The Gazette Volume 2.25 Issue March 2026 |
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| Dear GIA Members and Friends,
As we close out the first quarter of the year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible accomplishments we have achieved within GIA! We just got back from our Q1 Membership Meeting & Expo, and it was a great event! Thank you to all of the exhibitors and sponsors that made our Expo possible! This event was a strong reminder of just how far we’ve come as an association and the strength of our membership. One of the highlights of the meeting was sharing our 2025 financial results, and I’m proud to say the numbers tell a powerful story. |
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In 2025, GIA revenue increased by an impressive 248% compared to 2024. While our expenses were up only 35%, that growth was strategic, supporting expanded programming, events, and member value. Most importantly, our net income increased by 123% year-over-year, putting us in a strong position for 2026. Equally exciting is our membership growth. We welcomed 36 new members in 2025, bringing our total to 116 member companies. That growth translated into a 91% increase in membership revenue, reinforcing that what we are delivering is resonating across the industry.
These aren’t just numbers, they represent engagement, trust, and a shared commitment to growing this association into something truly impactful for integrators across Georgia. One of the best ways to stay connected and engaged is by joining us for one of our most anticipated events of the year, our Annual GIA Golf Tournament. This year, we’re excited to host it at a brand-new location: Iron Horse Golf Club, on May 12th!
Whether you are there to compete, connect, or just enjoy a great day on the course, this event is always a fantastic opportunity to build relationships, strengthen partnerships, and have some fun along the way. If you’ve attended before, you know what a great experience it is, and if you haven’t, this is the year to jump in.
We’ve got something special planned, and I encourage each of you to register early, bring your team, and be part of it. Thank you for your continued support and involvement. GIA’s growth is a direct result of the commitment from our members, and I’m excited to see what we accomplish together in the months ahead. I’ll see you on the course! Sincerely, Brandon Shepard GIA President |
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Q1 Membership Meeting & Expo Recap |
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The Q1 expo and membership meeting was a success! It featured a sold-out trade show floor for the second year in a row and brought together 100 industry professionals for a great day of networking, education, and a fun shotgun shooting competition.
Special thanks to all of our exhibitors and sponsors who made the event possible, as well as our speakers who provided valuable insight into financial services, manufacturing, and governmental security integrations!
Congratulations to Tye Lewis with Gotcha Security, who is the 2026 Shotgun Shooting Competition winner! |
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Special thanks to all our sponsors!!! |
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PowerG + Water Tile with Freeze Detection |
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Frozen pipes and unseen leaks cost North American homeowners billions each year, with more than 250,000 homes experiencing damage annually, making water issues one of the most expensive and disruptive problems your customers face. The PowerG + Water Tile with Freeze Detection gives you a simple, high‑value way to protect your clients from these losses by catching leaks and freezing conditions early, before they turn into emergencies. Its sleek, low‑profile design fits discreetly in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and mechanical spaces, while optional probes extend coverage to more vulnerable areas.
By offering this device, dealers can help homeowners avoid major repair bills, protect personal belongings, reduce insurance claims, and gain peace of mind, strengthening customer trust and opening the door for add‑on sales across every property you service. Contact Santiago Rivera - 786?442?8755 | Santiago.Rivera@jci.com |
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Get Involved!
Open Volunteer Positions |
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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. |
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Youth Scholarship Applications Open Now! |
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Scholarships 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/industry 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!!
Application Deadline Extended: March 27, 2026 |
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Investing in Your Team: The Smartest Move You Can Make This Year! |
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If there’s one challenge I hear consistently from owners and managers across our industry, it’s this: finding and keeping good people has never been harder. The workforce landscape continues to shift. Skilled technicians are in high demand, expectations are evolving, and competition for talent is stronger than ever. While we can’t control every aspect of the labor market, we can control how we invest in the people we already have. That’s where the real opportunity lies! |
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The companies that are winning right now aren’t just hiring people, they are developing their teams. They are creating clear pathways for growth, equipping their teams with the right training, and showing their employees that there’s a future within their organization.
Training is no longer just a box to check. It’s a retention strategy, a recruiting advantage, and a business growth driver all rolled into one. When your technicians are confident, knowledgeable, and continuously improving, it shows up everywhere including in the quality of their work, in customer satisfaction, and ultimately, in your bottom line.
This is where GIA plays an important role. Our mission goes beyond simply bringing the industry together. We are committed to providing accessible, relevant, and impactful training opportunities that help you build stronger teams. Whether it’s technical sessions, or business-focused education, everything we offer is designed with your workforce in mind. If you haven’t already, I strongly encourage you to take advantage of our GIA online training program to help you properly onboard your new hires, cross train your team, and level up the skills of your tenured team members!
As you look ahead to the rest of the year, I challenge you to ask yourself:
What am I doing to invest in my people?
In today’s environment, that investment may be the smartest decision you make all year and we are here to support you every step of the way. Sincerely,
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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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! |
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Access Control in the Smart Home:
Locks and Garage Door Openers Research from Parks Associates |
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Smart lock and garage door opener adoption shows signs of growth as access control integrates with home security ecosystems
Ahead of #ISC West, Parks Associates released new research, “Access Control in the Smart Home: Locks and Garage Door Openers,” showing adoption of smart home access control solutions, including smart door locks and smart garage door openers, is increasing. Ownership has reached 11% of US internet households for each product category, reflecting gradual market expansion for both smart locks and smart garage door openers as more consumers integrate these devices into broader smart home and residential security systems.
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Thank You to Our Premier Partners!! |
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Exclusive Diamond Partner! |
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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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