On March 4-5, several TMA leaders, members and staff members took part in the industry’s annual Security Hill Walk, which was organized by The Security Industry Association (SIA). ESA leaders, members and staff members also took part in the event, which brought more than than 60 security industry executives to Washington, D.C., to promote important policy priorities that affect our industries every day.

Topics and priorities covered ranged from artificial intelligence and data privacy to workforce development and various critical homeland security grant programs.

On March 4, this year’s Security Hill Day kicked off with the Policy Leadership Dinner, featuring special guest speakers Tom Wheeler, general Counsel for the U.S. Department of Education, and  Brendan Buck, a political analyst for MSNBC and NBC News.

Wheeler spoke to attendees about the current state of school security and what can be done to make schools safer for students and faculty. Buck helped demystify some of the inner workings of Washington, D.C., and put in context the importance of industry engagement with policymakers at this critical time.

On the following morning, the events began with an informative policy breakfast featuring remarks from Rep. Aaron Bean (R-Fla.) from the House Committee on Ways and Means, Rep. David Joyce (R-Pa.) from the Committee on Energy and Commerce and Robert Boland, chief of staff to House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.).

Experts discussed the latest policy developments on a range of issues, including important details of the tax reform package under development, tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, new efforts on crafting a national data privacy law, Federal Communications Commission and Federal Trade Commission policies, school security and the outlook and challenges facing the new 119th Congress following the 2024 elections.

Once the Policy Breakfast concluded, Security Hill Day attendees spent the rest of the day meeting with lawmakers and their staff from both the Senate and House.

Why Security Hill Day is So Crucial for the Industry

Security industry leaders relayed policy priorities important to the industry and highlight its support for more than 2 million jobs (according to SIA’s recent study), as well as the crucial role our industry plays in providing solutions that safeguard the American people and our nation’s vital assets and infrastructure.

In just one day, participants were able to meet with 73 congressional offices, as company executives provided a unique outlook on how policies under consideration directly affect their businesses, customers and employees. At the end of the day, participants joined members of Congress and staff for the Security Hill Day reception in the historic Speaker’s Dining Room within the U.S. Capitol building.

Security Hill Day continues to serves as a powerful platform for the security industry to make its voice heard and provide valuable insight to lawmakers, relaying the needs of the industry, spurring action and fostering important relationships.

This is an excerpt from an article written by George Sewell, the manager of government relations for the Security Industry Association. The original version of this post appeared on SIA’s website and is used with permission.