Security conferences don't have to be just about products

Sep 1, 2001 12:00 PM

Several years ago, a group of diverse businesses had an idea for a conference to focus on the people, companies, and legal and financial issues that mold the course of the security industry. Rather than gathering around product displays, attendees would network with leaders of the industry's most prominent companies, providers of emerging technologies and members of the investment community. Instead of specific product technology discussions, attendees would learn how service companies and manufacturers of all sizes are harnessing emerging technologies. They would also get up-to-the-minute market perspectives from venture capitalists and Wall Street investors.

The realization of that idea — Securing New Ground (SNG) — is now in its sixth successful year. Here is a look at the people behind these innovative conferences, its founders and co-founders:

• Lehman Brothers Inc., a global investment bank serving the financial needs of corporations, institutions, governments and high-net-worth investors worldwide. Lehman Brothers Inc. serves institutional investors regarding financing or investment opportunities, and the company is happy to share information with the attendees of SNG.

  Jeffrey Kessler, senior vice president of Lehman Brothers Inc., explains: “We wanted to provide players within the security markets the ability to learn how acquisitions and consolidations are impacting the market and how the overall needs of the security customer are changing.”

• Mitchell, Silberberg & Knupp LLP, celebrating more than 90 years as one of California's premier business law firms. Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp's clients range from Fortune 100 companies to entrepreneurs. “The purpose of Securing New Ground,” says Lessing E. Gold, Esq., “is to focus on the people, companies and issues that play key roles in molding the course of the security industry's growth and direction.”

• ProFinance Associates Inc., a broker-dealer firm. Its professional staff has developed expertise in providing financial and industry-specific advisory and investment banking services to high-gross margin, and repetitive-income service industries, including electronic security. “One of our many missions for the Securing New Ground conference is to introduce key financial aspects of the security market along with technology trends,” says Michael B. Jones, president of ProFinance. “The conference also provides a forum to share viewpoints, to network and to create new business opportunities.”

• Sandra Jones & Company (SJ&CO). The company is a resource and consulting firm that provides information, research, marketing and advisory services for the security, access control, intrusion, CCTV, fire and integrated systems markets. In addition to producing the yearly conference, Sandra Jones & Company's goal has been to bring together business information necessary to the industry. “New entrants to the industry and established companies can benefit equally from the value and insight these conferences bring,” says Sandra Jones, principal of Sandra Jones & Co. “A yearly lineup of speakers helps to uncover trends and strategies shaping the future of the security industry.”

This year's conference will be held Nov. 7 and 8 at The Roosevelt Hotel, New York City. For information, visit www.securingnewground.com.

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