ASIS International holds its Annual Leadership Meeting each year in January in Washington DC, writes a patriotic-looking Mike Hurst, ASIS UK vice-chairman.
Knowing what the weather is like at that time of year, I went well prepared with a heavy coat, gloves, scarf hat etc, only to be met with glorious sunshine and temperatures of 60 degrees F, 16 degrees C.
The meeting itself was attending by over 200 volunteer leaders from across the world. AS well as a solid contingent from the US, there were a good cadre from Europe plus South America, the Middle East, Africa and Australia. This largely represents the international nature of the organisation and its membership, which is becoming even more diverse and widespread. Even the new board of directors has members from seven countries.
The association has had many changes in the last year with the appointment of a new Chief Executive, Peter O’Neil FASAE, CAE and a new suite of Senior VPs recruited from across the association executive world. These leaders, supported by a 90-strong HQ team, will be supporting and be supported by the new board who are more completely engaged and committed to the future of the associated. The board is led for 2017 by new President Tom Langer CPP who was officially inaugurated at the event. I believe there was another president inaugurated in DC a few days earlier, but I wasn’t invited to that.
While ASIS International is still the undoubted leader in the field of security education, training and standards, there is still much to do to keep the member value proposition current and of value to the membership. Also, it is key that the companies who employ ASIS members see the value in that membership and that the public understand and respect the information, research and other information produced by ASIS.
Just to dispel any suggestion that this was a bit of a ‘jolly’, the days start with a networking breakfast at 7am and run, pretty much straight through until the end of the day. With sessions in the main conferencing room and various specialist breakout sessions. The UK Chapter of which I am vice-chairman is the fourth largest internationally and, if I may be so bold, is seen as one of the stars. As a consequence, I was invited to give a presentation on the work of the UK Chapter and the model that we work to: it seemed to go well.
I am constantly struck by the inclusive nature of the association and I returned with a pocket full of business cards from other volunteer leaders across the world who also felt that the trip was important enough to give up their time, free. We hope to have some exciting news about the UK Chapter in the weeks ahead so, watch the space.
Dates:
UK Chapter Spring Seminar March 9. Email: [email protected].
ASIS European Conference, March 29 to 31, Milan. Visit www.asiseurope.org.
63rd Annual Seminar and Exhibits – September 25 to 28, Dallas. Visit www.asisonline.org.
