The Gazette Volume 2.23 Issue January 2026 |
|
|
| Dear GIA Members and Friends,
As we kick off a new year for the Georgia Integrators Association, I want to personally invite you to one of our most important events of the year, the GIA Q1 Membership Meeting & Expo. Just entering our second year for the expo, we expect to grow in both attendance and impact, and this year’s education is a gamechanger for members that serve the commercial market. Last year’s Q1 event brought together 100+ industry professionals from across Georgia and beyond. The energy in the room, the quality of the conversations, and the strength of the connections made it clear that our association is thriving. |
|
|
Based on early interest and the momentum we are seeing, we fully expect this year’s event to be even bigger and more influential! One of the highlights of this year’s program is a panel session designed to give integrators something we do not always get enough of — direct, candid insight from end users themselves.
Featured Education Session What Do End Users Really Need — and Where Do Technology Solutions Fall Short? In this panel, IT leaders from three major vertical markets will share the real-world challenges they face every day and discuss where technology deployments succeed, and where they miss the mark. This is a rare opportunity to hear first-hand how decision makers evaluate integrators, projects, and long-term partnerships. Our panelists include: -
Bryan Lee, Director of IT, City of Newnan (Municipality)
- Marshall Bunce, IT Director, American Pride Bank (Financial Institution)
- Trevor Cunard, Processing Equipment and Controls (Manufacturing)
These leaders represent environments with complex compliance requirements, operational demands, and high expectations for performance and reliability. They will speak openly about technology pain points, budget realities, communication gaps, and what truly builds confidence in an integration partner. For our members, this session is more than informative, it is actionable! Attendees will walk away with a clearer understanding of how to better position solutions, communicate value, and align offerings with the priorities of key end-user verticals. Simply put, this is insight that can help you win more business and build stronger long-term relationships. Beyond the education, the Q1 Expo remains one of the best networking opportunities of the year. Integrators, manufacturers, service providers, and industry partners will all be in the same room, sharing ideas and building the connections that strengthen our industry across Georgia. If you attended last year, you already know the value. If you missed it, this is the year to experience it firsthand!
GIA exists to help Georgia integrators grow stronger businesses through collaboration, education, and networking. The Q1 Membership Meeting & Expo brings all three together in one place, and I strongly encourage you to be part of it.
I look forward to starting the year on a strong note. Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to seeing you at the Q1 Expo! Sincerely, Brandon Shepard GIA President |
|
|
Q1 Membership Meeting & Expo Details!! |
|
|
Please join us for our Q1 Membership Meeting and Expo on March 18th back at the Governors Gun Club in Kennesaw!! This event is headed to the next level for 2026 after the tremendous success of our 2025 event! This is a Must Attend Event! Registration is $25 for GIA Members and only $50 for Non-Members!
What you can expect: - Fantastic Education as outlined above
-
Expo Packed with the Leading Manufacturers, Distributors and Service Providers
- Impactful Sponsor Presentations that deliver education and not sales pitches
- Delicious Lunch & Q1 Membership Meeting
- Shotgun Shooting Competition
If you were not able to make it in 2025 check out our Photo Gallery below to give you a preview of what we have in store for 2026! Please register today to secure your spot! |
|
|
Please Note: ALL Manufacturers, Distributors, and/or Service Providers Must Be an Exhibitor or Sponsor of the Event to attend. If you would like information on sponsoring please contact Caroline Murphy at Caroline.Murphy@gelssa.org today! |
|
|
|
The Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC) is pleased to announce the election of industry veteran Grady Medcalf as its new board chairman. GIA would like to congratulate SIAC and Grady Medcalf on this exciting announcement! We look forward to working with you and continuing to support SIAC's mission!
Medcalf brings more than two decades of leadership experience in regulatory compliance, operations, and industry advocacy within the electronic security and life safety industries. He currently serves as Director of Licensing & Compliance at Comcast, where he oversees state licensing, compliance processes, and industry best practices for product installation and training across multiple markets. |
|
|
Get Involved!
Open Volunteer Positions |
|
|
|
Are you interested in getting involved in the Georgia Integrators Association? Now is your chance! We have two open District Director positions! District 1, which is our Northwest Region, and District 4, which is our Southwest Region are currently open.
If you are a Regular Member in good standing in one of those areas, and interested in getting involved to help shape the future of GIA, we want to hear from you!
Please email Shannon.Few@gelssa.org for more details. |
|
|
Youth Scholarship Applications Open Now! |
|
|
Scholarship to Support the Futures of the Sons and Daughters of First Responders The electronic security industry works closely with the public safety sector. We appreciate the contribution that police, firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs offer to our communities. To show this appreciation, our program was developed to provide college scholarship awards to the children of first responders. High school seniors who have a commitment to excellence and are inspired by the work their First Responder parent(s) do in our communities, are invited to apply! GIA Awards a First Place Scholarship of $1,500 Annually!
Application Deadline March 20, 2026! |
|
|
Project Management Determines Long Term Success!! |
|
|
| In our industry, technical skills and relationships may get you in the door, but project management discipline is what determines long-term success. As integration projects grow more complex, margins tighter, and timelines shorter, the companies that consistently perform well are not just great at installation. They are great at process. They plan thoroughly, document consistently, communicate clearly, and manage every phase of a project with intention. That level of precision doesn’t happen by accident.
|
|
|
It comes from having the right systems in place and teams trained to use them. Strong project management impacts every part of your business ensuring: -
Jobs stay on schedule
- Budgets remain under control
- Change orders are handled professionally
- Communication improves between office, field, and clients
-
Documentation protects both your company and your client
When any one of those areas breaks down, profitability and reputation are at risk. When they work together, projects run smoother, customers notice the difference, and your team operates with greater confidence.
That’s exactly why GIA is proud to offer our Project Management Course that comes with dozens of templates for you to take and customize for your business! The course is designed specifically for low-voltage installation companies and provides practical, field-relevant instruction built for the way our members actually do business. This comprehensive course equips your team with the tools to establish a repeatable, reliable project management system. Attendees will learn practical strategies, effective procedures, and essential documentation techniques that improve organization, streamline workflows, and strengthen communication from kickoff to closeout. What Participants Will Learn
This course is structured to give your team a complete operational framework, including how to: - Understand the benefits and overall structure of effective project management
-
Identify the phases, workflows, and core tasks within a project lifecycle
- Apply clear processes and procedures that create consistency across jobs
- Use forms and documentation to maintain control and accountability
-
Implement tools that help manage a project from start to finish
- Manage the critical financial components including budgets, purchasing, change orders, and documentation
These are the systems that separate reactive companies from proactive ones. When your team knows not just what to do, but how and when to do it, projects become more predictable and profitable.
Operational excellence is not about working harder, it’s about working smarter with structure and discipline. Investing in project management training is one of the most direct ways to improve performance across your entire organization.
If your company is ready to reduce chaos, improve consistency, and deliver projects with greater professionalism and control, this course is a must. Click here to purchase it today! We look forward to helping you build stronger processes and even stronger results. Shannon Few GIA Executive Director |
|
|
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 |
|
|
Our Brand New Bundled Online Course Packages offer you the very best value for your team! Every business is different and requires different combinations of training. We have developed options for your new technicians as well as anyone joining your company that is new to our industry!
Choose from 8 options all discounted at 50%+ in savings versus buying the courses individually!
Need help navigating which packages are best for your various team members? Schedule a call here with Behrens today! |
| |
|
Security Business
2025 State of the Industry Report |
|
|
|
This year's State of the Industry report reveals fascinating data on the state of business for security integrators and consultants. In addition to hard revenue and economic numbers, we also took a deep dive into the impact of artificial intelligence, cloud services, workforce development, and more. After you digest all that data, Security Gives Back is the perfect palate cleanser. Read about how your fellow integrators and consultants gave back to their communities in 2025. |
|
|
Thank You to Our Premier Partners!! |
|
|
Platinum Premier Partners |
|
|
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! |
|
|
|
