Golfing with the Connecticut Alarm and Systems Integrators Association……and setting budgets!

...Last Thursday the ISC Team took to the links; participating again in the 19th annual Connecticut Alarm and Systems Integrators Association (CASIA) golf tournament. We had a beautiful day and what seemed to be a full slate of participants with two foursomes starting on every hole. ISC had two foursomes competing; our foursome – we’ll call it Team #1 - did well, however, missed too many birdie putts and finished +1 (the winning score was a -15 score of 57). Our second foursome – Team #2 - broke out the Bloody Mary’s on the first hole; the Guiness and Smithwicks on the second hole and had a great time from the minute the carts left the parking lot…..and had quite a sunburn when they were finished. I never actually saw their scorecard, however, they must have been on the course for nearly the longest time all day – with the possible exception of the foursome stuck behind them! It was a great day and a great event, supporting CASIA and their many initiatives. Best of all, it convinced me that I should get out and golf some more.....before next year’s tournament. Executive Director Pat Remes and CASIA President Bob McVeigh do a wonderful job and the golf tournament was no different. Great job to tournament chairman Andy Wilson for putting together a great event.

We’ve been very happy to enjoy the support of CASIA, as well as the New York Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (NYBFAA) and the New Jersey Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (NJBFAA) for our ISC East event. In addition to promoting participation and membership in their respective state associations at the show, this year the three groups will be working together to discuss the interstate cooperation of the associations. With NYBFAA’s Executive Director, Dale Eller, taking the lead with NYBFAA President Ron Petraca, the three groups will be front and center, a can’t miss at this year’s ISC East. The members of these associations are the backbone of our industry and we really can’t say enough about them. I was also encouraged to hear that, despite the economy, quite a number of the CASIA members are doing quite well despite the challenges of the economy. Yes, home sales are down and new construction had dried up, but it sounds like a number of companies are finding add-on and upgrade business with existing customers – particularly those in high-end markets. If you can’t sell the house now; might as well invest in it! I was surprised to hear that – and happy to hear there were people making lemonade out of lemons in our industry.

Well, back to work now as we begin to prepare for 2010 budgets. While I’m still hopeful that we’ll see the economy bottom out in the coming months; budget time is when the rubber meets the road – as you know. While I’m hopeful for the industry, hopes can get a man in trouble when establishing and defending budgets in the corporate world. As I work through this process I will be sharing what our thinking is with you in the blog. I’d like to hear from some of you – how are you budgeting for 2010? How will 2009 look?

Ed
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