The Electronic Security Expo (ESX) will return to the location of its birth in 2012, as the education and networking event for security integration and monitoring companies heads back to the Nashville Convention Center. Its schedule includes association meetings running June 25 to 29, with ESX conference sessions June 26 to 28 and the ESX show floor open June 27 and 28.

Registration for ESX is now open. Members of the industry can register for the event at www.esxweb.com/register.

Kix Brooks of the country duo Brooks and Dunn will be the keynote speaker at ESX on June 27 at 11:45 a.m. at the Nashville Convention Center.

According to organizers, ESX is on track to be the largest event yet. Reports show significant growth in the number of exhibitors, sponsors and show floor size.

Year-to-date, the number of exhibitors and sponsors participating in the event is up 17 percent from ESX 2011 in Charlotte, paving the way for a significantly larger show floor.

The 7th Annual SDM 100 Gala is the social event of the year honoring the security industry’s leading executives from the SDM 100 report. The Gala will be held in conjunction with ESX on June 28, 2012.

This elegant social event draws top executives from the nation’s largest installing and monitoring companies. Attracting 225 executives and their guests from SDM 100 companies and solution providers at the 2011 gala, this event ensures a fun and exciting evening to socialize, dine, dance and celebrate growth and success in the industry.

Leaders from the SDM 100 Companies are eligible for two complimentary seats at the Gala. Contact Dana Marsoupian at marsoupiand@bnpmedia.com to redeem your complimentary tickets.

Additional tickets for SDM 100 Companies and any other interested parties in the security industry are available for $250. Tables may also be purchased through Dana Marsoupian.

ESX will launch the NexTech Zone at ESX 2012, an exhibit area within the event dedicated to automation, networking and A/V products for residential and light commercial applications.

The NexTech Zone will host 25 exhibiting companies seeking to connect with security integration companies who are expanding into new product categories and developing recurring revenue models around them.

“The industry is experiencing a dramatic shift, with home automation, networking and A/V becoming increasingly important for security integration companies,” said Merlin Guilbeau, executive director of ESA. “With the new NexTech Zone, ESX will provide information and education about these new opportunities.”

The 2012 ESX conference program is now available at www.esxweb.com, featuring more than 50 educational sessions across seven tracks.

The ESX Conference program begins on Tuesday, June 26 and runs through Thursday, June 28 at the Nashville Convention Center. In addition, the ESX conference catalog is available at http://www.esxweb.com/files/esx12_conference_catalog_final_low_res.pdf.

Marianna Perry, M.S., CPP, a Safety and Security Consultant/Trainer and former Director of the National Crime Prevention Institute at the University of Louisville, will be the featured speaker of the Industry IceBreaker Luncheon to be held on June 26 from 12:00 pm to 1:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.

Perry plans to speak about some of the successful public/private partnerships on the national level and building partnerships on the local level, as well as federal public safety agencies (DHS, FEMA, etc.), and the relationships between local law enforcement and businesses and private security.

Kristen Simmons, managing partner at Lightswitch, will be the featured speaker during the ESA Industry Luncheon and Annual Meeting held during ESX. The Luncheon and Annual Meeting, sponsored by Interlogix, A UTC Fire and Security Company, will be held on Thursday, June 28 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.

The presentation will describe how consumers make purchase decisions, share information, and even control companies’ reputation. Simmons will explain concrete, actionable steps businesses can take to make their customer experience a competitive advantage that drives enduring and profitable growth.