamond Jubilee at the Frazier History Museum with a 1920’s themed celebration. The Morris F Weinstock Celebration commemorates the accomplishments of a security professional whose lifetime achievements have made a significant impact on the industry and was presented to Jamie Vos of Security Solutions Northwest. Both events held Wednesday evening wrapped up the third day of ESX.

Last Day – Thursday

Education Sessions

With classes like How to Encourage Collaboration Between Sales and Installation Staff, and The Top Applications and Monitoring Services for Video Surveillance, Thursday was filled with education-packed sessions that have been designed to help electronic security pros move their business forward towards efficiency and productivity.

Closing Luncheon

Opening the last day of the Expo is the Closing Luncheon where former US. Army Black Hawk Pilot, Elizabeth McCormick, shared the professional development secrets for success with her stories of overcoming overwhelming obstacles, while inspiring you to soar to success! Come here for inspiration, motivation and networking with like-minded electronic security and life safety peers. This plated luncheon included programming that will inspire members of your organization to accomplish their goals and lead others to climb to higher levels of success.

Bourbon Experience

This bourbon experience was at the close of the 2023 show. Directly after the Closing Luncheon, buses picked up Bourbon Experience attendees and headed over to two distilleries. The first stop was the Evan Williams Distillery and the second was the Stitzel-Weller Distillery. Both are on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and buses then returned attendees to their ESX Host Hotels.

See You Next Year!

So far ESX 2023 is one for the books! Make sure to save the date for ESX 2024 hosted in Louisville, Kentucky June 3-6! It is bound to be another incredible experience at the Electronic Security Expo.

Check out this years ESX’s Highlights here:

Older Posts

What ESX Searches for in Presenters

Benefits for Presenting at ESX

ESX Education Tracks

Beginnings in Law Enforcement

Volunteering for the Industry

Best-Practice Sharing Above Accolades

A Bit of Background on Sara E. Jackson

A Thank You to Kirk MacDowell’s Mentors & Peers

While ESX 2023 is now in the rearview mirror, security pros will have the coming months ahead to apply many of the best practices and business insights to their organizations.

TOP 4 REASONS ATTENDEES CAME:

The show’s impact will ripple well into 2024, when the industry’s leaders will gather again June 3-6 in Louisville, KY for ESX 2024.

87% of attendees rated these sessions VERY GOOD or EXCELLENT

TOP 10 EDUCATION SESSIONS:

WHAT ATTENDEES ARE SAYING ABOUT ESX

Real World Advice to Bring Back to Your Business.

RMR Focus

Fire Focus

Check out the ESX Bonus Edition of Security Nation! It features ESX 2023 Highlights, Innovation Award Winners, The ESA Youth Scholarship Winners, ESA’s Weinstock Person of the Year and more! Click the image below to download.

Security Nation is a bi-monthly ESA Member electronic security magazine. Click here to view all the editions of Security Nation.

INSPIRATION & NETWORKING

OPENXCHANGE BREAKFAST

OPENING KEYNOTE LUNCHEON

GENERAL SESSION

CLOSING LUNCHEON

WHERE THE INDUSTRY GATHERS.

Opening Celebration with a Live Karaoke Band

The Pub Crawl

Weinstock Celebration

Day 1 – Monday

ESA Meetings

Day 2 – Tuesday

Day 3 – Wednesday

Last Day – Thursday

Check out this years ESX’s Highlights here:

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