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NENA 2005 Annual Conference and Trade Show |
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Immediately following this address, on behalf of 9-1-1 CARES, Public Safety Training Consultants (PSTC) Kevin Willett honored five heroic 9-1-1 dispatchers who took extraordinary calls. The dramatic calls mesmerized the audience and were capped with the reunion of a young girl named Tia Hernlen with Donna Choufani, the dispatcher who took her 9-1-1 call that reported the deaths of her parents. Downstairs in the convention center foyer, local media then lined up for the 9-1-1 Heroes Ceremony for 9-1-1 for Kids. Five youngsters were honored by local leaders and celebrities, including Kathy Ireland, for their exceptional bravery in dialing 9-1-1 during emergency situations. At the Installation Banquet on Wednesday night, NENA President Bill McMurray addressed his audience with gratitude and emotion before stepping down from his post. David Jones, the 2005-2006 NENA President, was sworn in, thus beginning a new era of leadership for NENA. Click here to view his speech.
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Well over 2,000 attendees came to Long Beach for NENAs 24th Annual Conference and Trade Show from all across the U.S. and Canada, some traveling from as far away as India. |
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Click on the thumbnails to enlarge the images. |
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NENA President Bill McMurray made some opening remarks during the General Session on Monday morning. |
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Keynote speaker Ken Thompson, Director of External Affairs at the National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism, spoke about the Oklahoma City bombings on its 10th anniversary. |
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Los Angeles City Fire Chief William Bamattre was the keynote speaker at the Tuesday morning General Session. |
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General Dennis J. Reimer (Ret.), former 33rd Chief of Staff and former Director of the National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism, spoke about the ongoing efforts of homeland security at the Monday General Session. |
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Kevin Willett of 9-1-1 Cares honors exceptional dispatchers during the first General Session. |
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The Westin Long Beach was one of NENAs official conference hotels, conveniently located a few blocks from the convention center. |
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Dispatcher Donna Choufani was honored by 9-1-1 Cares during the Monday General Session for her exceptional skill in handling a traumatic call from Tia Hernlen, a five-year-old girl who had discovered the death of her parents.
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During the Sunday evening Welcome Reception, attendees dazzled their peers with their karaoke singing and dancing. |
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The Long Beach Convention Center hosted NENAs 24th Annual Conference and Trade Show in Long Beach, CA, June 25 30, 2005. |
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Attendees met new friends and business contacts during their six days at NENA Annual. |
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Next Generation E9-1-1 Program Partners explain the value of NG E9-1-1 to the future of 9-1-1 in the Wednesday afternoon General Session. |
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Actress Kathy Ireland, spokesperson for 9-1-1 for Kids, honored the recipients of the 9-1-1 for Kids awards. |
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Local media captured NENAs many highlights, including the 9-1-1 Heroes Ceremony for 9-1-1 for Kids. |
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Positron Public Safety Systems exhibit booth attracted many people. |
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Public Safety Training Consultants Kevin Willett answers questions from attendees. |
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Charlotte Olsen, left, and Carlynn Page, right, with the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch. |
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A consultant from FirstWatch greets an attendee. |
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Attendees chose from over 115 educational sessions during the three-day conference. |
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An attendee signs up for a spot on the PSAP Tour list. The tour brought attendees to the Long Beach Emergency Communications and Operations Center, and the Los Angeles Metropolitan Communications Dispatch Center. |
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David Jones makes his first speech as NENAs 2005-2006 President during the Wednesday night Installation Banquet. |
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NENAs Executive Board is honored during the Wednesday banquet. |
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made a profound impact on many when General Dennis J. Reimer (Ret.), former U.S. Army Chief of Staff and past director of the National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism, along with its Director of External Affairs Ken Thompson, commemorated the events of the Oklahoma City bombing on its 10th Anniversary and discussed the ongoing efforts in homeland security..JPG)
The exhibit hall, home to 130 exhibitors, was open on Monday and Tuesday with all the latest in products and services. More than 115 up-to-date educational breakout sessions were also offered to attendees. Updates and debates on the latest in Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), NRIC 7s working groups, public education, NG E9-1-1 and wireless deployment were just some examples of the hot topics covered. .JPG)
Overall evaluations of the conference were overwhelmingly positive with approximately 70% of attendees rating the conference as very good or excellent with particular note of the keynote speeches, the timeliness and quality of sessions, and the friendliness of staff. More than 85% of the attendees polled said they would attend the 2006 NENA Annual Conference and Trade Show. NENA is already preparing for next years 25th Anniversary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to be held at the fabulous David Lawrence Convention Center, the first green convention center and worlds largest green building.