JUNE 2-6, 2019 | INDIANAPOLIS, IN
ESX 2018 Redefines Traditional Events
#PassionateSecurity Professionals Gather for Collaboration, Education and Partnerships
The Electronic Security Expo (ESX) is quickly becoming the “UNevent,” redefining the traditional purpose of industry shows within the electronic security and life safety channel. With a mission to bring leaders together to learn more, share more and interact more, this year’s event held last week in Nashville did just that.
Offering an outlet for #PassionateSecurity professionals to come together in a collaborative and intimate environment to move the industry forward was a hit for many looking for a more modern take on the traditional expo.
More than 2,000 professionals registered for the show this year, with nearly 40% being first-time registrants. Most attended for four days of networking, quality connections with peers and vendors, and some of the industry’s leading education.
“I’ve been in the security industry for a little over 30 years now. I learned more in the past two days than I have since returning to the industry two years ago,” says attendee Jonathan Schweiger, CEO of SmartTek Systems. “This may have been my first ESX, but it will not be my last! While ISC has its purpose — ESX’s purpose is completely different. Aside from it being more intimate, it pulls the industry together — to work collaboratively in a positive, productive way by focusing on solutions, not staying stuck in the problem.”
The event — owned by industry trade associations the Electronic Security Association and The Monitoring Association — has invested significant resources in ensuring quality education is delivered at registration prices that allow integration and monitoring companies of all sizes to bring their leadership teams — elevating the industry as a whole.
ESX EDUCATION.
Nearly 75% of professionals positively rated this year’s education sessions as “very good” or “excellent.” With sessions being offered that tackled today’s trends, some of the highest attended sessions included:
ESX EXPO.
Nearly 80% of attendees have reported that they were able to have quality conversations on ESX’s expo floor. “I established next steps for resolving issues and explored solutions for new opportunities,” said one attendee. “I was able to have real conversations about future acquisitions,” said another. “I met with multiple companies with national accounts and we are now setting up service calls for them in our area,” said another. “It was refreshing to have real conversations without the hustle and bustle of a large show atmosphere.”
Over 25 products were presented with ESX’s 2018 Innovation Awards, with DMP taking the overall Best in Show designation for a second year, as a result of their TechVision Challenge shark-tank-style pitch of the DMP Virtual Keypad Access platform.
ESX NETWORKING.
As an intimate event that focuses on relationships, ESX is defined by the passionate professionals who attend. The networking events encourage lasting connections, and the expo is designed to give adequate time for in-depth discussions. Without the hustle and bustle of the bigger shows, exhibitors and attendees alike took the time to get into real, meaningful conversations that will impact their businesses — and may even turn into lasting friendships.
ESX MAIN STAGE.
This year’s programming included discussions with sought-after speakers on the future of the industry, marketing in the Age of Disruption and motivating teams to achieve more. Attendees were engaged and inspired by the relevant content in these thought-provoking sessions.
Technology experts Michael Soucie, Senior Product Marketing Manager of Google; Michael Simmons, CEO of Driveway and Jeremy Warren, CTO of Vivint Smart Home discussed emerging technologies and services during the OpenXchange Breakfast, sponsored by Qolsys and endorsed by Security Dealer & Integrator Magazine and SecurityInfoWatch.com.
The panel addressed the threats and opportunities these disruptors bring to the electronic security and life safety industry, and advised attendees on how to remain relevant and competitive in the evolving marketplace.
Scott Stratten, best-selling author and President of UnMarketing, shared how attendees could create brand stories, satisfy customers and differentiate their company in his session titled “The Age of Disruption: Everything Has Changed and Nothing is Different,” sponsored by Security Dealer Network and endorsed by Security Systems News.
Don Yaeger, 11-time best-selling author and longtime Associate Editor of Sports Illustrated, told stories from interviews with many famously effective teams and leaders, then shared their secrets for connecting with a greater sense of purpose in his session titled “Great Teams Understand Why,” endorsed by SDM Magazine.
#PASSIONATESECURITY IN SCHOOLS.
This year, electronic security and life safety professionals turned their attention to the issue of school safety by participating in the ESX #PassionateSecurity in Schools Initiative, sponsored by CSR Professional Services. This timely response to the important issue facing the country today encouraged attendees to take an active role in championing solutions to increase security and safety in our nation’s schools.
As part of this initiative, the Closing Keynote Luncheon centered on practical and innovative ways for the industry to provide solutions for school security. The panel featured moderator H. “Butch” Browning, Louisiana State Fire Marshal, panelist Guy Grace, Director of Security and Emergency Planning of Littleton Public Schools, and panelist Ryan Petty, a Parkland, FL native with years of industry experience who was personally affected by the plague of violence in schools when his daughter was killed in the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (MSDH) in February.
During the expo, professionals contributed to a three-part mural, being donated next week to MSDH. The inspirational artwork, meant to create an environment of compassion and creativity, included quotes, like that from Anne Frank: “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
Offering an outlet for #PassionateSecurity professionals to come together in a collaborative and intimate environment to move the industry forward was a hit for many looking for a more modern take on the traditional expo.
More than 2,000 professionals registered for the show this year, with nearly 40% being first-time registrants. Most attended for four days of networking, quality connections with peers and vendors, and some of the industry’s leading education.
“I’ve been in the security industry for a little over 30 years now. I learned more in the past two days than I have since returning to the industry two years ago,” says attendee Jonathan Schweiger, CEO of SmartTek Systems. “This may have been my first ESX, but it will not be my last! While ISC has its purpose — ESX’s purpose is completely different. Aside from it being more intimate, it pulls the industry together — to work collaboratively in a positive, productive way by focusing on solutions, not staying stuck in the problem.”
The event — owned by industry trade associations the Electronic Security Association and The Monitoring Association — has invested significant resources in ensuring quality education is delivered at registration prices that allow integration and monitoring companies of all sizes to bring their leadership teams — elevating the industry as a whole.
“ESX proved to be the most valuable industry event for our company’s leadership team. The program, setting and networking activities were amazing,” says Pat Sparrow, Director of Business Development, Telsco Security.
ESX EDUCATION.
Nearly 75% of professionals positively rated this year’s education sessions as “very good” or “excellent.” With sessions being offered that tackled today’s trends, some of the highest attended sessions included:
- How to Get More Service Calls Completed from Your Technicians
- Metrics that Matter: Choosing and Using the Right Industry-Specific KPIs
- Top 5 Disruptive Go-To-Market Strategies Affecting the Residential Market
- Creation Costs - Defined, Dissected & Diminished
- The Monitoring Center of the Future is Here Now! – Technology You Must Leverage to Thrive
Four tracks of classes ran during the expo, giving attendees the choice to focus on one area of their business or mix and match based on whatever they found interesting.
ESX EXPO.
Nearly 80% of attendees have reported that they were able to have quality conversations on ESX’s expo floor. “I established next steps for resolving issues and explored solutions for new opportunities,” said one attendee. “I was able to have real conversations about future acquisitions,” said another. “I met with multiple companies with national accounts and we are now setting up service calls for them in our area,” said another. “It was refreshing to have real conversations without the hustle and bustle of a large show atmosphere.”
Over 25 products were presented with ESX’s 2018 Innovation Awards, with DMP taking the overall Best in Show designation for a second year, as a result of their TechVision Challenge shark-tank-style pitch of the DMP Virtual Keypad Access platform.
ESX NETWORKING.
As an intimate event that focuses on relationships, ESX is defined by the passionate professionals who attend. The networking events encourage lasting connections, and the expo is designed to give adequate time for in-depth discussions. Without the hustle and bustle of the bigger shows, exhibitors and attendees alike took the time to get into real, meaningful conversations that will impact their businesses — and may even turn into lasting friendships.
THE DIFFERENCE A QUALITY ENGAGEMENT MAKES.
This year, two attendees shared the story of their ESX friendship formed at the 2017 show that still thrives today. Dusty Daugherty and Brad Slaughter, both installation managers, met last year and have remained in contact since, hosting weekly calls for best practice sharing.
“We hit it off because we shared similar positions, and were able to share some of that insight with each other that was helpful to our companies,” said Daugherty. “We’ve been doing weekly phone calls since then, where we go over what’s been happening.”
“It’s been really valuable to pick his brain, share my experiences, and work through some difficult situations together,” said Slaughter. “One of the great things about ESX, is not only being able to see the latest and greatest products, but after meeting Dusty last year, one of the big focuses for me was to meet more industry professionals and have similar relationships like I have with Dusty.”
The two had their second in-person meet up this year at ESX 2018.
This year, two attendees shared the story of their ESX friendship formed at the 2017 show that still thrives today. Dusty Daugherty and Brad Slaughter, both installation managers, met last year and have remained in contact since, hosting weekly calls for best practice sharing.
“We hit it off because we shared similar positions, and were able to share some of that insight with each other that was helpful to our companies,” said Daugherty. “We’ve been doing weekly phone calls since then, where we go over what’s been happening.”
“It’s been really valuable to pick his brain, share my experiences, and work through some difficult situations together,” said Slaughter. “One of the great things about ESX, is not only being able to see the latest and greatest products, but after meeting Dusty last year, one of the big focuses for me was to meet more industry professionals and have similar relationships like I have with Dusty.”
The two had their second in-person meet up this year at ESX 2018.
ESX MAIN STAGE.
This year’s programming included discussions with sought-after speakers on the future of the industry, marketing in the Age of Disruption and motivating teams to achieve more. Attendees were engaged and inspired by the relevant content in these thought-provoking sessions.
Technology experts Michael Soucie, Senior Product Marketing Manager of Google; Michael Simmons, CEO of Driveway and Jeremy Warren, CTO of Vivint Smart Home discussed emerging technologies and services during the OpenXchange Breakfast, sponsored by Qolsys and endorsed by Security Dealer & Integrator Magazine and SecurityInfoWatch.com.
The panel addressed the threats and opportunities these disruptors bring to the electronic security and life safety industry, and advised attendees on how to remain relevant and competitive in the evolving marketplace.
Scott Stratten, best-selling author and President of UnMarketing, shared how attendees could create brand stories, satisfy customers and differentiate their company in his session titled “The Age of Disruption: Everything Has Changed and Nothing is Different,” sponsored by Security Dealer Network and endorsed by Security Systems News.
Keynote speaker Scott Stratten delivered an entertaining presentation centered on marketing in today's competitive landscape, which he has dubbed The Age of Disruption.
Don Yaeger, 11-time best-selling author and longtime Associate Editor of Sports Illustrated, told stories from interviews with many famously effective teams and leaders, then shared their secrets for connecting with a greater sense of purpose in his session titled “Great Teams Understand Why,” endorsed by SDM Magazine.
#PASSIONATESECURITY IN SCHOOLS.
This year, electronic security and life safety professionals turned their attention to the issue of school safety by participating in the ESX #PassionateSecurity in Schools Initiative, sponsored by CSR Professional Services. This timely response to the important issue facing the country today encouraged attendees to take an active role in championing solutions to increase security and safety in our nation’s schools.
As part of this initiative, the Closing Keynote Luncheon centered on practical and innovative ways for the industry to provide solutions for school security. The panel featured moderator H. “Butch” Browning, Louisiana State Fire Marshal, panelist Guy Grace, Director of Security and Emergency Planning of Littleton Public Schools, and panelist Ryan Petty, a Parkland, FL native with years of industry experience who was personally affected by the plague of violence in schools when his daughter was killed in the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (MSDH) in February.
During the expo, professionals contributed to a three-part mural, being donated next week to MSDH. The inspirational artwork, meant to create an environment of compassion and creativity, included quotes, like that from Anne Frank: “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
Attendees painted the three-piece mural on the expo floor as they went to and from meetings. The conversation around the activity often turned to reverence for the cause of school safety, wishes for the people of the Parkland, Florida community and admiration for the perseverence of those affected by the tragedy.
The initiative was a rallying force for attendees and a reminder to everyone that the industry is working to make the school environment safer.
ESX 2019.
ESX will bring #PassionateSecurity to Indianapolis, Indiana June 2-6, 2019. Registration for the event will open in January.
ESX is grateful to all the attendees, exhibitors and sponsors that made this year’s event and these lasting connections possible. For a full listing of this year’s sponsors, visit ESXweb.com
Remind Me: ESX 2019 Registration Opens
Add to CalendarEvent Details
WHAT:
Electronic Security ExpoWHEN:
June 2-6, 2019WHERE:
Indiana Convention Center100 S Capitol Ave, Indianapolis, IN
WHO:
2,500+ Passionate Professionals in the Electronic Security and Life Safety Industry
