Thursday, June 19, 2008
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In This Issue
NBFAA News
Your Time is Running Short, ESX is Just around the Corner
Event Sponsors |
You won’t want to miss this one-of-a-kind event that has the needs of security professionals in mind. More training and seminars will be offered than you can shake a stick at; each one designed to help your businesses, and your employees grow. This is your show – so come on out and support it.
In addition to training, there will also be wonderful social events including the NBFAA/CSAA 60th Anniversary Party and Big Bash, the Weinstock and Jackson Memorial Awards Reception, the TBFAA Skeet Shoot and Club Crawl, a New Member Reception and annual Membership Meeting. Several vendors will also be on hand demonstrating the latest and greatest technology the industry has to offer
Registration can be completed online in as little as five minutes. Simply click the link below to get started.
For those that have already registered, get your complete schedule from the link below.
NBFAA Works with Congressman on Important New Legislation
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The measure directs the Secretary of Education to use $6.4 billion in authorized grants to state educational agencies for the modernization, renovation, or repair of public school facilities. When the bill first passed through the House Education and Labor Committee, it only mentioned fire and safety standards as one of the areas for grant recipients.
Arcuri and his staff worked along with the House Education and Labor Committee staff and were able to insert a ‘manager’s amendment;’ a last minute change to the final bill before it was approved by the full House. The amendment added the phrase, “including professional installation of fire/life safety alarms,’ to the following section:
“(3) bringing public schools in compliance with fire, health, and safety codes, including professional installation of fire/life safety alarms, including modernizations, renovations, and repairs that ensure schools are prepared for emergencies, such as improving building infrastructure to accommodate security measures;”
“These alarms are necessary to alert students, staff and teachers to evacuate a public school facility when an emergency is detected. Professional installers, such as NBFAA member companies, are essential to the proper functioning of fire or security alarm systems since they are proficient in electronic systems and the codes and standards for this type of equipment installation,” explained NBFAA President George P. Gunning.
We will continue to work on this important legislation in the Senate to see that the language is preserved, and encourage all those interested in life safety issues to support our efforts. To find out more about this and other important life safety legislation supported by NBFAA visit www.alarm.org or contact John Chwat, NBFAA Government Relations director at gov.info@alarm.org.
NBFAA Welcomes Vista Business Services as the Newest Associate Member
Don’t miss out on a single benefit of NBFAA membership. Go to the Web site often and check out our associate members and our member benefit partners. If you’re not using these companies, you might be leaving money on the table.
Vista Business Services is an independent consulting company specializing in reducing business operating expenses in three hard to track areas; phone bills, merchant services and Sprint/Nextel wireless expenses.
We understand that most business owners, and managers, focus attention on operating and managing their business. This can make it very difficult to keep track of changes in these basic, yet necessary expenses, thereby losing easy opportunities to reduce these expenses. Our expertise allows you to focus your corporate resources on running and growing your business; instead of losing time tracking and monitoring these expenses.
We have created a program specifically designed for NBFAA members. Discounted credit card processing fees based on the actual cost of processing (disclosure will be provided), reduction in your office phone bills by 15 percent to as much as 45 percent, and finally up to 18 percent monthly discounts applied to your Sprint/Nextel bill if you qualify.
Customer Confidence Soars with NTS Trained Technicians
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It’s no secret that when a customer relies on someone to provide their family or their business the safety and security they desire, they want that person to be the best trained individual out there. NTS classes can help your staff get the training they need, and your customers expect. Complete course descriptions and schedules are available at www.alarm.org under Education & Training. Classroom courses are listed by state and class type. Individuals in states where classes are not currently offered, who are interested in receiving training, should contact NTS. For a complete NTS schedule visit NBFAA online. |
Please use the following to contact NTS:
Send any hard copy correspondence to NTS at the following address:
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CERTIFIED ALARM TECHNICIAN (Level I)
- June 20 – 22 – Montevallo, Ala.
- June 27 – 29 – Lafayette, La.
ELECTRONIC ACCESS CONTROL (EAC)
- June 19 – 20 – Atlanta, Ga.
- June 19 – 20 – Las Vegas, Nev
FIRE ALARM INSTALLATION METHODS
- June 21 – 22 – Kenner, La.
- June 24 – 25 – Lenexa, Kan.
- June 24 – 25 – Louisville, Ky.
NBFAA Calendar Highlights
Some Information to Help You with Your Nashville Experience
We look forward to seeing you at the upcoming NBFAA Summer Conference being held in conjunction with the Electronic Security Exposition (ESX). We’re very excited about this inaugural event and hope you will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity for education, inspiration, and entertaining events.
ESX 2008 is all about your success and the only event of its kind sponsored and owned by your industry!
If you haven’t registered yet WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!!!!!
A complete event schedule can be downloaded by clicking here. Below we have provided additional information you will find helpful when attending this year’s event.
*Please note that registration has now been changed to start at noon instead of 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 23, 2008.
Dress Code:
- Committee Meeting (Business Casual)
- Luncheons, Breakfasts (Business Casual)
- New Member Reception (Business Casual)
- Board of Directors Meeting (Business Attire, coat & tie)
- Weinstock\Jackson Reception (Cocktail Attire)
- NBFAA 60th Anniversary Celebration\ESX Big Bash (Casual Attire, or Festive Western Attire)
Transportation:
Hotel:
Both the Renaissance and Sheraton hotels recommended Gray Line shuttle for airport transportation to and from the hotel. Gray Line has a counter (middle counter) located inside the airport one level below baggage claim.
The Gray Line Airport Express services the downtown and west end hotels of Nashville from the Nashville International Airport. Service begins at 5:00 am and runs until 11:00 pm. Shuttles depart every 15-20 minutes from the airport and every 30 minutes from most hotels. Reservations are not required for the service from the Airport. For more information, visit Gray Line’s Web site.
Taxi service is another option which would run approximately $22.00 per cab for up to four people.
Shuttle Info:
One way - $12.00 per person
Round trip - $20.00 per person
Taxi Info
Signature Transportation - (866) 378-1916
Nashville Checker Cab - (615) 256-7000
Skeet Shoot:
Tuesday, June 24th 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm (CDT)
Complimentary shuttle service will be outside the Renaissance hotel lobby at 2:30 p.m. leaving no later than 2:45 p.m. delivering you to Nashville Gun Club. It will be departing at 5:30 p.m. to return you to the Renaissance by 6:00 p.m.
Weinstock and Jackson Memorial Awards Reception:
Tuesday, June 24th 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm (CDT)
The Morris F. Weinstock and Sara E. Jackson Memorial Awards Reception will be held at the Country Music Hall of Fame which is half a mile away should you choose to walk from the Renaissance hotel. NBFAA will also be providing shuttle service to and from the event.
Transportation to and from that event will be provided by NBFAA. We have secured a shuttle service that will take people to and from the Country Music Hall of Fame between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Those wishing to ride over to the event will need to be in the lobby of the Renaissance Hotel at promptly 6 p.m. NBFAA staff member, Mike Hampton will be the shuttle coordinator and will be in the lobby to assist in transportation. The shuttle will continue to ferry people to and from the event with the last shuttle leaving the Country Music Hall of Fame at 10 p.m.
Those wishing to secure their own transportation may do so.
Helpful Links:
- Country Music Hall of Fame
- Nashville Convention Center
- Renaissance Hotel
- Sheraton Hotel
- ESX Website
- Special NBFAA Promotions
- All Things Nashville
- Marty Stuart
We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable conference and we look forward to seeing you all soon.
Chapter News
Former PBFAA President Present Scholarship Award at Student’s School
Patrick Egan, founder and former president of the Pennsylvania Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (PBFAA), visited Lewiston Area High School to present a first-place PBFAA Youth Scholarship Award to graduating senior Emilee Mae Geedey.
Egan also surprised Geedey and her family with news that she won third place in the NBFAA Youth Scholarship Program. Geedey first competed in a statewide competition against more than 125 other entrants and then in the NBFAA program, a national competition that had applicants from more than 15 states. PBFAA awarded Geedey a $2,000 scholarship and she received an addition $2,500 for her third place finish in the national competition.
The Youth Scholarship Program was launched by NBFAA in 1996 in an effort to promote goodwill among the electronic systems industry and police and fire officials. The PBFAA became involved in this program in 1998 and has awarded more than $34,000 over the last 10 years.
Applicants are required to write essays about “What It Means to Me to Have My Parent or Guardian Involved in Securing Our Community.” Geedey’s father, Richard Geedey, became a Pennsylvania state trooper after serving in the Air Force and has served as a role model in his community and in the life of his family. His passion for helping others has been instilled in his daughter as her next steps after graduation will focus on receiving a degree for a physician’s assistant from St. Francis University in Cambria County, Pa.
“Having my father working to secure our community means the world to me. I could not be more proud of him and the work he does to protect our safety and to provide for my family, Geedey said.
Wisconsin Elects New Officers
The Wisconsin Burglar & Fire Alarm Association has elected new officers for 2008-2009. Congratulations to the new Wisconsin officers.
- Chris Utter, President, H&S Protection Systems
- Tom Binish, Vice President, A&A Fire and Security
- Joshua Manning, Secretary, Per Mar Security Services
- Dave Koenig, Treasurer, Capitol Lock
- James Flater, Member-at-large, Fast Alert Alarm & Security
- Michael Witchie, Associate Member, Honeywell Security & Custom Electronics
- Andy Abbott, Immediate Past President
For other upcoming chapter events check out the NBFAA online Event Calendar.
Member Benefit Spotlight
Don’t miss out on a single benefit of NBFAA membership. Go to the Web site often and check out our associate members and our member benefit partners. If you’re not using these companies, you might be leaving money on the table.
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Industry News You Can Use
Home Depot Abandons Security, Smart Home Installations
So many big-box retailers have tried to do "smart home" installations, and so many have failed. Add Home Depot to that list, which includes Sears and Best Buy.
Full Story
Bill Would Crack down on False Alarms
The county government is proposing some of the steepest fines in the state for people whose security systems repeatedly summon police to false alarms.
Full Story
Fines for False Alarms Raise Questions
The county government is proposing some of the steepest fines in the state for people whose security systems repeatedly summon police to false alarms.
Full Story
Bill that Increases ‘Bottom Line for Security Integrators’ to Become Law
A bill that's being heralded as a way for security integrators and manufacturers to greatly increase business with state and local governments passed the Senate June 10 and is expected to be signed into law by the president shortly.
Full Story
Chicago Ordinance Proposes Security Systems in Vacant Buildings
An ordinance due to hit the Chicago City Council this week would require owners of buildings vacant for more than six months to install and "maintain a working burglar alarm system." The ordinance was proposed by Mayor Richard Daley in an effort to clean up the city.
Full Story
CSAA to Release Licensing Documents, Wiki-Style
The Central Station Alarm Association is expected to announce at the Electronic Security Expo here on June 25-27 the release date of a licensing and regulation resource to assist monitoring companies in managing state licensing requirements.
Full Story
Member News
SentryNet Drives Dealers on ‘The Road to Success’ at Annual Dealers Meeting
SentryNet dealers were introduced to new opportunities for generating recurring monthly revenue (RMR) at their annual dealer meeting. Attendance soared this year at the Pearl River Resort in Philadelphia, Miss., with dealers coming from as far away as Jacksonville, Fla., Houston, Texas and Oklahoma City.
SentryNet President David Avritt welcomed more than 135 dealers and vendors to this year’s meeting telling attendees “We have assembled the best and most progressive vendors, manufacturers and suppliers for you to meet face to face. Take the time to talk with them. Listen to their input and look for ways to grow your business.”
The two-day agenda was packed with exciting speakers, CEU classes, and the introduction of SentryNet’s new Managed Access Control Program. There was also plenty of networking and socializing during breaks and meals at the SentryNet trade show. Dealers and vendors made new friends and contacts while showing off the latestSecurity Partners LLC Announces Significant Growth, Relocation and Grand Opening Celebration
Security Partners LLC announced a 40 percent growth in its number of monitored accounts from October 2007 until now. With dealers located in more than 29 states, they are now monitoring more than 21,000 accounts nationwide, and look forward to increasing that number in 2008 and beyond.
Their recent move to 241 N. Plum Street in Lancaster, Pa. will enable them to continue growing. They moved to their new facility in October 2007, and have doubled their number of central station operators and expanded their dealer network. Security Partners moved their Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA) 5-Diamond Certified, Underwriters Laboratories Listed and Factory Mutual Approved Central Monitoring Station seamlessly to ensure uninterrupted monitoring and protection of the homes and businesses they serve.
To celebrate their successful move and record growth, Security Partners will host an open house celebration on October 1, 2008. Details and invitations will follow.
Stanley to Acquire Sonitrol, Sell Off CST-Berger
The Stanley Works announced June 11 two separate agreements to acquire monitoring and installation firm Sonitrol for $275 million and sell off its CST/berger laser leveling and measuring business, based in West Lafayette, Ind., to Robert Bosch Tool Corporation for $205 million.
Full Story
Brink’s Home Security to Go away by 2012
Industry watchers were taken by surprise by the news, included in a lengthy May 30 SEC filing, that Brink's Home Security has been paying royalties (7 percent of revenue--roughly $33 million in 2007) to sister company Brink's, Inc., to use the Brink's Home Security name and will lose that privilege three years after the two companies are spun off into independent firms by The Brink's Company at the end of this year.
Full Story
NBFAA and Members in the News
NBFAA in the News
ESX to Debut this Month in Nashville
SDM
From June 25 through 27 in Nashville, a first of its kind event will be held – the Electronic Security Expo (ESX). ESX 2008 is all about the success of security installation companies. Through its education and inspiration programs and the exposition, ESX can give security dealers the tools and information they need to succeed.
Full Story
Recent Press Releases
NBFAA and Rep. Arcuri Succeed with Life Safety Legislation
The National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA) Government Relations team met with success as they recently worked with Rep. Michael Arcuri (D-NY) to insert fire life safety alarms language into H.R. 3021, the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act.
Full Story
For Member Update
Sponsorship information, contact
NBFAA Senior Director of Business Development Tonja
Jenkins.
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