Dallas delights.

Security professionals from around the world descended on Dallas, Texas, September 14-17 for the ASIS 44th Annual Seminar and Exhibits, dubbed "Solutions Without Boundaries." With nearly 14,000 people on hand at the Dallas Convention Center, private security managers and public law enforcement officials were intrigued by the exchanges during the 140 sessions held throughout the week and flocked to the sprawling exhibit hall, where 600 companies displayed the latest security technology and services at 1,600 booths.

In addition, each day started with a general session that featured entertainment and speeches by the likes of Beck Weathers, a survivor of the ill-fated 1996 expedition to climb Mr. Everest, and John G. Stoessinger, an internationally recognized author and political analyst.

The action began at the registration desk, where ASIS members, associates, spouses, and other guests received their badges and prepared for the excitement of the week ahead.

One of the first persons to get through the briskly moving registration line was Elvis Baptiste - head of surveillance at several casinos for the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada - who was on the lookout for cutting-edge technology and new information. Baptiste also sought to expand his network of security contacts. "I know a lot of people in the business," he said, but added that he felt it was important to meet new security professionals.

Also coming from Ottawa and getting a jump on registration was David Lloyd Brush, CPP, of Foreign Affairs Canada, a bureau with functions similar to those of the U.S. State Department. With expertise in physical security, threat and risk assessment, and guard force management, what technologies and fields was he particularly interested in? "I'm open," he said.

Whether they were on hand for the technological developments, educational sessions, or networking opportunities, registrants had plenty to soak up and ponder as they headed into the seminar week.

Opening ceremony. Bright and early Monday morning, the seminar and exhibits opened with style as a cast of more than 100 performers showcased their musical talent and treated attendees to a Texas-sized welcome.

ASIS President F. Mark Geraci, CPP, officially opened the seminar and exhibits and invited everyone to partake of the "Solutions Without Boundaries" offered throughout the week. "The challenges to security practitioners and administrators are escalating rapidly," Geraci said. "Prevention of security incidents is more complex and challenging today than ever before."

Miracle of survival. Although Dr. Beck Weathers believes that "except for Walter Mitty dreams, I am entirely ordinary," he is an extraordinary man with a poignant message. Weathers is a survivor of an ill-fated 1996 attempt to climb Mr. Everest, in which many climbers perished.

Weathers made it home alive, thanks to his wife's persistence and the heroic rescuers. Both his hands were amputated, his nose lost and reconstructed, but Weathers rediscovered the joy of living with a family he had almost lost. Before the Everest tragedy, Peach Weathers had been on the verge of divorcing her husband. "The relentless pursuit of success and goals and ambition had dragged out of life what was most precious," he explained. "I traded my hands and my face for my family and I accept that bargain. In the end, all that matters is the people you hold in your heart and those who hold you in theirs."

At the conclusion of his talk, Weathers was surrounded by members who were incredibly moved and inspired by his amazing saga.

A changing world. The internationally recognized author John Stoessinger inspired several hundred security professionals at Wednesday's opening session with a speech that mixed personal anecdotes about his years in Hitler's Europe with an analysis of today's global economy.

Stoessinger, who is a professor of international affairs at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, said that the United States - along with its partners in North America and Western Europe - is one of three "race horses" driving the world economy in the late twentieth century.

He said that while the United States has many strengths that will help it flourish, he warned that American culture has some weaknesses that may put it at a disadvantage against its main competitors around the world.

The biggest of these, Stoessinger said, is a lack of discipline. Americans - particularly the college-age students he sees in his classes - don't work as hard as their counterparts in Europe and Asia. They have run up large debt, and they do not have the understanding of global languages, cultures. and histories that will become more important as the world becomes more interdependent.

The other two race horses Stoessinger said, are Russia and southeast Asia and China. Although he called Russia a "tragedy," he said he was optimistic that its economy will eventually rebound and its newly formed democratic institutions will survive.

Stoessinger characterized the economic meltdown in Asia as a human tragedy that will be difficult to overcome and will eventually hurt the U.S. economy. He said the crisis was caused by some of the same factors that plunged the United States into recession in the late 1980s. However, while American businesses adjusted through downsizing and other cutbacks, the Asian culture's tradition of the corporation as an extension of the family will make it impossible for companies there to follow the same strategy. "The cultural imperative in Asia is in direct conflict with the economic imperative of the U.S.," Stoessinger said.

Turning his attention to China, Stoessinger said the Beijing government may talk like a communist, but it acts like a capitalist. While this may appear to the outside world as a contradiction, Stoessinger said, it's compatible with a culture grounded in the teachings of Confucius and the concept of Yin and Yang, in which conflicting ideas blend into one.

At the end of his speech, Stoessinger, who is Jewish, told the story about how his family escaped from Austria and later Czechoslovakia during Hitler's reign in Europe. He recalled two Japanese diplomats in particular who helped save his life.

He met one of the diplomats in Tokyo years later in what would be one of the most emotional weeks of his life. After hours of talking, Stoessinger finally asked the former diplomat why he had helped his family. "I never gave it any thought," the man replied. "It was the decent thing to do."

Insights to security. Thursday's opening session, "Security Insights," infused thoughtful dialogue on contemporary security issues with a bit of Broadway. The session, sponsored by the ASIS Council of Past Presidents, included three dramatizations that encapsulated security scenarios, including sexual harassment, theft of proprietary information, and challenges posed by downsizing. The vignettes were followed by pointed discussions on corporate defenses to these issues, led by a panel of four security professionals.

Emceed by Brian R. Hollstein, CPP, the two-hour gathering featured panelists James E. Lukaszewski, CPP, a specialist in corporate communications; Regis W. Becker, CPP, director of corporate security and compliance for PPG Industries and the 1998 chairman of the ASIS Board of Directors: John R. Camillo, senior vice president, secretary, and general counsel of the JC Penney Life Insurance Company; and Don W. Walker, CPP, director of operations for the Americas for Pinkerton, Inc.

The program segued into the dramatizations using a running newscast, "Newsbytes," in which a television anchor presented the day's "news" as a way to illustrate the problem about to be portrayed by a cast of professional actors. Scene one presented the story of a female worker who accused a bank executive of sexual harassment. Newsbytes reported that the woman had taped conversations in which the executive allegedly promised perks for sex. A team of corporate executives, including security, legal, human resources, and other managers, meet to deal with the situation. The accused executive denies wrongdoing, saying he only complimented her looks.

An investigation revealed that the woman's job performance was poor, and she was likely to be terminated. The group decided to keep the information confidential until a termination or court proceeding.

Panelists provided a myriad of ways to manage the emerging situation. For example, panelists said the company should have a strong policy against harassment, and complaints should be investigated immediately. Once a complaint is lodged, the security manager should work with the company's legal department to ensure that the necessary steps are taken to provide the company defense in court.

An overflow crowd. A lively country-western band, ASIS 1998 President Geraci doing a lively drum solo, and side-splitting humor of renowned impressionist Rich Little put the finishing touches on yet another successful ASIS seminar and exhibits at the closing luncheon held Thursday.

Geraci proudly proclaimed the accelerating growth of the Society and the popularity of the annual seminar and exhibits. He said that nearly 14,000 security professionals found themselves in Dallas this year.

The luncheon hall overflowed for the closing ceremony as members awaited the entertainment - a blend of classic country, big band, the blues, and rock-n-roll performed by the Sweetwater Country Band. As the band played, overhead projectors displayed photographs that recaptured candid moments of the seminar. Then, as Sweetwater performed its rendition of "Johnny Be Good," Geraci jumped on the drums, conjuring up his college days when he supported himself as a member of a band. He dazzled the audience with his booming, drumstick-twirling solo. A standing ovation and cheers followed his percussionist performance.

But the light-hearted fun was not finished. The world famous and undisputed master of mimicry Rich Little gave an hour-long performance that ignited gut-busting laughter. Little practically chronicled American history, impersonating entertainment and political figures in his time, from Paul Lynn, Ed Sullivan, and Andy Rooney to presidents Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.

RELATED ARTICLE: Hats Off to the Sponsors

The success of the ASIS 44th Annual Seminar and Exhibits was due in no small part to corporate generosity. The following sponsors added important extras - from registration packet "goodies" to gala get-togethers - for the benefit of all.

Hirsch Electronics Corporation covered the costs for the handy seminar and exhibit pocket guide.

ADT Security Services, Inc., provided the registration bag, pen, and pad.

Pinkerton Inc. sponsored the International Lounge.

AXCESS Inc. sponsored both Sunday's Get Acquainted Mixer and Wednesday's Foundation Dinner.

RELATED ARTICLE: And the Winners Are...

The ASIS 44th Annual Seminar and Exhibits in Dallas wasn't just about looking toward the future. Five individuals and twelve organizations were recognized for their past contributions to the Society.

Criscuoli award. Lauded as a "gem" and "Mr. ASIS" by the fellow chapter members who nominated him, Roland L. Nease, CPP, received the coveted E. J. Criscuoli, Jr., CPP Volunteer Leadership Award during Monday's luncheon. The equivalent of interest earned on $50,000 at current rates will be distributed as donations in Nease's name. The ASIS Foundation will receive 20 percent as an annual fund contribution, while 80 percent will go to Nease's own Olympic Mountain Chapter. In addition, Nease's travel expenses to the seminar were paid for by ASIS.

Nease, a member since 1960, retired in 1989 from his position as director of security for the Port of Tacoma. He has served as chapter chairman of both the Tulsa and the Puget Sound chapters and as vice chairman of the Olympic Mountain Chapter. He has coordinated and lectured at several conferences and has made many other contributions to the society.

President's award of merit. Four dedicated ASIS members received the President's Award of Merit at Monday's luncheon.

Paul Bullock, manager of loss prevention communications for Marriott International, Washington, D.C., was honored for demonstrating exceptional leadership skills in managing the ASIS Standing Committee on Lodging as its chairman in 1998.

David L. Johnston, CPP, was hailed for developing a survey course in business security designed for business school students. He is director of security for the Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New Jersey.

Ronald G. Guymer, managing director of Ralney Australasia Safe Co. Ltd. in Thomastown, Victoria, Australia, was recognized for his efforts in conducting the first CPP examination in Australia.

Sam C. Gonzales, an intelligence operations specialist for the FBI's National Security Division in Dallas, was given a merit award for developing innovative and creative techniques for educational program participants.

Poster and video awards. A bevy of companies and government agencies vied to be winners of the ASIS 1998 Security Poster & Video Competition. Fifteen awards were given to twelve organizations deemed most creative in their approach.

In the poster division, private industry category, the first place award went to MCI, which submitted a placard displaying the phrase "Security Begins With Me." Second place honors were bestowed on Belgacom N.V., which submitted three entries. The winning entry humorously showed a secured workstation: the cabinet and computer are protected by heavy chains and locks. The third place ribbon was given to Aetna, Inc., for its oft-repeated message to employees that they really aren't dressed for work unless they are clearly wearing their identification badges.

Honorable mention went to Public Services of New Mexico. Among the entries submitted by the company were comic-strip like renderings that teach altruisms like "safety in numbers" and implore staff to lock up valuables.

For poster awards in the government category, the National Security Agency took home first place. Second place was won by Federal Protective Services." Third place went to the National Reconnaissance Office. NSA and the National Reconnaissance Office also received honorable mentions. NSA's poster showed Santa Claus entering a computer chat room and warns, "Santa Knows Who's Naughty or Nice. In Cyberspace, do you?"

In the video arena, the private industry awards were given to Nortel, Inc., Georgia Institute of Technology, and Belgacom. In the government category, video awards were given to the National Counter Intelligence Center, the Australian Customs Service, and the US. Postal Inspection Service.