Blog

Katherine Reeves
Marketing Manager
Preferred Technologies, LLC

The PSA TEC Fellowship Program offers an all-expenses-paid opportunity for next-generation leaders from PSA owner and member companies to attend TEC. This year, five fellows attended TEC 2025 in Denver, Colorado.  

Walking into PSA TEC, I wasn’t sure what to expect. As a first-time attendee and a PSA TEC Fellow, I was excited but also curious about how the next few days would unfold. Looking back, I can confidently say that the experience exceeded my expectations, providing me with valuable insights, meaningful connections and a greater appreciation for our industry.

From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed with open arms. The PSA team greeted me with an awesome cooler bag filled with swag (always a great way to start an event!) and made sure I had everything I needed. That evening, before the official start of the conference, I attended a mixer where I met several members of the PSA Marketing Committee and connected with other newcomers. This early networking opportunity helped set the tone for the days ahead.

A Conference That Felt Like a Community

One of the things that stood out to me most was how well-organized and accessible the event was. With over 500 attendees, it had the potential to feel overwhelming, but instead, it fostered a sense of community. The venue was easy to navigate, making participation in sessions, networking events and social gatherings easy. Whether in a session, at a networking event or even just grabbing breakfast or lunch, I found it easy to engage with industry professionals eager to share their knowledge and experiences.

For example, on the first morning, I sat down at a random breakfast table and was immediately welcomed by industry professionals from across the country. That moment summed up the entire PSA TEC experience for me—open, inviting and rich with opportunities to connect.

Memorable Sessions and Key Takeaways

AI was a major theme throughout the conference, and it became clear that integrators need to embrace it to enhance efficiency and remain competitive. The State of the Industry panel with Matt Barnette, Geoff Kohl, Ron Oetjen, Stephanie Haldane and Robert Chefitz reinforced this message, emphasizing how AI can streamline processes, automate tasks and ultimately drive more business success for security integrators.

Building on that, two sessions that really resonated with me focused on the evolving role of AI in our industry: the AI-Powered Productivity: Work Smarter & Achieve More panel session and Swell’s marketing workshop, AI & Marketing: Mastering Social Media, SEO & Content Creation with AI. These discussions reinforced that AI is here to stay, and we must be proactive in both leveraging its capabilities and safeguarding our data. The sessions also provided great tools, tips and tricks to take back to the office and test out.

Another session that left a lasting impression was Building Trust and Empathy in the Workplace Through Honest Conversations. It provided practical strategies for handling difficult discussions—something that is essential in any professional setting. The session broke down easy-to-follow steps to ensure that even in challenging or confrontational moments, you can maintain composure and facilitate a productive outcome.

Beyond the sessions, my biggest takeaway was the importance of immersing myself in the industry. Attending PSA TEC reinforced my commitment to strengthening my technical knowledge, expanding my professional network and pushing myself outside my comfort zone. The more engaged you are, the more you gain from the experience.

Final Thoughts

Being selected as a PSA TEC Fellow was an honor, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have attended such an impactful event. I left with a deeper understanding of our industry, new friendships and a renewed excitement for the work we do. If you ever have the chance to attend PSA TEC, I highly recommend it—come ready to learn, connect and grow!