Blog Posts

Electronic Security Expo

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January 6, 2026 ESX
SALES & MARKETING

Leveling the Playing Field: Competing Online with National Brands

National security brands dominate with massive ad budgets—but that doesn’t mean they win at the local level. In fact, regional integrators and dealers have a unique edge when they learn how to leverage Local SEO and Google Business Profiles effectively, including how Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is evolving the search landscape.

National security brands dominate with massive ad budgets—but that doesn’t mean they win at the local level. In fact, regional integrators and dealers have a unique edge when they learn how to leverage sales and marketing effectively. This session will teach you how to compete—and win—online in your market, even if you don’t have a corporate-sized marketing budget. Learn how to optimize your digital presence so that when local prospects search for security, surveillance, or life safety services, your business appears first and stands out as credible. We’ll cover proven strategies for improving your presence, managing your personal and business profile, collecting impactful reviews, and building an online reputation that outperforms the national players in your service area.

The ESA team is excited to see you at this event. Leveling the Playing Field: Competing Online with National Brands


In this session, you’ll learn:


How to outrank national brands in local search on a smaller budget.


A review strategy that builds trust and credibility fast.


How to leverage local expertise as your competitive edge online.


How AI-powered search and GEO are changing the game.


An ESX Executive Pass or Deluxe Pass is required to gain access to this and all best-practice sharing sessions.

REGISTER FOR AN EXECUTIVE OR DELUXE PASS TO ACCESS THIS COURSE.

See all CEU credits available for attending ESX 2026 education sessions. MORE

THIS COURSE IS ELIGIBLE FOR CEU CREDITS

Presenters

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Brian Page

Director of Data Center Solutions at Minuteman Security and Life Safety

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Marvin Smith

President of Orlando Emergency Signal

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Kathy Sizemore

CEO of A-Bell Alarms

Moderator

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Janet Fenner

President of Defined Marketing


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ESX EDUCATION TRACK

Sales & Marketing

From mastering digital marketing and local SEO to building referral programs and delivering compelling sales presentationsyou’ll gain practical tools and proven strategies tailored specifically for security/fire integrators and dealers. Learn how to empower your sales teams, leverage data-driven marketing, and create seamless customer journeys that drive both new business and recurring monthly revenue (RMR). 


This Track is sponsored by:

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January 6, 2026 ESX
SALES & MARKETING

Sealing the Deal on Service: How to Sell Service and Maintenance Agreements

Attendees will leave with practical sales approaches, scripts, and insights to increase agreement adoption and strengthen customer relationships.

This session explores proven strategies for positioning and presenting service agreements that resonate with today’s buyers, including insights on pricing methodology. Learn how to educate clients on the true value of ongoing support, overcome common objections, and build contracts that drive predictable recurring revenue for your business. 

The ESA team is excited to see you at this event. Sealing the Deal on Service: How to Sell Service and Maintenance Agreements


In this session, you’ll learn:


How to shift the conversation from cost to value.


Pricing methodologies that maximize profitability while remaining competitive.


The most common objections to service agreements—and how to address them confidently.


Ways to structure tiered offerings that appeal to different customer segments.


An ESX Executive Pass or Deluxe Pass is required to gain access to this and all best-practice sharing sessions.

REGISTER FOR AN EXECUTIVE OR DELUXE PASS TO ACCESS THIS COURSE.

See all CEU credits available for attending ESX 2026 education sessions. MORE

THIS COURSE IS ELIGIBLE FOR CEU CREDITS

Presenters

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Chris Atwood

Assistant Sales Manager – Wayne Alarm Systems
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Matthew Hanley

VP of Sales at Tech Systems Inc.
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Jack Johnson

Chief Revenue Officer at Minuteman Security Technologies

Moderator

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Lynnie Guzman

Director of Sales & Marketing at Holmes Security Systems



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ESX EDUCATION TRACK

Sales & Marketing

From mastering digital marketing and local SEO to building referral programs and delivering compelling sales presentationsyou’ll gain practical tools and proven strategies tailored specifically for security/fire integrators and dealers. Learn how to empower your sales teams, leverage data-driven marketing, and create seamless customer journeys that drive both new business and recurring monthly revenue (RMR). 


This Track is sponsored by:

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January 6, 2026 ESX
SALES & MARKETING

AI as Your Sales Sidekick: How and When to Use It for Maximum Impact

Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn’t here to replace salespeople—it’s here to help them excel.

In this session, you’ll learn how to harness AI as a powerful assistant throughout the sales cycle from prospecting to closing. We’ll cover when to lean on AI for research, personalization, and forecasting—and when to step in with the human connection that builds trust and closes deals.

The ESA team is excited to see you at this event.


In this session, you’ll learn:


AI tools and techniques that save time on research, lead qualification, and follow-up.


How to leverage AI for smarter forecasting and pipeline management.


The critical moments where human touch outperforms automation—and how to balance both for maximum results.


An ESX Executive Pass or Deluxe Pass is required to gain access to this and all best-practice sharing sessions.

REGISTER FOR AN EXECUTIVE OR DELUXE PASS TO ACCESS THIS COURSE.

See all CEU credits available for attending ESX 2026 education sessions. MORE

THIS COURSE IS ELIGIBLE FOR CEU CREDITS

Presenters

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John Armstrong

Vice President – Outside Sales at AMAROK
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Kathy Sizemore

CEO – A-Bell Alarms

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Don Morrow

Founder & CEO – HighlandTech

Moderator

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Chris Peterson

Founder & President of Vector Firm



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ESX EDUCATION TRACK

Sales & Marketing

From mastering digital marketing and local SEO to building referral programs and delivering compelling sales presentationsyou’ll gain practical tools and proven strategies tailored specifically for security/fire integrators and dealers. Learn how to empower your sales teams, leverage data-driven marketing, and create seamless customer journeys that drive both new business and recurring monthly revenue (RMR). 


This Track is sponsored by:

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January 6, 2026 ESX
SALES & MARKETING

Referral Engine: Training Your Sales and Marketing Teams to Drive Warmer Leads

Referrals are the highest-converting, lowest-cost leads you’ll ever get—yet too many companies leave them to chance.

In this session, learn how to train your sales and marketing teams to confidently ask for referrals without sounding pushy or awkward. We’ll explore how to build a referral culture across your company, design customer experiences worth talking about, and create simple processes and messaging that generate steady streams of high-quality leads. You’ll leave with practical tools to help your team build lasting referral habits—and deliver measurable sales results. 

The ESA team is excited to see you at this session in 2026.


In this session, you’ll learn:


Techniques that make asking for referrals natural and comfortable.


How to identify top referral sources and optimal timing.


Strategies to create experiences that generate organic word-of-mouth.


A systematic process for consistent, predictable referral flow.


An ESX Executive Pass or Deluxe Pass is required to gain access to this and all best-practice sharing sessions.

REGISTER FOR AN EXECUTIVE OR DELUXE PASS TO ACCESS THIS COURSE.

See all CEU credits available for attending ESX 2026 education sessions. MORE

THIS COURSE IS ELIGIBLE FOR CEU CREDITS

Presenters

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Michael Alfano

President & CEO at Greensite

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Chuck Robinson

Regional Vice President at Integrated Protection Services

Moderator

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ESX-Speakers-Audrey-Pierson

Audrey Pierson

Senior Account Executive at WeSuite



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ESX EDUCATION TRACK

Sales & Marketing

From mastering digital marketing and local SEO to building referral programs and delivering compelling sales presentationsyou’ll gain practical tools and proven strategies tailored specifically for security/fire integrators and dealers. Learn how to empower your sales teams, leverage data-driven marketing, and create seamless customer journeys that drive both new business and recurring monthly revenue (RMR). 


This Track is sponsored by:

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January 6, 2026 ESX
SALES & MARKETING

The Power of Being Proactive: Engage, Educate and Upsell as a Trusted Advisor

Attendees will leave with a roadmap for shifting their sales teams toward proactive communication, stronger customer relationships, and meaningful revenue and RMR growth.

This session explores how to position your company and your team as trusted advisors, not just service providers. Learn how to anticipate customer needs before they arise, turn every service interaction into an opportunity to add value, and use education—not pressure—to drive upselling. Checking in with key customers is an art. Attendees will leave with a roadmap for shifting their sales teams toward proactive communication, stronger customer relationships, and meaningful revenue and RMR growth.

The ESA team is excited to see you at this event. The Power of Being Proactive: Engage, Educate and Upsell as a Trusted Advisor


In this session, you’ll learn:


How to shift your team from selling to meet their own goals to proactive advising.


Key triggers and touchpoints that signal upsell opportunities.


How to structure customer check-ins that uncover hidden needs.


Methods to educate customers on new solutions without feeling pushy.


An ESX Executive Pass or Deluxe Pass is required to gain access to this and all best-practice sharing sessions.

REGISTER FOR AN EXECUTIVE OR DELUXE PASS TO ACCESS THIS COURSE.

See all CEU credits available for attending ESX 2026 education sessions. MORE

THIS COURSE IS ELIGIBLE FOR CEU CREDITS

Presenters


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Josh Dice

President – Security Alarm


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Brandon Freedman

Managing Partner – Wayne Alarm Systems


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John Kostelac

Operations Manager – Northwestern Ohio Security Systems, Inc.


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Michael Lordan

CEO – Wayne Alarm Systems


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John Heath Jr.

Founder & CEO – Alpha Technologies & Alarm Systems, Inc.


Moderator


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Dean Belisle

Director of Key Accounts – DMP




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ESX EDUCATION TRACK

Sales & Marketing

From mastering digital marketing and local SEO to building referral programs and delivering compelling sales presentationsyou’ll gain practical tools and proven strategies tailored specifically for security/fire integrators and dealers. Learn how to empower your sales teams, leverage data-driven marketing, and create seamless customer journeys that drive both new business and recurring monthly revenue (RMR). 


This Track is sponsored by:

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January 6, 2026 ESX
SALES & MARKETING

Building High-Performing Sales Teams: Recruit, Train, and Lead

Behind every successful sales organization is a leader who knows how to recruit the right talent, train them effectively, and coach them to perform at their best.

This session dives into the nuts and bolts of sales leadership in the security industry — covering everything from finding and hiring top sales reps, to building repeatable processes that actually stick and effective roleplay exercises. Learn practical frameworks for developing your team, maximizing productivity, and creating a culture of accountability and growth. Whether you’re leading a small team or scaling a large sales force, you’ll walk away with actionable strategies to strengthen your leadership and drive measurable results.    

The ESA team is excited to see you at this event. Building High-Performing Sales Teams: Recruit, Train, and Lead


In this session, you’ll learn:


How to identify and hire top sales talent in the security industry.


Training frameworks that stick and translate to real field performance.


Coaching techniques that maximize productivity and accountability.


Strategies for maximizing productivity and accountability.


Scalable leadership practices for teams of any size.


An ESX Executive Pass or Deluxe Pass is required to gain access to this and all best-practice sharing sessions.

REGISTER FOR AN EXECUTIVE OR DELUXE PASS TO ACCESS THIS COURSE.

See all CEU credits available for attending ESX 2026 education sessions. MORE

THIS COURSE IS ELIGIBLE FOR CEU CREDITS

Presenters

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Heather Walkowiak

Sales Training Manager at Alarm Detection Systems

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Michael Cope

VP of Sales at Guardian Alarm

Moderator

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Jason Lutz

Director of Brand Ambassador Program & Industry Affairs Leader at Resideo


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ESX EDUCATION TRACK

Sales & Marketing

From mastering digital marketing and local SEO to building referral programs and delivering compelling sales presentationsyou’ll gain practical tools and proven strategies tailored specifically for security/fire integrators and dealers. Learn how to empower your sales teams, leverage data-driven marketing, and create seamless customer journeys that drive both new business and recurring monthly revenue (RMR). 


This Track is sponsored by:

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December 5, 2025 ESX
Closing Luncheon

The U.S. Electronic Security and Life Safety Market in 2026

Technology Shifts, Capital Trends, and What They Mean for Your Business

2026 will reward integrators and dealers who understand where the market is heading—and expose those who don’t. AI adoption, recurring revenue pressure, labor costs, and accelerating consolidation are already changing how security and life safety businesses compete, grow, and are valued.

In this session, industry expert Michael Barnes will break down the latest U.S. market data—revenue trends, operating benchmarks, and capital flows—and explain exactly what it means for making decisions about technology investment, pricing, staffing, and long-term strategy.

If you’re responsible for protecting margins, choosing where to invest, or positioning your company for future value, this is not a session to skip. You’ll leave with clear signals on where opportunity is forming, where risk is increasing, and how smart dealers and integrators are preparing for the next year.



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About This Speaker

Michael Barnes is the President of Barnes Associates, Inc. a consulting and advisory firm that specializes in providing financing, acquisition, divestiture and strategic planning services. Since founding the firm in 1986, Michael has been involved in more than 280 security alarm acquisitions and financings, with an aggregate transaction value exceeding $29 billion. Michael currently serves on the board of directors of the Electronic Security Association (ESA). He also lectures at numerous events within the security alarm industry on matters relating to acquisitions, the availability of capital, and the operating dynamics and performance of alarm companies. Michael was the 13th person to be inducted into the Security Alarm Industry Hall of Fame, an honor he received in 2004.


TUESDAY, JUNE 2 – 9:20 – 9:35AM

Special Announcement: ESA Industry Research Center

ESA is unveiling a new initiative, the ESA Industry Research Center, aimed at helping integrators and dealers better understand the market forces shaping business today and tomorrow. Backed by Beacon Economics and ESA Chief Economist Christopher Thornberg, PhD, this effort will provide meaningful insight to support smarter planning and stronger growth.

Built to support the security industry, this effort will focus on the key factors that influence performance, resilience, and future success. With the partnership with Beacon, the ESA Industry Research Center will build an Industry Performance Index (IPI) based on: 

  • Business Activity & Market Growth to highlight current conditions and future demand.
  • Workforce Capacity & Pressure to examine labor availability and operational strain.
  • Revenue & Business Model Health to help assess business strength and sustainability.
  • Technology & AI Adoption to explore how emerging tools are changing the industry.

This first-of-its-kind initiative is designed to give integrators, dealers, and industry leaders a clearer view of where the market stands today and where it’s headed next.



Closing Luncheon

The ESX Closing Luncheon will take place on the ESX Main Stage and bring attendees together for timely industry insights, economic outlook discussions, and peer connection with leaders across the electronic security and life safety industry. This plated luncheon will feature programming focused on the trends, business challenges, and market forces shaping the future of the industry, providing attendees with valuable perspective to support strategic planning and long-term growth. Register here.


This event is sponsored by:


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December 5, 2025 ESX
Denim & Diamonds Experience

Weinstock Celebration

Celebrate excellence at the ESA Weinstock Celebration, an evening dedicated to honoring the Morris F. Weinstock Award winner and their impact on our industry. Set within the unique atmosphere of the Rayleigh Underground, this event combines meaningful recognition with an elevated Denim & Diamonds theme.

The night will feature a live band, spirits, and hors d’oeuvres, creating a dynamic and festive environment for guests to connect, celebrate, and enjoy the moment together. From high-energy entertainment to heartfelt recognition, this event brings the ESX community together for one of the most anticipated evenings of the week.


Denim is encouraged. Diamonds are expected. Dress to impress and embrace the theme as we celebrate achievement, community, and the spirit of ESX in an evening you won’t want to miss. 


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Celebrate The Weinstock Person of the Year!

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The Morris F. Weinstock Person of the Year Award is the Electronic Security Association’s (ESA) highest honor, established in 1970 to recognize extraordinary leadership, dedication, and volunteer service to the industry and the association. 

The award is graciously sponsored by Resideo, ESA’s exclusive Diamond Executive Strategic Partner. 2025 Winner to be selected & announced

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Weinstock Celebration

Networking is vital to business success — and ESX Networking is fundamental to the event experience. Rub elbows with some of the brightest minds in the industry as you develop trust, industry friendships and groups of peers you can collaborate with throughout the year. The ESX Weinstock Celebration recognizes the recipient of ESA‘s most prestigious award, the Morris F Weinstock Person of the Year — an award dedicated to recognizing the lifetime achievement and service to the industry of a dedicated individual. Let’s have some fun with this year’s winner!


This event is sponsored by:

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December 5, 2025 ESX

Expo Open!

Be there as the ESX 2026 Expo Floor officially opens, kicking off an unparalleled showcase of innovation and opportunity! Join fellow security and life safety professionals as the ribbon is cut, unveiling the industry’s latest technologies, services, and solutions. Explore state-of-the-art exhibits, engage directly with leading suppliers, and discover game-changing tools to take your business to the next level. This is more than just an expo—it’s a launchpad for ideas, networking, and growth. Don’t miss this exciting moment that sets the tone for a dynamic week ahead!


This Event is sponsored by:

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December 5, 2025 ESX
Keynote Luncheon

The Curiosity Advantage

How the Best Leaders Stay Competitive, Profitable, & Future-Ready

The electronic security industry isn’t slowing down—and neither are your customers, competitors, or operating costs. 

Today, you are expected to grow recurring revenue, adopt new technology, retain talent, and differentiate in an increasingly crowded market—often with fewer people and tighter margins. You don’t need an innovation department to succeed, but you do need a better way to see what others are missing. 

In this high-energy, business-focused keynote, bestselling author Diana Kander shows how curiosity becomes a competitive advantage for security integrators who want to grow smarter—not riskier. Based on The Curiosity Muscle, this session delivers practical tools leaders can use immediately to uncover blind spots, challenge outdated assumptions, and identify new opportunities hiding inside their existing business. 

This is not theory or “blue-sky” innovation. It’s about asking better questions—of your customers, your team, and your operations—to drive differentiation, efficiency, and sustainable growth. 

Attendees will leave ESX thinking differently about their business, spotting opportunities faster, and leading teams that adapt before they’re forced to.


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About This Speaker

Diana Kander is an innovation nerd – she spent the first decade of her career as an entrepreneur, launching 10 companies in 10 years, while selling millions of dollars of products and services. 

She spent the next decade coaching innovators inside large organizations; at one point she served as the innovation coach for the executive team of a $100 million dollar project. 

 


Key Takeaways:


Turn curiosity into a business discipline that keeps your company competitive


Avoid the “expert trap” that causes companies to miss opportunities


Ask better customer-focused questions that lead to stronger positioning


Build a culture of practical innovation that delivers results

True creative work exists in the gap between what you have and what you think you need. The ESX Keynote Luncheon will provide the tools your team needs to become more innovative.

The 2026 Sara Jackson Award Winner Will Be Presented

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The Sara E. Jackson Memorial Award, which honors the memory of the 1950-51 ESA President, recognizes an ESA volunteer who has exhibited exceptional leadership skills on an ESA committee, task force or board.

The award is graciously sponsored by Telguard, ESA’s exclusive Platinum Executive Strategic Partner.

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ESX Opening Keynote Luncheon

The 2026 ESX Keynote Luncheon is held on the ESX Main Stage. Come here for inspiration, motivation, and networking with like-minded electronic security and life safety peers. Just steps away from the expo floor, this interactive session will reveal tactics for motivating a more productive team. Access to this luncheon is included with Executive, Deluxe, and Expo Plus passes. Register five or more people and receive 10% off, or register 10 or more people and receive 20% off. Secure your spot today and take advantage of these savings.


This Event’s Media Sponsor Is:

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Sponsor This Main Stage Event!


Become a Sponsor for ESX Today!

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