Regardless of your integration firm’s focus, there are a lot of reasons why TEC presented by PSA should be circled in red on your company calendar.
Some companies send as many as 15 people — seriously, 15 — to make sure they’ve got at least one team member in every session.
One reason stands out above the rest: education.
There are over 140 education sessions and eight unique learning tracks, with seminars, workshops and trainings covering every aspect of an integrators’ business operations, and with something for everyone in the company totem pole.
Those sessions include hands-on technical training seminars and certification courses from leading industry associations ranging from half-day to five-day tracks.
There are learning tracks around the latest AV and technical industry trends, and a specific learning track to enhance your knowledge about emerging cybersecurity threats.
For those on the corporate and management side of the business, there are programs to sharpen your skills in operations, procurement, and sales and marketing.
In fact, there are so many learning opportunities at TEC that some companies send as many as 15 people — seriously, 15 — to make sure they’ve got at least one team member in every session. But if you still think TEC is an event only for security pros, here’s why you should think again.
#7: Because You Get Everything You Need, All in One Place
This will be the 43rd TEC, and each year new seminar and certification sessions are added to the program based on requests from past attendees.
[related]Security robotics was a new topic at last year’s TEC and was added because an attendee the previous year asked for it.
Neither security pros nor AV integrators don’t want to fly to California for one certification and then to New York for another — instead, they can get their team trained for a wide variety of certifications on-site at TEC, making it a one-stop shop that will add tools to your team’s tool belt and save your organization time and travel expenses in the long run.
#6: Because TEC Presented by PSA Isn’t Just for PSA Members
Not one of the 7,500 industry professionals that are a part of the PSA Security Network? Not a problem.
TEC empowers all systems integrators with the knowledge and skills they need to stay on top of technology and business trends in the industry, regardless of what sector of AV they specialize in.
#5: Because All Integrators Need Cybersecurity Skills Now
Cybersecurity is a complicated issue that many people don’t want to talk about it. But they have to. In today’s connected world corrupted AV systems aren’t just a threat anymore, they’re a reality.
If a client’s systems are overrun and the source of that breach is traced back to a product or device that your company installed, you can be held liable.
And what’s more, if a client’s systems are overrun and the source of that breach is traced back to a product or device that your company installed, you can be held liable.
That’s bad for them, bad for you.
Yes, you should have cybersecurity insurance, that’s a must. But understanding the latest threats, how to mitigate them, and who to collaborate with to help you ensure that everything you install is as secure as possible — these are fast becoming table stakes for the entire industry.
Good thing, then, that TEC Presented by PSA offers multiple trainings to help get you up to date on everything you need to know to give yourself, and your customers, peace of mind.
#4: Because It’s Past Time to Embrace Recurring Monthly Revenue
Still struggling with plunging margins on products?
Wean yourself off the project-based income model by learning the kinds of subscription-based services and maintenance solutions you can provide to customers. Learn how to identify the right type of salesperson, or how to train your existing sales people to market these services, and how to compensate them.
It’s not just about making your monthly cash flow more predictable and your company’s service offerings become more sustainable protecting your customer base and making your company more appealing to prospective customers and, when you’re ready to pull the cord, more attractive to potential buyers.
#3: Because Executives and Managers Need Training, Too
Nobody is a born manager, even if leadership comes naturally to some.
Understanding how to lead an organization and how to effectively manage team members — enabling them to succeed on a day-to-day basis while helping them to identify their strengths and weaknesses to help their long-term career and personal success — is a skill.
TEC Presented by PSA offers sessions to help business owners and managers develop and hone those leadership skills, which will ultimately benefit not just you and your employees, but will facilitate more productive work environments — and that can only be good for your bottom line.
#2: Because the Size and the Vibe are Just Right for Networking
This isn’t a Vegas trade show packed with hundreds of thousands of attendees, most of whom don’t even work in your industry.
This is 1,200 people who do what you do who are excited to share their expertise and sharpen their skills.
#1: Because AV Integrators and Security Pros Need to Work Together — Literally
There is a golden opportunity in the industry right now for security pros and AV pros to work together.
Security pros typically don’t have the AV expertise to fully deploy the visual aspects of state-of-the-art command centers, and vice versa — AV integrators may be able to pitch and land jobs installing the video walls and video management systems in these facilities, but don’t have the technical expertise or product access to properly secure those systems.
But that doesn’t mean each side needs to acquire the skills that the other has. Instead, there is a golden opportunity in the industry right now for security pros and AV pros to work together on jobs to maximize the success of a project for a client without overextending their respective skill sets.
And, as evidenced in reason No. 2, TEC Presented by PSA is the perfect place for integrators of each specialty to build relationships and create potential partnerships.
So, really, if you haven’t signed up for TEC yet, what are you waiting for? Opportunity is knocking.
TEC Presented by PSA Amplified runs from March 12-16 in Denver, Colo. Click to learn more or to register.
