ASIS International coming to Toronto

While ASIS does have a Toronto chapter, this is the first time in three years the security association will host an international event on Canadian soil.

“We’re very excited!” says Leigh McGuire, marketing manager for ASIS International, in an e-mail.

The Toronto chapter of ASIS runs educational events of its own, but being a representative of the wider community, there was plenty of incentive to host a larger event.

“The enthusiasm of requests along with the potential for attendance make Toronto a rational choice,” says John Lechner, the director of education programs for ASIS, in an e-mail.

The last international event here in Canada was co-hosted by the Edmonton chapter in 2010. This year, each program is expected to draw between 75 and 100 participants, Lechner says.

“Since these are educational events, proper classroom size is important for knowledge transfer. The experts impart only are portion of the information, the professionals in the classroom contribute much to the overall experience,” he adds.

The first two programs will begin on July 15 at the Hyatt Regency. The one-day “Executive Protection” program examines the physical risks faced by executives and how to protect them when resources are tight.

The four-day “Managing Your Physical Security and Advanced Topics” program focuses on reforming company policies and offering “security education to a broader audience,” Lechner says.

The final program entitled “Security Program Design – A Critical Infrastructure Protection Model” runs from July 17 to 18. It looks at the integration of huge systems that keep critical infrastructure secure and how other companies can adopt those techniques to fit their needs.

For more information or to sign up, visit the ASIS International website.