DETROIT – We have some events coming up, and the shared characteristics of both the upcoming regional event and the national one are that both are designed with affordability for attendees (and organizers) top of mind.

First is SecureWorld, coming back to the Ford Conference Center on September 29th & 30th. As we did last year, Michigan InfraGard is partnering with SecureWorld to put on the Expo, and there are three ways that this can benefit you as an InfraGard member.

To take advantage of the our SecureWorld partnership, register at SecureWorldExpo.Com using the secret code you received in your member email.

If you forgot it, email me. Hint: it begins with a d and ends with an f – 6 characters, no numbers) All you password hackers out there, have a party.

The three InfraGard SecureWorld advantages are:

1 – InfraGard members are offered a $100 discount off the $245 two day conference pass which includes access to the Conference Sessions, Keynotes, Lunch, Exhibits, Open Sessions and 12 CPE Certificate of Attendance.

2 – InfraGard members receive a special $200 discount off the $695 SecureWorld+ which includes access to the Conference Sessions, Keynotes, Lunch, Exhibits, Open Sessions and 16 CPE Certificate of Attendance. This also includes 4 � hours of extended training.

3 – InfraGard Members can also receive complimentary admission to Keynotes, Exhibits and Open Sessions.

As you can see, all of these options are focused on making this event AFFORDABLE to you.

Next, we have the 2009 InfraGard Annual National Congress, which will be held as a Secure Video TeleConference (SVTC) as it was in 2007. The FBI PPAU is making arrangements with all 56 Field Offices to hold the SVTC simultaneously utilizing the FBI SVTC facilities on Wednesday, October 14, 2009. What makes it secure, you ask? Why, you will be virtually searched as you enter the conference, of course! (Hold the laughs – there’s more!)

In the interest of getting as many acronyms into this article as possible, I offer the following two paragraphs, borrowed directly from the InfraGard email sent to members on the 17th:

“Each IMA board will be invited to their sponsoring Field Office to participate in the SVTC. On the day of the SVTC, the field offices will be encouraged to have their ADIC or SAC and ASAC to meet with IMA board members to facilitate rapport and discuss items of interest for the field office and chapters. The INMA, along with staff from FBI PPAU, will initiate the SVTC from FBIHQ. Following an FBI opening address, the INMA and IMA representatives will conduct the business of the National Congress.

The SVTC also provides an opportunity for the local IMAs and representatives from their supporting FBI field offices to meet face to face and increase dialogue in this important partnership. In addition to providing a unique opportunity to link members from the 86 IMAs remotely while giving a unique opportunity for the local board to meet with their local field offices, this also provides a vehicle for conducting the annual business of the INMA (Congress).”

I couldn’t have said it any better than that!

If you are a member, please don’t forget to dig the 17th document out of your trash bin and complete the Request for Nominations for election to the INMA Board of Directors. All Nominations are due to the INMA Secretary by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, 14 August.

Now, remember this is summer here in Michigan, and get out of the office for the few remaining days you have of it and enjoy the effects of global warming in our part of the hemisphere!

This column was written by Hans Erickson, CIO of the Detroit Regional Chamber and information officer for Michigan InfraGard. Email him at [email protected]

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