We recently conducted a survey that found that electronic life safety and security professionals between the ages of 25 and 45 overwhelmingly believe that NBFAA is important to their businesses and that active participation in the association is important.

Catering directly to the needs of these professionals, we have founded a group called Young Security Professionals (YSP). The group offers education, mentoring, community and support to engage and cultivate young security professionals to be the next generation of industry and association leaders. The founding YSP Council members consisting of 10 Generation X company owners and principals met for the first time during NBFAA’s Leadership Summit in January.

To encourage industry-wide participation, we are planning two, free events specifically for young security professionals at the Electronic Security Expo (ESX), taking place in Baltimore, Md., June 22 – 26, 2009.

YSP Council Chair Trevor McEnaney said, “This group will produce intelligent and capable leaders who will help the industry greatly; it is an investment in the younger generation with guaranteed returns at the local, state and national level. Our predecessors have given us a wealth of knowledge and experience and we’re taking that information and moving forward with it. As someone once told me, ‘the heavy lifting has already been done, and you can benefit from it, and give back, by taking it to the next level and passing along what you have learned.’”

On Tuesday, June 23, a Young Security Professionals Launch Party will be held at the Hilton Baltimore Hotel. The reception will provide an invaluable opportunity for these folks to meet their peers and network in a fun, casual atmosphere with NBFAA leaders and its Chartered Chapters.

On Thursday, June 25, the YSP Educational Forum will be held at the Baltimore Convention Center. The two-hour forum will feature subject matter experts on business planning and succession and new revenue streams through new technologies. The sessions will be a combination of presentations and Q&A sessions.

“Getting involved now will offer an invaluable experience for up and coming industry professionals to work closely with the current industry leaders and mentors,” said Kerry Egan, YSP Council Vice Chair. “We have identified this to be the best way to prepare and develop future industry leaders and believe that our group will be a huge success.”

These two history-making events are being sponsored by GE Security, Honeywell Security, AIN Group, AXIS Communications, Brivo, Security Partners, DMP, MicroKey, Optex, Tri-Ed and Potter/Amseco. Companies interested in sponsorship can contact Tonja Jenkins at (888) 447-1689 ext. 206 or tonjaj@alarm.org.