The October 15 – November 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.alarm.org. To access the report you will be required to log in using your member user login and password

The report contains subject highlights of bills followed for the months of October – November:

• 34 bills relating to Alarms
• 11 bills relating to Automatic Contract Renewal
• 7 bills relating to CCTV
• 75 bills relating to Licensing
• 9 bills relating to Taxes
• 2 bill relating to Line of Duty Act fees for Alarm Companies

Of particular interest this month, AL S 23, a bill that would provide that a locksmith who has been licensed for ten years or more as a locksmith or who submits a notarized affidavit from another locksmith that he or she has 10 years or more experience as a locksmith shall be exempt from any continuing education requirements adopted by the board; FL S 508, a bill that relates to electrical and alarm system contracting and requires that an electrical journeyman be present on any industrial or commercial new construction site when certain electrical work is being performed; IL H 4638, a bill that amends the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004; concerns the qualifications for licensure as a private alarm contractor, provides that an applicant must have a minimum of 3 years experience during the 5 years immediately preceding the application; makes other changes concerning the experience requirements for licensure; RI H 6313, a bill that provides that smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detector certificates be valid for a period of not less than 120 days, and it applies to and validate all certificates issued after the effective date or within 120 days prior to the effective date; and WI S 190, a bill that relates to renewals and extensions of business contracts, which was amended to provide changes to the definition of “business contract” to specify that a contract for the lease of business equipment is included only if “any of the business equipment is used primarily in Wisconsin” and which provides that the seller may send the reminder notice up to 60 days, rather than 45 days, before the deadline for the buyer to decline renewal or extension.

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 House of Representatives voted to pass the healthcare bill on Saturday, November 7, 2009. Click here to find out how your state representative voted on this legislation.

The deadline for free registration for the 2010 Leadership Summit is only 19 days away and counting. The summit will be held from Tuesday, January 12 through Thursday, January 14 and you must register by December 14 to avoid the $125 registration fee. So don’t delay – register today!

If you need more reasons to register early, look at what we’ve got lined up for you:

Day One: Let your voice be heard

The first day of the conference is packed with committee meetings. Committee meetings are a great opportunity for members and chapter leaders to get involved with, and learn more about, upcoming programs, issues and ideas to take back to your state and/or businesses. While only appointed members may vote, the meetings are open to anyone and discussion and comments are always welcome.

At the end of the day there will be a welcome reception and affinity partner expo. This is your opportunity to enjoy some good food and mingle with other attendees in a more casual atmosphere. You can also take advantage of the programs ESA’s Member Value Partners are offering.

Day Two: Getting down to the nitty gritty

The second day of the summit contains almost more information and entertainment than you can consume. You’ll want to be sure and pace yourself – and hydrating is also a good idea.

We begin the day with a State Association Leadership Breakfast sponsored by Security America Risk Retention Group, quickly followed by an ESA Update where you’ll get an opportunity to learn just what’s been going on at the national association.

The summit’s first seminar begins with The Future of Communication and Attention in the Age of Social Media presented by Maura Thomas of Burget Avenue Management Services. In this 1 hour and 15 minute session you’ll learn there’s nothing to be afraid of when it comes to social media. You’ll discover manageable ways to consider incorporating social media into your life, the truth about multi-tasking, techniques to maintain focus and ideas to control information and technology. This is certain to be a popular session so get your seat early.

After you’ve learned that tweeting isn’t a dirty word, you’ll be treated to a wonderful networking lunch generously sponsored by ADI before heading back to choose between two excellent seminars to attend: Megatrends 2010 – Trends That Will Impact How you Conduct Business and Innovative Income – Looking Beyond Membership Dues.

Megatrends 2010 – Trends That Will Impact How You Conduct Business will be conducted by Ron Davis of GreybeardsRus. Designed for upper management and security business owners, this new seminar will focus on emerging trends that will have a strong impact on how security companies are managed. In addition to identifying the trends, Ron will give fact-filled ways and means of capitalizing and benefitting from these megatrends. Bring a sharp mind, a pencil and paper (or computer) for quick note taking and be the first to know what the next “big event” in the industry is going to be.

Innovative Income – Looking Beyond Membership Dues will be conducted by John Galante of AE Ventures. This session includes a look at how successful chapters leverage training to drive revenues and membership. You’ll look at the programs, processes and promotions used to create non-dues revenue, then break into round tables where you can discuss with your peers how to put some of these best practices to work in your association. Don’t miss this session that will provide information and ideas that are key to the health and growth of your association.

We’ve also taken your advice and added some free social time into the schedule on the second day. Attendees can feel free to socialize and mingle at the hotel or around downtown Ft. Worth. For those who wish to pay a little extra, we have organized a skeet shoot at a local range as well.

That evening you’ll enjoy a fun-filled event at the annual Leadership Awards Dinner sponsored by Honeywell Security. It’s going to be so awesome that we can’t even tell you about it yet.

Day Three: Starting to wind down

The final day of the summit starts to wrap things up with a wonderful board orientation by Ginger Nichols of the GinCommGroup titled Achieving Board Excellence.

This session will teach you what sets a high performing board apart from those that are well-meaning but ineffective. Research and practical experience indicate that there are specific characteristics that distinguish excellent boards, and that these characteristics can be learned and adopted for results that position the association for success.  Although everyone is invited, those who currently sit on the ESA Board are requested to attend this orientation.

The day finishes up with an Executive Directors Forum, the ESA Chartered Chapter Meeting and the ESA Board of Directors Meeting.

A chapter appreciation reception, sponsored by Altronix, will be the final event for the summit. Enjoy good food, good drinks and some lasting conversation before you say goodbye to yet another productive and worthwhile summit.

Thank you to our 2010 Leadership Summit Sponsors:

During the 2010 ESA Leadership Summit, January 12 – 14, we’re going to honor those who’ve done an outstanding job promoting their association and the security industry.

The winners of these awards will be announced on January 13 during the 2010 Leadership Summit Awards Dinner, sponsored by Honeywell Security. Those nominated should be leaders who have made an outstanding and exceptional contribution to the security industry through their work within their chapter, their association and through their chapter publications.

Please nominate your favorites by clicking on the categories below. The deadline for submitting your nominations is December 4. The categories for the 2010 event are:

• Chapter of the Year
• Executive Director of the Year
• President of the Year
• Newsletter of the Year
• NTS Instructor of the Year
• State Training Coordinator of the Year
• Website of the Year

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

ESA Leadership Summit: Embracing the Future

Jan 12 – 14, 2010
Fort Worth, TX

This year, the annual Leadership Summit will be held in historic downtown Fort Worth. Featuring three full days of important meetings and networking, the summit will also include valuable seminars addressing industry trends and how chapters can generate non-dues revenue.

ESA has contracted a negotiated rate at the Fort Worth Renaissance hotel for $179 per night.

Registration for the summit is free when completed by Monday, December 14. Late registrations will be accepted through January 5 at a cost of $125. On-site registration will be available for $150. A cancellation fee of $125 will apply for cancellations after December 15.

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!

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 your business.

ESA has once again received a negotiated rate from St. Gregory Hotel & Suites. Attendees can receive accommodations at $240 per night. You may register at www.alarm.org beginning February 1, 2010.

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. To view the exciting Welcome to Pittsburgh 2010 video, click here.

Electronic Security Expo (ESX) – Where Leaders are Made
June 14 – 18
Electronic Security Expo experienced its second year of success and the excitement continues to build. Be sure to register early for 2010 ESX – Where Leaders are Made. 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

John Murphy, president of Vector Security, was this year’s recipient of the Triton Award.

Murphy has more than 30 years of experience in finance and corporate management and has led Vector Security since 1991. He is a long time member of ESA, serving on several committee. He was president of the Central Station Alarm Association from 2005 to 2007, is involved with the Alarm Industry Research & Educational Foundation, and is a member of the Alarm Industry Communications Committee.

Established in 2004, the Triton Award is presented to the individual that has displayed outstanding industry statesmanship and efforts to promote good working relationships among ESA, the Central Station Alarm Association and the Security Industry Association.

Presented during the Tri-Association Awards Dinner each fall, this year’s event was held at Chelsea Pier 61 in New York City.

Also during the event, Allan Forman, president of Altronix Corporation and long time ESA member and supporter, was honored with the Lippert award. In 2005, Forman was inducted into the Security Sales & Integration Hall of Fame. He is involved with several charitable organizations, serving on the advisory boards of Gift of Life International, Technion Research and Development Foundation, and Mission 500.

BuildingReports is the industry leader in web-based reporting for fire and safety inspections. Our innovative solutions provide unprecedented mobility and automation for accurate, verifiable inspection reports. Using any standard Internet browser, you can access reports from any location, at any time, for flexible management of multiple properties. Multiple daily backups, off-premise record archiving, and instant record retrieval further secure your investment. Now you can have confidence in the security and integrity of your compliance.

Pre-Paid Legal has been in business over 35 years and is NYSE traded.  More than 50,000 groups offer Pre-Paid plans to their employees as a payroll deduction benefit. Pre-Paid plans are designed to meet the most common legal needs encountered by your employees and their families.  A membership provides your employee with protection of their legal rights by providing access to an experienced law firm. An identity theft plan, with restoration, is also available.

Next Level Security Systems (NLSS) designs, manufactures and sells integrated, network-based physical security products that are easy to install and configure.  The products seamlessly integrate video surveillance, access control and intrusion detection, providing a sophisticated feature set at a low cost point.  They enable users to address security threats more effectively by getting alerts from multiple systems.  The system can be used for a single facility, multiple connected facilities or in a remotely monitored mode.

Telular, a manufacturer of security and wireless access systems, provides primary and backup alarm communication solutions for the residential, commercial, financial, and fire markets through its Telguard® Digital product line. These time-tested cellular communicators transmit full data from virtually all security and fire systems to central stations using the nationwide digital cellular network. Interoperable with the widest range of alarm panels, Telguard solutions protect over 500,000 homes and businesses each year.

Alarm.com provides wireless and web-enabled security monitoring and home automation technology to residential and commercial customers throughout the US and Canada. Our Operations Center processes over 25 million security and activity events every month, and Alarm.com-enabled security and home automation systems are offered through a network of over 1000 licensed Security Dealers.

Affordable, accessible training is a huge benefit from ESA. Maximize your benefits by using the generous discounts available to your company.

Complete course descriptions (and schedules) are available at www.alarm.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.

ADVANCED BURGLAR ALARM TECHICIAN

• Dec. 5 – 6 – Lafayette, LA
• Dec. 15 – 16 – Des Moines, IA

CERTIFIED ALARM TECHNICIAN

• Dec. 2 – 4 – Orlando, FL
• Dec. 2 – 4 – Long Island, NY
• Dec. 3 – 5 – South Carolina
• Dec. 10 – 12 – Gulfport, MS
• Dec. 11 – 13 – Kenner, LA

FIRE ALARM INSTALLATION METHODS

• Dec. 2 – 4 – Albany, NY
• Dec. 4 – 5 – Starkville, MS
• Dec. 17 – 18 – Des Moines, IA

TROUBLESHOOTING, SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE

• Dec. 1 – 2 – Philadelphia, PA
• Dec. 2 – 3 – Atlanta, GA
• Dec. 8 – 9 – Indianapolis, IN
• Dec. 8 – 9 – Dallas, TX
• Dec. 15 – 16 – Baltimore, MD
• Dec. 15 – 16 – Boston, MA
• Dec. 15 – 16 – Chicago, IL