PRESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVE Stay Safe health issues we’ve been collectively dealing with. I hope everyone is stay- ing safe and taking extra precautions in your business and at home as we wait this all out. While a lot of us want to slow our lives down at times, this cer- tainly wasn’t the way we would have chosen to do it! As you’ll see in the message to the I leſt, we are sadly unable to hold the 2020 ALOA Convention due to prohibitions against large gatherings. I will miss see- ing everyone, but we are already looking forward to the 2021 ALOA Convention at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, FL. Please save the dates of July 25–31, 2021, and look for more information in your inbox and upcoming issues of Keynotes. The Automotive Sector In this issue of Keynotes, we have several features with automotive content. This is such a specialized area of locksmithing, and the technology is constantly chang- ing. Take a look at those articles for some how-tos with good visuals. If you’re interested in learning more about this exciting sector of the indus- try, ALOA has so many classes avail- able at conventions and at our training center in Dallas. From instruction on transponders and microprocessors to motorcycles and key generation, there are a wide variety of topics covered by true experts in these classes. Have you ever seen Mannie Natal teach? He’s one of the most animated and passionate instructors ALOA has ever had, and WWW.ALOA.ORG t’s difficult to start one of these columns lately with- out mentioning what’s been on every one’s minds: COVID-19 and the related financial and you’d be lucky to take a class from him — or from any of our other automotive instructors. For those who are already in the au- tomotive segment, consider earning your Certified Automotive Locksmith (CAL) credential. Doing so lets your cli- ents know that you are knowledgeable and adhere to professional standards. If you want more information on this or any other credential ALOA offers, please contact [email protected] or call (800) 532-2562, ext. 101. OMLA’s 50th Anniversary Now that we’re missing in-person events and gatherings, I’ll tell you about one I attended right before all of this mess began. I was happy to attend the Okla- homa Master Locksmiths Association’s (OMLA) 50th anniversary celebration. In a fun twist, their president was also celebrating his and his wife’s 61st wed- ding anniversary. This was a great group of fine folks, and I thoroughly enjoyed spending some time with them. I hope that I can attend more such gatherings in the near future to spend time with my fellow locksmiths. Until then, stay safe and healthy, and I’ll see you online. Respectfully, Jim Wiedman, CML President ALOA Security Professionals Association, Inc. [email protected] The OMLA celebrated its 50th anniversary in the spring. JUNE 2020 KEYNOTES 7
