Welcome to the 2024 CAA Winter Convention

December 4th – December 7th, 2024

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Winter Convention 2024

The George A. Weinstock Award

Honoring the 2024 CAA George Weinstock Award Recipient - Kirk MacDowell

Kirk MacDowell

About Kirk MacDowell

Business leader and 44-year security industry veteran, Kirk MacDowell is the founder and CEO of MacGuard Security Advisors. Bringing insight from his time at industry innovator Alarm.com, top Fortune 100 manufacturers General Electric and United Technologies, a top 50 SDM integrator, and his own electronic security firm, Kirk now offers guidance on how to innovate, transform, and compete in today’s ever-changing electronic security landscape.

MacGuard offers several consulting services including business strategies, strategic growth initiatives, M&A, builder development services, acquisition analysis, SWOT evaluation, and customer satisfaction surveys.

About The Fairmont Knob Hill

Fairmont San Francisco pairs classic ambiance with modern amenities and provides accommodations that are a testament to luxury, featuring 606 individually furnished guest rooms. The 62 elegant suites, including the City's 10 best balcony suites, offer impressive views of the City and Bay. 

Schedule of Events

Industry Workshops, Exhibitions & Food / Beverage

exhibits-reception
8:00 am - 5:00 P.M.

Vendor Set Up
ROOM - Main Ballroom

buiness-meeting
11:00 A.M.. – 2:00 P.M.

WBFAA - UATC Committee Meeting
ROOM - Fountain Room

(Open Meeting)

meeting-2
1:00 P.M. – 2 p.m

Regional Chapter President’s Meeting (closed door) ROOM: Far East Room (Mezzanine)

(Closed meeting)

meeting-2
2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m

CAA Board Meeting
- Room: California Room (Mezzanine)

(OPEN DOOR)

buiness-meeting
5:45 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.

Vendor Meeting
ROOM - Main Ballroom

reception
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Welcome Reception
ROOM: Main Ballroom

Sales-Excellence-Training
8:00am - 5:00pm

Vendor Exhibition
ROOM: Main Ballroom

board-meeting
9:00 a.m. –10:15 a.m.

Harvey Eisenstadt Sales Symposium
Room: Venetian Room

Moderated by Rich Whitlock, Farpointe Data and Dean Belisle, DMP
board-meeting
10:30 a.m. –11:15 a.m.

Do you have a good succession plan? Do you sell or pass along to heirs? - Hunt Room (Mezzanine)

Speaker: Kelly Bond with Davis Mergers and Acquisitions

Sales-Excellence-Training
10:30 A.M. –11:15 A.M.

New Laws (Labor and Employment) Affecting Security Companies - Mitchell, Silberberg & Knupp - International Room (Mezzanine)

Speaker: Jeremy Mittman

video-analytics
10:30 A.M. –11:15 A.M.

Understanding Video Verification/Guard Enhancement Solutions including Outdoors - ROOM: TBD

Speaker: Deanna Blair, SightLogix

Video Verification has become a crucial component in modern security systems, enhancing the effectiveness of camera systems by confirming real threats and reducing false alarms. However, not all Video Verification solutions are created equal. With the advent of AI and advanced sensor technologies, cameras are now evolving into sophisticated sensors themselves.

So what technology is used to make them sensors and how does it impact the reliability of the camera as a sensor and your costs so you can design the best solution for your clients needs. What role does your central station partner play, and how will that impact cost?

We will discuss some of the Good, Better and Best solutions available today to accomplish Video Verification using today’s technology, AI and cameras. By now security professionals know that Video Verification enhances the effectiveness of security camera systems by confirming real threats and reducing false alarms but how does a security professional know which one is best suited for a client's needs?

lunch
11:30 A.M. – 12:50 p.m.

Sponsor Luncheon (DEALERS & SPONSORS ONLY)
ROOM: Terrace Room

The Future of Emergency Response: Faster, Smarter, Safer Sponsored by BluePoint Alert Solutions
business-customers
1:00 P.M. – 1:45 P.M.

How To Engage Customers with Ai Technology

Speaker: Chris Haun, Turing Video - California Room (Mezzanine)
salesman
1:00 P.M. – 1:45 P.M.

One Device, Three Cellular Carriers: Harnessing the Power of Multi Carrier Technology for Commercial Fire Applications
ROOM: Far East Room

Speakers: Daniel Rosales, Telguard

business-customers
1:00 P.M. – 1:45 P.M.

Tales from the Trenches - ROOM: Hunt Room (Mezzanine)

Speakers: - Lilianne Chaumont, Chaumont Law Inc. and Larry St. John, Eclipse Insurance
 
Hear first-hand reports of developing trends in liability and risk management from CAA committee chairs Lilianne G. Chaumont, Esq. and Larry St John, CIC, CRM, as they provide updates from their legal and insurance practices on protecting the alarm industry.  Program highlights include, “Avoid Making Promises You Can’t Keep”, and “New CSLB Insurance Requirements for 2025".
video-analytics
2 P.M. – 2:45 P.M.

Ai Enabled VMS Built for Users
California Room (Mezzanine)

Speaker:  Carl Huntsman, Digital Watchdog
leadership
2:00 P.M. – 2:45 P.M.

Using Cellular and Apps to keep current, sell more, and close more business
ROOM: International Room (Mezzanine)

Speakers: Dean Belisle, DMP and Jeff Spatz, DMP

Wise Committee Meeting
2:00 P.M. – 2:45 P.M.

WISE Meeting
Room: TBD

exhibits-reception
3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

CAA Cares about Life Safety - Empowering Safety with Honeywell CARES
ROOM: California Room (Mezzanine)

Speakers: Tyler Roby, Honeywell and Sam Aviles, Honeywell 
customer-service
3:00 P.M. – 3:45 P.M.

Optimize remote video monitoring with AI
Hunt Room (Mezzanine)

Speaker: James Reno, Alarm.com

Join Alarm.com’s Vice President of Commercial Sales, James Reno, for an in-depth look into the future of remote video monitoring. Learn how Alarm.com’s AI Deterrence services can enhance your business’s security measures and optimize its monitoring capabilities.

customer-service
3:00 P.M. – 3:45 P.M.

New Concepts in Residential Security
ROOM: TBD

Speaker:  Duane Warehime, NAPCO
workplace
3 P.M. – 3:45 P.M.

WBFAA presents new CALeFORMS project
ROOM: International Room (Mezzanine)

Speakers:  Chris & Connie Moorhead, Ron Lander and Dan VanHart, WBFAA
customer-service
4:00 P.M. – 4:45 P.M.

If you believe it is all about Ai, think again!
ROOM: International Room (Mezzanine)

Speakers:  Kirk MacDowell and Joy Curtiss, MacGuard
business-security
4:00 P.M. – 4:45 P.M.

The New Complete Video Alarm Solution
Hunt Room (Mezzanine)

Speaker: Tommie Van Fossen, Optex, Checkt
virtual-exhibit-hall
4:00 P.M. – 4:45 P.M.

IQ Pro
ROOM: Hunt Room

Speaker: Michelle Chesnut, Sr. Strategic Account Manager, DSC/Qolsys/Johnson Controls 
 
Panelists: Nicole Swartwout, iWired & Alex Montenero, Consultant
exhibits-reception
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Vendor & Sponsor Reception -
ROOM: Main Ballroom

Gather for hosted cocktail reception and taste of San Francisco while you view the leading products and services from our exhibitors.

Buffett-breakfast
7:30 A.M. – 8:15 A.M.

Breakfast & Exhibits
ROOM: Main Ballroom

board-meetign-open
8:15 A.M. - 10:15 A.M

CAA General Session
ROOM: Main Ballroom

buiness-meeting
10:15 A.M. - 10:30 A.M

Coffee & Exhibits
ROOM: Main Ballroom

awards
10:30 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.

Keynote Speaker
ROOM: Main Ballroom

Speaker: Alex Pachikov, CEO
Sunflower Labs

In this keynote, Alex will share his experiences in developing cutting-edge robotics systems, focusing on the technologies that have genuinely made a difference—and those that, despite the hype, remain little more than gimmicks. Join us as Alex delves into the realities of AI in robotics and uncovers what it truly takes to build systems that matter.

ladies-luncheon
11:30 A.M. - 1 P.M.

CAA Spouses Luncheon
ROOM: Hunt Room (Mezzanine)

lunch
12:00 P.M. - 1:15 P.M.

LUNCHEON & EXHIBITS
ROOM: Main Ballroom

exhibits-reception
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Executive Symposium: "Where Emergency Response is going?"
ROOM: Main Ballroom

Moderated by: George De Marco, DECO Ventures
 
The Executive Symposium provides a platform for senior executives from top industry and technology companies to share their insights on the current landscape and emerging trends in electronic security, fire/life safety, and custom electronics. Panelists, who are leaders in their respective fields, will offer a strategic overview of the opportunities and challenges facing systems integrators, traditional alarm dealers, and monitoring companies, giving attendees a comprehensive understanding of what lies ahead for the industry.

 
 
 
resideo
3:15 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.

Staying Competitive in the Alarm Industry through Strategisc Outsourcing - Results you can expect!
ROOM: French Room

Speaker: Jerry Finnegan, FSSI
CONNECTED
3:15 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Emphasizing the importance of the partnership and communication between Fire and installing companies
ROOM: TBD

Speaker: Ken Kwong, Sacramento Fire Department
video-analytics
3:15 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Video Monitoring Today, Central Station Panel Discussion (How AI, Analytics and Machine Learning are being leveraged to make video monitoring more proactive, productive and efficient while eliminating false alarms
ROOM: Fountain Room

Moderated by Kirk MacDowell with: Scott Blakeman, Elite Interactive Solutions
Better-Data-Connecting-Consumers
4:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Title: TBD
ROOM: TBD

Ian Arquero, Resideo
board-meeting
4:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Title: TBD
ROOM: TBD

Speaker: Matthew Tomao with SL Ventures

kirk-mcdowell
7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

CAA Tribute Dinner Honoring Kirk MacDowell
2024 Weinstock Recipient
(Black Tie Optional) Room: VENETIAN ROOM

Buffett-breakfast
8:50 a.m. – 10 a.m

Breakfast & Industry Incorrect
ROOM: Crown Room (Tower)

An informal discussion reviewing the news from the convention and perspective from all aspects of the industry by a diverse panel.

Speakers: Lessing Gold, Esq., Mitchell, Silberberg & Knupp