The highly anticipated event of the year for the security industry finally happened! ESX 2025 opened its doors in Cobb County, GA and brought together security professionals from across the country for a week packed with connection, innovation, and southern hospitality.
Each year, ESX proves it’s possible to host a show floor large enough to spotlight a wide range of security products and services, yet manageable enough to explore at your own pace, dig into meaningful conversations, and drill deep into what matters to your business. No end users. No chaotic crowds. Just a focused event built exclusively for security pros, integration leaders, and monitoring providers.
Here’s a look at what attendees experienced at this year’s ESX:
Day 1 — Monday
ESA Meetings
ESX 2025 officially kicked off with a series of key ESA gatherings. The ESA Associate Member Meeting and the ESA Annual Meeting brought security pros together to talk shop, reflect on the industry’s growth, and set priorities for the future. The Annual Meeting was a standout moment as attendees celebrated the association’s accomplishments, welcomed fresh faces to the ESA Board, and looked ahead to what’s next for the electronic security and life safety community. It also served as the stage for some of the week’s most meaningful recognitions including the presentation of the Stan Martin Excellence in Advocacy Award to David Fisch, Pat Shea Remes honored for a lifetime of industry dedication, and Lifetimer Awards to Dom D’Ascoli and Jamie Orvis.
Executive Leadership Workshops
This year’s Executive Leadership Workshops gave security leaders an invaluable opportunity to recharge their leadership approach and tackle the human side of running a business.
Part One, “Battling Burnout: How the Best Leaders Inspire, Support, and Motivate Teams”, was led by acclaimed speaker Michael Bonner, who shared practical, real-world strategies for combating burnout, building resilient teams, and leading with empathy. Attendees walked away with actionable ideas to foster a culture of inspiration and sustainable, high-performance work environments.
Part Two, “Leadership in Depth: Three Questions, Three Leaders”, speakers Shannon Woodman CEO – Washington Alarm, Jordan Jackson CEO – Security Central Inc. and Jeremy Bates President – Bates Security & VP of Business Development – Pye-Barker Fire & Safety took things a step further offering a candid look into how top executives navigate tough decisions and apply strategic thinking in real-world scenarios. This engaging forum equipped participants with smart, tactical leadership insights to enhance team performance, bridge the gap between strategy and execution, and drive sustainable growth.
Together, these workshops delivered exactly what ESX is known for: business-shaping education tailored for today’s security leaders.
Opening Celebration
To cap off the day, ESX 2025 attendees enjoyed a lively, can’t-miss Opening Celebration! Security pros gathered for an evening packed with Cobb County vibes. There was no better way to embrace the spirit of Atlanta than with live music, local craft beer, and signature Georgia cuisine as we toasted to the start of another unforgettable ESX. It was the perfect chance to catch up with old industry friends and make new ones in a relaxed, high-energy setting that set the tone for the week ahead.
Day 2 — Tuesday
OpenXchange Breakfast
The ESX 2025 OpenXchange Breakfast brought together some of the brightest minds in the industry for a thought-provoking conversation on how AI, IoT, and monitoring technologies are transforming the security and life safety space. This annual Main Stage event delivered valuable insights into the trends, innovations, and emerging solutions shaping the future of the industry.
Moderated by ESX Chairman George De Marco, the session featured an expert panel including Priya Serai, CIO of Zeus Fire and Security; Matthew Wootton, Co-founder, and CTO of Ivani LLC; and Darrin Reilly, President, and CEO of Mission Critical Partners LLC. Together, these thought-leaders unpacked how cutting-edge technologies are not only disrupting the security landscape but creating new opportunities for operational efficiency, smarter emergency response, and enhanced customer experiences.
Attendees left the session with a deeper understanding of how AI is driving actionable intelligence, how IoT is delivering seamless integrations and improving alarm verification, and how advanced monitoring technologies are redefining dispatch protocols and public safety response strategies.
Education Sessions
The morning started strong with packed education sessions covering Maximizing Revenue, AI applications, taming operation expenses, RMR, and video monitoring solutions. Security pros left each session with actionable takeaways to implement back home.
Expo Opens
When the ESX 2025 Expo Floor officially opened, it delivered offering a curated, high-energy space packed with innovation. Security pros hit the floor ready to discover the latest in video surveillance, fire protection, intrusion systems, access control, monitoring services, and smart home integrations. The expo wasn’t just about product displays it was about hands-on demos, one-on-one conversations, and quality time with the industry’s most trusted manufacturers and service providers. From emerging technologies to time-tested solutions, attendees had the chance to get up close with cutting-edge products, ask the important questions, and uncover tools to help them boost RMR and run more efficient, secure operations.
Tech Talks and Innovation Awards
Throughout the day, Tech Talks spotlighted critical business strategies and operational tips, while the industry’s most impressive products and services were recognized with the 2025 Innovation Awards. The TechVision Challenge brought the excitement of a Shark Tank-style competition to the floor, with DMP’s JamAlert ultimately claiming the “Best of Show” title.
Expo Block Party
The ESX 2025 Expo Floor came alive with the Block Party celebrating Atlanta’s vibrant culture and flavors! Each corner of the expo was transformed into a unique Atlanta-themed experience, giving attendees the perfect chance to unwind, connect, and enjoy the city’s iconic tastes and vibes.
Attendees indulged in Southern hospitality with fan favorites like Chick-fil-A’s famous chicken sandwiches and delicious Georgia peach–inspired desserts. Classic Coca-Cola refreshments and snacks inspired by The Varsity, Atlanta’s legendary drive-in, kept everyone refreshed.
Pub Crawl
The Pub Crawl offered a casual, fun way for professionals in the electronic security and life safety industry to connect beyond the trade show floor. It was where work met play and lasting industry friendships were formed. Open to all pass holders, the Pub Crawl brought attendees together to celebrate the power of focused networking in a relaxed setting.
The night kicked off at Murph’s on Galleria Parkway at 7:00 PM, a local favorite where sports fans gathered to make great memories. At 8:00 PM, attendees moved to The Tavern at Live! on Battery Ave SE, a spot celebrating Atlanta legends with archived sports photos, craft cocktails, and one of the best patios in the ballpark. The evening wrapped up at 9:00 PM at Park Bench Battery, where high-energy live music and entertainment brought the night to a lively close at one of The Battery’s most iconic nightlife spots.
Day 3 — Wednesday
Education Sessions
Another round of high-impact education sessions kept attendees sharp, covering topics like emergency response, harnessing AI, project management, and cloud-based access control.
Expo Day 2 Activities
The second day on the ESX 2025 Expo Floor kept the momentum going strong as attendees reconnected over lunch, explored cutting-edge technologies, and soaked in hands-on demos across every corner of the show floor. Security pros made the most of their time with manufacturers and service providers, discussing new innovations in video, fire, intrusion, access control, monitoring, and smart home integrations.
One of the highlights was the Expo Tailgating Party, where the spirit of Atlanta’s sports culture came to life right on the show floor. Each corner of the expo offered a different baseball-inspired experience from kicking back at The Bullpen with refreshing drinks to reminiscing about the great Hank Aaron and his legendary career. The Dugout served as a gathering place for strategizing business moves and swapping industry stories, while nearby Concession Stands dished out classic game-day bites like nachos, sweet treats, and iconic Atlanta flavors.
General Session & Weinstock Award
The ESX 2025 General Session brought the industry together on the Main Stage for an inspiring event featuring John Smoltz, MLB Hall of Famer and FOX MLB lead analyst. Smoltz shared stories and insights from his legendary career with the Atlanta Braves, where he helped lead the team to multiple division titles and the 1995 World Series championship.
The session also featured the presentation of the prestigious Weinstock Award, which honored John Loud for his outstanding leadership, innovation, and lasting contributions to the electronic security and life safety industry a celebration of both individual achievement and the enduring legacy of Morris F. Weinstock.
Last Day — Thursday
Education Sessions
The final morning of education didn’t disappoint, with sessions tailored to enhancing customer relationships, optimizing uptime, and growing commercial verticals.
Closing Luncheon
The final day of ESX 2025 wrapped up with the Closing Luncheon, bringing security pros together one last time for great food, meaningful conversations, and forward-looking insights. It was the perfect setting to connect with like-minded peers and reflect on an incredible week of education, networking, and industry innovation.
This year’s program featured industry expert Michael Barnes, who took the stage to deliver “The U.S. Electronic Security and Life Safety Market – What You Need to Know.” Barnes walked attendees through US revenue growth trends, market share breakdowns, and key performance indicators, offering actionable insights to help benchmark businesses and navigate what’s ahead. From upcoming threats to market value projections and capital trends, Barnes equipped the crowd with a clear, data-driven roadmap for smarter business decisions in 2025 and beyond.
See You Next Year!
ESX 2025 was one for the books — and we’re already looking ahead to the next one! Mark your calendars now for ESX 2026, happening June 1-4 in Irving, Texas, at the state-of-the-art Irving Convention Center. You won’t want to miss it.
Thanks to everyone who made this year’s event unforgettable!
Matthew Wooton, Co-founder/CTO of Ivani LLC, will demonstrate how IoT and security are meshing, creating unprecedented collaboration that enhances customer experiences and better outcomes for alarm verification. Specializing in 
Darrin Reilly, President/CEO of Mission Critical Partners, will showcase the future of monitoring technologies revolutionizing alarm dispatching for integrators, monitoring centers, and emergency communications centers.