OK, I would feel as if I were not doing my job if I did not start a thread about the 16th annual Security Officer's Workshop at Philadelphia in September. Here is the link to the information.

So who's going?

I hope to attend again this year - it has become an annual trip for me. There is so much valuable information and so many fantastic networking opportunities. If at all possible, try to attend - anyone who has attended can tell you it is a first class operation - Barb and George do a fabulous job of bringing the best speakers and choosing the best topics.

Looking forward to the SOW! It's always great and the speakers always make it interesting. The mock trail should prove interesting...I hope I'm not guilty!

See you there Tom!

Michelle III

It looks like I'll be able to make it after all!

Yeah! Are you going for all 4 days?

Michelle III

Probably.

I've submitted to my boss for all 4 days, but he is on vacation, so it won't go to Exec until NEXT Thursday. I should know by next Friday if they'll send me away for a week.

I just submitted for all 4 days too, hoping it gets approved.

I wasn't able to get it approved but I hope to next year, it will be the first year that I will offically have a budget for Security! I plan to include this in my budget proposal! Hope you all have a good time!

It'll be my first and I look forward to meeting many of you.

Approved!! I will be there all 4 days!

Philadelphia, here I come!

I've been approved, but there is a conflict in vacations interfereing with the dates - I am working on it...

Sadly I will not be able to attend this year. I had not realized that the date had changed (it was moved back a week) until it was too late for my assistant to change her vacation plans. My year will not be the same without my annual trip to Philly.
I am going to miss seeing everyone this year - it will be like missing the family reunion.

I am going to Minneapolis to the ICBA Bank Security Institute with Dana Turner and am looking forward to it, but I will miss the traditions of the SOW.

Tom - how will we be able to run a workshop without you???? I'll be searching for you every time I go to the front of the room! I'm so sorry you won't be able to be there. The Marriott just could not give us the earlier dates. I know we were in October one year, but we do try to keep it early to mid-September. This year we just couldn't.
Super line up. I know many BOL people are going to enjoy Andy Zavoina. And Barry Thompson has a slam-bang session in one of the pre-workshops that will be MOST memorable. John Byrne will be able to "let it all out" now that he is no longer ABA. We'll get the straight scoop from him. And Kevin Smith, the new Editor of the BANKERS' HOTLINE will be very much in evidence. Many remember Kevin from his introduction of the BSA Jeopardy Game a few years back. This year he's talking about ATM skimming and internal theft in two sessions. Branch will worry some people with his personnel safety and security stories. And of course, Mary Beth Guard and I will be holding down the fort too.
Remember last year when everyone complained we didn't have enough time for the round tables? I've put it on Wednesday night this time, so if the discussion and information exchange is going hot and heavy, we won't cut it off midway through.
The Trolley will be there - Casino at Harrah's in Chester is also a choice. Unfortunately the Phillies are out of town, I think.
And of course, the pigs will be there!
Can't wait to see everybody again!

I booked my flight today and will land a little before the Eagles are to start their game (sadly at Jacksonville), but you can bet that I'll be looking for a sports bar to watch the game with some rabid Eagles fans.

<-------Not an Eagles fan, but it'll be fun anyway.

This will be my first real conference since IAFCI in Seattle in 2006. I am really looking forward to seeing what this is all about.

Should I leave my Cowboys jersey at home?

Andy - Bankers' Hotline CANNOT be responsible for your safety if you wear a Cowboys jersey - even with all the Security Officers who will surround you!!!! You'll be in Iggles territory!

Andy - I'll wear mine if you wear yours. Let's just hope it gets there. In 2006, I had to wear that nasty green because my luggage was delayed and ended up having to buy something in the hotel gift shop! Oddly, there was no Cowboy paraphernalia.

Is it possible to attend just one of the pre-workshops and nothing else?

In the event this isn't monitored, I'd recommend you call them or email, sow@bankersonline.com.

Thanks. They do allow that.

Tom, it won't be the same without you!!

Just think, if you had gone to Philly, rather than Minneapolis, you wouldn't have gotten those bedbug bites!!!

<----------Tom's substitute for 2010.

I'll be sure to keep things lively, MB.

This year is all messed up! I didn't get to run my marathon this year and I don't get to go to Philly. I will say that the three days I spent at the ICBA Security Institute with Dana Turner were very productive. It was a great refresher for me and would be invaluable to anyone who has not had any intense security officer training. I came away with my CCBSO designation and a ton of bug bites. Have fun in Philly guys, I'll see you there next year.

Note to Philly attenders: the Sugar House casino opens this week. There is Harrahs and then Phila Park casino too

Hey, Tom - can't you run on down for at least one day? It would seem more like official if you were there!
We're in the process of getting material together - the printer was intrigued at the session titled "Murder on the Witness Stand" I think he checked out the handouts to see if he should notify the police!
We have more speakers than usual this year - thirteen in all - from Texas, Virginia, Florida, Massachusetts, Illinois, New York, PA, and of course Oklahoma is well represented by Mary Beth. A lot of talent from all over the U.S. Three are from Texas, though - so we may see some Cowboy shirts after all, if there is courage in numbers!
And news for all who in the past have survived sitting through my Basic Security Officer Training Pre-workshop session. Here's the scoop. I've finally done away with the overhead and the transparencies and gone to Power Point. George has pushed me, kicking and screaming, into the 21st Century. It was not an easy trip. And I have to admit - Teri did the power point program for me. But I think I can handle the remote.......
It looks like the weather is going to cooperate again. And we're looking forward to some serious playtime after some real down and dirty working time. The Round Table discussions won't be cut off this year - I promise.
Can't wait to see you all!..........