The Amber Alert Portal (www.amberalert.com) is a free public service which allows law enforcement to directly activate and update Amber alerts. The alert information is then sent out to local, state and federal government agencies and to broadcasters. But what you may have not have known is that the public can also sign up to receive Amber alerts via cell phone, pager, fax, email or other wireless devices. Amberalert.com is a central resource for individuals and organizations who wish to immediately access important Amber Alert information designed to save children’s lives. To learn more about the Amber Alert program and to sign up to receive Amber Alerts for your area visit www.amberalert.com.

The annual CALSAGA seminar and exhibits in our opinion was one of the best ever conducted by the association. Our hats off to Jeff, Jennifer, Charles and the rest of the association staff for their hard work and dedication. From our perspective it was a great turnout of attendees and a nice selection of exhibitors offering an array of products and services. Pictured here are Dennis Hamilton AND Gary Kuty with CALSAGA Executive Director Jeff Flint and Jennifer Ho, Director of Membership Services.

Concluding our whirlwind tour of the western region we packed up the display booth and headed to Las Vegas for another one of our featured seminars "Building Blocks for Contract Security Management." Attended by over 30 participants this was one of our best. Our sincere appreciation to the talented group of speakers we had on the agenda who offered up a wealth of information to the attendees. Vince Ruffolo, Bob Perry, Bruce Brownyard, Dennis Hamilton and Rick Dickinson did an outstanding job in their presentations and left the crowd wanting more. We would also like to thank Brownyard Programs, Ltd. for their part in sponsoring the seminar. Pictured here is a photograph of the attendees intently listening to an intriguing presentation by Vince Ruffolo and an action photograph of Dennis Hamilton explaining how to make your web site work for you! Also pictured are Gary and his able bodied assistants for the day, Hank Cigolle and his son, Henry David Cigolle (my very special father and brother-in-laws!) who made sure the seminar went off without a hitch and everyone had an enjoyable experience.

As if the seminar was not enough it was capped off by a fantastic networking cocktail reception hosted by the lovely and talented Kim Anderson Matich, President & CEO of the Phoenix, Arizona based Anderson Security Agency. Kim opened her new Las Vegas office and invited all of the attendees to network, imbibe and enjoy an array of delicious appetizers. Pictured here are Kim & Gary, co-hosts of the seminar and cocktail reception and the beginning of the formation of "line dance" practice with good friends and participants from Chicago, Houston, San Diego and Cleveland. Our special thanks to Kim for hosting this event and opening her office up for us to explore. All agreed it will be hard to go back to our own offices after experiencing Anderson's office.

Now you can market your products, services, and ideas with a customized professional electronic newsletter. The means to affordably communicate with your customers, clients, or team members has never been easier or less expensive. Our IT and graphic design teams will help you select a design and color scheme that suits your needs and company branding. Your customized monthly newsletter will display your organization’s name, logo, address, and phone number. Each issue will contain a selection of topical articles professionally written by our editors. We can even add articles, messages, and news releases contributed by you or your organization. Hyperlinks to your Website and automated subscribe and unsubscribe features included. We will even e-mail your finished newsletter to your email list! It’s fast, easy, and affordable. To learn more and obtain your own customized electronic newsletter call Kuty & Associates at 937.395.3059 or e-mail us at info@kutyassociates.com.

During this month of Thanksgiving, we all need to take time out of our busy days to give thanks for the things most important in our lives. Our spouses, our parents, children, extended families, friends and work associates. All too often we scurry about our day, never taking a deep breath to stop and think about what is really important to us. I heard a song the other day and would like to paraphrase one of the lyrics, “when we die, we shall never write on our tombstone, I wish I would have spent more time at work.” How appropriate for this occasion. Tell someone you love or admire just how much they mean to you this month and give thanks for having them in your life….

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December 6 - 8, 2006, ASIS Private Security Services Council, presents our annual Security Force Management Workshop at the Don Cesar Beach Resort located in St. Pete Beach, FL. To learn more and/or register for this highly informative session visit www.asisonline.org.

January 24 27, 2007 – Building Service Contractor’s Association International Chief Executive Officer Seminar. The BSCAI will holds its annual CEO conference in exotic domestic or international resort locations, the Chief Executive Officer Seminar, with a format of a morning seminar, followed by optional afternoon tours, addresses subjects of interest to CEO’s and top management of building service contracting companies: leadership, strategic planning, financial issues, sales, personal and business growth, etc. This year’s conference is being held on the island of Curacao. See what makes Curacao unique — exquisite beaches and spectacular diving, stunning architecture, activities and adventures for every interest, plus a multi-cultural diversity, intriguing music, art and cuisine. We have already made our reservations as have many other contract security members. To learn more about the speakers and download a conference brochure visit the BSCAI web site at http://www.bscai.org/seminar-ceo/brochure.asp. We hope to see you there, what better way to escape the cold weather then a trip to the islands!

February 22 – 24, 2007 the 2007 Associations One Conference will be presented in Countryside. This year’s conference is hosted by the Associated Detectives and Security Agencies of Illinois and promises to be one of the best ever. The event will be held at the newly renovated William Tell Holiday Inn Countryside, Illinois. We have negotiated a fantastic rate of $75.00 per night, single or double which includes a full buffet breakfast! It’s not too early to make your reservations so call the hotel direct at 1-708-354-4200. The hotel offers an in-door pool and recreation area, a full bar and restaurant and free shuttle service to Chicago’s Midway Airport. Midway Airport is served by Southwest Airlines and there are great rates from Columbus, Detroit, Louisville, and Indianapolis into Chicago. Located in the southwest suburbs of Chicago, Countryside is very easy to access via vehicle for those driving in from Ohio, Iowa, Kentucky, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan. Your on-site host for the 2007 event is Vince Ruffolo, Chairman of A&R Security Services, Inc. Blue Island, Illinois. Marketing and promotional services are being handled by Kuty & Associates, LLC.

Quote of the month: A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.  - Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)