ASIS 2008

ASIS International’s 54th Annual Seminar and
Exhibits Covered Security from Every Angle

Alexandria, Va.  (Oct. 1, 2008) – More than 21,000
security professionals from industry, government
and law enforcement, along with product
manufacturers and service providers from around
the world, turned out for the ASIS International 54th
Annual Seminar and Exhibits, held in Atlanta,
Sept. 15-18.

Sponsored by ASIS, the preeminent organization for security management professionals worldwide, this event is the most comprehensive education and networking event in the security industry—and the world’s leading exhibition dedicated to security.

The bustling exhibit floor showcased thousands of cutting-edge technologies, products and services from more than 850 companies, spanning more than 270,000 net square feet in the Georgia World Congress Center.

The ASIS exhibit is a one-stop opportunity for key decision makers who rely on this annual event to assess new products and plan security purchases for the coming year.

A wide variety of security-related technologies covered the expansive show floor, including IP video surveillance; finger-vein readers; facial detection and recognition software; mail screeners and baggage scanners; smart-card access devices; weapons and bomb detection services; perimeter and intrusion detection systems; anti-theft accessories for laptops and other portable gear; thermal imaging equipment; and much more.

Keynote speakers Tom Brokaw, one of the most respected figures in broadcast journalism, and political consultants James Carville and Mary Matalin, wowed the audiences with their candid, thought-provoking presentations.

The comprehensive education program offered more than 175 sessions, covering security from every angle with topics ranging from homeland security to school security, from illegal immigrants in the workplace to security for the 2010 Olympics, and from cyber security to critical infrastructure protection, along with a myriad of issues of interest to security practitioners at all levels. 

Attendees were able to choose sessions organized along several tracks, including homeland security, crime and loss prevention, and crisis management, as well as a track of sessions in Spanish. More than 70 U.S. Coast Guard members attended ASIS 2008 sessions; several made presentations. The general sessions on the final day concentrated on counterfeiting and piracy, and Internet abuse.

“We are extremely pleased with the success of this event, despite the economic challenges and Hurricane Ike, which swept through a wide swath of the country, and other weather-related crises, that kept many attendees at home,” said ASIS President Timothy Williams, CPP.

“Once again, we were able to offer participants a wealth of educational sessions, high-quality product and service solutions spanning every security category, along with unparalleled networking opportunities with security experts across many industry sectors, from around the world.”

Indeed, attendees from more than 80 countries, including large contingents from Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, Nigeria, South Korea, Taiwan and the United Kingdom, came to ASIS 2008.  Networking activities included the ASIS Foundation Golf Classic, the Get Acquainted Mixer, the President’s Reception, and the closing luncheon, which featured award presentations and bestselling author James Bradley.

Handouts from the educational sessions at ASIS 2008 are available online (password-protected for paid attendees only). Audio recordings from the education sessions will be available online in mid-October (password protected for paid attendees). A DVD of all the sessions or downloads of particular recorded sessions will be available online to everyone, for a fee. 

Plans for the 55th Annual Seminar and Exhibits, to be held in Anaheim, Calif., Sept. 21-24, 2009, are underway. Eight-two percent of the exhibit space is already sold.

ASIS 2009 will present more than 175 education sessions designed and vetted by experts. The deadline for the call for presentations is Feb. 9, 2009. Click here for more information