In an ISC East state of mind

Yes, I quoted New York’s own Billy Joel to come up with a title for this week’s blog, and why not?

We really are in a New York state of mind this week as more than 5,000 security industry professionals are gathering in the Big Apple for ISC East 2023 at the Javits Center.

As the Northeast’s leading security & public safety event, ISC East partners with Security Industry Association (SIA) and ASIS NYC each year to bring together those responsible for keeping our communities safe and secure – namely security dealers, installers, integrators, and consultants, along with corporate, government and law enforcement/first responder practitioners – for three days of educational sessions, invaluable networking opportunities, and an exhibit hall featuring the latest and technologies and solutions in the security space.

I’ll be hopping on the train to Penn Station first thing Wednesday morning, and I can’t wait to get our booth set up? Why am I so excited about putting up a booth? This year, we are conducting video interviews throughout the show with some of the movers and shakers in our industry, talking about what their respective companies are displaying, highlighting, and/or announcing at ISC East.

Please stop by Booth #236 and say to myself and my colleague Brad Durost, who will be the hired (and hopefully steady) hand as the cameraman during these interviews we are conducting during the two days on the show floor.

During our breaks from booth interviews, we’ll be walking the floor to chat with some old and new companies – and some new and familiar faces - to learn about some of the newest products, services, and technologies out there in the areas of access control, video surveillance, biometrics, alarms, smart home, and more.

We would be amiss if we didn’t mention that one of our SSN alumni – former editor Martha Entwistle, now the senior director of corporate communications at Eagle Eye Networks, will be honored by SIA as the winner of the 2023 Progress Award during SIA Honors Night on Wednesday, 11/15.

Entwistle is being honored by SIA’s Women in Security Forum (WISF) for her efforts in paving the way to success for women in the security industry.

When I reached out to Martha to congratulate her on winning the 2023 SIA Progress Award, her response was, “It all started at SSN.” Yes, it did, Martha, and look at what you have accomplished throughout your security industry career. We could not be prouder of Martha for receiving this award.

We are going to chat with Martha literally days after receiving her 2023 SIA Progress Award to talk about her career in the security industry coming full circle, from her days as SSN editor to earning one of SIA’s highest honors. Look for that interview on our website and on our social media channels in the coming days.

It should be a fun and informative couple of days at the Javits Center, which is located just blocks from the “World’s Most Famous Arena,” Madison Square Garden, where Billy Joel is wrapping up his record 10-year residency next July.

I’m sure Billy would appreciate the fact that we are all in an ISC East state of mind.