The Integration Association of Florida (IAF), formerly the Alarm Association of Florida, has shared the results of the 2024 IAF Annual Convention. 

“As a first time sponsor, we are thrilled with the results and quality of attendees,” said Tua Toiaivao, director of business development with B10 Capital. “Grady, Shannon, and team did a standout job communicating and making sure we were in the loop from the jump. We will definitely be back next year.”

January 22nd featured Association Meetings where real work was conducted to move IAF’s workforce development and training initiatives forward. Meetings were followed by the Keynote Presentation on Workplace Security: Recognize. Respond. Survive. presented by Andy Sexton and Chad Ayers with ProActive Response Group, and graciously sponsored by RSPNDR. After the Keynote was the Opening Reception sponsored by Alibi Security that featured food, beverages, and a night filled with networking and a Technician Challenge won by Marvin Dorcelys, a student at Orange Technical College. 

The Technician Challenge was an exciting event where students and attendees were able to showcase their skills and network with prospective employers. The Technician Challenge was sponsored by Resideo, Signamax and Windy City Wire.

The IAF Annual Convention included an Educational Program where state license holders could earn the 7 CEs required for license renewal. In addition to the Keynote mentioned above the event included:

• Homacher Family Mock Trial — Presented by Mitch Reitman and sponsored by CHeKT
• The ECLB Disciplinary Hearings 
• Worker’s Comp Interactive Panel Presentation — Presented by Tucker Harman with Merrill Insurance & David Lawhorn with AmTrust
• SIAC & False Alarm Reduction — Presented by Chief Joseph Estey (ret.)
• Florida Building Code Advance Module — Presented by Josh 
• Wolk

Attendees poured into the trade show floor on January 23rd and spent networking time with manufacturers, distributors and service providers. 2024 marked the second year in a row that the trade show was sold out. The show floor featured 75 vendors. 

“As this was our first conference with the AAF/IAF group, we found it to be very productive on a number of fronts,” said Scott Reis, director of channel partner development, CSR Privacy Solutions. “There was a genuine sense of community among membership and associate members, and everyone was very open and welcoming. The educational content and networking events were great as well.”

IAF held the Annual General Assembly Membership Meeting and elected new officers to the board of directors. The officers were installed during a ceremony on Tuesday evening. The new officers include:

• IAF President — Marvin Smith
• IAF Vice President/President-Elect — Diego del Pino
• IAF Secretary — Kevin Madden
• IAF Treasurer — Mark Astrom
• IAF Past President — Grady Medcalf
• IAF Director (Security) — Rick Seymour
• IAF Director (Automation) — John Minerva
• IAF Director (Fire) — Ed Greer
• IAF Director (Electrical) — Farshid Pourgolafshan
• IAF Associate Director — Jake Voll

IAF also hosted an awards program during IAF Honors Evening on January 23rd to recognize members and volunteers that give to the industry and the association. The evening began with a heartfelt tribute to Pierre Bellemare, long time association member, past president, and industry influencer. The award recipients included:

• The 2023 IAF False Alarm Reduction Award Recipient: Tony Wilson, CMS
• The 2023 IAF Life Safety of the Year Recipient: Tony Wilson, CMS
• The 2023 IAF Central Station Operator of the Year Recipient: Dorjan Ingram, COPS Monitoring
• The 2023 IAF Support Person of the Year Recipient: Stephanie Milanes, Hotwire Communications
• The 2023 IAF Technician of the Year Recipient: Chad Proctor, Wiginton Corporation
• The 2023 IAF Salesperson of the Year Recipient: Ashley DePeau, Prime Protection
• The 2023 IAF Marketing Genius Recipient: Jake Voll, SS&Si Dealer Network
• The 2023 IAF Associate Member of the Year: Carlos Smith, Silmar Electronics
• The 2023 IAF Regional Directors of the Year: 
  • Jason Rountree, Summit Fire & Security who leads the IAF Gold Coast Region
  • Diego del Pino, APS who leads the IAF South Region
• The IAF 2023 Fire Official of the Year: Pamela DeMeo, senior fire plans examiner, North Collier Fire Control & Rescue District
• The IAF 2023 Association Most Valuable Person of the Year: Grady Medcalf, Comcast
• The IAF 2023 Industry Most Valuable Person of the Year: Danny Harrod, Wiginton Corp.

“The Integration Association of Florida is delivering value to members like never before,” said Shannon Few, executive director, IAF. “This great association has re-engaged members and has a renewed sense of purpose evident in the 42 percent growth in membership in 2023. IAF added 100+ members last year, streamlined operations, and re-ignited productivity resulting in a 180 percent increase in net profit over 2022. I can’t wait to see all that 2024 has in store for IAF.”

IAF extends special recognition and gratitude to the exhibitors and sponsors of the event that make the Annual Convention possible.

For more information, visit: iaf-safe.org.