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What truly makes an event meaningful?

What truly makes an event meaningful? 10th annual ESX solidifies a decade of success

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—It's a wrap on the 10th annual Electronic Security Expo (ESX), which took place here June 13-16. Connections were made. Ideas were shared. And quality conversations were had.

As a nationwide event, open exclusively to the electronic security and life safety industry, the 2017 program was designed to allow passionate professionals the ability to learn more, share more, and interact more than ever before. And ESX, again, delivered in big ways.

Each Main Stage event welcomed more attendees than we have ever seen. Over 700 attended the General Session on Thursday and numbers were up across the board on all events. Featured speakers included:

������ Carey Lohrenz, the first female F-14 Fighter Pilot, who spoke on fearless leadership.

������ Thought leaders from Allegion, Honeywell, IFTTT, and SkyBell, who gave us a glimpse into the industry's future.

������ Dr. Robert Kriegel, NY Times and Businessweek Best-Selling Author, who inspired attendees on thinking differently and out-smarting the competition.

������ Miles Brissette, criminal trial attorney, who explored the use of video surveillance evidence in the courtroom and how to better position cameras in the field.

The show's 35 education sessions also saw their highest-ever attendance. Many sessions were standing room only, and attendees left classrooms with ideas to put to work in their businesses immediately following the event. The most popular sessions included:

������ Raising the Talent Bar: Your Guide to Finding Qualified Employees

������ Must Know Future Trends of the Industry

������ Video Verification - Can You See Me Now?

������ CounterPoint Forum of the Day: Cable Service Companies are Here to Stay - What Impact are They Having on the Industry?

������ Financial Fundamentals for Security Companies: Metrics Boot Camp

In addition to the paid training, attendees flocked to 11 free Exhibitor Offered Training sessions.

Usually, when folks talk about the success of an expo, I hear them rattle off attendance numbers. ESX focuses on the quality of interactions. This show draws attendees who are the influencers and decision makers from growing companies and long-standing industry leaders.

At the 10th annual ESX, I listened to stories from attendees who spoke with their current and prospective suppliers—not for a simple sweeping product demo, but to problem solve on marketing, merchandising, sales training and so much more. Establishing and reinforcing these relationships is priceless. It's a key component of the ESX purpose!

Here is one such story from attendee Alan Gillmore IV, with Gillmore Security, an integrator based out of Cleveland, Ohio, serving both the residential and commercial markets.

Alan, CEO of the company, attended ESX with a team of three other executives. While in Nashville, a severe thunderstorm damaged a portion of their monitoring station's telecom infrastructure. He worked with vendor partners, peers—and even competitors—to expedite a resolution during ESX.

“We were able to source repair parts and get input on some creative approaches in half the time that we would have at home in Ohio,” says Gillmore. “I was glad I was at ESX when the storm hit.”

The passionate professionals I spoke with left ESX with actionable knowledge, new contacts, and perhaps a new way of thinking about some extremely important industry-shifting trends. In my eyes, these decision makers who make up the ESX audience and these types of engagements are the true metrics for success—not the ticking of badge scans.

For many, this event marked their introduction to the ESX Community—a community of passionate professionals who share, learn and brainstorm each year to elevate their game both personally and professionally.

And that alone can mean so much more than an event a few days out of the year. It can mean a new pool of possibilities, a new level of excellence and a new network of industry companions.

ESX 2017 is thankful to all the attendees, exhibitors and sponsors that make the event possible. For more information, please visit ESXweb.com.

Do you have an ESX story/memory you'd like to share? Contact Jillian Bateman, [email protected].

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