The Communicator Volume 2.13 Issue March 2025 |
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| Dear Members and Friends of CASIA,
Spring is in the air, and CASIA is off to a fantastic start this year! Our March Membership Meeting was a huge success, with an incredible turnout from our members. A special thank you to Andy Markowski, who provided an insightful legislative update, keeping us informed on the key issues impacting our industry. Staying engaged in legislative matters is crucial, and CASIA remains committed to advocating for our members.
Looking ahead, our April Membership Meeting is shaping up to be another must-attend event! We’re excited to welcome a nationally recognized industry consultant who will dive into Strategic Planning—a critical tool for setting your business up for long-term success. Whether you're looking to scale your company, improve operational efficiency, or future-proof your business, this session will provide invaluable insights. |
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We are also incredibly excited to announce the launch of an entire online training program through CASIA! This initiative is designed to help our members and the industry at large put their teams on a solid professional development path. Investing in training is one of the smartest moves a company can make, and with this new online platform, CASIA members will have access to high-quality, industry-focused education anytime, anywhere.
And while it may seem a little early, we all know how fast time flies—so mark your calendars for June 12th, when CASIA will host its legendary Lobster Bake at the newly renovated Penfield Pavilion on Fairfield Beach! This event is a true highlight of the year, bringing together professionals from across New England for an evening of great food, great company, and great networking. Picture this: lobsters, ribeye steaks, great music, and a stunning beach backdrop—what better way to connect with industry peers and unwind?
But wait, there’s more! We are thrilled to announce the launch of our All-New CASIA October Fest Expo, happening on October 16th! This will be a one-of-a-kind industry event, bringing together top vendors, industry experts, and security professionals for a day filled with education, networking, and hands-on product showcases. Whether you're looking for the latest technology, business growth strategies, or just a chance to connect with key players in our industry, this is an event you do not want to miss! Mark your calendars now—you’ll hear more details soon!
Make sure to register early for both our April Meeting and the CASIA Lobster Bake, and be sure to save the date for the October Fest Expo! Sincerely, Jim Carey
CASIA President |
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CASIA Launches All-New Online Training powered by Alarm Academy!! The Freshest Industry Content, Affordable Courses, and Career-Boosting Education for Security & Life Safety Professionals |
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CASIA’s training program is more than just education—it’s a strategic tool for business growth. With structured learning pathways for technicians, sales teams, and business leaders, companies can: - Train new hires efficiently, equipping them with foundational industry knowledge.
- Increase employee retention by offering career advancement opportunities.
- Increase efficiency in the field through up-to-date training.
- Enhance service quality by improving technical and professional skills.
Check Out Our Course Catalog Below! |
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April Membership Meeting Special Guest Speaker: Robert Few with TCX |
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Robert Few Managing Partner The Connection Xchange (TCX) |
| CASIA is thrilled to welcome back by popular demand Robert Few, with The Connection Xchange (TCX) as our special guest speaker at the April 17th Membership Meeting! Join us for an exclusive presentation where Robert will dive into the power of Strategic Planning and why it’s essential for long-term success.
Robert will share key insights, actionable strategies, and real-world examples to help you navigate challenges, seize opportunities, set clear goals, and position your business for growth. Whether you're a small operation or a large company, having a strong strategic plan is the key to staying ahead and achieving your goals!
Don't miss this opportunity to gain time tested advice and take your business to the next level! |
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CASIA Released the 2025 CEU Class Schedule! |
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| The 2025 schedule is now available with classes offered in April, May & June! Please click on the button below to register for the specific class you would like to take! These courses have limited seats and are on a first come basis so please register right away to secure your spot! The classes are selling out very quickly so please do not wait to register. 2025 CONTINUING EDUCATION CASIA School Code # 1290
4 Hours mandated for LOW VOLTAGE Electrical License Renewal. |
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CASIA’s customized course makes CASIA CEU training unique from other providers!!
This year's course includes new education on how to leverage AI in your business! |
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Vendor Spotlight - Aiphone |
Contact Info: 860-996-1604 mike.streeter@aiphone.com |
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Legislative Advocacy The Unsung Hero of Member Benefits |
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At CASIA, we understand the critical role that legislative advocacy plays in shaping the future of our industry. As industry professionals, we must stay vigilant and proactive in engaging with legislators to ensure our concerns are addressed and our businesses are protected. The laws and regulations passed at the state level can directly impact how we operate, from licensing requirements to industry standards and business practices.
Building strong relationships with your legislators is essential. It allows us to be a voice for the issues that matter most to our industry and provides the opportunity to influence policies that support the growth and success of our businesses. We challenge all CASIA members to take an active role in advocacy efforts—whether that’s meeting with your local lawmakers, staying informed about key legislation, or joining us in collective efforts to push for positive change.
Now more than ever, your involvement is crucial. Reach out to your legislators, introduce yourself, and share the importance of the work you do. Together, we can ensure that our industry remains strong, compliant, and ready for the future. Let’s build these relationships and work together for a stronger, more unified voice! |
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~In Memoriam~ John Maccone |
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| It is with a heavy heart that we share very sad news about a valued, long-time member of CASIA who was a fixture at our events, for many years.
Michael Venoit shared, "John Maccone passed away on March 22, 2025, at the age of 65. He was deeply cherished by many and made a significant impact on the lives of those around him. Over the course of 30 years, I had the privilege of knowing him, during which he consistently demonstrated an extraordinary ability to illuminate any environment he entered. Whether as a friend or a colleague, individuals quickly became part of his expansive circle. His family was his greatest love, and he often spoke fondly of them, including his wife, Theodora, and his three children, James, John, and Christen, whom he held in the highest regard. In his personal life, John had a passion for his Corvette and was adept in various handyman tasks, ranging from lawn maintenance to building projects around the home. Many of us will remember him as Mr. Fire-Lite; he made a lasting impact on an industry we all hold dear. John will be profoundly missed, but he will be remembered daily as a person to aspire to emulate."
Please join us keeping John's family and loved ones in your prayers during this difficult time.
Family and friends are invited to gather on Tuesday April 1, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at the Cody-White Funeral Home, 107 Broad Street, Milford. A Funeral Service will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the Cody-White Funeral Home, 107 Broad Street, Milford. Interment will follow at Orange Center Cemetery, Orange Center Road, Orange. |
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We are very saddened to share that Ted Curtin of Repworks, a long-time member and valued part of our industry, lost his battle with cancer last week. He was diagnosed with cancer last year. While he initially responded well to treatment, his condition worsened significantly over the past 2 months and we were informed that no further treatment options are available. Dad decided to do hospice at home and was home for 10 days before he passed surrounded by family and friends.
On Friday, March 28th, calling hours will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by a Celebration of Life at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Amherst Railway Society, 1130 South Main Street Palmer, Massachusetts 01069 or D'Amour Cancer Center c/o Baystate Health Foundation 280 Chestnut Street Springfield, MA 01199.
His steadfast spirit, generosity, and love for life will be fondly remembered and deeply missed |
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Parks Associates
2025 Smart Home Trends: Cooling off Period Parks Associates consumer trends from its Smart Home Dashboard research suggest we are in cooling period: - Adoption has leveled off for smart home device ownership
- Video doorbells, which have seen slow but steady YoY growth for almost a decade have dropped in adoption, and other categories such as smart cameras have also seen lower adoption.
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Prices have seen small but steady increases across many of the devices Parks Associates tracks.
Currently 45% of all US households reporting ownership of one device: - Thermostats
- Door Locks
- Video Doorbells
- Smart cameras
- Smart Lights
- Lighting control systems
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Outdoor light fixtures with video camera
- Outlets/switches/dimmers
- Smart plugs/adapters
- Sprinkler systems
- Garage door openers
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Smoke/CO detectors
- Water leak detectors
- Water shut off valve
- Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
- Smart Appliances, such as smart refrigerator, smart oven, etc.
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Smart Home Control Hub
The number of devices in the average smart home device-owning household peaked at 8 during the pandemic era and has dropped to 6.2, due to new users. Tech enthusiasts and power users still remain important to the smart home landscape. Yet growth has occurred since the pandemic, going beyond these early tech adopters, and their needs are far different than the first-time user. While power users may look for the full home automation, integrations, and use cases that are more comprehensive such as lighting and irrigation, first-time users gravitate towards basic entry-level use cases, such as front-door security. These users may trial the smart home through a video doorbell or smart thermostat, eventually moving into Player status. When all segments are taken as a whole, this means that the average has dropped. Smart home manufacturers should not assume these segments will migrate towards Super Power User status. To increase this average, smart home companies must consider how to attract the mainstream user through ease of setup/install, features, routines, and integrations.
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Have You Logged into the New CASIA Website Yet? |
Our new website went live earlier this year and we would love to stay connected with you! If you didn't receive our welcome email inviting you to login to the new site, please reach out to Shannon Few at shannon.few@casiact.org to ensure we have all of your current contact information so we can keep you informed! When you login and update your profile information, it will make your online experience with us super easy moving forward when you need to register for our events, training, and take advantage of member benefits! |
Special Thanks to Our Premier Partners!! |
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