Made in the U.S.A

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Expo Seguridad is growing, or so says security guru Alan Forman, president and CEO of Altronix. He knows the Expo like one of his children; he’s been at the show all eight years and is making plans for a bigger presence next year.

Part of the plan is to future-proof the IP video surveillance market, and another part of the plan is to show serious interest in the emerging security industry in South America. His other important goal is to prove that “Made in America” is vital to the security market, especially when competing with China.

Altronix is, after all, made in America.

“Expo Seguridad is one of the remaining, refreshing tradeshows,” Forman said. “The quality of the visitor here is very refreshing. They show serious interest; they are hard working people who are well qualified to be in the security industry.”

Forman is in Mexico City planting seeds, saying that it is a new world of systems integration. Mexico City has an international pull with big box stores, and a well-developed financial market, which Forman takes a keen interest in monitoring.

“This is a tradeshow of friendships and well-developed personal relationships; that’s what business here means,” Forman said. “It is all about supporting the product representatives and the tradeshow. And the support returns as well.”

Another of Forman’s interest is Mission 500, a philanthropically-organized group of security professionals reaching out to help those most in need. My final editor's note—coming out in about a week—will look more in-depth at this wonderful group.

The Latin American security market is very close-knit: When you speak to one person, you feel as if you're addressing the entire industry. Fernando Tomasiello, senior vice president of operations and international sales at Samsung Security, said it’s all about relationships.

Perhaps that is why Samsung captured a city surveillance project in Mexico City, which is one of the largest projects the company has undertaken. Latin America is one of the top markets for Samsung.

“People love this show because of the technology,” Tomasiello said. “It’s the most important tradeshow in Latin America today.”

I believe it. Expo Seguridad didn’t disappoint from my perspective. Three days of well-versed and well-qualified attendees who understand security and the meaning of giving it your all. This truly has been one of the best tradeshows I’ve ever attended.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher/Editor in chief of Security Today magazine.

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