CONSULT 2024: Views from a First-Time Attendee
Since attending every industry event globally isn't feasible for me (though I'd love to ??), I reached out to Charles McGilvary Johnson , CEO and Founder of NGA Security Advisors LLC and Access Control Executive Brief member, for his key observations from CONSULT 2024 put on by Ray Coulombe . Charles is a 28+ year security industry veteran and sales leader who has generated over $48M in revenue through his consultative, client-first approach to building lasting partnerships with various stakeholders (including Channel Partners, Integrators, Architects, and End Users) across diverse sectors like Fortune 500, Education, Critical Infrastructure, and Government, leveraging his extensive product knowledge and ability to identify and address client needs.
For those unfamiliar, CONSULT is the only non-captive venue exclusively devoted to specifiers of electronic and physical security. The event has been developed specifically for technical security consultants. This year, it was held in beautiful New Mexico on October 25-28, 2024.
Below are Charles's key takeaways and observations.
Thank you, Charles, for sharing these valuable insights with our community!
Over this past weekend I traveled to Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico to attend my first CONSULT gathering with fellow Security Consultants. Having started my new business, NGA Security Advisors LLC , in May of this year I was eager to network with old friends, make new connections and learn more about the challenges, issues and opportunities that exist in the Consultant segment of our Industry. The gathering did not disappoint.
I’d like to offer a brief overview of the gathering for those who haven’t attended before, along with some statistics and feedback for the industry that highlights a unique commitment from Ray Coulombe and his team that’s truly unprecedented in the industry.
Simply, CONSULT is the Security Industry’s gathering exclusively devoted to specifiers of electronic and physical security. Ray Coulombe and his team focus on providing targeted education, elite speakers and smart networking.
The gathering was held at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa which is a beautiful, peaceful location about 35 miles North of Albuquerque. It was a great place to hold a gathering where we could be fully emersed in the dialog and discussion while also enjoying the scenery, nature and weather.
I decided to fly in on Thursday, a day early, and played a round of Golf on Friday at Twin Warriors Golf Club which is on the Tamaya property. I was joined by Mary Beth Shaughnessy from Reed Exhibition Companies , her husband Bill and Chau Floyd, PSP, CPD, CSPO, CSM from ADRM (Advanced Data Risk Management). We had a great round and enjoyed the day. That evening we gathered to kick off the weekend where everyone came togather, including spouses and significant others, at a Cocktail Party and Dinner.
During the Friday Dinner, Ray took a minute to honor & memorialize 2 people who recently passed away. The first was Jim Henry, of butchko inc., a long tenured Industry Veteran, Consultant, member of Security Specifiers and close friend who passed in April. We also shared an emotional moment with Ray as he announced the recent passing of his wife, Nancy (Nance), after a long illness.
I won’t delve into each and every session offered on Saturday and Sunday specifically but I will say the speakers, presenters and all in attendance thoroughly enjoyed the Agenda as Ray and his team kept the gathering lively, entertaining, educational and beneficial to all who were there. It’s a challenge to walk the fine line where you keep the Consultants focus & interest while also making sure the Technology Manufacturers are pleased with sufficient face-time and dialogue with the attendees.
What was hugely beneficial was on Saturday afternoon the Consultants and Technology Manufacturers had a “Roundtable” session, some might refer to as speed-dating. The Manufacturers were located in rooms where the Consultants could come in and have a brief discussion on various topics and then rotate every 15 minutes to a different Manufacturer.
I personally focused on conversations with Lenel/S2, Boon Edam, ASSA Abloy, Life Safety Power, NEDAP and Octeum . The Octeum conversation was especially insightful as this company was founded in 2019 and is located in Fairport, NY. They focus on “expert advisement to powerful engineered integrations, to support resources on-demand”. With my significant background in the PACS Software Industry I was especially interested in learning more about this company, as I had not heard of them prior to CONSULT.
On Sunday the Symposium offered mulitiple Sessions you could attend and some were focused on specific “Tracks”. These included “Specifications & Projects”, “Cyber Security”, “Technology” and “Special Topics”.
Personally I attended “Cloud Essentials: Bringing it down to Earth” which was presented by James Krile with HEAPY . He did a great job in breaking down the Cloud discussion into easy to understand components which covered Why, Architecture and Key Considerations.
Next, I attended “Cloud Implementations: Stories from the Front Lines” which was Moderated by Jim Krile, with Panelist Jon Polly, PSP, SICC, IC3PM from ProTecht Solutions Partners, LLC , Jim Cooper from Pavion & Marty McClanahan from Protus3 . As you can imagine the conversation and story sharing was lively and significantly beneficial hearing from these 3 Industry Veterans.
Lastly, I thoroughly enjoyed “Collaborating with the “Modern” Integrators” which was Moderated by Paul Boucherle CPP CSC from Matterhorn Consulting LLC and included Panelists Lorna Chandler from Security By Design, Inc. , Brian Coulombe, P.E. from 亚马逊 Corporate Security, David Levine from SCI and Rob Oldham CPP?, PSP?, PCI? CPTED from Stone Security.
On Sunday evening we all enjoyed Dinner with the Technology Manufacturers and I sat with Derek Ommert, CPP, PSP from ASSA Abloy & Donna Chapman (& Thor) from HID. Great conversation was had by all at our table.
The one key differentiator for CONSULT that I have not seen from other Industry gatherings is the commitment and focus on making sure the Spouses & Companions are not just included but are a focus. They actually had a planned and scheduled Program for them, including a trip to Santa Fe via Motorcoach that offered shopping, lunch, site-seeing and dinner on Saturday. On Sunday they enjoyed the onsite Spa, Pottery Making & Painting activities. My wife didn’t attend this year, but the plans are for her to join me next year at CONSULT 2025 in Denver, Colorado!
If you have questions about the Symposium I didn’t cover here, please feel free to reach out to me.
Charles M Johnson CEO & Founder of NGA Security Advisors
PS – Here are a few numbers that I gathered from the Conference Guide...
Chief Technology Officer at Integrated Security & Communications | Cybersecurity & Network Infrastructure Leader
4 天前It really is in a class of its own when you look at the other industry conferences, Ray does an outstanding job! My wife has done the spouses program for the last two years and has already invited herself to next years conference ??
Charles great meeting with you at Consult after Julie Roles introduced us. Great write up and observations. Appreciate the shout out as well. Good luck with your new consulting company and again reach out if you need some coaching/encouragement!
Director of Business Development and A&E Consultant Program
5 天前Well written Charles McGilvary Johnson and I concur. One of the best events out there.
CHA Consulting -Syr. Office- Security & Life Safety sytems Design & Project Management, Project development & evaluation
5 天前Worth attending