This week in Atlanta has been a whirlwind and Wednesday’s schedule to mark Military and Law Enforcement Appreciation Day is no exception.

To recognize the role that law enforcement, military, and first responders play in protecting their communities, all members of these groups are eligible for a free one-day pass to GSX that provides access to the general session, all conference education sessions, the exhibit hall, and lunch. Digital attendees are eligible to receive a free one-day pass to access livestreams of the general session, select education sessions, and the X Stage sessions.  

There’s also a variety of education planned to discuss and provide resources to individuals wanting to transition from public service into the private security sector. To learn more about this, we spoke with a veteran about how he transitioned to working in private security and the volunteer work he does with veterans in his community. 

For more on what’s happening at GSX today, check out our guide below.

Education Sessions: 8:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. ET

The above is not a typo. Today’s agenda starts first thing this morning with education sessions highlighting all aspects of security. For the full list, visit the official Session Guide or use the GSX app.

Before his session at 8:30 a.m. this morning, Alex Jadrich, manager of public safety, security, and emergency management at the Denver Zoo, spoke with our podcast host, Chuck Harold, about the role empathy can play in de-escalating tense situations. Listen in on their conversation (below) and check out his session "Why Security Organizational Administrators Need to Lead with Service from the Heart."

We’ll also be paying close attention to a few U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) sessions. The first is on combatting insider threats to election security at 8:30 a.m. in room 407. The second is on bombing prevention resources to mitigate the threat of explosives, planned for 9:45 a.m. in room 316.

GSX Digital attendees will have the option to livestream select education sessions.

Exhibit Hall Opens: 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET

By now, we hope that you’ve made your way into the exhibit hall to walk through the booths, sit in on some education sessions, and mingle with your peers. But if you haven’t—never fear. You have a few more hours to check out the exhibitors, sessions, and our GSX 2022 Product Showcase to plan your strategy of attack.

Also take some time to stop by Career HQ in booth 717. They’ll be offering free career coaching, resume reviews (registration recommended), and providing education sessions on managing your career path.

Additionally, GSX Digital attendees will be able to livestream broadcasts from the UnCrewed U and X Stages on the exhibit hall floor.

ASIS Speed Mentoring: 9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. ET

To help GSX attendees make new career-building connections, ASIS is hosting a Speed Mentoring session today for select, pre-registered attendees with All-Access passes who are also ASIS members.

The session is part of the ASIS Security Leaders Mentoring Program, which connects security professionals worldwide with a mentor or mentee and provides participants with a variety of resources—including a mentoring handbook, conversation starters, and access to the ASIS International Mentoring Community. For more details or to participate in the program after leaving Atlanta, check out the fact page linked above or contact [email protected].

General Session: 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. ET

What’s the impact of discrimination in the workplace? What does it cost organizations?

Those are two tough questions that many of us may have been working to answer during the past few years. Helping to address those conversations and provide guidance, Derreck Kayongo, former CEO of the Center for Civil and Human Rights, will take the keynote stage on Wednesday to share how his organization found itself grappling with these questions and their broader impact.

From long-term harm to the brand and weakened stock prices to negative perceptions within the security community, Kayongo will share examples of how upbringing and unconscious biases can become a net negative to organizational growth and impact the bottom-line.

Prior to traveling to Atlanta, Managing Editor Claire Meyer spoke with Kayongo about the work he’s doing and the impact asking these questions has had on his life. Learn more in our coverage of her interview. 

The General Session will be livestreamed and available for all GSX Digital attendees.

OSAC Travel Safety and Security Forum: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET

In partnership with ASIS, the U.S. Department of State’s Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) is hosting a half-day security forum at the Georgia World Congress Center. The agenda will feature security best practices, case studies, live benchmarking, and keynote speakers focused on the nexus of travel and security.

The forum is free for ASIS members to attend, but pre-registration is required. To sign-up to attend or learn more about the forum, visit it’s registration page here.

As they say, “All good things must come to an end.” But while this might mark the last day of GSX 2022, there's ASIS Europe and ASIS Middle East to look forward to. And you can always revisit our coverage and keep up with the latest technology and management news on the Security Management website.

Safe travels and be well until we see you next September in Dallas!