Your Monday GSX 2023 Guide

Howdy, partner! GSX 2023 officially kicks off this morning and it’s going to be the action-packed day you’ll need your boots on for (figuratively speaking, we strongly recommend wearing shoes with great arch support onsite in Dallas).

Here are some of the highlights that you won’t want to miss whether you’re in Dallas in person or attending digitally. All times are in Central Time (CT).

Saddle up—we ride at 7:00 a.m.!

Wake-Up and Commute to GSX: 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.

We may be in Texas, but we don’t really expect you to ride a horse to the convention center. Instead, after some caffeine and breakfast, walk, jog, or take a shuttle bus over in the morning. On your commute, we recommend listening to our special GSX podcast episode featuring an interview with the curator and historian of Dallas's Sixth Floor Museum, which chronicles the assassination and legacy of U.S. President John F. Kennedy. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Soundcloud below.

Feeling overwhelmed by the possibilities that GSX 2023 presents? Take some tips from Angela Osborne, CPP, PCI, PSP, and a regular GSX attendee since 2014. She shared with us her plan for Monday at the show, as well as best practices for staying informed, recharging your batteries (literally), and packing your show bag.

Sit in On the General Session: 8:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. in Hall 4, Level 2

To open GSX 2023, keynote speaker Radosław “Radek” Sikorski will bring his insights into how democracy is under siege across the globe, highlight steps to be taken to secure democratic nations, and offer a new lens through which security professionals can view their role in this effort.

Sikorski is a member of the European Parliament representing Poland, the chairman of the EU-US delegation for the European Parliament, and member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence in a Digital Age, and the Subcommittee on Security and Defense. He’s also the EPP’s spokesperson on China.

Ahead of traveling to Dallas, GSX Daily Editor-in-Chief Megan Gates caught up with Sikorski to learn more about the security challenges he’s following, and the role private security practitioners can play in meeting them. Read more about their conversation here.

Walk Over to the Exhibit Hall: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

With numerous exhibitors, education sessions, and networking opportunities, you’ll want to dedicate a portion of your time to exploring the exhibit hall in Dallas.

There’s the UnCrewed U Stage in booth 1001, where you can learn about emerging technology and robotics; the X Stage in booth 3675, where you can view 20-minute preparedness sessions and product demos; and the Cybersecurity Pavilion in booth 2249, where you can learn from cyber leaders about physical ramifications of cyber incidents. All sessions on these stages will be livestreamed for GSX Digital attendees.

Also, take some time to stop by Career HQ in booth 1655. Career coaches will be in the booth for resume reviews (schedule your review here), as well as lead sessions about navigating the security industry while achieving your career goals.

We also hope you’ll stop by the ASIS Hub in booth 1503 to pick up a print copy of Security Management and meet some of the members of ASIS International’s subject matter communities that are hosting information sessions throughout the day.

View our GSX 2023 Product Showcase and share what you’re seeing and learning on social media with us by using the hashtag: #GSX2023.

Line Up your Education Sessions: 10:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Along with the action in the exhibit hall, GSX 2023 has a plethora of education sessions today, tomorrow, and Wednesday, covering all aspects of security. Search by topic, speaker, or track by using the official Session Guide or the GSX 2023 smartphone app.

Need to brush up on a few security topics before sitting in on your first education session? We've got you covered with deep dives and session suggestions on insider threats, threat assessments, and artificial intelligence, as well as our editor's Recommended Reading List.

One session you won’t want to miss today is in our Game Changers Track and will feature a presentation from Michael J. Bacon, CPP, CISSP, the former CSO of Wells Fargo discussing his real-life experiences with a sales model that turned into a scandal. His session, “Ethics: Building and Maintaining Credibility,” begins at 2:00 p.m. in Ballroom C4 and will be rebroadcast on Tuesday, 12 September, at 9:00 a.m. for GSX Digital attendees.

Fuel your Brain with Real Food: 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Schedules get very full at GSX, but without fuel—aka food—you brain will be mush during the afternoon portion of the day. Bistro GSX in booth 501 is open at 11:30 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. and is included in all access and one-day passes for GSX attendees. On-site tickets can also be purchased, but supplies are limited.

Prepare to Mingle at the Exhibit Hall Happy Hour: 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Breaks, even at conferences, are important. Your brain needs them. Take a networking break and explore the exhibit hall during a complimentary happy hour for all GSX attendees at 3:00 p.m. today.

Answer our Access Control Survey: 4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

What access control technology do other companies use? What access control solution do security practitioners wish was more available? The answers to those questions and more will be gathered in our ASIS Access Control Technology and Policies Survey.

Share your knowledge and experiences by answering the survey, and we’ll give you early access to a detailed analysis of the results. Learn more and take the survey here.

Fill Out your Dance Card for Evening Events: 5:00 p.m. Onwards

After education sessions and the exhibit hall close for the day, ASIS International NextGen and Women in Security Community members and supporters will be gathering for a happy hour at the Omni. The event is only open to registered attendees.  

There will also be exhibitor parties throughout the evening, but we recommend taking some time to wind down, hydrate, and prepare your notes for Tuesday in Dallas—it’ll be here before you know it!

That’s a wrap for Monday! Looking for more resources on today’s plan? Here’s the GSX Digital Attendee Info, the Schedule at a Glance, GSX Frequently Asked Questions, and Health & Safety Policies at the Show.