Make a decision today to join us at this year’s ESA Day on Capitol Hill, April 27 – 28 in Washington, D.C.

This is an extremely important event and we need your help to represent ESA on Capitol Hill. Registration ends April 9 so make sure you register early to ensure a place at this year’s event.

Face-to-face meetings with elected officials are a major part of our government relations efforts to garner support from our legislative representatives on issues that are critical to our industry and public safety. Issues such as ESA’s federal background check legislation, legislative approaches to the Department of Energy’s and the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent regulatory changes, opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act and support for ESA’s balanced approach for life safety.

All appointments with elected representatives will be made in advance by our Director of Government Relations, John Chwat and his staff. Before the appointments, attendees will be given specific instructions and briefed on what to address with their legislators and how to make their presentation effective. John will also obtain security clearances for all attendees and will put together a packet of information on the issues.

Congressional speakers, networking and social events will round out the two-day visit to Congress. Plan to attend this important event and support our 2010 legislative agenda.

Our host hotel will again be the lovely St. Gregory Hotel & Suites located in the heart of Washington, D.C. We have contracted a discounted room rate of $240, plus taxes per night.

To make your hotel reservation, call (202) 530-3600 or toll free (800) 829-5034. You must mention that you are with the Electronic Security Association to get the discounted rate. Only a limited number of rooms are available so reservations are on a first come, first served basis until March 28.

Additionally, those flying to DC (airports BWI/DCA/IAD) between April 24 and May 1 can receive a 5 percent discount on airfare from American Airlines when flights are booked on-line at www.AA.com. The promotion code you will need to give is 8940AY.

More information about the Day on Capitol Hill can be found online at www.ESAweb.org

• Schedule of Events
• Register Now!
• D.C. Metro Area Map
• D.C. Metro Area Restaurants

Thank you to our Day on Capitol Hill Sponsors!

Capitol Hill Social, Hospitality – Debriefing, and Congressional Directory Sponsor

Capitol Hill Luncheon, Reception and Congressional Directory Sponsor

Capitol Hill Breakfast Sponsor

Capitol Hill Breakfast Sponsor

Capitol Hill Breakfast Sponsor

The Electronic Security Association (ESA), along with 60 other professional organizations, has called on Congress to find a solution for the rising cost of healthcare that doesn’t increase the cost of doing business.

As part of the Small Business Coalition for Affordable Healthcare, ESA is actively lobbying Congress to make smart decisions on healthcare reforms. A recent letter submitted to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) reaffirmed the coalition’s dedication to developing responsible solutions to curb healthcare costs and improve access. (Read the letter)

“As Congress reassesses its role in the healthcare reform discussion, we urge you to listen closely to the input of those on Main Street in towns and cities across the United States of America – our small businesses,” the letter states.

While ESA opposes the measures currently passed in the House and Senate, the association does support reform that improves access to quality, affordable healthcare including:

• New opportunities for small businesses to pool together and purchase insurance across state lines
• Balanced and responsible insurance market reforms
• Streamlined benefit packages
• Much-needed choices like SIMPLE cafeteria plans
• Tax equity for the nation’s self-employed
• Meaningful liability reform

However, these reforms should not include new taxes on small business health insurance, employer mandates, union and big business exemptions, increases in Medicare payroll taxes, more paperwork and costs for small businesses, new taxes specifically targeted at the small business community and prohibitions that limit employer and employee flexibility and choice.

ESA urges members to contact their elected officials and tell them healthcare reform should not come at the expense of America’s small business owners.

The January 16 – February 15 State Legislative Report, researched and compiled by the ESA Government Relations department, is now available online. The report is located in the Members section under Government Relations at www.ESAweb.org. To access the report you will be required to log in using your member user login and password.

The report contains highlights of bills followed for the period of January 16 – February 15, 2010. Included in this state legislative report are the following key issues being monitored:

• 14 bills relating to Alarms
• 13 bills relating to Automatic Contract Renewal
• 4 bills relating to Licensing
• 6 bills relating to Taxes

Questions or concerns regarding the information contained within the report should be directed to our Director of Government Relations, John Chwat at

Gov.Info@alarm.org.

We ask that the information enclosed be treated as a member benefit and shared only within your organization.

The 2010 Electronic Security Expo (ESX) will host several award ceremonies that recognize the industry’s movers and shakers. This year’s awards will highlight the latest prominent people, products and services.

Weinstock and Jackson Awards

The Morris F. Weinstock Award is presented to an industry leader in grateful appreciation for outstanding individual achievement and continued efforts on behalf of the association and the industry. The award recipient is selected by the Weinstock Committee.

The Sara E. Jackson award is given annually to the committee chair who displays outstanding leadership. The award recipient is selected by ESA’s President.

CSAA Excellence Awards

The Central Station Alarm Association’s (CSAA), Central Station Excellence Awards recognize any Central Station certified by any CSAA-approved nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL), CSAA members and non-members, and outstanding personnel who perform in the highest professional manner, thereby having made a significant contribution to the betterment of the alarm industry. Applications must be submitted by March 29, 2010. See http://www.csaaul.org/CSAACSAwards.htm for more details.

Police Dispatch Quality Award

The Police Dispatch Quality Award is given to the alarm installation/monitoring company team that achieves the highest police dispatch quality in a North American city/county.

SIAC William N. Moody

The Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC) will acknowledge those few special individuals who unselfishly give their time and talents to alarm management issues and who reflect the attributes of Bill Moody which include integrity, fairness and perseverance in the face of adversity. There’s no submission necessary and the award winners are selected by SIAC.

Maximum Impact Awards

The Maximum Impact Awards will recognize both new and recently introduced products in a wide variety of electronic security product and service categories. The deadline for entries is March 19, 2010. For more information see www.esxweb.com/mia or contact Shannon Murphy at 508-618-4224, smurphy@ae-ventures.com.

ESX provides an unmatched opportunity to honor those individuals who have really added value to our industry.  Join us this year in Pittsburgh to help congratulate the winners!

For more information bout 2010 ESX events and programming, please visit www.esxweb.com.

Chief Harper to deliver speech at Expo’s Industry IceBreaker Luncheon

ESX officially welcomes Nathan Harper, Pittsburgh’s Chief of Police, as featured speaker of its Industry IceBreaker Luncheon. The luncheon, sponsored by Vector Security and Guardian Protection, will be held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on Tuesday, Jun. 15 at 12:30pm.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity of speaking at this year’s ESX Industry Icebreaker Luncheon,” says Chief Harper. “I welcome the security professionals to the City of Pittsburgh and I look forward to strengthening the link between private security and law enforcement.”

Chief Harper is responsible for overall operations of the Bureau of Police, including formulation and control of the annual Bureau budget, development and dissemination of police directives to the Bureau, coordination of training regimens and fostering of communication among the various facets of the Police Bureau.

Harper, a 33-year-veteran of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, is devoted to his community. This lifetime advocate of public safety mentors youth and promotes unity through his participation in local community groups and faith-based organizations.

Harper has been the Chief of Police since his appointment by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl in October 2006. Prior to his appointment, Chief Harper served as Assistant Chief of Investigations, Assignment Chief of Administration and Commander of Narcotics where he was in charge of 97 Detectives responsible for investigations, wiretaps and vice investigations.  He worked closely with the FBI, Attorney General’s Office, DEA, State and County Police on joint investigations involving gangs, prostitution, and money laundering crimes.

During the luncheon, the Security Industry Alarm Coalition William N. Moody Award and the Police Dispatch Quality Award will be presented to this year’s winners.

ESX features nearly 50 seminars and an expo floor with 175 electronic security manufacturers and service providers. For more on the IceBreaker Luncheon and other ESX special events, click here.

Have You Signed Up to Enjoy Guiltless Golfing with AIREF?

The 7^th Annual Alarm Industry Research & Educational Foundation (AIREF) golf tournament will be held March 23, 2010 at the Revere Golf Club in Las Vegas, one day prior to ISC West. The tournament promises players a casual golf outing with other industry professionals while supporting AIREF initiatives in the process.

AIREF, an all-volunteer nonprofit foundation, was created in 1977 by ESA to serve as the research arm of the industry and funding for the foundation is derived almost solely from the golf tournament. In 2003, ESA and AIREF founded the tournament as a way to help raise money for industry research.

Research studies funded by AIREF include a survey of Salt Lake City residents that showed 65 percent of registered voters disapprove of the city’s verified response ordinance and a more recent study by Rutgers University that proved scientifically that residential burglar alarms deter crime.

To register for the tournament, visit www.airef.org. For more information about the tournament and sponsorship opportunities, call (203) 762-2444 or email Pat Remes at premes@airef.org.

To learn more about AIREF’s initiatives and studies, visit www.airef.org.

Mark your calendar and start making plans to attend these exciting ESA events in 2010.

AIREF Golf Classic

March 23

Las Vegas, NV

You know you love it – the annual AIREF Golf Classic in Las Vegas. Make sure you’re there to take part in a day of world-class golfing with your industry colleagues and golf without guilt because you’ll be supporting a great cause! Register Now!

ESA Day on Capitol Hill

April 27 – 28

Washington, D.C.

The premiere lobbying event of the industry, Day on Capitol Hill offers ESA members an opportunity to sit down with their elected officials and lobby for programs and initiatives to benefit the electronic security industry and their businesses.

ESA has once again received a negotiated rate from St. Gregory Hotel & Suites. Attendees can receive accommodations at $240 per night. Registration information is available at www.ESAweb.org.

Participants attend this event at no charge thanks to support from our sponsors which this year include GE Security, Honeywell, Altronix, Diebold, and Security America RRG.

Looking forward: 2010 ESA Summer Conference

June 14 – 18

Pittsburgh, PA

The ESA Summer Conference is where association leaders help shape the future of ESA and work to improve the business environment for the security industry. You can make a difference – join us for the 2010 ESA Summer Conference. Learn more about Pittsburgh, click here.

View the exciting Welcome to Pittsburgh 2010 video

Electronic Security Expo (ESX) – Where Leaders are Made

June 14 – 18

The Electronic Security Expo experienced its second year of success in 2009 and the excitement continues to build. Be sure to register early for 2010 ESX – Where Leaders are Made. Register Now!

Book your hotel rooms in advance to ensure discounted, convenient accommodations. Arrangements have been made with the following hotels:

• Renaissance – $129 per night
• Westin – $179 per night
• Omni – $179 per night

Social media offers a unique opportunity for ESA to reach members, consumers and public safety officials like no other media before it. It is also a powerful way for members to reach members and other industry constituents.

To tap into this immense resource, ESA has established a working group on LinkedIn with more than 700 active members. Access to our LinkedIn group is limited to current ESA members and those who own, or are employed by, an electronic life safety, security and integrated systems company. We actively screen requests to join our group and only those that meet this specification are granted access. Members of our group can be assured that they won’t see a lot of spam posts from recruiters or others that are trying to solicit unwanted services.

ESA has also established a “Fan Page” on Facebook to access it’s more than 3 million members. This page is open to any and all who would like more information about the industry and the association. Fans of ESA can expect regular updates on important issues and events going on in the industry and with the association.

Become a fan of ESA today by participating in our online social media campaigns.

• Join our group on LinkedIn
• Become a fan of our page on Facebook

GEM Electronics was initially a USA manufacturer of standard coaxial connectors that evolved quickly into a problem solving institution after witnessing the connectorization problems that were persistent in the CCTV market. Their goal thus became one of solving these problems. GEM Electronics assists the installer in drastically reducing that unacceptable failure rate with a superior connector design, detailed assembly procedures and proper tooling. Today, GEM offers a full line of very cost effective connectors, baluns, IP converters and cameras. Visit www.gemelec.com for more on their products.

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Secura Key has been a leading access control manufacturer for more than 38 years, offering contactless smart card, proximity and RFID technologies, standalone access control units and complete systems controlling up to 200 doors. Secura Key located in Chatsworth CA, has complete in-house engineering, design, card manufacturing and printing capabilities. For more information on Secura Key’s products and services, visit www.securakey.com or call (818) 882-0020.

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2GIG Technologies manufactures the most technologically advanced residential security and home management solutions in the industry. Formed in 2007 by former Honeywell Security veterans Lance Dean and Scott Simon, 2GIG Technologies is a member of the Z-Wave Alliance, which enables 2GIG to provide customers with one of the most innovative and interactive home security platforms on the market. In addition, the company’s partnership with T-Mobile’s USA M2M division provides a robust wireless infrastructure for its security suite of products. 2GIG Technologies is committed to providing consumers with the flexibility and cost-effective technology necessary to manage their home automation and security functions from the panel’s LCD touch-screen display, the Internet, or their PDA (Internet and PDA functionality via alarm.com). For more information on their products and services, visit www.2gig.com or call (801) 221-9162.

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SecurityTronix, a division of North American Cable Equipment, Inc., (NACE) is a national, specialty manufacturer and distributor of electronics and installation products to the Security, CATV and Satellite TV industries. Leveraging its reputation as a successful and innovative products company, NACE introduced the SecurityTronix brand of cable, connectors, tools, CCTV cameras, DVR’s and monitors to the Security industry. With three warehouses and sales offices throughout the United States, NACE offers quality security products and expertise at highly competitive prices. For more information, visit www.northamericancable.com or www.securitytronix.com.

Discover the benefits and value our associate members have to offer you and your business. We asked some of our newest associate members the following three questions:

1. What are some of the benefits that our members will gain from purchasing your products and/or using your services?
2. What do you want our members to know about your employees?
3. What does your best target prospect look like?

Check out their answers below.

GEM Electronics has evolved into a problem solving organization that has a standard line of products or will develop a new product to suit your specific application. Our guiding goal is always to provide a product that is cost and performance oriented thereby providing products that maximize the performance of the system install while meeting our clients’ cost objectives. Our employees have been with the organization for over 20 years. Our target market is all integrators in the CCTV market.

Secura Key offers very easy to install, user friendly, reliable access control products that are low maintenance with unconditional warranties.  A security dealer can easily expand their business with our access control products. We offer very easy to install, user friendly and reliable access control products that are low maintenance with unconditional warranties. A security dealer can easily expand their business with our access control products. Small integrators in the 10 to 200 door market and security dealers that want to add an additional product line to their offering.

2GIG Technologies can provide the most current security and home automation upgradeable applications for companies to offer their customers such as weather, alerts, and messaging right to their color touch screen panel. Our employees have many years of manufacturing experience in the security industry. Our best target market is the mid-tier residential security market.

Statistics show that on a dollar for dollar basis, promotional products are the most cost effective way to reach your customers and help them to associate your company name with your brands, products and services.  With more than 20 years of experience in the promotional products industry, BjM Promotions is able to provide creative and effective products to help companies promote their brand.  Our focus is on creating strong partnerships with our customers and gaining an understanding of their needs and goals, allowing us to become an extension of their company. We want to be there for all of our client’s to anticipate and meet all of their needs for everything from apparel to accessory items. BjM Promotions has been working with multiple Fire and Security companies for many years, providing them with all of their branded merchandise. This experience has allowed us to build our expertise on the type of products and ideas that provide the best results. We are constantly researching and finding new products and have packaged this for our clients on an easy to navigate website making finding the right product a breeze.  In addition to our online catalog we provide exceptional customer service with dedicated account managers who are not only able to find the right product, but also help with the best way to make use of those products. For example, using branded apparel products to allow your employees to present your brand in an attractive and consistent way or using promotional items to make your brand known, keep your name in front of existing clients and show appreciation for loyal customers and employees.  When working with BjM Promotions, you are supported by a dedicated team, rather than just one individual.  Our account managers understand the business and how important it is to give value in both the products they sell as well as the service they provide.  They are assisted by our entire team of enthusiastic people, dedicated to the success of every order from quoting to delivery, ensuring that we consistently exceed our client’s expectations.  We also have an outstanding in-house graphics department, able to help with all of your design needs making your brand look its best.  Our management team is involved every step of the way providing their 20 years of industry experience.  At BjM Promotions our success is in promoting you.

With three stocking warehouse and shipping locations (located in Pennsylvania, Missouri and Nevada) SecurityTronix, a division of North American Cable Equipment, Inc., has great national coverage and offer quick shipping and delivery of customer orders. Our sales people are not just order takers. They have weekly training sessions and are highly knowledgeable about products and systems. They are able to answer technical questions. Our target market is CCTV, and small and large integrators.

By now, you’ve no doubt taken a look at the new NTS e-newsletter, NTS News. We’re looking for companies to profile in NTS News each month and that company could be yours!

We want to feature companies that are advocates of training and go out of their way to support NTS courses.  If your company is an NTS supporter, don’t be shy!  Send us your contact information including your name, phone number and email address and we’ll get in touch with you.  We’re interested in your experiences with NTS.

If you know of companies that support NTS courses and are advocates of training, take a moment to send us their names and we’ll follow up.

Send your information to NTS@alarm.org.

Thank you so much!

Generous discounts on business-critical training is a very popular member benefit! Check out the listing of upcoming NTS courses to see what training is coming to your area.

Complete course descriptions (and schedules) are available at www.ESAWeb.org in the Education & Training section. Individuals in states where classes are not currently offered, and who are interested in receiving training, should contact NTS.

KEY COURSES:

CERTIFIED ALARM TECHNICIAN – LEVEL I (CAT – LEVEL I)

Available Online

• March 9 – 11 – Pittsburgh, PA
• March 10 – 12 – Rochester, NY
• March 16 – 18 – Orlando, FL
• March 18 – 20 – Gulfport, MS
• March 18 – 20 – Utah
• March 19 – 21 – Milford, CT
• March 19 – 21 – Chattanooga, TN
• March 23 – 25 – Bettendorf, IA
• March 26 – 28 – Kenner, LA
• March 30 – April 1 – Charlotte, NC

TROUBLE SHOOTING, SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE (TSM)

• March 6 – 7 – Johnson City, TN
• March 10 – 11 – Des Moines, IA
• March 19 – 20 – Memphis, TN
• March 19 – 21 – Nashville, TN
• March 26 – 27 – Jackson, MS

ELECTRONIC ACCESS CONTROL (EAC)

• March 25 – 26 – Montgomery, AL

VIDEO SYSTEM TECHNOLOGIES (VST)

• March 10 – 11 – Detroit, MI
• March 10 – 11 – Philadelphia, PA
• March 16 – 17 – Milwaukee, WI
• March 17 – 18 – Boston, MA
• March 20 – 21 – Lafayette, LA

ADVANCED INTRUSION SYSTEMS (AIS)

Also known as Advanced Burglar Alarm Technician

Available Online

• March 6 – 7 – Lafayette, LA
• March 9 – 10 – Allentown, PA
• March 18 – 19 – Montgomery, AL
• March 27 – 28 – Nashville, TN

FIRE ALARM INSTALLATION METHODS (FAIM)

Available Online

• March 13 – 14 – Kenner, LA
• March 23 – 24 – Ft. Walton, FL

NEW COURSES:

LIFE SAFETY CODE COURSE & WORKSHOP

• March 24 – Birmingham, AL

NON-TECHNICAL COURSES:

UNDERSTANDING ALARM SYSTEMS

• March 17 – Birmingham, AL

If only everything in life were this simple. With Bank of America’s WorldPoints rewards program, you earn one point for every dollar in net retail purchases you make using the credit card without complications or hassles. Then, easily redeem your points online or by phone.

Enjoy the flexibility of one of the industry’s most robust rewards programs. Use your points to get cash back for: travel on any major U.S. airline with no blackout dates, brand-name merchandise, and gift cards or unique experiential rewards.

Make life easy and earn points faster. Set up your monthly bills to charge to your WorldPoints credit card and use your credit card to pay for everyday purchases. Let your MyConcierge do the work for you. Shop online through the WorldPoints Mall. For more information about the rates, fees, other costs and benefits of this credit card program, call (866) 438-6262.

Are you taking advantage of these cost savings?  ESA provides you with money-saving opportunities as part of your membership. Go to the Web site often and check out the coupon savings and our member discount programs. If you’re not using these companies, you might be leaving money on the table.

Members, get your discount codes here.

A new Carbon Monoxide Alarms Law went into effect February 22 in the state of New York.

The new law requires a carbon monoxide alarm to be installed “within each dwelling unit or sleeping unit having a sleeping area,” and “within each dwelling unit or sleeping unit, on each story where a carbon monoxide source is located,” for all buildings constructed on or after January 1, 2008. The law stipulates that one carbon monoxide alarm will be sufficient when installed on a story of a dwelling unit or sleeping unit having both a sleeping area and a carbon monoxide source.

For buildings constructed before January 1, 2008, a carbon monoxide alarm must be installed on the lowest story having a sleeping area within each dwelling unit or sleeping unit.

The law also requires that carbon monoxide alarms be interconnected within the same unit in such a way that when one alarm is triggered, all of the alarms in the unit will sound with the exception of alarms that are permitted to be battery operated.

For more information, visit http://dos.state.ny.us/code/COAlarm.htm and http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wrvo/news.newsmain/article/1/0/1614377

Tri-Ed sent four lucky customers and their guests off to the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver as part of its customer appreciate program.

Together with several of its vendor partners –ACTi, Aiphone, Bosch, Clinton Electronics, Digital Watchdog, DSC, GE Security, Kantech, Panasonic, and Sound Acoustics – Tri-Ed Vancouver held four weekly drawings for the Olympic tickets. Customers who purchased $500 worth of participating vendor products were entered to win two tickets to a 2010 Winter Game event. Competitions up for grabs were an Olympic Mogul event, Olympic Hockey event, Olympic Hockey Semi-Final event, and an Olympic Speed Skating event.

One lucky winner, Sukh Bains, General Manager of Action Lock and Security in Vancouver, was there to witness history when Canada’s first Gold Medal on Canadian soil was won by Alexandre Bilodeau in the Men’s Mogul Event. “We had a great time at Cypress Mountain,” he reported. “Thank you so much to Tri-Ed and its vendors for making it happen. My 11 year old could not stop smiling when we won the Gold Medal.” Monique Cherrie, Tri-Ed’s Western Regional Coordinator in Vancouver, adds “We value our customers so much, and are happy to show them our appreciation however possible. This Olympic draw contest is just part of that commitment.”

Tri-Ed Distribution is pleased to announce the promotion of Jason Johnson to Branch Manager at its new Union City, California branch. Jason brings with him over six years of Tri-Ed experience along with another 12 years of practical installation expertise. He has relocated to the Bay area from his home in Garden Grove to manage operations at the Union City branch location.

“Jason has been one of the leading team members in Garden Grove and has helped bring tremendous success to that branch,” says Gary Gray, Tri-Ed’s Regional VP of Sales for the Western U.S. “I know he will shine in serving the needs of all of our Union City customers, as well.”