Gallagher Security recently hosted its bi-annual User Group event in Adelaide, Australia, a milestone gathering that saw over 100 security professionals come together, making it the largest event of its kind to date. The two-day event, held at the iconic SkyCity Casino, provided a comprehensive platform for participants to gain valuable insights, engage in networking, and receive hands-on training on Gallagher's cutting-edge security solutions.
This year’s event, themed "Unlock More," aimed to empower attendees to broaden their knowledge, strengthen industry ties, and gain a deeper understanding of the latest advancements in the security sector. Nicola Johnson, the National Events Manager for Australia, shared her thoughts on the event's success, noting, "GSUG has become a key fixture in our calendar, and this year, we successfully equipped attendees with the latest Gallagher Security insights while fostering meaningful collaboration among peers, industry leaders, and technology partners."
Designed with end users in mind, the program featured a mix of guest speaker presentations, interactive workshops, product demonstrations, and networking opportunities. The goal was to provide practical, actionable information that attendees could implement in their own security operations. Nicola Johnson elaborated, "Our agenda was carefully curated to include everything from guest speakers and product demos to training workshops, all designed to share Gallagher's expertise and give attendees the tools to enhance their security practices."
The event was filled with notable industry leaders and experts, both from Gallagher Security and external sectors. Gallagher's senior leadership team featured prominently, including Mike Margrain, Technical Director for Asia Pacific, India, Middle East, and Africa (APAC & IMEA); Danielle Mitchell, Training Manager for APAC & IMEA; Dean Matheson, National Technical Account Manager – Australia; Karl Harris, National High Security and Federal Manager – Australia; and Keith Neville, Sales Manager for South Australia and Northern Territory. The New Zealand-based Product Team, including Chief Architect Andrew Scothern, Chief Technology Officer Steve Bell, and Product Manager Tyson Barnett, also contributed their expertise.
External speakers enriched the event by offering perspectives from various sectors, including public infrastructure, consultancy, higher education, and energy. Among the distinguished speakers were David Carroll, Lead Technology Platforms at the City of Adelaide; David Kameniar, Senior Associate at De Stefano & Co; Jeremy Watkinson, Head of Protective Security Services at De Stefano & Co; Jodie Lowe, Senior Product Owner for ID Card Technology at the University of Sydney; Sean Judge, Manager of Physical and Cyber Security at Australian Naval Infrastructure; and Tara Turner, Security and Compliance Systems Coordinator at Loy Yang B Power Station.
A key highlight of the event was the Technology Partner Panel session, which showcased collaborative efforts in security technology. The panel featured industry figures such as Rob Galic, National Sales Manager at ASSA ABLOY; Tony Pastore, Key Account Manager at Milestone Systems; and Mike Duffield, Sales Principal at Rapid. The panel discussions provided invaluable insights into ongoing integrations and innovations within the security technology ecosystem. Nicola Johnson remarked, "The panel discussion was an inspiring and thought-provoking opportunity to reflect on the progress and future of security technology."
Additionally, training workshops were a hands-on component of the agenda, providing in-depth sessions on emergency evacuation procedures, alarm systems, and optimizing the Gallagher Command Centre platform. Nicola Johnson pointed out, "Our workshops were tailored to deliver specific knowledge about key Gallagher product features, enabling attendees to maximize the capabilities of their Command Centre solutions."
As the event came to a close, Nicola Johnson reflected on its success, saying, "This event is a testament to the long-term relationships Gallagher Security has built in Australia and the growing interest in our world-leading, innovative security solutions."