It’s that time again when our industry gathers to show off its best products, services and people. The 56th Annual ALOA Convention and Security Expo convenes in Las Vegas. On July 12-14, hundreds of exhibitors will be showing off the latest and greatest products and services at the security expo. ALOA moves to the south end of the strip at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Conference Center for the first time.
Expo hours are noon to 5 p.m. on Thursday July 12 and Friday July 13 and noon until 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 14. Other functions include:
- ALOA Open Golf Tournament: Wednesday, July 11, with proceeds benefitting the ALOA Scholarship Foundation
- ALOA 2012 Membership Meeting: Thursday July 12, 9 a.m. (members only)
- Legislative Booth at Expo: During show hours. Find out the latest happenings in your state. ALOA will have have information on all bills and legislation, plus its Locksmith Lobbying for Licensing: A Guide for Influencing your State Legislature and Governor.
- State of the States Roundtable: Friday July 13, 9 a.m. This meeting is designed as a forum for ALOA chapters and local/state/regional locksmith associations to share information about the state of locksmithing in their region. It’s a dynamic way to share ideas. Primarily for the chairman, president and legislative representative from each organization, all locksmiths are encouraged to participate.
- Kickoff Party: Wednesday July 11, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
- PRP Testing: Saturday July 14, 8 a.m. to noon.
The ALOA Convention also features an exceptional educational menu that will provide more than 100 educational opportunities, ranging from full-day and half-day ACE classes to short seminars—some familiar, some brand new but all containing information on the latest technology available in the industry. Leading manufacturer and distributor personnel and some of your locksmith colleagues have volunteered their time to share their expertise.
ALOA works hard throughout the year to provide the best quality education possible by offering more than 200 full-day instructor led training classes through regionally sponsored classes, at the annual ALOA Convention & Security Expo and through the ALOA Training Center. Through the ALOA Scholarship Foundation, entry level locksmiths can apply for training assistance. ALOA’s certification program (PRP) provides a standard of knowledge and technical proficiency by which locksmiths can be recognized.
Classes begin July 7, and pre-registration is required. A wide variety of week-long, single-day, half-day and evening classes are offered with instructors from all leading companies in the security industry. Fees and credits vary, so check with ALOA for details. A pdf class schedule can be downloaded at www.aloa.org.
Here is just a small sampling of the general classes available. Manufacturer-specific certification classes are also scheduled. See www.aloa.org for the full list.
- Fundamentals of Locksmithing I, II, III and IV.
- Fundamentals of Access Control
- Investigative Locksmithing I and II
- Basic Electricity and Electronics
- Hollow Metal Door and Frame Servicing
- Complete Door and Door Closers
- Electronic Safe Lock Servicing
- Professional Impressioning
- Tubular Lock Servicing
- Transponders A and B
- Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Automotive Lock Servicing
- Master Keying
- Interchangeable Cores
- Detention Hardware
- Financial Management for Locksmiths
- Telephone Entry System Installation and Servicing
- CCTV Design and Installation
- Certified Fire Door Inspector
- The Benefits of Electronic Latch Retraction
We encourage all of you to come by the Locksmith Ledger in Booth 450 and visit with editor-in-chief Gale Johnson, technical editor Jerry Levine, publisher Nancy Levenson-Brokamp and sales manager Ryan Olson. We’ll see you in Las Vegas!