ESA would like to thank the following individuals for their generous donations to the ESA PAC:

• Elizabeth Cain, Retired
• Dom D’Ascoli, Smoky Mountain Systems, Inc.
• Merlin Guilbeau, Electronic Security Association
• John Knox, Life & Property Security Systems, Inc.
• David Koenig, Capital Fire & Security
• Marshall Marinace, Marshall Alarm Systems, Inc.
• Emil Wengel, Wengel Electronics, Inc.
• George Gunning, USA Alarm Systems, Inc.
• Tim Creenan, Amherst Alarm, Inc.
• Mike Horgan, H&S Protection Systems, Inc.

Your commitment to helping grow the ESA PAC is sincerely appreciated.

Donations from our membership helps us elect and support legislators who understand our key issues.  In 2010, we will continue to monitor legislation, work with our allies in the federal government and provide our members with a voice in Washington.

Please consider contributing to the PAC in 2010. If you have not signed the necessary Prior Approval for Solicitation form, which allows us to solicit you for support, please fill it out and help us represent our industry on Capitol Hill.

Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT) introduced HR 1796 and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced S. 1216, the “Residential Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act.”  We are networking with the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), SIA and others to determine an industry approach to the bill.  There is no plan in Congress to pass it before January 1.

A broad hearing on carbon monoxide poisoning is being held this week by the Senate Consumer Protection Subcommittee on Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. We have sent a joint letter along with SIA and NEMA, commending the committee for holding the hearing. Senator Klobuchar has agreed to put the letter on the record and will be mentioning it during the hearing. (Read a copy of the letter.)

The November 15 – December 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 between November 15 and December 15. These include:

• 38 bills relating to Alarms
• 11 bills relating to Automatic Contract Renewal
• 7 bills relating to CCTV
• 76 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:

• ME S 575, a bill that would amend the law pertaining to smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and would provide that the owner of a property properly install, or cause to be properly installed, smoke detectors upon or near the ceiling in areas within, or giving access to, bedrooms;
• FL S 658, a bill that would require the licensure of locksmith services businesses and locksmith referral services by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; requires fingerprinting and background screening for criminal records checks of the owner and certain other persons affiliated with a locksmith services business;
• 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; 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.

For the third straight year, registration for the ESA Leadership Summit has seen a significant increase. The success of the event is a testament to the quality of the seminar content, the critical committee meetings that take place and all of the state and national association leaders who participate.

If you haven’t registered yet, there’s still time. Registration will be accepted through January 5 at a cost of $125. On-site registration will also be available for $150. If you must cancel your registration, a $125 cancellation fee will apply.

Everyone at ESA is looking forward to seeing all of you January 12 – 14 in Fort Worth, Texas!

Thank you to our 2010 Leadership Summit Sponsors:

Time is running out to secure your ESX booth space at the early bird rate. Deadline for early bird pricing is December 31.

The Electronic Security Expo (ESX) will be held in Pittsburgh, June 16 – 17. ESX attracts the top companies in the security integration and monitoring industry, including most of the SDM top 100 companies.

Why should your company exhibit at ESX?

• ESX attending companies boast an average annual revenue of $2.49 million.
• 71 percent of ESX 2009 attendees had more than $1 million in annual revenue.
• 97 percent of attendees were satisfied that ESX was a good return on their investment.
• 85 percent of attendees have a management role.
• 86 percent of attendees have final purchasing authority.
• 83 percent of attendees would recommend ESX to a friend or colleague.
• 200 exhibitors and 2,500 attendees are projected to attend the 2010 event.
• Profits from ESX are reinvested in the industry through ESA and CSAA.

Many of the industry’s top players have already committed to the event. Don’t let your competition steal the spotlight. Contact Shannon Murphy today to secure premiere booth space at the industry’s fastest growing event.

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 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. 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

ESA is pleased to announce that GE Security has again stepped up to be the exclusive Diamond-Level Executive Strategic Partner for the 2010 calendar year. Begun in 2008, the Executive Strategic Partners program is only available to ESA associate members and provides funding to support ESA programs that promote and enhance the industry.

“As the Diamond Executive Strategic Partner, GE Security will gain unique and powerful exposure to thousands of qualified prospects and top decision makers through print and electronic media, at ESA events and from thousands of Web site visitors,” said Michael A. Miller, ESA president. “Their continued commitment to this program is representative of their belief in, and support of, what ESA is doing on behalf of the industry.”

“We are once again pleased to apply GE Security’s deep expertise in this senior leadership role in support of ESA,” said Mark Barry, president, GE Security Americas.  “The important work the association does, in particular in the areas of training, false dispatch reduction and helping communities deal with security-related ordinances and legislation, is helping its members to contribute to safer communities across the nation and that’s a win-win for everyone.”

“Through their support as an ESA Executive Strategic Partner, GE Security has made it their responsibility to invest in the future health and well-being of the industry,” said George De Marco, ESA Executive Strategic Partnership Program chair. “The Executive Strategic Partnership program is a series of all-inclusive packages that allow partners to support ESA through advertising and sponsorships throughout the year by making one commitment up front. Budgeting becomes an easier process for both the partner and ESA.”

Companies interested in knowing more about the Executive Strategic Partnership program should contact ESA Sr. Director of Business Development, Tonja Jenkins, at (888) 447-1689 or via e-mail at TonjaJ@alarm.org.

Plan now to increase your knowledge in the New Year! NTS curriculum provides the training that you need to complete installations accurately, service security systems efficiently and prepare technicians for licensing. Add your company to the growing list of alarm businesses who have trained their employees through NTS and gain a distinct edge over competitors.

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.