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The New Workplace: Aligning Remote, Office, and Field Teams

January 8, 2026 ESX
MANAGEMENT

The New Workplace: Aligning Remote, Office, and Field Teams

Remote and hybrid work models have reshaped how security companies manage their workforce—but they also bring hidden costs, compliance risks, and cultural trade-offs. From deciding when (and how often) employees should be in the office to navigating insurance and tax implications for technicians who take company vehicles home, leaders face complex choices.

This session examines the operational, financial, and people-related factors of hybrid and remote work, offering practical guidance to balance flexibility with accountability. Walk away with insights on structuring a workforce model that supports your employees, safeguards your business, and drives long-term efficiency. 

The ESA team is excited to see you at this event. The New Workplace: Aligning Remote, Office, and Field Teams

In this session, you’ll learn to:

Balance flexibility, accountability, and culture across remote, office, and field teams.

Navigate compliance, insurance, and tax considerations in hybrid work models.

Evaluate the financial and operational impacts of remote and on-site policies.

Design a workforce structure that supports employees and drives long-term efficiency.

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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April Chastain

VP Internal Operations & Merger Implementation at Owen Security Solutions
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ESX EDUCATION TRACK

Management

Learn how to navigate the complexities of managing hybrid teams and remote teams while maintaining culture and productivity. Gain insights on crisis leadership and when to step up decisively “beyond security” to protect both your business and customers. Get practical guidance on raising rates without losing customers and discover proven strategies to break the cycle of margin erosion. 

Sponsor This ESX Education Track!

Showcase Your Product or Service with Engaged Security Pros!

LEARN MORE
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Why Margins Slip—and How to Stop the Attrition Spiral

January 8, 2026 ESX
MANAGEMENT

Why Margins Slip—and How to Stop the Attrition Spiral

Shrinking margins and rising attrition are two of the toughest challenges facing security companies today. Margins erode when pricing, labor utilization, and overhead aren’t carefully managed—and when profitability slips, it limits reinvestment and growth. Attrition, meanwhile, is fueled by economic pressures, disengaged employees and customer-driven factors — risks that rise when margins are tight.

This session addresses both sides of the equation: why margins are harder to maintain in today’s market, how to identify and stop margin leaks, and how to manage retention by keeping employees engaged and customers loyal. Walk away with tools to strengthen profitability and strategies to reduce attrition—so your business stays healthy on both fronts. 

The ESA team is excited to see you at this event. Why Margins Slip—and How to Stop the Attrition Spiral

In this session, you’ll learn to:

Identify the leading causes of margin erosion and pinpoint where profits are leaking.

Strengthen pricing, labor utilization, and overhead management to protect profitability.

Address the connection between tight margins, employee disengagement, and customer attrition.

Implement strategies that boost retention and sustain long-term business health.

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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Julie Beaver

CEO of Security Systems of America (SSA)
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Mike Proudfit

CEO of Titan Alarm & Fire
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ESX EDUCATION TRACK

Management

Learn how to navigate the complexities of managing hybrid teams and remote teams while maintaining culture and productivity. Gain insights on crisis leadership and when to step up decisively “beyond security” to protect both your business and customers. Get practical guidance on raising rates without losing customers and discover proven strategies to break the cycle of margin erosion. 

Sponsor This ESX Education Track!

Showcase Your Product or Service with Engaged Security Pros!

LEARN MORE
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In the Line of Fire: Smart Strategies for Diversification

January 8, 2026 ESX
MANAGEMENT

In the Line of Fire: Smart Strategies for Diversification

Opportunities to diversify—whether in fire alarms, fire extinguishers, or other emerging markets—can be enticing. But moving into a new line of business too early, or without the right foundation, risks stretching resources thin and weakening your core operations.

This session shows you how to evaluate the right timing, talent, and investment needed before adding fire services to your portfolio. Learn how to gauge whether your team is prepared to deliver without compromising performance in your current offerings. Walk away with a clear framework for making disciplined, informed decisions about when and how to expand into fire.

The ESA team is excited to see you at this event. In the Line of Fire: Smart Strategies for Diversification

In this session, you’ll learn to:

Evaluate when and how to expand into fire or other complementary markets.

Assess your team’s readiness, resources, and capabilities before diversifying.

Determine the right timing, talent, and investment needed for successful expansion.

Apply a disciplined framework to grow strategically without weakening your core business.

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
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ESX EDUCATION TRACK

Management

Learn how to navigate the complexities of managing hybrid teams and remote teams while maintaining culture and productivity. Gain insights on crisis leadership and when to step up decisively “beyond security” to protect both your business and customers. Get practical guidance on raising rates without losing customers and discover proven strategies to break the cycle of margin erosion. 

Sponsor This ESX Education Track!

Showcase Your Product or Service with Engaged Security Pros!

LEARN MORE
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CONTINUE READING
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Keep Your People, Keep Your Customers

January 8, 2026 ESX
MANAGEMENT

Keep Your People, Keep Your Customers

Customer retention fuels revenue—but without retaining top talent, customer service and growth suffer. In today’s competitive labor market, employees have choices, and companies that don’t prioritize retention risk losing their best people to competitors.

This session explores why talent retention is just as critical as customer retention and how to build a culture that keeps employees engaged, motivated, and loyal. Learn practical strategies for recognition, career development, compensation, and communication that strengthen your team while protecting customer relationships.

The ESA team is excited to see you at this event. Keep Your People, Keep Your Customers

In this session, you’ll learn to:

Connect employee retention to customer satisfaction and business growth.

Build a culture that keeps top performers engaged, motivated, and loyal.

Apply proven strategies for recognition, development, and communication to strengthen your team.

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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Kirk MacDowell

President of MacGuard Security Advisors Inc.
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Joshua Davis

Vice President of Security Central, Inc.
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John Smith

Operations Manager at Fleenor Security
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ESX EDUCATION TRACK

Management

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.

Sponsor This ESX Education Track!

Showcase Your Product or Service with Engaged Security Pros!

LEARN MORE
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Raising Rates…JUST DO IT!

January 8, 2026 ESX
MANAGEMENT

Raising Rates…JUST DO IT!

Too many companies avoid raising rates out of fear—but the longer you wait, the more your margins erode. Rate increases aren’t just about survival; they’re about reinforcing the value of your services, whether in labor or RMR.

This session walks you through the practical steps of implementing rate adjustments: when and how to raise them, how to communicate changes to customers, and how to manage the tough calls when they come in. Using simple math examples and even a live mock call, you’ll see how regular increases can strengthen your business without losing credibility. Walk away with the confidence and tools to raise rates the right way—and make it part of your company culture. 

The ESA team is excited to see you at this event. Raising Rates…JUST DO IT! 

In this session, you’ll learn to:

Execute a rate increase process that protect margins and reinforce your value.

Communicate pricing changes effectively to customers and manage pushback.

Use simple math and real-world examples to show the impact of regular adjustments.

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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Spencer Rogers

Senior Vice President of Barnes Associates
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Rob Bado

Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Post Alarm Systems
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Will Fleenor

President at Fleenor Security
https://esxweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/management.png
ESX EDUCATION TRACK

Management

Learn how to navigate the complexities of managing hybrid teams and remote teams while maintaining culture and productivity. Gain insights on crisis leadership and when to step up decisively “beyond security” to protect both your business and customers. Get practical guidance on raising rates without losing customers and discover proven strategies to break the cycle of margin erosion. 

Sponsor This ESX Education Track!

Showcase Your Product or Service with Engaged Security Pros!

LEARN MORE
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CONTINUE READING
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Expanding RMR: Profitable Services You’re Overlooking

January 8, 2026 ESX
MANAGEMENT

Expanding RMR: Profitable Services You’re Overlooking

Are you leaving money on the table by offering recurring services at no cost?

This session highlights often-overlooked opportunities to increase RMR, such as enhanced monitoring, proactive maintenance, premium support, and data analytics. Learn how to evaluate and package these high-value services, and walk away with proven strategies for packaging, positioning, and delivering that maximize profitability while meeting the evolving expectations of your customers.

The ESA team is excited to see you at this event. Expanding RMR: Profitable Services You’re Overlooking

In this session, you’ll learn to:

Turn undervalued or “free” services into recurring revenue streams.

Package and position premium service tiers that drive loyalty and long-term value.

Use data and analytics to differentiate your services and strengthen customer relationships.

Apply proven pricing methodologies and delivery strategies to maximize profitability and customer satisfaction.

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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Scott Elkins

CEO of Zeus Fire and Security
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Melissa Brinkman

CEO of Custom Alarm
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John Loud

President of LOUD Security
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Jeremy Bates

Vice President of Pye-Barker Fire & Safety
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ESX EDUCATION TRACK

Management

Learn how to navigate the complexities of managing hybrid teams and remote teams while maintaining culture and productivity. Gain insights on crisis leadership and when to step up decisively “beyond security” to protect both your business and customers. Get practical guidance on raising rates without losing customers and discover proven strategies to break the cycle of margin erosion. 

Sponsor This ESX Education Track!

Showcase Your Product or Service with Engaged Security Pros!

LEARN MORE
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CONTINUE READING
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Profit in Focus: Real-Time Gross Margin Reporting

January 8, 2026 ESX
FIELD OPERATIONS

Profit in Focus: Real-Time Gross Margin Reporting

If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it. Weekly gross margin reports provide visibility into technician performance and profitability, yet many integrators in the security and life safety industry struggle to establish a consistent system for tracking and applying the data.

In this session, you’ll learn how to design meaningful gross margin reports, integrate them into your weekly operations, and use scorecards to keep your team accountable and aligned. Hear how integrators are transforming their businesses by making gross margin reporting a core driver of their growth and profitability strategy.

The ESA team is excited to see you at this event. Profit in Focus: Real-Time Gross Margin Reporting 

In this session, you’ll learn:

Design meaningful gross margin reports that reveal technician performance and profitability.

Integrate weekly tracking systems into operations for consistent visibility.

Use scorecards to drive accountability and align your team with financial goals.

Transform reporting data into actionable strategies that fuel growth.

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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Dena Domey

Chief Financial Officer at Alarm New England
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ESX EDUCATION TRACK

Field Operations

Learn how to streamline scheduling, optimize dispatching, and manage inventory and fleets to maximize technician productivity and profitability. Gain insights into best practices for job costing, quality control, and workforce development. Discover how to leverage technology and data to gain real-time visibility into field activities, enabling smarter decisions and proactive problem-solving. 

This Track is sponsored by:

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Smarter Ops: Using Technology to Run Leaner, Faster, and More Profitably

January 8, 2026 ESX
FIELD OPERATIONS

Smarter Ops: Using Technology to Run Leaner, Faster, and More Profitably

The right technology stack can help security and life safety integrators streamline processes, reduce errors, and gain real-time visibility across the business. But with so many platforms and tools available, where do you start—and how do you avoid the chaos of tech overload?

This session breaks down how to evaluate, implement, and integrate field service management software that fits your business. We’ll explore how to automate key workflows such as dispatching, work orders, inventory management, and invoicing, while ensuring your systems work together. Whether you’re just starting your digital transformation journey or looking to tighten up your tech stack, you’ll leave with a clear roadmap to run smarter, leaner operations—with fewer headaches and stronger results.

The ESA team is excited to see you at this event. Smarter Ops: Using Technology to Run Leaner, Faster, and More Profitably

In this session, you’ll learn to:

Evaluate and implement field service management software that fits your operation.

Automate dispatching, work orders, inventory, and invoicing to reduce errors.

Integrate systems effectively to avoid tech overload and workflow friction.

Build a clear roadmap for digital transformation that delivers measurable 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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Max Thomas

President of Gallaher Fire, Security & Communications – (Gallaher & Associates, Inc. A Zeus Company)
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Ben Purcell

Director of Operations & Sales at Silent Guard
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Sean Githens

Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Redwire
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ESX EDUCATION TRACK

Field Operations

Learn how to streamline scheduling, optimize dispatching, and manage inventory and fleets to maximize technician productivity and profitability. Gain insights into best practices for job costing, quality control, and workforce development. Discover how to leverage technology and data to gain real-time visibility into field activities, enabling smarter decisions and proactive problem-solving. 

This Track is sponsored by:

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From Completion to Continuous Improvement: The Power of Post-Job Assessments

January 8, 2026 ESX
FIELD OPERATIONS

From Completion to Continuous Improvement: The Power of Post-Job Assessments

Completing a project isn’t the finish line—it’s the launchpad for continuous improvement. Conducting post-job assessments, especially projects that deviate significantly — typically 10% or more — from expectations, is essential to evaluating both financial and operational performance.

In this session, we’ll review practical tools and methods to analyze project outcomes, uncover root causes of variances, and capture customer feedback that strengthens future work. Industry experts will share proven strategies for documenting lessons learned, identifying installation upsells and RMR opportunities, and streamlining closeout processes. Walk away with practical templates and best practices to reduce callbacks, boost profitability, and transform every completed project into a catalyst for stronger client relationships and long-term success. 

The ESA team is excited to see you at this event. From Completion to Continuous Improvement: The Power of Post-Job Assessments

In this session, you’ll learn to:

Evaluate project variances to identify financial and operational improvements.

Capture customer feedback and lessons learned that strengthen future performance.

Uncover upselling and recurring revenue opportunities during project closeout.

Reduce callbacks and boost profitability using proven assessment templates and best practices.

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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Cindy Ponder

Regional Director at Pye-Barker Fire & Safety
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Cindy Ponder

VP of Branch Operations
at Doyle Security
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ESX EDUCATION TRACK

Field Operations

Learn how to streamline scheduling, optimize dispatching, and manage inventory and fleets to maximize technician productivity and profitability. Gain insights into best practices for job costing, quality control, and workforce development. Discover how to leverage technology and data to gain real-time visibility into field activities, enabling smarter decisions and proactive problem-solving. 

This Track is sponsored by:

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Code Red: Navigating the Latest Fire System Regulations

January 7, 2026 ESX
FIELD OPERATIONS

Code Red: Navigating the Latest Fire System Regulations

You’ve mastered standard installations and built a solid client base. Now new fire codes are reshaping how we install and service systems – creating both challenges and opportunities for prepared integrators.

This session breaks down the latest NFPA changes and emerging compliance requirements that directly impact your business. Learn how regulatory changes create new recurring revenue (RMR) through enhanced maintenance requirements and compliance services. We’ll cover new standards, complex code interpretations, and how to position yourself in the business of life safety. Discover how to turn regulatory complexity into competitive advantage, commanding premium rates for expertise others lack. Walk away with strategies for building a profitable compliance-focused service division. 

The ESA team is excited to see you at this event. Code Red: Navigating the Latest Fire System Regulations

In this session, you’ll learn to:

Navigate recent NFPA changes and new compliance requirements.

Convert regulatory demands into recurring revenue opportunities.

Command premium rates by positioning yourself as the compliance expert.

Build a profitable service division focused on life safety standards.

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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Peter Goldring

President of Goldring Protection
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Mark Popkowski

President & CEO of Modern System Concepts
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ESX EDUCATION TRACK

Field Operations

Learn how to streamline scheduling, optimize dispatching, and manage inventory and fleets to maximize technician productivity and profitability. Gain insights into best practices for job costing, quality control, and workforce development. Discover how to leverage technology and data to gain real-time visibility into field activities, enabling smarter decisions and proactive problem-solving. 

This Track is sponsored by:

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