ASIS 2013 attendance rises 5.5 percent

Presented by ASIS, the leading organization for security management professionals worldwide, this annual event delivers the most comprehensive education and networking opportunities available in the security industry.

“This year’s Annual Seminar and Exhibits theme called on security practitioners to be “Smart. Strategic. Secure.” The high quality education led by leading industry experts, networking, and the latest technology supported the theme, offering security professionals from across the country and around the world the opportunity to gain vast new knowledge and strategic perspectives on the practice and business of security,” said ASIS President Geoff T. Craighead, CPP. “This year’s event welcomed many of the senior most security practitioners from many global organizations to an active and engaging forum for peer-to-peer exchange and customized executive level professional development.”

“This was also the third year that the (ISC)2 Security Congress colocated with the ASIS Seminar, providing a unique industry forum in which traditional and IT security professionals were able to connect, exchange, and explore shared risks and mitigation strategies in a converged  business landscape,” added Craighead.

“Each year, the interactions we have at our booth get better and better. The 2013 show was one of the most productive for us and clearly the one for security directors and security consultants to attend and learn about new security and life-safety solutions. We’re looking forward to another great show in Atlanta in 2014!” stated Thanasis Molokotos, President and CEO, ASSA ABLOY Americas.

Covering more than 230,000 net square feet of McCormick Place, 640 companies exhibited a wide array of security solutions. Leading-edge innovations in access control, IP-based video surveillance, and explosion detection were among those demonstrated, as were new and enhanced service offerings.

“We look forward to being part of the ASIS show each year because at this annual conference we are able to achieve high visibility and reach with our customers,” said Linda Mansillo-Kear, Vice President of Global Marketing and Communications, Tyco Security Products. “This year was no exception. Not only did we have the wonderful opportunity to connect with many long-time customers, but the high volume of foot-traffic at ASIS brought many new customers to the Tyco Security Products booth.”

“We had a great experience at our first ASIS Seminar & Exhibits,” said Mike Scirica, Vice President of Marketing and Sales for WavestoreUSA, based in West Palm Beach, Fla.  “The show presented a perfect opportunity to expose end users to WavestoreUSA’s open platform video management and recording solutions and reinforce our commitment to existing and prospective integrators. We are currently sorting through what we feel are solid, qualified leads. We had a prominent position on the exhibit floor and were encouraged by the quality of attendees interested in our solutions. We look forward to next year’s exhibits,” Scirica said.

Keynote speakers included Steve Wozniak, Apple co-founder and philanthropist and The Honorable John Winston Howard, 25th Prime Minister of Australia (1996-2007). The Football Hall-of-Fame legend Mike Ditka delivered the address at the closing luncheon on Fri., Sept. 27.
 
More than 175 senior security executives from a dozen countries registered for CSO Roundtable events, which included exclusive briefings with keynote speakers. Special programming was also offered for young professionals and women in security.

Nearly 200 education sessions on topics ranging from school shootings to mobile security and terrorism trends to big data offered practitioners a wealth of opportunities to gain new knowledge, best practices, and strategies in security management.

The fifth annual ASIS Accolades, an awards competition open to all exhibitors, recognized the security industry’s most innovative new products, services and/or solutions on the show floor. A team of judges representing end users and experts in physical security and cyber technologies reviewed 55 entries before selecting the top 10 winners. New this year – ASIS introduced the People’s Choice Award. Attendees were invited to vote for their favorite product or service entry via the mobile app or voting kiosks on the show floor. Irvine Sensors Corporation received the highest number of votes—taking the first People’s Choice Award for their ALERT Cognitive-based video analytics.

The exhibit hall also featured the ASIS and (ISC)2 Career Pavilion. More than 400 attendees took advantage of Pavilion activities including standing room only panel sessions of CSOs discussing career-pathing as well as employers discussing in-demand skillsets; career enhancing sessions on effective cover letters to LinkedIn Do’s and Don’ts; complimentary career coaching and resume reviews; and transitioning from public to private sector security.

The ASIS Hub on the show website (www.asis2013.org) provides attendees and those at home with access to hundreds of event photos, program updates, video interviews and select education offerings.

Session registrants can access all recorded education sessions online. Session recordings and handouts in a multi-media format are also available by purchasing the sessions DVD or online access.  

ASIS conducts an independent audit of registrations at the ASIS Seminar and Exhibits and final verified figures will be available soon.

Plans for the 60th Annual Seminar and Exhibits, taking place Sept. 29-Oct. 2 in Atlanta, are well underway. Seventy percent of the booth space is already sold. To reserve space, email exhibits@asisonline.org. The deadline for the call for presentations will be in late January or early February 2014.