ALOA has recently updated the FindALocksmith.com website to make it more useful for consumers and to bring more value to members. such as AIA, ASIS, BHMA, DHI, SHDA, ESA, SHDA and IFDIA. We also work with the general public, insurance under- writers and the government — from the Department of Labor to law enforcement and state and local agencies — to increase awareness of ALOA and locksmith-relat- ed security issues. Through working with these groups and organizations, ALOA increases awareness of the association, its logos and its certification programs. We have estab- lished mutually beneficial relationships with industry groups, allowing ALOA to extend its reach through participation in others’ tradeshows and conferences in exchange for allowing communications to ALOA members. Numerous discussions have taken place concerning co-sponsoring events with some of the groups. ALOA will continue reach out to them as well as to insurance underwriters, retail and wholesale hard- ware providers regarding their events. ALOA SPAI continues to develop the Findalocksmith.com website, making it more user friendly to the membership and accessible to the general public. The PRP certification program is recognized throughout the industry and described on Findalocksmith.com, bringing to the WWW.ALOA.ORG This year, ALOA has added value to the convention by holding free active shooter seminars for institutional locksmiths. Also new for this year is the Tech Pavilion on the Security Expo floor, which offers attendees free technology demonstrations and education. public’s attention the level of skill dem- onstrated and proven by the locksmiths on the site. In the past year, ALOA SPAI admin- istered the PRP at nine full sittings with 106 participants. Currently, there are 351 CMLs, 350 CPLs, 1402 CRLS, 183 CALs, 19 CMSTs, 298 CPSs, 3 CMELs, 3 CMALs, 169 CALs, 68 CFDIs and 28 LSFDIs. Operating Efficiency As part of our mission, ALOA aims to continuously develop new avenues of communication with members, pro- spective members, industry-related associations, security hardware dis- tributors and manufacturers. We also promote awareness among consumers regarding industry-related changes, ad- vancements and available consumer benefits offered by the industry. One way that ALOA SPAI continues to maintain the avenues of communications among its audiences is through represen- tation at twenty-plus events throughout the year. The events are attended most- ly by the board of directors, but some are attended by staff. Relationships are improved through our participation in the events, and many of the groups con- tract training from ALOA because of the communication enabled by these events. Some have become affiliate members, con- tacted ALOA for advice or expanded par- ticipation in their events. Through Keynotes magazine, the weekly e-newsletter and social media platforms, ALOA promotes awareness regarding industry changes advance- ments and available benefits. ALOA makes every effort to acquire products or programs that may be exiting the in- dustry but still have value. We’ve increased our Facebook presence by posting items regularly on the site and receive high response marks from those visiting the site. Aſter the 2017 annual convention, a site was established on Facebook specifically for our Women in Locksmithing group. The aim is to help develop this segment, allow for greater networking and increase women’s presence in the industry. You can find the page at www.facebook.com/groups/ WomenInLocksmithing. Annual Convention/ Tradeshow ALOA SPAI is tasked with organizing an annual convention in which members shall have available professional technical JULY/AUGUST 2018 KEYNOTES 25
