In This Issue

• Association News
  Executive Perspective: Vegas Here We Are!
  Name Change Election Results Announced
  College Fire Detection Program Passes as an Amendment
  NTS Course Load Expanding to an Area Near You

• Member News
  Brink's Opens New Office
  GE Security Inducts New Honorees into Hall of Fame
  Tri-Ed Welcomes New Business Development Manager

• Member Benefit Spotlight
  BuyerZone.com

• In The News
  NBFAA in the News
  Recent Press Releases

Summary

Association News

Executive Perspective: Vegas Here We Are!
Some NBFAA staff members were out this week enjoying the 2006 NBFAA Spring Conference and CSA Symposium in Las Vegas, but our office in Irving has been up and running.

Name Change Election Results Announced
The election results for the proposed name change are in…read the latest.

College Fire Detection Program Passes as an Amendment
NBFAA achieved a major legislative victory in securing passage of an amendment to a larger education bill.

NTS Course Load Expanding to an Area Near You
Like the flowers in Spring, new courses are popping up everyday. Check out the newest course listings in your area today!

Member News

Brink’s Opens New Office
Brink’s Home Security recently opened a second branch office in the Detroit, Mich., metro area.

GE Security Inducts New Honorees into Hall of Fame
CARE Security & Monitoring, an authorized GE Security Pro custom installer, was inducted into the GE Hall of Fame at its national convention in Hawaii, February 2006.

Tri-Ed Welcomes New Business Development Manager
Tri-Ed Distribution continues to expand its staff, branch locations and product offerings and is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Business Development Manager.

Member Benefit Spotlight

See which member benefit is considered the premier source for sales leads targeting ready-to-purchase buyers.

In The News

NBFAA in the News
Recent Press Releases

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Association News

Executive Perspective: Vegas Here We Are!

It’s finally here! The 2006 NBFAA Spring Conference and Chartered State Symposium (CSA) ends today. This event was bigger than ever with numerous opportunities for industry-related training, seminars, discussions and networking.

The CSA Symposium kicked off on Sunday with a seminar titled, “Opening the Door in Government, When it’s Shut in Your Face,” conducted by Dave Simon, senior manager of Industry and Public Relations for Brink’s Home Security and John Chwat, director of Government Relations for NBFAA. Dave and John reviewed what others have done at the city, county, state and federal levels to open doors, to be heard and to influence issues to benefit the industry.

The second portion of the CSA Symposium included a workshop with Dan Cain, founder and president of Cain Consulting Group, Inc. Cain discussed how to have better board meetings, making committees work, and building the board/executive team.

Immediately after the symposium, members had the opportunity to network and enjoy hors d'oeuvres at the member reception sponsored by ISC Expo.

The “Breakfast With…” series began early Monday morning with guest speaker Dan Cain, who discussed the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002—an important U.S. security law.

And then it was time for lunch and awards. Outgoing NBFAA leaders were honored for their guidance, dedication, and service to the industry at this special luncheon, held annually. Harvey Eisenstadt received the 2006 President’s Award and Stella McDonald was the first recipient of the Meritorious Service Award. Each NBFAA Committee chair and vice chair as well as members of the Executive Committee were also recognized for their service.

Tuesday, participants had fun in the sun, while teeing off for a good cause at the AIREF/NBFAA Golf Tournament . More than $160,000 was raised for industry research. Players took the chance to Golf Without Guilt at the Revere Golf Club and then relax at the clubhouse for a “meet-and-greet” post-play cocktail.

After the tournament and cocktail, AIREF and NBFAA hosted an Evening Event at the Tangerine Lounge & Nightclub where Mel Mahler received the Morris F. Weinstock Award and Paul Baran received the Sara E. Jackson Award. Congratulations to two industry role models.

Full-conference registrants were invited to the Eighth Annual Industry Summit and Breakfast at ISC West on Wednesday morning to join fellow industry association representatives at the "invitation only" breakfast. The Industry Summit had a special keynote address from Tom Ridge, the first Secretary of Homeland Security.

“A Customized Insurance Solution for the Security Alarm Industry” was presented by insurance expert Richard Poling on Wednesday. During the session, Poling showed attendees techniques designed to lower professional liability insurance costs, as well as non-insurance techniques, including contracts and business practices, claims examples and what processes and procedures could avoid those claims.

The International Security Conference West Expo also began on Wednesday at the Sands Expo and Convention Center and continues today as it offers the latest and greatest innovations for the security industry.

We will share additional highlights from Vegas in the next edition of Member Update and Newsline!

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College Fire Detection Program Passes as an Amendment

Rep. Vito Fossella’s(R-NY)

NBFAA achieved a major legislative victory in securing passage of Rep. Vito Fossella’s(R-NY) legislation for a college fire detection grant program as an amendment to a larger Higher Education bill on the floor of the House of Representatives.

NBFAA Director of Government Relations, John Chwat, said his team worked well into the night with Rep. Fossella’s office to secure the support of Chairman Howard McKeon(R-CA), of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, and to include a scaled down version of the legislation “The College Life Safety and Fire Protection Act,” H.R.4460 into the larger bill, H.R.609, “The Higher Education Act” amendments.

The amendment was one of the few (22 to be exact) of the 117 amendments to H.R.609 that requested full House action. The Education and the Workforce Committee leadership permitted the grant program to be included in a larger $40 million program of grants administered by the U.S. Department of Education.

“We fought to retain, in the final amendment, language that was included in the bill ‘fire detection’, ‘professionally installed’ and other parts of H.R.4460,” Chwat said.

Hopeful that efforts will continue, Rep. Fossella wants to protect his language in the Senate’s consideration of the final bill, in the conference committee that will resolve the differences in both bills, and at the White House, where it will be signed into law. He also encourages meeting with Department of Education officials to influence the regulations and grant criteria and funding allocations.

Chwat said he is proud of the passing of this bill, which was introduced and passed within three and a half months.

“This event comes at an excellent time with ISC West just around the corner, the expo will provide us with the opportunities to network with members and the industry so they can begin to support us in the Senate.

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NTS Course Load Expanding to an Area Near You

Like the flowers in Spring, new courses are popping up everyday. Check out the newest course listings in your area today! NTS has recently announced new training opportunities in Georgia, Oklahoma and Nevada, visit www.alarm.org for more information. Please use the following numbers when contacting NTS: Phone: (866) 636-1687 Fax: (866) 812-3471

Course schedules for 2006 are available in the Professional Development section: www.alarm.org/nts/.

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Member News