If I were a security technician, salesperson or project manager — or an executive responsible for the training of these individuals — I would be energized about the opportunities for industry education taking place this spring and summer.

Next month, PSA Security will hold its annual PSA-TEC, offering hundreds of hours of education and networking that is available to the entire physical security community, not only PSA Security members. PSA-TEC is scheduled to take place May 5–9, at the Westin Hotel in Westminster, Colo. Information and online registration can be found here.

There are four “learning paths” at PSA-TEC, including Business Management, Operations Professionals, Sales & Marketing Professionals, and Technical Professionals. Within each educational path, PSA-TEC offers at least two to three dozen courses. Product-specific training and certification are offered (Bosch Security, Brivo, exacqVision, 3XLogic, Arecont Vision, AMAG, and many more) as well as vendor-neutral training in many key areas.

For a tantalizing preview — illustrating both the variety and depth of the content offerings at PSA-TEC — look at these courses, which represent just a sample of the complete curriculum offered:

• BICSI ESS110 Electronic Safety and Security
• Certified Protection Professional (CPP) Certification Prep Workshop
• SIA Certified Security Project Manager (CSPM) Review Course
• 25 Down-and-Dirty Ways to Increase Profits
• Best Practices in Sales and Marketing (roundtable discussion)
• Controlling School Access: Assessing School Security
• Cracking the Code to Forensic Video
• Dealing With the GC (General Contractor) Dilemma
• Field Project Management
• Managing the Business of RMR (panel discussion)
• Strategic Compensation (panel discussion)
• IP Migration Applied: Work Smart, Spend Smart
• Vertical Market Specialist Workshop
• State of the Industry/State of the Integrator (a panel discussion). SDM reported on this panel in 2013; read the full article here. 

ESX (Electronic Security Expo) is scheduled for June 23–26 at Music City Center in Nashville. ESX, a tradeshow owned by the Electronic Security Association and the Central Station Alarm Association, centers on education for security integration and monitoring companies. The program is peer-to-peer focused, meaning attendees can get real-world advice on new RMR tactics, sales and marketing techniques, installation staff development, and more.

The educational tracks are: Exhibitor Offered Training, Business Development & Management, Central Station Operations, Installation and Service Management, RMR, Sales & Marketing, and Super Session. Super Sessions are: Commercial Market Trends, Residential Market Trends, Light Commercial Vertical Markets, and The Customer Experience. For more information, visit http://www.esxweb.com/Content/ESX14-Homepage.

Just a few of the content offerings at ESX include:

• Analyze This: Understanding Creation Costs
• Finding the 21st Century Security Technician
• Project Management 2.0: PMs Tell All
• Business Intelligence: RMRable Smart Stuff
• Converting Data2Dollars: RMR from IT Solutions
• Holy DIY: Converting Self-Installed to RMR
• The Coming RMR Wave: PERS & mPERS
• Sales Superstars: Keeping the Shine
• Social Media: A Voice Worth a Thousand Referrals

Both PSA-TEC and ESX offer reasonable prices for the courses and, of course, best pricing for the entire event. Use these events to further your employees’ skill sets and knowledge, and in the process, enhance the opportunity for your company to be more successful.

Apply Now for SDM’s Dealer of the Year Award

Has your company demonstrated a high level of innovation, employed industry best practices, and achieved notable growth and accomplishments in the security dealer industry? If so, consider applying for SDM’s Dealer of the Year Award for an opportunity to have those accomplishments recognized industry-wide.

 Apply now by completing the nomination form on page 112, or by visiting www.sdmmag.com/DealeroftheYear.