Join us Monday, May 11 – Wednesday, May 13, 2026, for an inspiring and comprehensive experience designed to elevate your professional skills, connect you with industry leaders, and celebrate the highest standards in consulting excellence. Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a seasoned professional, this conference offers unparalleled opportunities for learning, networking, and growth. Register Now!
Monday, May 11, 2026
Pre-Conference Session – Raising the Bar – Advanced Forensic Workshop*
Click here for full session details
First Time Attendees Meet & Greet
This is a great opportunity to meet fellow first-time attendees and get to know the community in a relaxed setting.
Welcome Reception
End your day with the Welcome Reception, where all attendees gather to relax, socialize, and start forging new professional relationships.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Meet the Sponsors Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast while connecting directly with our sponsors, learning about the latest products and innovations in the industry.
Video Surveillance and Security. What the Research Means for the Private Sector with Dr. Eric Piza
This presentation provides a comprehensive assessment of video surveillance systems, focusing on their effectiveness in crime prevention, offender apprehension, and enhancing security. Drawing from decades of empirical research and systematic reviews, the presenter aims to provide evidence-based guidance to security professionals considering video surveillance strategies. The presentation also centers on key knowledge-gaps in the literature and how action research partnerships may help improve our understanding of video surveillance as a security tool. Overall, the empirical research encourages strategic, evidence-informed deployment of surveillance systems tailored to specific safety objectives and operational contexts. However, without careful implementation and performance tracking, video surveillance cameras may fail to archive the security benefits that professionals anticipate.
Artificial Intelligence 101 for Security Professionals with Mark Schreber
There is much misinformation and double-speak in the industry about modern Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions, which is not helping the security industry educate themselves on the rapidly evolving AI technologies entering the market. This presentation aims to meet the following three goals:
a) inform on the basics of artificial intelligence and how it differs from prior programming approaches
b) provide explanations for the myriad terms used in AI solutions
c) project what practical applications security professionals should expect over the coming year, as well as the near-future.
The intent is that the attendees will gain confidence in the ability to properly discuss AI topics and enable them to support clients with the implementation of AI in pragmatic manner.
Lunchtime Keynote
Join us for lunch and hear an inspirational keynote on the local area.
Daubert: Preparing the Expert for Proactively Anticipating and Defending Challenges with Shannon Kos
Motions to limit and preclude expert testimony are a litigation strategy frequently utilized by opposing attorneys. This session will focus on practical ways for identifying potential Daubert challenges from the inception of the retention, using Daubert offensively to establish the foundation for opinions and testimony, recent trends in Daubert challenges, and strategies for effectively responding to Daubert challenges. Attorney Shannon Kos will provide practical advice for how to anticipate, respond to, and navigate Daubert challenges.
Open Source Intelligence in Tactical Investigations: Threat Mitigation and Risk Analysis with Michèle Stuart
The internet empowers investigators to efficiently gather information on subjects, emphasizing that concentrating solely on individuals may not always be the most effective approach. A crucial element in research is the identification of actionable intelligence, aiding in the discovery of details such as individual identification, movements, business associations, family ties, addresses, and telephone numbers. Furthermore, accurate searches on social media platforms can prove instrumental in pinpointing suspects and witnesses during investigations. This course is designed to equip you with the skills to employ accurate search patterns, leverage open-source resources, and effectively navigate social media platforms for investigative purposes.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Special Interest Group Breakfast
Join focused discussions within Special Interest Groups led by dedicated facilitators in areas including: Hospitality, Design & Technology, New Member, RFP, Chanty, and Open Table.
Vulnerabilities: The connection to threats and security risk with Sean Ahrens
This interactive presentation explores how Vulnerability identification and analysis serve as the critical bridge between Threats and Risk within security assessments. Participants will examine real-world vulnerabilities encountered in the field, review case examples, and practice connecting each vulnerability to associated threats, potential impacts, and approach to quantification
The session incorporates scenario-based discussions, photographs from field assessments, to demonstrate how overlooked vulnerabilities can escalate into incidents if not controlled, and how layered defenses can mitigate these weaknesses.
Key Takeaways
- Real-world field examples demonstrate the link between everyday oversights and significant security risk.
- Vulnerabilities are not just weaknesses; they are opportunities for proactive action.
- Quantification matters. Controls should be selected and justified based on their measurable reduction of risk.
- Vulnerability analysis is central to risk assessment. Understanding and categorizing vulnerabilities enables targeted, effective security design and operational strategy.
Savoring Security: Bringing Consultants and Stakeholders Together Lunch
An informal opportunity for committee meetings, and topical gatherings.
Lessons From the Journey—Building & Sustaining a Security Consulting Practice
This interactive discussion with Charlie Howell, Lynda Buel, and Michele Chase will focus on a range of topics designed to assist professional Security Consultants in the daily operations of their practices. When we start out in the consulting business, what steps do we need to take in order to succeed? The established professionals on this panel will help us to identify some of the best management practices and also pitfalls that they have identified during their years in business.
This presentation will instruct both new and seasoned consultants in the best practices of marketing, technology tools, and expert witness case management. We will also dive into using Artificial Intelligence as another tool to enhance our research and final work product.
By the end of this interactive session, you will learn:
- How to use technology tools to save time and better organize information.
- Best practices in marketing your business. What works, and what is a waste of resources? Social Media, Websites, Forensic Expert “brokerage firms”.
- How to manage a caseload of forensic cases. File management and tools.
- Artificial Intelligence for research and recording.
Whether you’re just starting out in the security consulting field, or have decades of experience behind you, hear from this panel of seasoned professionals how they have streamlined their business operations to ensure success.
Common Security Vulnerabilities at Apartment Communities and How to Correct Them with Mike Silva
There is growing demand for security consulting services at apartment communities and other multifamily housing facilities, and this creates significant opportunities for independent consultants who have the skills necessary to serve this market.
This session highlights the special security needs of apartment communities and examines the 25 most common vulnerabilities found at these properties, along with practical solutions to address them.
Meet Our Speakers

Alan Zajic
Owner/Principal, AWZ Security Consultants

Billy Johnson
Principal Security Consultant, J-2 Security Services

Charlie Howell
Principal, Howell Design Group, LLC

Dr. Eric L. Piza
Lipman Family Professor of Criminology & Criminal Justice, Director of Crime Analysis Initiatives, and Co-Director of the Crime Prevention Lab at Northeastern University

Lynda Buel
President & CEO at SRMC, LLC

Mark Schreiber
Principal Consultant, Safeguards Consulting, Inc.

Michèle Stuart
Owner, Investigator, and Instructor, JAG Investigations, Inc.

Michelle L. Chace
President – Managing Principal, Mitigation Assessor, LLC

Michael A. Haggard
Managing Partner, Haggard Law Firm

Michael Silva
Principal, Silva Consultants

Sean Ahrens
Security Consulting Practice at Affiliated Engineers, Inc.

Shannon M. Kos, Esq.
Principal of McCoy Leavitt Laskey

Steve Kaufer
Owner, Inter/Action Associates, Inc.