PSA and NSCA Combine Conferences

DENVER—PSA Security Network and the National Systems Contractors Association (NSCA) will combine their annual conferences in 2004. The strategic partnership between security systems integrators and electronic systems integrators is a first in the industry.

The alliance will result in the creation of a security and life safety pavilion at next year’s NSCA Systems Integration Expo in Las Vegas March 19- 21, 2004 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. PSA will manage the security and life safety product showcase and oversee the security and life safety education tracks at the conference.

The partnership between PSA, an electronic security cooperative, and NSCA, a trade association representing the commercial electronic systems industry, effectively complements each organization’s goal of providing a setting for leading-edge technology, with NSCA focusing on integrated commercial systems while PSA focuses on high-end security and life safety systems. Both organizations will remain separate entities.

“Coming together with NSCA gives PSA the opportunity to expand the exhibits and gives PSA much needed space for classes and functions,” said PSA President and CEO Bill Bozeman. “The new venue will allow PSA members to learn, network and ally themselves with electronic systems integrators as well as reaffirm and strengthen existing relationships. This is a refreshing change and will open up a new world to PSA members.”

During the NSCA Systems Integration Expo, PSA will continue to run its own conference simultaneously, holding private PSA functions including a banquet, opening mixer and stockholders meeting. Those events will be held separately at the Flamingo Hotel.

For more information about the PSA Conference, contact Shelly Binder at (800) 525-9422 ext. 120 or shelly@psasecurity.com. For more information on the NSCA Expo, contact Kim Doyle at (800) 446- 6722 or kdoyle@nsca.org.

New NFL Stadiums Debut in 2003

NEW YORK—The National Football League unveiled two new stadiums and one remodeled version for the 2003 season. The New Soldier Field, home to the Chicago Bears, will hold its inaugural game Sept. 29, 2003 with the Green Bay Packers visiting. The 63,000- capacity open-air stadium cost $365 million. The Philadelphia Eagles host their first game in Lincoln Financial Field on Sept. 8 when Tampa Bay visits during ABC’s Monday Night Football. The 66,000-capacity stadium cost $320 million. Lambeau Field, home to the Packers, re-opens for the 2003 season after two years and almost $295 million in renovations. The extensive renovation increased seating capacity and improved public concourses, rest rooms, concessions and general stadium infrastructure.

VANCOUVER—The International Olympic Committee awarded the 2010 Winter Games to Vancouver, British Columbia. The Canadian city of 2 million narrowly edged runner-up Pyeongchang, South Korea, winning 56-53 in the second round of voting. The present political unrest in North and South Korea presented security concerns that may have been a factor. Salzburg, Austria, was eliminated in the first round.

The announcement marks the return of the Winter Olympics to Canada for the first time since Calgary hosted the 1988 Winter Games. Most Olympic events will be held in the scenic Pacific coastal city, with some skiing and other events to be at Whistler ski resort located roughly two hours away. A recent IOC report gave Vancouver the best overall review, with high marks for its plans for sports venues, accommodations and financing.

PHOENIX—Public Venue Security (PVS) has been designated an Official Publication of the Venue & Events Security Conference, presented by WCBF on October 28-29 in Chicago.

According to WCBF: This is the first major venue security event offering crucial information and advice to companies responsible for staging live entertainment, leisure, public or sports events in the USA, and to the owners and operators of stadiums, arenas, convention centers and performing arts centers, all of whom are increasingly concerned about the threat level to their facilities, buildings and patrons from terrorist attack.

Attendees can expect to:

• Discover the latest technologies for enhancing facility or stadium security.

• Share best practices with other venue operators on common issues such as information sharing, coordination, emergency preparedness and staff training.

• Discuss the best models for communication between government, intelligence, law enforcement and the private sector.

• Learn how to carry out an effective vulnerability assessment.

• Implement international best practices for security risk assessment, operational and emergency response planning and consequence management.

• Understand how building and design revisions can enhance physical security.

• Reduce the threats to visitors without impacting commercial efficiency.

• Gain advice on safe evacuation and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Speakers at the conference include:

Glenn Mon of SMG; Dr. Peter Ryan, Security Director of the Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games in Athens 2004; and Mark Briggs, the Director of Security at Gillette Stadium.

For more information, visit www.wcbf.com/security/6003/.