The Gazette Volume 2.20 Issue November 2025 |
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| Dear GIA Members and Friends,
Happy Thanksgiving! I want to take a moment to say how proud I am of this association and the value we are building together.
The past few weeks have been a perfect example of what makes GIA game changing for members, and I’m still hearing great feedback from across the state on our Fall Summit that he held earlier this month! |
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Our Fall Summit was nothing short of outstanding. With nearly 90 industry professionals in attendance, the energy in the room was strong from start to finish. We nearly quadrupled our attendance over the 2024 Fall Summit! This event proved that GIA is more than a calendar of meetings, it's a place where integrators come together to sharpen their skills, strengthen their businesses, and stay ahead of the curve in our rapidly evolving industry.
The education was truly top tier. We were fortunate to learn from nationally recognized speakers who brought fresh perspectives, real-world strategies, and insights that members can take back and apply immediately. I’ve already heard from several of you about changes you’re making in your operations because of what you learned at the Summit. That’s exactly what we’re aiming for, value you can use the next day, not just inspiration for someday!
I also want to give a sincere Thank You to our fantastic sponsors. Their support helps make events like this possible, but beyond that, they showed up in a big way to showcase the latest technology, tools, and solutions that are shaping the future of integration. The room was buzzing all day, and the conversations happening there were just as valuable as the sessions themselves.
The Summit wasn’t all business. One of the best parts was the chance to connect as people, not just professionals. The two dinners were a great opportunity to slow down, share stories, and strengthen relationships. We also had a chance to work in some fun and casual networking at Topgolf while hitting some balls and juicing up the competition. Whether you were there for every session, every meal, or every swing, you helped make it a memorable experience.
Looking ahead, I’m really excited for an incredible 2026. Our full schedule for the year is locked in, and it’s shaping up to be one of GIA’s strongest years yet with more education, more networking, more opportunities to grow together!
I can’t wait to see everyone at our next event, the Q1 Expo & Membership Meeting on March 18th at the Governors Gun Club in Kennesaw, GA. Mark your calendars now! This will be a great way to kick off the year with strong education, hands-on sponsor engagement, and the kind of connection you can only get through GIA. To everyone who attended the Fall Summit, thank you for showing up, engaging, and investing in yourselves and in this association! To those who couldn’t make it this year, you were missed, and I hope you’ll join us in March. The momentum we’re building is real, and it’s fueled by members who stay involved. Thank you for your continued support, and I’ll see you soon! Sincerely, Brandon Shepard GIA President |
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| Happy Thanksgiving, GIA family! As we head into the holiday, we want to pause and say thank you! We are genuinely grateful for the people who make up GIA! You are professionals who show up every day to solve problems, protect customers, and keep our industry moving forward. Thank you for being engaged, for sharing what you know, and for supporting one another the way this association always has. Whether you’ve been part of GIA for years or you’re newer to the association, thank you for being here! We hope this Thanksgiving brings you a real chance to breathe along with good food, good company, and a little time away from the day-to-day grind. Enjoy the holiday with the people you love and know how thankful GIA is to have you as part of our association! |
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The GIA Fall Summit 2025 was an incredible two-day event! We kicked things off at Chattahoochee Food Works with a fun evening of dinner and connection.
This event was an absolute win for our members and our industry! Held on November 6, 2025, this year’s Summit brought GIA professionals together for a full day of high-value education, meaningful connection, and hands-on engagement with the partners helping move our industry forward. From the first welcome to the final Topgolf swing, the energy stayed high and the takeaways were strong—exactly what a GIA Summit should be. We kicked things off the evening before with a 6:00 PM dinner at Chattahoochee Food Works, giving attendees a relaxed setting to reconnect with colleagues, meet new members, and set the tone for a collaborative Summit experience. Thursday’s agenda at Topgolf Atlanta Midtown was packed with content members could apply immediately: -
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM | Supercharge Your Team with AI: Tools, Tutorials & Custom GPTs presented by Shannon Few, Mike Richardson and Devin Williams
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The day started with a forward-looking, practical session on how AI is already helping integrators improve efficiency, service workflows, communication, and internal training. Attendees left with real ideas for using AI tools and custom GPTs to sharpen operations and stay competitive.
- 9:45 AM – 10:15 AM | SIAC & Sponsor Presentations
- Members heard important updates from Allan Rutledge with SIAC, followed by sponsor spotlights highlighting solutions designed to help integrators grow smarter, faster, and stronger.
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10:15 AM – 11:00 AM | Fiber First Steps, Lighting the Way in Modern Networking presented by Lee Renfroe
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This session delivered exactly what many integrators are seeking right now—clear, practical guidance on fiber fundamentals and modern networking needs. It was one of the most talked-about technical sessions of the day.
- 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM | Connection Quest: Networking Bingo
- A fun, high-energy networking block that got everyone moving, talking, and making new connections. It showcased that some of the best Summit value comes from the people in the room.
- 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM | General Membership Meeting, Sponsor Presentations & Lunch
- Over lunch, members took care of association business, got key updates, and continued sponsor interaction. It was a productive mid-day anchor that reinforced the value GIA is delivering to members.
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1:30 PM – 2:15 PM | Unlock the Right Solutions presented by Scott Nelson & Kep Parsons
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This session focused on decision-making in a fast-changing market—how to evaluate technology, align solutions with customer needs, and avoid wasted spend. Members appreciated the clear framework and real-world examples.
- 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM | Financial Management & Benchmarking presented by Spencer Rogers with Barnes Associates
- A powerful, practical block on understanding financial performance, tracking the right metrics, and benchmarking against what healthy companies are doing. Attendees left with tools to tighten operations and make smarter growth decisions.
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3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Topgolf Gameplay & Time with Sponsors!
- The perfect close to a full day of learning with casual networking, great conversations, and additional sponsor engagement in a relaxed environment. It’s where business relationships turned into real partnerships
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We wrapped the Summit with a final dinner at Howell’s Kitchen with great members, sponsors and delicious food! Thank you to every member who attended, participated, and brought the energy, and to our sponsors and speakers for delivering a Summit that was truly worth the time and investment. The 2025 Fall Summit wasn’t just a great event, it was a reminder that when Georgia integrators come together, we all get better. We’re already excited to build on this momentum and can’t wait to see everyone at the next GIA event! |
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Georgia License Holder Stats |
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Our License Milestone (as of 10/14/25): -
Alarm: 914
- General: 443
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Telecomm: 427
- Unrestricted: 1,821
Our community continues to grow and thrive! With a combined total of 3,605 licensed professionals, these numbers reflect the hard work, dedication, and excellence of our members. |
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First Alert CX4 Video Cameras feature the next generation of smart surveillance built to meet the needs of homeowners and small businesses. With advanced analytics, flexible installation options, and seamless integration, CX4 cameras deliver powerful detection with precision. |
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| As part of our rebranding to GIA, our new domain is:
www.GeorgiaIntegratorsAssociation.org is live!
Please update your favorites to ensure you will always be able to get to the right place when you are looking for our website to login, take online training, seek out upcoming event information, news and GIA resources!! |
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Introducing the PowerG + Water Tile with Freeze Protection |
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We have come so far this year! With nearly 90 industry professionals in attendance at our Fall Summit, nationally recognized speakers delivering real, usable education, and sponsors bringing the latest technology and solutions to the table, the Summit was a perfect showcase of the advantage of being part of GIA!
The feedback has been outstanding, and what I love most is hearing what members are already doing differently because of what they learned. |
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That’s the goal every time we hold an event, to provide practical takeaways that show up in your business the very next week.
But as great as the Fall Summit was, I want to emphasize something even bigger. The real value of GIA isn’t confined to one event!
It’s in the year-round engagement, the conversations, the shared experience, and the willingness of integrators across Georgia to help each other solve problems, train better teams, and navigate change faster than we could on our own.
When you plug into GIA, you’re not just receiving information. You’re gaining access to a statewide network of people who understand your world including the shifts in technology, hiring realities, project pressures, and customer expectations. Having a strong peer network locally creates a real advantage. It helps you make smarter decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and grow with more confidence. So here’s my encouragement as we wrap up the year: - Stay involved. Come to events, bring your team, ask questions, share what’s working.
- Use GIA. Lean on your peers, connect with sponsors, and take advantage of the education we’re putting in front of you.
- Help us shape what’s next. Let me know if you would like to get involved.
And if you’re reading this and you’re not currently a member, I want to personally say, Join Now Here!
The industry is moving quickly. The companies that are winning right now are the ones investing in their people, tightening their processes, and staying ahead of technology and market change. GIA was built to help you do exactly that. Membership isn’t just a line item or something that's nice to do, it’s a tool you can use to build a stronger business and a stronger team. We’re heading into 2026 with a full calendar of opportunities, and I can’t wait to keep building on our incredible momentum. Thanks again to everyone who made the Fall Summit such a success and brought the energy! Shannon Few GIA Executive Director |
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GIA's All-New Online Training Has Launched More New Courses!! The Freshest Industry Content, Affordable Courses, and Career-Boosting Education for Security & Life Safety Professionals |
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Research Insights from Zonda: |
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"New home sales are in a holding pattern
The central question facing many prospective homebuyers today is one of timing and confidence: Is now the right time to buy? For many, the answer appears to be “maybe not.” New home sales were largely flat month-over-month and year-over-year in October, reflecting a market where consumers want, or even need, to buy, but are waiting to see how conditions evolve.
This leads to an equally important question for the housing industry: What conditions will give consumers enough confidence to jump back into the market? The answer comes down to some degree of stability across three categories: the job market, mortgage rates, and prices, along with a meaningful improvement in housing affordability.
'The holding pattern we are seeing today from prospective buyers is tied to economic anxieties and the job market,' said Ali Wolf, chief economist for Zonda and NewHomeSource. 'While this makes for a tricky backdrop today, demographics and deferrals provide a nice setup to a stronger market once macro factors stabilize and consumer confidence returns.'" |
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Thank You to Our Premier Partners!! |
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Platinum Premier Partners |
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Following GIA 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 GIA community. Join us today and be part of the conversation driving our industry forward! |
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