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The 61st ASIS International global security event, Anaheim USA By Pascal Engler Ticon Solutions Pty Ltd
18 | Australian Security Magazine
T
he Anaheim Convention Centre in California was the location of this year’s ASIS International 61st Annual Seminar and Exhibits (ASIS 2015). The event was conducted over four days and evenings from Monday 28 September to Thursday 1 October. Approximately 20,000 security professionals were in attendance. Delegates were assisted with an event innovative mobile app. The app provided all relevant information about the event including education sessions presented, program updates, show specials, and an interactive floor plan with a live Twitter feed. Attendees were also able to share their experiences of ASIS 2015 by tweeting pictures throughout the event. In addition to the 600 exhibitors who displayed a broad range of security products and solutions including the latest innovations in physical security and technology, there were a range of education and professional development sessions. In total over 250 operational and information security education sessions were provided. These sessions covered topics from counter-terrorism, cyber security to security-related solutions where there was political unrest, civil war and other threats to local, regional and global security. In addition to the education and professional development sessions, the event provided valuable resources for security-focused professional development including
the on-site bookshop, endless opportunities to network with security professionals from around the world, and an atmosphere where security leaders were able to engage in security-related discussions with like-minded colleagues. On the Sunday, many of the early arrivals to the seminar attended the First Time Attendees/New Members Reception, held in conjunction with the ASIS Young Professionals Reception. This was then followed by the Welcome Reception, a great start of the many networking opportunities to meet a diverse group of peers from across industries, as well as catching up with friends. The activities continued with Texas Night, held at Tortilla Jo’s Downtown Disney and concluded late in the evening. The formal event commenced Monday morning with an opening ceremony. There ceremony included a formal welcome from the ASIS International President Dave N. Tyson CPP. The opening ceremony also involved a marching-band and a parade of flags representing the 100 plus countries in attendance. Delegates were also entertained by comedy duo The Passing Zone who performed juggling acts within a comedy routine. Before Mr Tyson officially opened the exhibit hall to attendees he addressed the audience on the evolvement of ASIS International. He explained recent initiatives and how ASIS International has become the global voice of the