Each year in conjunction with the Electronic Security Expo (ESX), SDM hosts the SDM 100 Gala to honor executives from the largest security companies in the United States. Representatives from more than 50 of the SDM 100 companies attended this year’s gala, held last night in the Davidson Ballroom in Nashville’s Music City Center. Attendees dressed to the theme from top to bottom, sporting cowboy boots, denim slacks, jackets, vests and dresses, along with diamonds and bling — topped off with specially made SDM Gala hats or the attendees’ own cowboy hats.

The cocktail hour and dinner presentation buzzed with energy and laughter among colleagues and old friends. SDM Publisher Mark McCourt and Editor Laura Stepanek opened the Gala with a humorous skit that acknowledged the SDM 100 companies in attendance — which included ADT, Tyco Integrated Security, Monitronics, Vivint, Protection 1, Diebold Security, Vector Security, and Guardian Protection Services — as well as sponsors of the event. A raffle was held and 20 lucky people received an autographed photo of musician Keith Anderson, and then got to meet and chat with him in person. Anderson and his band then rocked out the ballroom with a live performance that included hit songs such as “Pickin’ Wildflowers,” “Every Time I Hear Your Name,” and “I Still Miss You.”