The Gazette

Volume 2.17 Issue August 2025

President's Message

Dear GIA Members and Friends,

What an incredible month for our association! At our Q3 Membership Meeting, our members came together and unanimously approved our rebranding to the Georgia Integrators Association (GIA). This milestone reflects not just a new name, but a renewed commitment to representing the full scope of our industry and the professionals who are driving it forward. I could not be more excited about the direction we’re headed.

I am also honored to share that I will continue serving as President into next year, and I look forward to building on this momentum with each of you. Together, we’ve accomplished so much — and the best is yet to come.

A huge congratulations goes out to our newly elected 2026 Board members. Your leadership, vision, and dedication are key to strengthening GIA, and I'm thrilled to serve alongside you through 2026.

Our association continues to grow, adding more members each month with 106 members as of last week. It’s clear that integrators across Georgia see the value of connecting, learning, and advancing the professionalism of our industry.

Looking ahead, our Fall Summit is right around the corner, and you will not want to miss it! We’ve put together an outstanding educational lineup that will deliver real takeaways you can apply to your business right away. I encourage you to register today and secure your spot — this is going to be an event that raises the bar for all of us.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to making GIA an incredible association to be a part of. Let’s keep the momentum going!

Sincerely,

Brandon Shepard

GIA President

2026 Election Results!

Congratulations to our 2026 Board of Directors!

Building a Path to Success

Webinar Recording Now Available in the Member Resource Center When You Login to www.GELSSA.org

We held a fantastic Webinar on August 7th to help you develop your technicians from Level 1 up to a Sr. Technician within your organization through a structured 3-5 year growth plan with key skills and KPIs that must be achieved at each level!

If you missed it, please take 1 Hour to watch the recording. GIA Members receive complimentary access to the webinar in the Member Resource Center when you login to the GIA website! Please scroll down to the Webinar Recordings Section for the link!

Telguard's Multi-Carrier Family is Growing

Telguard’s new TG7-FEM not only connects seamlessly to all three major carriers –AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon—it can also connect via wired internet access and can be operated on AC or DC power.

A cost-effective solution that works for virtually any job, that’s what we call visionary versatility.

Upcoming Events!

Register Now for the Fall Summit &

Q4 Membership Meeting!

Spotlight on Education:

Preparing for the Fall Summit!

Education is at the heart of GIA, and our upcoming Fall Summit is shaping up to be one of the most impactful events we’ve ever hosted. This year’s lineup of sessions is designed to give you practical skills, fresh strategies, and insights that will directly benefit your business and your team.

We are bringing in top tier speakers to provide you with game changing strategies, efficiency boosting resources, technology updates you need to stay ahead of your competition.

Here’s a look at what you can expect for sessions at the event:

Unlocking Access Core Skills in Strike Cut-Ins & Hardware

This hands-on technical course is built for integrators who want to sharpen their skills in access control sales, installation, and integration. Learn how to perform strike cut-ins, mount maglocks, select the right hardware, and work with a variety of access control peripherals. The session also covers control panel options, station configurations, and includes an open Q&A on real-world installation challenges. Whether you’re new to access control or a seasoned pro, you’ll walk away with practical training you can put to work immediately.

Supercharge Your Team with AI: Tools, Tutorials & Custom GPTs
AI is reshaping the way integrators work, communicate, and lead — and this session will show you how. Learn to build a Custom Brand Voice GPT for your company, get tutorials on tools like Perplexity AI, Wisprflow, HeyGen, Claude, NotebookLM, Replit, and more, and explore how platforms like Genspark and Cursor can enhance team collaboration. You’ll also discover how to:

• Integrate AI into your marketing to drive engagement and sales
• Automate processes for greater efficiency and personalization
• Use data analytics to gain customer insights. This workshop is your chance to get ahead of the curve and apply AI in ways that deliver real-world results.

Fiber First Steps: Lighting the Way in Modern Networking (Presented by Lee Renfroe)
Fiber optics are the backbone of modern networking, and this 60-minute training session is perfect for beginners and entry-level technicians. Learn the fundamentals of fiber optic cabling — from types of fiber and connectors to termination techniques and handling practices. You’ll also get hands-on practice stripping, cleaving, connecting, and testing fiber for continuity and signal loss. A practical, confidence-building course for anyone ready to grow their skill set.

Financial Management and Benchmarking (Presented by Spencer Rogers, Barnes Associates)

Financial success starts with knowing your numbers. In this session, Spencer Rogers will present key industry benchmarking data and explain what every integrator should be measuring in their business. Learn how to compare performance against industry standards and identify opportunities for growth, efficiency, and profitability.

Don’t Miss Out
This is only a snapshot of the value-packed agenda we have planned for you. Whether you’re looking for technical training, business growth strategies, or networking opportunities, the Fall Summit offers it all!

Registration is now open — secure your spot today. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with the best in our industry.

I can’t wait to see you there!

Shannon Few

GIA Executive Director

GIA's All-New Online Training powered by

Alarm Academy has Launched More New Courses!!

The Freshest Industry Content, Affordable Courses, and

Career-Boosting Education for Security & Life Safety Professionals

Research Insights from Parks Associates:

Consumers are buying into smart home value in 2025, taking

advantage of broader portfolios, new features, and stronger ecosystems

From Parks Associates:

"This is an excerpt from Parks Associates Smart Home Consumer Insights Dashboard, delivered twice a year and providing trending data on the adoption and purchase of smart home products.

The smart home market saw resumed growth in 2025, with adoption approaching 50%. Economic uncertainty that roiled stock markets and tariffs announced on multiple countries did not impact consumer spending on smart home devices, with purchasing also steady or increasing.”

Thank You to Our Premier Partners!!

Platinum Premier Partners

Gold Premier Partners

Silver Premier Partners

Let's Get Social!!!

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