The Communicator Volume 2.2 Issue April 2024 |
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| Dear Members and Friends of CASIA,
Wow! The energy is back! We just held our April Membership Meeting and it was a packed room! It was a fantastic night where we celebrated the decades of service that Andy Wilson has dedicated to CASIA as he enters retirement! Andy thank you so very much for all that you have done for our association! We are forever grateful to you! We also provided our members with a demo of our brand-new website! This digital platform has been meticulously crafted to enhance your experience with CASIA, providing easier navigation, up-to-date information, online event registration, and improved accessibility to our resources and events.
Our new website serves as a gateway to the vibrant community that is CASIA, offering a plethora of features designed to enrich your engagement with our association. Whether you're seeking information about member benefits, exploring membership opportunities, or staying informed about upcoming events, our website will be your ultimate destination.
Speaking of events, I am equally excited to invite you all to our upcoming Lobster Bake in June and our Annual Golf Tournament in July. These events are an opportunity for us to come together as a community, forging new connections and strengthening existing ones. Please see below for more information! I hope to see you at our next meeting on May 16th and of course at the Lobster Bake and Golf Tournament this summer! Sincerely, Dana Klesh
CASIA President |
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Andy Wilson, Fireworks LLC, has been a member of CASIA since the early 80’s. He’s held almost every position on the board and has served two terms as president. He has been a constant participant throughout decades and has given innumerable volunteer hours in guiding and building the success of the association. He was an NTS instructor and presently a CEU author/instructor. In addition to all this, Andy’s most visible role has been (forever) chairman of the CASIA GOLF CLASSIC – the biggest and most significant fun/fundraiser we have.
Lucky for him, Andy is able to hang up his tool belt, sell his company and retire to enjoy the sun, sand and golf greens of South Carolina. His absence from the association will be profoundly felt. Andy has been Pat's right hand in setting up, shopping, storing materials and doing the heavy lifting required to pull together events. This Thursday’s meeting (April 18) will be Andy’s last official CASIA meeting. Everyone receiving this likely knows Andy and has benefited from his dedication to the association. On behalf of the board, we sincerely hope you will make it a point to attend Thursday night to wish Andy the best and acknowledge his many contributions to the industry in Connecticut, as well as on a national level through ESA. He will be greatly missed.
Andy, your dedication, wisdom, and tireless efforts have been instrumental in shaping the direction and success of CASIA over the years. Your insights and guidance have not only helped us navigate challenges but have also paved the way for numerous achievements and milestones.
Beyond your professional expertise, it's your passion for our association, members, the industry at large and your genuine care for the community we serve that truly sets you apart. Your leadership has inspired us all to reach greater heights and uphold the values that define us. Thank you for giving so much to CASIA! Your contributions have made an incredible impact and we will all miss you! |
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Chase Nelson Sales Associate |
| Vendor Spotlight - REPWORKS, Inc. |
We are Upstate New York & New England's premier sales & marketing firm servicing the low voltage integration marketplace
WE ARE YOUR SOURCE FOR TOTAL SYSTEMS SOLUTIONS...CCTV, ACCESS CONTROL, INTERCOM, A/V, CYBER SECURITY, IP AND COMMUNICATIONS
Chase is a seasoned sales associate and is known for his excellent customer service and follow up. He has attended a variety of management and sales courses. He is a history buff and his favorite topics are ancient Greece & Rome. His activities include Citizens Police Academy participation and volleyball. Chase joined our outside sales staff in 2023 to attend to our end users, integrators and distribution customers. He quickly acquires product knowledge and enjoys learning about security technology.
Contact info: Chase Nelson (413) 265-5002 chase@repworks.com
www.repworks.com |
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2024 CEU Class - There Are A Few More Seats Available for May 9th! |
CASIA is an approved provider of State-mandated CEU classes (School Code #1290).
4 Hours mandated for LOW VOLTAGE Electrical License Renewal. CASIA’s customized course makes CASIA CEU training unique from other providers! Online Virtual Class via Zoom: Thursday, May 9th from 1pm to 5pm
Register Here! These courses have limited seats and are on a first come basis so please register right away to secure your spot! Please contact Pat Shea Remes / premes@casiact.org for information. All CEUs must be obtained by June 30, 2024 – three months prior to license renewal. |
New! You can skip the line at check in and register in advance online for our events!
Please Join Us for our May 16th Membership Meeting!
Agenda: -
Future Proofing Your Business--Strategic Planning, Succession Planning and More presented by Robert Few with TCX
- Our spotlight vendor will be The Connection Xchange
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PLUS, a guide to the NEW CASIA website, which will immediately connect you to events, member programs, information and “what’s happening” in Connecticut’s low voltage industry
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Register Now for CASIA's Famous Lobster Bake! Get ready to savor the taste of summer at CASIA's highly anticipated lobster bake event!
Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with mouthwatering lobster, fresh seafood, BBQ and all the trimmings that promise to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more. But it's not just about the food—gather with fellow members against the backdrop of oceanfront views and enjoy live music and lively conversation! Join us to build meaningful connections within our association. Don't miss out on this unforgettable experience—it's bound to be a shell of a good time! |
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| Save The Date!
Participating in the CASIA annual golf tournament presents an unparalleled opportunity for members of our association to connect, network, and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow enthusiasts. Beyond the thrill of the game itself, this event offers a platform for building lasting relationships with like-minded individuals, fostering business connections, and strengthening industry bonds.
Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, the tournament provides a welcoming environment for all skill levels, encouraging friendly competition and a lot of fun. Moreover, your participation supports CASIA's initiatives and enables us to continue delivering valuable programs and resources to our members. |
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By Andre Greco – Xcelerate Sales, LLC
As dealers, we all know the value a great manufacturer (or technology partner as I like to refer) and that manufacturer’s salesperson can bring to our businesses. The key factors I always looked for were likeability, meaning could I work with this person, and availability. The salesperson who would answer my call on a Friday afternoon or do a quote for me on the weekend because I needed to get a bid in on Monday, always earned bonus points in my book. The three areas listed below can help you to start and/or strengthen your relationship with a manufacturer and their salesperson.
Don’t Waste Time (Yours or Theirs) – When that call comes in from “Joe the widget sales guy” on a Friday afternoon, while you are trying to plan next week's installation schedule, do yourself and Joe a favor by asking three very quick qualification questions to determine if you should continue the conversation or schedule a time to meet. -
Currently we lead with brand X as our camera solution. Tell me how you are better.
- What benefits does your product offer that I can bring to my end-user customers?
- What can you do as a manufacturer to help me grow my business?
By asking these three questions, you will get an understanding of a few things. First, how well does Joe know his competition and the unique value proposition of what he is selling? Second, does Joe understand how you as a dealer go to market and how products and services you provide to end users need to deliver a solution to a problem? Last, you will know if Joe cares about you as a dealer and wants to help, or if he simply wants to push product down your throat.
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Reminder on Business Ownership Information (BOI) Reporting |
CASIA held the March Monthly Membership Meeting on Thursday, March 21st at Eli's on Whitney in Hamden, CT. The meeting featured guest speaker Mitch Reitman with Reitman Consulting Group, who covered the new Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Reporting Requirements. All business owners need to be aware of this new Federal Reporting Requirement.
Beginning on January 1, 2024, many companies in the United States will have to report information about their beneficial owners, i.e., the individuals who ultimately own or control the company. They will have to report the information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). FinCEN is a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
As specified in the Corporate Transparency Act, a person who willfully violates the BOI reporting requirements may be subject to civil penalties of up to $500 for each day that the violation continues. That person may also be subject to criminal penalties of up to two years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. Potential violations include willfully failing to file a beneficial ownership information report, willfully filing false beneficial ownership information, or willfully failing to correct or update previously reported beneficial ownership information.
For more information and resources to help you with filing your report please contact Shannon.Few@casiact.org. |
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CASIA Members Receive Discounts on ESA Training |
All CASIA members receive ESA Member Pricing on ESA's National Training School course purchases! This represents significant savings on training up to 30%! To receive the CASIA member discount code please reach out to Shannon.Few@casiact.org.
In addition, ESA is offering an extra 15% off of Video System Technologies Course and Video CEU Courses throughout the month of May!
That's a savings of 45% off the cost of these courses! This is one more easy way to recoup your CASIA dues very quickly! |
CASIA's New Buy Sell Trade Member Forum
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New Member Benefit!
Welcome to our association's vibrant buy-sell-trade forum, where members gather to exchange products and equipment. Our forum provides a platform for members to connect and engage in mutually beneficial transactions. Join us in this dynamic marketplace where opportunities abound and connections flourish.
To access the Buy Sell Trade forum, please login to casiact.org, click on Communication, then Message Boards and add a topic! Don't know your login information? Contact shannon.few@casiact.org for details!
Don't Forget About Savings through CASIA's PerkPlans!
We are building out our Member Resource Center and you will be able to access PerkPlans in April when you login to www.casia.org If you need help sooner, please contact shannon.few@casiact.org for details! |
FTC Announces Rule Banning Noncompetes |
According to the FTC, this rule will generate over 8,500 new businesses each year, raise worker wages, lower health care costs, and boost innovation.
The FTC issued a press release on April 23rd highlighting, "Today, the Federal Trade Commission issued a final rule to promote competition by banning noncompetes nationwide, protecting the fundamental freedom of workers to change jobs, increasing innovation, and fostering new business formation.
'Noncompete clauses keep wages low, suppress new ideas, and rob the American economy of dynamism, including from the more than 8,500 new startups that would be created a year once noncompetes are banned,” said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan. “The FTC’s final rule to ban noncompetes will ensure Americans have the freedom to pursue a new job, start a new business, or bring a new idea to market.'" |
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