SECURITY SOLUIONS 2009
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS AND EVENT SUMMARY

Early morning on April 30th at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, name badges clicked out of the printers. A line of 8:00 AM arrivers to SECURITY SOLUTIONS 2009 snaked towards the registration booths. With names and badges matched up, hundreds were ready to begin the days' events before ribbon-cutting ceremonies opened the program at 9:00AM. In total, 4134 attendees visited the show which featured an Exhibit Hall of over 200 booths and displays. 400+ attended the morning seminar and 832 were on hand for the Person of the Year Luncheon.
 
EXHIBITS

The SECURITY SOLUTIONS 2009 Exhibit Hall was filled with the newest products from electronics suppliers; demonstrations from software and equipment manufacturers; and presentations by service providers. The floor was crowded with security professionals throughout the day. The exhibits gave attendees opportunities to gather information on the latest innovations - while staying close to home.

This year's SECURITY SOLUTIONS show, themed "DOING MORE WITH LESS." reflected universal concerns about the global economic crises and increased threats worldwide. This particular annual ASIS NYC trade show was one of the best attended and most interesting programs in recent years. Clearly, in tough economic times members of the security industry bring energy and creative drive to current challenges.

On-hand for the morning ribbon-cutting ceremony were: Chapter Chairman Lawrence Loesch, Vice Chairman Kevin O'Brien, former chapter chairmen Ray Dean and Charles Scholl, Chapter Secretary Joette Faherty (who also received the annual Eugene Casey Award at the Person of the Year Luncheon), Seminar Chairperson Erica Harrison, and trade show committee members Lynn Brown and Jeff Schwartz.

SEMINAR PROGRAM

5 distinguished panelists provided unique insights into how they continue toward improving security initiatives even with shrinking budgets.

Chip Smith, Director of Global Security for the Bank of New York Mellon, emphasized that as security professionals, we are always in a sales job -having to prove ROI on a daily basis to our corporate community. By taking a "helping hand" approach to others in the organization, we deliver value directly, measurably and visibly. He suggested that we not over-value our importance nor underestimate the value of change.

Mr. Smith emphasized that one important contribution security can make is changing executives' behavior: getting them to recognize dangers when they travel! Further, by having a staff that is "suit culture", highly educated and articulate; your bench can be a true asset. [And in today's economy, you may be able to secure better talent at reasonable cost.]

With reductions in workforce, Smith reminded attendees to coordinate with HR and other departments "so we can recognize a person with a problem" before incidents of workplace violence become a reality. Mr. Smith suggested that you "partner in your company; partner between companies and network with the public sector" to reinforce your support structure and to get to know more about what's on the horizon

Roseann McSorely, Regional Head of Corporate Security & Business Continuity (CSBC) Americas and Global Head of Crisis Management at Deutsche Bank, also emphasized building a network for sharing information. She stated that now is the time to create one, even if you have not done it before. In many cases, management wants to know what others are doing in similar situations and they anticipate that security leadership will have the information on-hand and ready to share.

Ms. McSorely noted that "Not everything you do better costs more money." Specifics such as the call tree for emergency information dissemination and evacuation drills (DO THEM!). She suggested challenging your corporate executives with: tabletop exercises; scenario training and practice 'thinking out of the box'. "Capture the awareness of your executives." Not high cost -just high engagement!

John A. Bush III SVP of CA, Inc. (formerly Computer Associates) presented material focusing on re-imaging security departments so the view is: "Security as Your Business Partner." He suggested: Be Proactive - Build Trust! ...Security is not just a Cost Center... and how to present security departments as business partners. This includes identifying: how to: seize new opportunities, change thinking methodology, understand your company's business model, leverage adversity & strengthen your organization by adding value. He asked the question: Are you on the front end or the back end?

Mr. Bush noted that his approach included instituting some manpower cuts before they were mandated. This has worked in his favor, allowing him to secure additional funds for his department with new initiatives.

Moreover, develop opportunities to enhance and protect your organization's current and future revenues. Partner with other departments and risk-assess before expansion into emerging markets... help the company know and evaluate risks upfront!

Next, Susan Bick, Security Director for Lincoln Center, focused on some effective strategies for providing vigilant security on a smaller budget. She shared practical analysis and specific approaches for enhancing protection at one of NYC's largest cultural centers -even with cuts in operating funds. Extrapolating: What are your business's strengths and your different types of resources? What are your special assets? Can your team contribute in new ways? Where can the overall program improve?

Ms. Bick reviews each budget line item and that has brought her into clear communication with the financial side of Lincoln Center's management. She seeks out items that can be trimmed down creatively. For instance, they now pool resources with members of the maintenance and cleaning departments, cross-training on hazmat issues and developing many extra "eyes" looking out for security-related issues.

Can you eliminate cost centers that are no longer necessary? Often the answer is yes. Cut redundant staffing during low-risk time slots. Further, she was able to reduce overtime costs and then fund slots for additional personnel to cover high-traffic/high-activity intervals

Ms Bick noted: institute roll call if you haven't done so yet. "Emphasize Attendance!" Coordinate and use all training resources available including those from NYC's various departments involved in protecting the City and its infrastructure. Ask for better pricing from every supplier.

"Really give staff responsibility for checking every line of every day's expense. Know what the real costs are - spread expenses over time - STICK TO YOUR BUDGET!"

Ben Scaglione CPP, CHSP, Security Director at NY Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Campus, asked that we determining determine how the security department's goals and work meshes with the organization's values and its view of what security ought to deliver. The public relations aspects of security are directly related to patients' and visitors' perception and experience of the hospital - those items are less likely to suffer cuts if considered part of patient care issues

In defining value: Bottom Line - what is the cost of the services you provide? Are your goals aligned with the corporate culture? Benefit/Cost- benefits you provide versus your costs...

Use an analysis strategy for meeting cost-cutting pressures that includes examining: scalability, priorities; gathering support data and doing performance-based evaluations. "Remember, in a shrinking economy crime rates go up."

After the speakers fielded an array of audience-generated questions, people moved back into the Exhibit Hall. They visited booths, discussed material with their colleagues and then hundreds of ticket-holders moved to the Grand Ballroom at the center of the building to attend the chapter's annual "Person of the Year" luncheon.

With dignitaries from the public sector, law enforcement, government and corporate associations filling the 60-person dais at this year's ASIS NYC Chapter "Person of The Year" luncheon, we honored Patrick E. Kelleher. Mr. Kelleher's over 44 years of service in law enforcement and corporate security positively affected millions of people in New York and beyond. Mr. Kelleher retired as first deputy commissioner from NYPD in 2000. He then joined Merrill Lynch as their director of worldwide security.

At NYPD, Mr. Kelleher was instrumental in implementing the COMPSTAT program which has become the benchmark for statistical information and data management for law enforcement organizations around the globe. His responsibilities at Merrill Lynch include fraud control, executive protection, corporate security, the ethics hotline and physical security for the firm's 68,600 employees.

During the "Person of the Year" luncheon, we also recognized this year's Eugene Casey Award Winner: Joette Faherty. Ms. Faherty is Senior Security Manager at Charles Schwab & Co. where she is heads their security operations in the northeast including their New York and regional offices. Ms. Faherty worked with The McGraw-Hill Companies Corporate Security Department for 23 years prior to accepting her current position at Schwab.

Her relationship with ASIS International's NYC Chapter began in the late 1970's and she currently serves as the chapter's treasurer and is a member of our Board of Directors. Ms. Faherty has coordinated the monthly luncheons and worked with the dais committee for every tradeshow since its inception in 1991. This year, through Ms. Faherty's efforts we were able to reach members of Eugene Casey's family and invite them to celebrate with us at the luncheon.

The afternoon brought additional visitors to the Exhibit Hall and there was a crowd on hand for the afternoon prize drawings and cocktail hour. This year, Greg Mastroserio of T.A.C. by Schneider Electric had responsibility for organizing this portion of the event.

Contributions raffled off were an HP Tablet Reader PC (donated by Hess Technology); a One-Hundred Dollar American Express Gift Card (donated by Quantum Secure); a Two-Hundred Dollar American Express Gift Card (donated by ADT-AI) and hand-held Wand Metal Detector (donated by IPG International Protection Group.

SECURITY SOLUTIONS 2009 concluded with attendees marking their calendars for next year when ASIS International's NYC Chapter will host SECURITY SOLUTIONS 2010, our twentieth anniversary program on Friday, April 30th 2010. See you there!

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