Alarm company licensing is not new, but its enforcement and the public’s awareness seem to suggest otherwise. Industry experts will discuss why licensing should matter to the industry – and whether it really matters to the consumer at the Electronic Security Expo (ESX) 2018. The ESX CounterPoint Forum, titled ‘Unlicensed Activity – Fake News or Real Issue?’ will take place on June 21 at 9:30 a.m. in Nashville.
“Unlicensed activity has plagued the industry for years,” says George De Marco, ESX Chairman. “Ever since state licensing began, new entrants are ignorant of the law or interpret it to benefit their strategy, rather than following the law."
Professional security installation
With the influx of DIY security products, consumers often realise – after buying – that they need professional installation assistance or 24/7 monitoring services. When they look for professional help, do they consider licensing? How likely is it that they will choose a properly licensed alarm company for these services?
In addition, some states prohibit an unlicensed vendor from subcontracting an installation or providing monitoring service to another licensed company. As many industry professionals have experienced, licensing enforcement has proven difficult in several states.
Passionate security professionals from across the country will have the chance to voice their opinions on unlicensed activity
Monitoring unlicensed activity
How will states and municipalities handle licensing and its enforcement as the latest go-to-market strategies evolve, whether for residential or commercial systems? Should the industry champion new licensing and enforcement requirements? What will be the implications or unintended consequences of new state legislation? Will a hybrid licensing requirement evolve?
The waters are muddied, but the industry will come together to seek clarity in this robust discussion at ESX. Passionate security professionals from across the country will have the chance to voice their opinions on unlicensed activity and hear solutions from colleagues.
Interactive sessions at CounterPoint forum
“The industry is evolving quickly, and so should licensing to keep pace with the changes,” says De Marco. Unlike typical presentations, ESX CounterPoint Forums are open, highly interactive sessions, where debate is sparked. Industry professionals will discuss their views freely and passionately to sharpen each other through engaging dialogue.
The ‘Unlicensed Activity – Fake News or Real Issue?’ CounterPoint Forum is part of the Rethink the Future education track at ESX, held June 19-22. This track, sponsored by Alarm.com, will focus on current trends, market shifts and the necessary forward-thinking strategies to move the industry ahead.
ESX will offer four educational tracks, so passionate security professionals of all backgrounds will find what they are looking for among the 35+ peer-led sessions.
