The Gazette Volume 2.12 Issue March 2025 |
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Brandon Shepard GELSSA President |
| Dear GELSSA Members and Friends,
I'm thrilled to share with you the incredible success of our Q1 Meeting & Expo, held on March 7th at the Governors Gun Club in Kennesaw! We had over 100 industry professionals join us for a day filled with networking, learning, and engaging with over 30 leading industry vendors on our sold-out expo floor. It was truly a testament just how far we have come in the last year. Looking ahead, I encourage each of you to mark your calendars for our upcoming events. First, don't miss out on our highly anticipated Golf Tournament scheduled for Friday, May 2nd. After the resounding success of last year, we're aiming even higher this time around! |
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Additionally, mark your calendars for our Virtual Q2 Membership Meeting on May 7th at 12pm. It promises to be another informative session where we'll discuss key industry trends and association updates. We recognize that many of our events are held around the Atlanta Metro area, so we want to ensure that our members in other areas of the State have an opportunity to engage with GELSSA and one another in an easy, online format at least once a year!
Our Q3 Membership Meeting & Braves Game will be a great event this year in August and I'm excited to announce that we've secured Topgolf Atlanta Midtown for our Fall Summit in November! This venue will provide a fantastic setting for our members to once again connect and engage in groundbreaking educational sessions and networking opportunities. Reflecting on the past year, GELSSA has achieved remarkable milestones. Membership has surged by 73%, from 54 to 93 members, expanding our reach significantly. We've tripled our communication outreach, launched the innovative GELSSA App, and saw our 2024 Golf Tournament participation increase by over 100% compared to 2023.
Our Q3 Membership Meeting & Braves Game combined cybersecurity insights with an enjoyable evening at Truist Park, demonstrating our commitment to both education and camaraderie. Meanwhile, the redesigned Fall Summit raised the bar with pioneering educational content and unparalleled networking opportunities.
I'm also proud to welcome new Board Members who bring fresh perspectives and a drive to elevate our association to new heights. Financially, we've seen remarkable growth with revenue up over 1,200% year-to-date compared to the previous period, and net income increasing by 282%. These numbers underscore our association's robust health and strategic direction. As we work through 2025, I'm confident that GELSSA is well-positioned for record growth and continued success. Thank you for your dedication and contribution to our thriving community. I hope to see you at the Golf Tournament in May!
Sincerely, Brandon Shepard GELSSA President |
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We Are Planning Ahead! Check Out Our 2025 Event Schedule Below and Mark Your Calendar! |
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Q1 Meeting & Expo Recap!! |
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The GELSSA Q1 Meeting & Expo on March 7th was an incredible kickoff to 2025! With over 100 industry professionals in attendance and a sold-out expo floor featuring 30 top vendors, the event was packed with valuable networking, education, and industry insights.
During our Q1 Membership Meeting, we shared some of the exciting milestones GELSSA is achieving, including record membership growth, expanded industry outreach, and the launch of new online training initiatives to better serve our members. The energy and engagement in the room made it clear—GELSSA is on an unstoppable path forward!
To top it all off, we ended the day with a fun and competitive pistol shooting event, bringing members together for some well-earned camaraderie. Thank you to everyone who attended, exhibited, and participated—we couldn’t have asked for a better way to start the year! Stay tuned for more exciting events ahead! |
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| Education Spotlight:
New Courses Available! |
At GELSSA, we know that knowledge is power—especially in an industry that is constantly evolving. That’s why we’re excited to bring a suite of new online courses to our members and the industry at large. Our training programs are designed to help companies equip their teams with the knowledge and skills necessary for long-term success and continuous professional growth. |
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Why Companies Should Invest in GELSSA Training
Education isn’t just about learning—it’s a strategic investment in your business. Our structured learning pathways for technicians, sales teams, and business leaders provide tangible benefits, including:
✅ Efficiently training new hires with foundational industry knowledge.
✅ Increasing employee retention by offering career advancement opportunities.
✅ Improving field efficiency through up-to-date training on the latest technology.
✅ Enhancing service quality by sharpening both technical and professional skills. By turning to GELSSA as your education provider, you’re not just educating your team—you’re setting them up for long-term success while ensuring your company stays ahead of the competition. Featured Courses
Our new online courses span essential topics across Security, Automation, Fire and General Business. Whether you’re onboarding new employees or helping seasoned professionals expand their expertise, there’s something for everyone.
Security & Integrated Systems Courses -
Fundamentals for Electronic Systems Technicians (8 Hours) – A comprehensive introduction covering installation, wiring, job site safety, troubleshooting, and industry standards.
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Networking 101 (90 Minutes) – A beginner-friendly course covering networking basics, IP addressing, connectivity, and network security essentials.
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The Connected World (4 Hours) – A deep dive into smart home technology, IoT advancements, and the future of system integration.
Fire Alarm & Life Safety Courses -
Fire 101 (2 Hours) – An introduction to fire alarm systems, covering installation, monitoring, and regulations to help new technicians understand the systems they install.
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Battery & Circuit Calculations (1 Hour) – Learn how to perform precise calculations, understand code requirements, and select the right battery solutions for installations. Includes a valuable battery calculation worksheet.
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Linear Heat (1 Hour) – Explore the regulations, equipment selection, and installation considerations for linear heat detection systems, along with guidance on assembling submittal packages and inspections.
Set Your Team Up for Success
Investing in GELSSA training is an investment in the future of your business. Our courses are designed to provide real-world skills that directly impact performance, efficiency, and service quality. By offering these training opportunities, you empower your employees to grow, stay ahead of industry changes, and elevate your company’s reputation. Don’t wait—take advantage of these affordable courses and make GELSSA your trusted partner in education. Let’s build a stronger, more knowledgeable industry together!
Keep Learning!
Shannon Few
GELSSA Executive Director |
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Research Insights from Parks Associates |
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Parks Associates: 2025 Smart Home Trends: Cooling Off Period Parks Associates consumer trends from its Smart Home Dashboard research suggest we are in cooling period: -
Adoption has leveled off for smart home device ownership
- Video doorbells, which have seen slow but steady YoY growth for almost a decade have dropped in adoption, and other categories such as smart cameras have also seen lower adoption.
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Prices have seen small but steady increases across many of the devices Parks Associates tracks.
Currently 45% of all US households reporting ownership of one device: - Thermostats
- Door Locks
- Video Doorbells
- Smart cameras
- Smart Lights
- Lighting control systems
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Outdoor light fixtures with video camera
- Outlets/switches/dimmers
- Smart plugs/adapters
- Sprinkler systems
- Garage door openers
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Smoke/CO detectors
- Water leak detectors
- Water shut off valve
- Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
- Smart Appliances, such as smart refrigerator, smart oven, etc.
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Smart Home Control Hub
The number of devices in the average smart home device-owning household peaked at 8 during the pandemic era and has dropped to 6.2, due to new users. Tech enthusiasts and power users still remain important to the smart home landscape. Yet growth has occurred since the pandemic, going beyond these early tech adopters, and their needs are far different than the first-time user. While power users may look for the full home automation, integrations, and use cases that are more comprehensive such as lighting and irrigation, first-time users gravitate towards basic entry-level use cases, such as front-door security. These users may trial the smart home through a video doorbell or smart thermostat, eventually moving into Player status. When all segments are taken as a whole, this means that the average has dropped. Smart home manufacturers should not assume these segments will migrate towards Super Power User status. To increase this average, smart home companies must consider how to attract the mainstream user through ease of setup/install, features, routines, and integrations.
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Thank You to Our Premier Partners!!
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Platinum Premier Partners |
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Following GELSSA on social media is the best way to stay updated with the latest industry news, event announcements, and member highlights. Our social media platforms provide a space for real-time interaction, valuable insights, and networking opportunities with fellow professionals in the electronic life safety and systems industry. Don’t miss out on exclusive content, expert tips, and the chance to engage with the vibrant GELSSA community. Join us today and be part of the conversation driving our industry forward! |
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