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The Gazette

Volume 2.27 Issue May 2026

 
 
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President's Message

 

Dear GIA Members and Friends,

As we move further into 2026, I continue to be excited by the momentum and growth we are seeing throughout GIA. We are quickly approaching an incredible milestone of 120 total members, and that growth is a direct reflection of the value, engagement, and relationships being built within this association every single day.

 

Our industry continues to evolve, and one of the greatest strengths of GIA is the willingness of our members to stay connected, informed, and involved. That is why I want to personally encourage every member to join us for our upcoming Virtual Membership Meeting this Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. on Zoom.

During this week’s meeting, we will be discussing several important topics, including:

  • Upcoming bylaws changes
  • Key association updates
  • Special updates and announcements from our sponsors
  • Upcoming events and opportunities to get involved

These meetings are an excellent way to stay informed while also connecting with fellow members and industry professionals from across the state.

 

I also want to encourage everyone to get registered now for our upcoming Q3 Membership Meeting and Braves Game coming up on August 11th. This event is shaping up to be another outstanding opportunity for networking, relationship-building, and simply enjoying time together outside of the day-to-day demands of business. Our events continue to grow and strengthen the connections that make GIA such a valuable organization.

 

As our membership continues to grow, so does our ability to create meaningful opportunities, provide stronger resources, and elevate the voice of our industry. But continued success depends on member participation. Whether it’s attending meetings, supporting events, serving on committees, or simply staying engaged, every member plays an important role in the future of GIA.

 

Thank you for your continued support and involvement. I look forward to seeing many of you on zoom this Wednesday and again in August for another great event while we cheer on the Braves at Truist Park!

 

Sincerely,

 

Brandon Shepard

GIA President

 
Register for Q2 Virtual Meeting!!
Register for the Q3 Meeting
& Braves Game!
 
 

GIA Q3 Membership Meeting & Braves Game!!

 

You won’t want to miss our Q3 GIA Membership Meeting on Wednesday, August 11th from 3:00–5:00 PM at the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce—this is a pivotal meeting where members will vote on bylaws updates!

 

Your voice matters, and this is your chance to take an active role in GIA!

 

After the meeting, join us for a fun night out as the Atlanta Braves take on the New York Mets at 7:15 PM! It’s the perfect mix of business and baseball.

 

 Space is limited—register now to secure your spot for the meeting and your game ticket!

Register for the Q3 Meeting
& Secure Your Tickets to the Braves Game Today!
 

2026 Golf Tournament Recap

& Results!

 

The 2026 Golf Tournament it was one to remember. We had a 35%+ increase in the number of golfers over 2025. In addition, we stepped up the quality of the course hosting the event at Iron Horse Golf Club! Overall, it was a picture-perfect day on a beautiful golf course with 60+ fantastic integrators and supplier companies from across the State and beyond!!

Congratulations to 2026 Winners!!

 

  • The winning team this year was Matt Bryant, Ernest Foy, Ben McMullen and Daniel Homrich!!!
  • Jason Dees won Closest to the Pin
  • Andrew Doring won Longest Drive
Golf Tournament Photo Gallery
 

The Next Generation of

Smart Security from IQ Security Products

 

The IQ5 Family, featuring the IQ Panel 5, IQ5 Hub, and IQ5 NS, delivering a smarter, more flexible platform for every type of install.

 

From advanced connectivity to enhanced security features, the IQ5 Family is built for performance. Whether you need a full‑featured panel, a streamlined hub, or a no‑screen option, there’s a solution designed to match your customer’s needs and your installation goals.

 

Faster, smarter technology with PowerG built in

Redesigned with your feedback guiding every improvement

Engineered for seamless installs and future‑ready performance

One platform. Three solutions.

Built to fit the way you install.

 

The IQ5 Family is available now.

Upgrade today.

 

Contact Santiago Rivera - 786‑442‑8755 | Santiago.Rivera@jci.com

Explore the IQ5 Family at: https://iqsecurityproducts.com/iq5-family/

 

Get Involved!

Open Volunteer Position!

 

 

 

Are you interested in getting involved in the Georgia Integrators Association? Now is your chance!

 

We have 1 open District Director position!

 

District 1, which is our Northwest Region is open! 

 

If you are a Regular Member in good standing in the Northwest portion of the State, 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. 

 

Investing in Stronger Sales Leadership!

 

 

One of the most important investments any company can make is in the development of its leadership team, especially when it comes to sales leadership.

 

Throughout our industry, many business owners, executives, and top-performing sales professionals eventually find themselves responsible for leading and managing sales teams.

 

However, very few people ever receive formal training on how to effectively motivate, coach, develop, and hold those teams accountable. The reality is that strong sales leadership does not happen automatically, and long-term business growth depends heavily on the ability to build and lead high-performing teams

That is why GIA is excited to promote our new Sales Management Online Training Bundle powered by Braveheart Sales Performance.

 

This training series was developed specifically for professionals within the security integration, fire, and low-voltage industry who oversee salespeople within their organization. Whether you are a business owner, senior-level executive, branch manager, or dedicated sales manager, these courses are designed to provide practical leadership strategies that can create immediate impact within your company.

 

The bundle includes four focused courses:

  • Introduction to Effective Sales Management
  • Motivating the Sales Manager
  • Coaching for Sales Managers
  • Accountability for Sales Managers

These courses address the real-world challenges sales leaders face every day, from improving communication and creating stronger team culture to increasing accountability, consistency, and overall sales performance.

 

At GIA, we remain committed to delivering resources and professional development opportunities that help our members strengthen every aspect of their business. Technical expertise will always remain critical in our industry, but leadership development is equally important as companies continue to grow and compete in our ever-evolving industry. 

 

We are proud to partner with Braveheart Sales Performance to bring this valuable training opportunity to our members, and we strongly encourage companies of all sizes to take advantage of this program to invest in the future of your leadership team.

 

Strong leadership drives stronger teams, better culture, and better results, and this training bundle is designed to help your organization continue moving forward.

 

For more information or to register for the Sales Management Online Training Bundle, contact our Membership & Training Sales Executive, Behrens Watkins at Behrens.Watkins@gelssa.org. 

 

Thank you for your continued support of GIA and your commitment to professional growth within our industry!

 

Sincerely,

 

Shannon Few

GIA Executive Director

 
Register Now for All of the Remaining 2026 Events!!
 

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 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!

Check Out the Course Catalog & Sign Up for Online Training Today!
 

State of the Connected Home Report Released

Research from Parks Associates

 

The new report, now available as a complimentary download, examines the evolution of the connected home as the market shifts from device-led adoption to integrated, service-based ecosystems. The research highlights consumer adoption and purchase trends, product category growth, pain points in setup and use, and the expanding role of AI, interoperability, and managed services in shaping future demand.

 

The report addresses key areas shaping the connected home market, including:

  • Growth of connected devices and the expanding number of product categories in the home
  • Consumer pain points with smart home setup, integration, reliability, and support
  • Purchase trends and the buyer journey for connected devices and services
  • Security and safety devices, including smart cameras, video doorbells, access control, and monitoring services
  • Energy, lighting, water, and home energy management solutions
  • Connected health, accessibility, aging-in-place, and caregiver support use cases
  • Home improvement trends, pro versus DIY installation, movers, second homes, and channel opportunities
  • Distribution strategies across retail, builders, utilities, security providers, HVAC providers, and multifamily channels
Read the Full Article Here! 
 

Thank You to Our Premier Partners!!

 

Exclusive Diamond Partner!

 

Platinum Premier Partners

 

Gold Premier Partners

 
 
 
 
 
 

Silver 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!

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