Security Industry Association Announces Program for 2025 AcceleRISE Conference

Hosted by SIA’s RISE community and created for young leaders in the security industry, this fun, enriching event will take place Aug. 4-6 in Boston, Massachusetts.

SILVER SPRING, Md. – The Security Industry Association (SIA) has announced the schedule and program for the 2025 AcceleRISE conference, hosted by SIA’s RISE community for young professionals and emerging leaders in the security industry. This year’s AcceleRISE will take place Aug. 4-6 in Boston, Massachusetts.

AcceleRISE is an exciting, innovative conference created specifically for young security talent and designed to ignite new thinking, strengthen leadership and sharpen business acumen. AcceleRISE tackles the issues that matter most to emerging leaders in the security industry and features a diverse array of premier learning sessions, interactive workshops and lively activities geared toward rising stars in the industry.

“This year at AcceleRISE, our industry’s most promising young leaders and those new to security will gather in the vibrant city of Boston for a truly unique conference experience,” said SIA CEO Don Erickson. “The RISE Steering Committee has planned a jam-packed, high-energy event that will deliver more impact and opportunities for career growth and connection than ever before. We look forward to seeing everyone in August for this can’t-miss conference and to helping this year’s attendees take their careers to the next level.”

Session topics for AcceleRISE 2025 include:

• How to navigate career change with confidence
• How to learn what fuels your success and what holds you back
• A modern take on negotiation
• The latest developments in artificial intelligence and security
• How current legislation affects smart technologies

Plus, attendees will enjoy a lively interactive debate on who really owns the end-user relationship and a generative AI-fueled, Shark Tank-inspired group activity and competition.

Early confirmed speakers include:

• Angel Carlton Anderson, author, speaker and podcast host, Transform With Angel
• Candice Aragon, chief experience officer, PSA
• Matt Barnette, CEO and president, PSA
• Lauren Bresette, senior manager of government relations, SIA
• James Connor, head of corporate engagements, Ambient.ai
• Brooke Erickson, senior director of learning and marketing, PSA
• Don Erickson, CEO, SIA
• Stephenie Haldane, vice president of business development and architecture and engineering sales, HID Global
• Gary Lunetta, global physical security systems, technology and design leader, Salesforce
• Mike Mathes, president, global growth, Convergint
• Dave McCarthy, program manager, government relations, Axis Communications
• Leon Motmans, vice president and chief financial officer, commercial segment, ASSA ABLOY
• Esteban Pastor, senior product manager, ZKTeco USA
• Heather Rainone, senior manager, global safety and security, Salesforce
• Sandy Saab, business development manager, Bosch Security Systems
• George Sewell, manager of government relations, SIA
• Gannon Switzer, vice president of client engagement, Vector Firm
• John Szczygiel, chief operating officer, Brivo
• Sonny Tai, president and founder, Actuate
• KeShia Thomas, brand and solutions manager, Allegion
• Constantine Tremouliaris, manager, alliances and standards, ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions
• Mfon Ubaha, business development manager, i-PRO
• Teresa Wu, vice president, smart credentials and access, IDEMIA North America

Outside the conference sessions, attendees will have the chance to form relationships with other young professionals and leaders and enjoy fun activities, including a kickoff happy hour, a Boston Red Sox game, a duck boat tour and a brewery outing.

“The AcceleRISE conference provides a powerful platform for young professionals to learn, grow and create meaningful connections while strengthening their ties to the security industry. Each year, it becomes even more clear that the diverse group of individuals filling these seats represents physical security’s future leaders and investing in their development is essential to creating a more inclusive, innovative, and forward-thinking industry,” said SIA RISE Chair Dakota Bierly, business development manager at Northland Controls. “As we set our sights on Boston, our team has curated a truly unique experience. With sessions exploring everything from AI and embracing career change to attending a baseball game at ‘America’s most beloved ballpark,’ we can’t wait to welcome this year’s attendees!”

AcceleRISE 2025 will be held at the Revere Hotel Boston Common in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. SIA’s special room rate is available to attendees who book by July 14. To learn more, register for the conference, book your hotel room and more, visit the AcceleRISE website.

SIA thanks our 2025 AcceleRISE sponsors for their generous support: Allegion, AMAG Technology, Amazon, ASSA ABLOY, Axis Communications, BCD, Boon Edam, Brivo, dormakaba, Evolon, Genetec, Hanwha Vision, HID, IDEMIA Public Security, Northland Controls, PSA, SAGE Integration, Salesforce, Salto, Secure Access & Digital Systems, Securitas Technology, Verkada, Wavelynx, ZBeta and ZKTeco USA.

SIA RISE is a collaborative community that fosters the careers of young professionals in the security industry. In addition to hosting AcceleRISE, the SIA RISE community offers fun in-person and virtual networking events, mentorship opportunities through the Talent Inclusion Mentorship Education (TIME) program, the 25 on the RISE Awards initiative, career growth resources, scholarships for use toward education and professional development and career tracks at top trade shows. RISE membership is available to all employees at SIA member companies who are young professionals under 40 or have been in the security industry for less than two years. Learn more about SIA RISE and sign up to join. 

About SIA

SIA is the leading trade association for global security solution providers, with over 1,600 innovative member companies representing thousands of security leaders and experts who shape the future of the security industry. SIA protects and advances its members’ interests by advocating pro-industry policies and legislation at the federal and state levels, creating open industry standards that enable integration, advancing industry professionalism through education and training, opening global market opportunities and collaborating with other like-minded organizations. As the premier sponsor of ISC Events expos and conferences, SIA ensures its members have access to top-level buyers and influencers, as well as unparalleled learning and network opportunities. SIA also enhances the position of its members in the security marketplace through SIA GovSummit, which brings together private industry with government decision makers, and Securing New Ground, the security industry’s top executive conference for peer-to-peer networking.