April 9 & 10, 2025
Dallas Ft-Worth Area
In-Building Wireless and
School Safety Tech Conference
Highland Pines, 2380 Nelson Pkwy, Highland Village, TX 75077
This special SBC two-day event explores the Challenges, Solutions, Technologies, and Best Practices associated with in-building wireless connectivity and school safety.
Outstanding Networking and Educational Sessions!
Day ONE Agenda: In-Building Wireless and ERCES
- The 3 Pillars of In-Building Public Safety Communications
- Emergency Responder Communications Enhancement Systems (ERCES):
- General Requirements Review
- The important role of the Frequency License Holder/Radio System Administrator
- Designing to minimize noise and interference
- National and Local Code Requirements for Public Safety Radio Communications
- Recent and Planned Code Updates – NFPA, IFC, Local Amendments
- System Testing, Monitoring, and Best Practices
- Competency of Personnel
- The Future of In-Building Public Safety Communications
- Panel Discussion, Local Town Hall and Q&A
SPECIAL SAME-DAY BONUS EVENT: 3P TO 5P, HOSTED BY PCTEL:
Implementing a Code-Compliant, Best-Practice Testing Process
Building on content presented earlier in the day by SBC, this bonus seminar session will review the practical challenges to developing a process for testing in-building communications.
Topics will include:
- Communication and collaboration between Jurisdictions and Service Companies
- Code compliant coverage test development, execution, review and approval
- Best practices for implementing and commissioning an ERCES using BDAs (bi-directional amplifiers)
This session will be educational in nature, illustrated with PCTEL solutions.
Day TWO Agenda: School and Campus Safety and Security
- Texas School Safety Initiatives – Insights from state leaders on current programs.
- The Role of Wireless Connectivity in School Security – Exploring its impact on safety measures.
- Gunshot Detection Technology – Case studies on real-world implementations.
- Wireless Fire & Building Code Compliance – Best practices from North Carolina schools.
- Alyssa’s Law & Panic Alarms – Real-world case studies on how panic alarms have helped.
- Indoor Mapping & Situational Awareness – Automating emergency response with technology.
[Topics subject to change]
Also: Special Companion Event Available on Day 2
PCTEL Training Class
SEPARATE REGISTRATION REQUIRED - CLICK HERE
Agenda:
- Conducting a Grid based Inbuilding Coverage Test that Complies with Code
- PCTEL Certification for Demonstrating Competence after Conducting a Test
- Using SeeHawk® Central to Interact with Jurisdictions (AHJs and Radio Systems)
- Overview of Uplink Monitoring and Testing
Best Practices - Testing for BDA Commissioning
Time 9:00a - 4:30p - Limit 20 - When responding please indicate if you will be bringing a PCTEL Test Kit
DAY 2 COMPLETE AGENDA
Exhibit Hall Open 9am to 5pm
- Join us on April 10, 2025, for a critical discussion on school safety, featuring leading experts and cutting-edge technologies.
- This event will address the most pressing challenges facing schools today and explore innovative solutions to create safer learning environments for all students.
- Registration will open at 8:00 AM, with breakfast and networking opportunities available.
- The formal program will commence at 9:00 AM and adjourn by 5:00 PM. A buffet lunch will be provided for all attendees.
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM – Breakfast Networking – Sponsored by Motive Infrastructure Solutions
Morning Session:
- 9:00 AM – 9:20 AM – Event Welcome and Keynote:
- Introduction: Paul Caplan, School Safety Domain Executive, Safer Buildings Coalition
- Keynote: Laurie Christensen, CFPS, FM, FEMT, TEM, M.S. – Fire Marshal, Harris County, and President - International Fire Marshals Association (IFMA) Member Section
- 9:20 AM – 10:00 AM - School Safety Initiatives in Texas: Hear from key leaders about current initiatives and strategies being implemented across the state.
- Moderator: John Foley, Managing Director, Safer Buildings Coalition
- Speakers:
- Laurie Christensen, CFPS, FM, FEMT, TEM, M.S. – Fire Marshal, Harris County, and President - International Fire Marshals Association (IFMA) Member Section
- Ken Culbreath, Director of Region 4 ESC Office of Emergency Management and School Safety
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM – Morning Refreshment Break – Sponsored by MCA
- 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM Enabling Location Accuracy in School (and other) Buildings - The feature you may already have: Discover how existing technology can enhance location accuracy for improved emergency response.
- Moderator: John Foley, Managing Director, Safer Buildings Coalition
- Speaker: Dr. Roy Want – Research Scientist – Google Android Location and Context Team
- 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM Leveraging Existing WiFi for Public Safety Communications: Understand how to utilize existing WiFi infrastructure for enhanced public safety communications.
- Moderator: Eric Toenjes, National Market Manager – Wireless, Graybar / Chair – SBC School Safety Work Group
- Speakers:
- Howard Buzick, SVP Business Development, American Bandwidth
- Mark Houtz, Regional IT Director/Network Engineer, Northeastern Utah Education Services (NUES)
- Ryder Bush, Network Administrator, Lake Travis Independent School District
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM – Luncheon – Sponsored by RFE Communications
Afternoon Session:
- 1:00 PM – 1:50 PM - In-Building Wireless Fire and Building Code Compliance – Case Study from Guilford County, NC Schools: Learn about best practices for wireless fire and building code compliance.
- Moderator: Chief Alan Perdue (Ret.) CFO, FM
- Speakers:
- Ross Pierson, Owner and President, Pierson Wireless
- Jeff Tidwell, Director, Public Safety, Pierson Wireless
- 1:50 PM – 2:05 PM – PM Keynote: Lori Alhadeff, President, Make Our Schools Safe (MOSS) - "Time Equals Life"
- 2:05 PM – 2:45 PM - Alyssa’s Law – Mandating School Wireless Panic Alerts and Public Safety Communication: A discussion on the importance of wireless panic alerts and public safety communication in schools.
- Moderator: Eric Toenjes, National Market Manager – Wireless, Graybar / Chair – SBC School Safety Work Group
- Speakers:
- Lori Alhadeff – Make Our Schools Safe
- Gale Moericke – President, Crux Technology and Security Solutions
2:45 PM – 3:15 PM – Afternoon Refreshment Break – Sponsored by CTS
- 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM - Gunshot Detection Technology – a Case Study from Michigan Schools: Explore the benefits and implementation of gunshot detection systems.
- Moderator: Seth Buechley, Founder, Safer Buildings Coalition – CEO, Cathedral Consulting
- Speakers:
- Brian Ensign, VP Sales - America, Nextivity
- Danny Dugan, Technical Specialist, MCA
- Saso Vasovski, Network Security Manager, Troy MI Schools
- 4:00 PM to 4:50 PM - Indoor Mapping and Building Modeling – Automating Situational Awareness: See how indoor mapping and building modeling can improve situational awareness during emergencies.
- Moderator: John Foley, Managing Director, Safer Buildings Coalition
- Speakers:
- Brian Weiss, Public Safety Team Lead for State and Local Government, ESRI
- Rodger Mann, Chief Innovation Officer, North Central Texas Emergency Communications District | NCT9-1-1
- 4:50 PM to 5:00 PM – Closing Remarks – Seth Buechley, Founder, Safer Buildings Coalition – CEO, Cathedral Consulting
Special Feature:
- Auto-authenticated Cell over WiFi: American Bandwidth will showcase auto-authenticated Cell over WiFi capabilities.
Stay tuned for more details.
Keynote Speakers
Laurie L. Christensen, CFPS, FM, FEMT, TEM
Fire Marshal, Harris County Fire Marshall’s Office, Houston, Texas & Chair for Harris County Safe School Commission
Lori Alhadeff
Founder, Make Our Schools Safe
Speakers
Roy Want
Research Scientist – Google Android Location
and Context Team
Ken Culbreath
Director of Emergency Management at Region 4, ESC, Houston, Texas
Brian Ensign
Vice President Sales, Americas, Nextivity
Mark Houtz
Ross Pierson
Owner and President, Pierson Wireless
Jeff Tidwell
Director, Public Safety,
Pierson Wireless
Howard Buzick
SVP Business Development, American Bandwidth
Brian Weiss
Public Safety Team Lead for State and Local Government, Esri
Gale Moericke
President, Crux Technology and Security Solutions
John Foley
Managing Director, Safer Buildings Coalition
Danny Dugan
Technical Specialist, Mobile Communications America
Chief Alan Perdue (Ret.) CFO, FM
Executive Director, Safer Buildings Coalition
Eric Toenjes
National Market Manager, Wireless Solutions,
Graybar
Saso Vasovski
Network Security Manager, Troy MI Schools
Seth Buechley
Founder, Safer Buildings Coalition
Owner, Cathedral Consulting Group
Rodger Mann
Chief Innovation Officer, North Central Texas Emergency Communications District | NCT9-1-1
Ryder Bush
Network Administrator,
Lake Travis Independent School District
Where
Dallas-Fort Worth Area
Highland Pines, 2380 Nelson Pkwy, Highland Village
When
April 9-10, 2025
Day 1: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Day 2: 8:30AM - 5:00PM
Attend
Join PCTEL on site at the Safer Buildings Coalition Dallas In-Building Wireless Seminar in the DFW area for a special PCTEL Public Safety Tester training.
Attend the SBC seminar on April 9th, then come back the next day for the specific PCTEL training. This session will be held at the same venue as the SBC seminar, but in a different building. (the Chapel).
Attend Either or Both Days!
Day One focuses on ERCES - Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems - The technology that enables public safety communications inside structures.
Day Two focuses on School and Campus Safety - Ensuring that students, teachers, staff, and others have the best available communications when they need it most.
Also: Special Companion Event Available on Day 2
PCTEL Training Class
Agenda:
-
-
- Conducting a Grid based Inbuilding Coverage Test that Complies with Code
- PCTEL Certification for Demonstrating Competence after Conducting a Test
- Using SeeHawk® Central to Interact with Jurisdictions (AHJs and Radio Systems)
- Overview of Uplink Monitoring and Testing
- Best Practices - Testing for BDA Commissioning
- PRICING: $495 per student
-
Time: 9:00am - 4:30pm - Limit 20 - When responding please indicate if you will be bringing a PCTEL Test Kit
Two Day Pass: April 9th: ERCES and April 10th School Safety
One Day Pass: April 9th: ERCES ONLY
One Day Pass: April 10: School Safety ONLY
PCTEL Test Equipment Training - April 10th Only
Housing
HOTEL BLOCK REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Special Rates available to Super Regional Dallas Attendees
Safer Buildings Coalition is pleased to announce that we have secured a special rate at a hotel near the venue.
DETAILS
- A select number of rooms have been held for Tuesday, April 8th, Wednesday, April 9th and Thursday, April 10th
- Special SBC online rate reservations is live and can be made by clicking on the hotel booking link below
- After the respective hotel cut-off date, reservations made will be based on a space and current rate available basis
- All reservations must be secured with your individual credit card
- Cancellation Policy: Guests must cancel 48 hours prior to arrival, or they will be charged 1 night’s room and tax as a penalty..
Courtyard Dallas Flower Mound
- 4330 Courtyard Way, Flower Mound, Texas, 75028 (2.3 miles to venue)
- GROUP RATE CLOSED
- Cancellation Policy: Guests must cancel 48 hours prior to arrival, or they will be charged 1 night’s room and tax as a penalty.
Home2 Suites by Hilton Flower Mound Dallas
- 4231 River Walk Dr, Flower Mound, Texas, 75028 (2.5 miles to venue)
- GROUP RATE CLOSED
- The cutoff date for the group rate is March 31, 2025.
Support the Mission - Connect with the Community
Sponsorship Opportunites
Download our prospectus to see the ways your organization can participate in this outstanding event
- Lead Event Sponsor - $4,995 (SOLD)
- AM Refreshment & Keynote Sponsor - $2,495 (SOLD)
- Luncheon Sponsor - $2,495 (SOLD)
- AM Break Sponsor - $995 (SOLD)
- PM Break Sponsor - $995 (SOLD)
- Silver Sponsor (2 available) - $495
- Exhibitor Tables - $750 to $999 (Based on Annual Seminar Sponsorship Tier)
Lead Event and
Lanyard Sponsor
Lunch Sponsor
Morning Refreshment
& Keynote Sponsor
AM Break Sponsor
PM Break Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
Tabletop Exhibitors
Harris County Texas Videos from
Day Two Presentation
School Safety Initiatives in Texas: Hear from key leaders about current initiatives and strategies being implemented across the state.
- Speakers:
- Laurie Christensen, CFPS, FM, FEMT, TEM, M.S. – Fire Marshal, Harris County, and President - International Fire Marshals Association (IFMA) Member Section
- Ken Culbreath, Director of Region 4 ESC Office of Emergency Management and School Safety