Why PSA TEC is More Than a Conference
By Brooke Erickson, PSA senior director of learning and marketing
Every year, PSA TEC brings together security professionals from across the industry to learn, share ideas and build meaningful connections. Attendees come to earn certifications, discover new ideas, explore emerging technologies and learn from industry leaders.
But when we asked this year's PSA TEC Fellows what stood out most about their experience, their answers revealed a common thread.
While each Fellow's journey was unique, they consistently pointed to the same outcomes: stronger professional networks, broader perspectives, new ideas and greater confidence.
Those experiences highlight something PSA has long believed: the most impactful learning doesn't happen through content alone. It happens when education, community and real-world conversations come together.
That's what makes PSA TEC different.
This Year's Fellowship Cohort
The PSA TEC Fellowship helps remove barriers to participation and provides emerging professionals with access to PSA's premier education and networking event. Through educational sessions, certifications, networking events, committee engagement and direct access to industry leaders, Fellows experience the full value of the PSA community firsthand.
This year's Fellowship recipients included:
Adam Henricksen, Electronic Innovations
Chris Casali, Allied Universal
Erin Jackman, Pavion
Mikayla Saffels, SAGE Integration
Paige Galley, Prime Secured
Together, they participated in workshops, breakout sessions, keynote presentations, networking events, committee experiences and industry discussions designed to broaden their perspectives and expand their professional networks.
Connections That Continue Long After the Event
One of the most consistent themes among Fellows was the value of the relationships they built throughout the week.
For Adam Henricksen, the opportunity to connect with others across the industry was unlike anything he had experienced before.
"Being able to meet new people and have meaningful conversations, not only about our profession but also on a more personal level, was something I had never truly experienced at other conference events. The events they organized made it easy to connect with people I may never have otherwise met."
Networking at PSA TEC doesn't happen only during designated networking events. It happens in hallways between sessions, during certification courses, at committee meetings, over coffee and during conversations that often continue long after the event ends.
For many attendees, those relationships become one of the most valuable takeaways from the entire experience.
New Perspectives Create New Possibilities
One of the greatest opportunities at PSA TEC isn't simply learning from the stage—it's learning from one another.
Throughout the week, attendees engage with technicians, project managers, sales professionals, operations leaders, executives and industry experts who bring different experiences and perspectives to every conversation.
For Mikayla Saffels of SAGE Integration, that exposure was one of the event's most valuable takeaways.
"It was such a unique opportunity to be surrounded by so many people from across the security industry and hear a variety of different perspectives. Everyone had a different background and story, and I walked away with a much broader understanding of the industry as a whole."
For professionals early in their careers, exposure to different paths can be just as valuable as the educational content itself. Understanding how others have navigated challenges, advanced their careers and approached leadership helps create a broader view of what is possible.
Learning Across Every Stage of Your Career
PSA TEC's educational experience is intentionally designed to serve professionals throughout their careers. From certifications and technical training to leadership development, business strategy and emerging technology discussions, attendees can find learning opportunities that align with both where they are today and where they want to go next.
Erin Jackman of Pavion experienced that breadth firsthand.
"There is no way to overstate the amount of valuable insight, connections and opportunities that were presented to me during my time at TEC 2026. I took classes, listened to multiple disciplines from my industry, gave talks and provided information from areas I may not have previously had access to. I gained new and different perspectives from collaborators and competitors alike."
Erin also highlighted the value of being able to engage directly with presenters and continue conversations beyond the sessions themselves.
"I love that I was able to speak directly with presenters and panelists and that people who attended my panel came and spoke directly to me because they found value in what was shared."
The strongest educational experiences don't simply deliver information. They challenge perspectives, spark new ideas and create conversations that continue long after the session ends.
Confidence Matters
Some of the most valuable takeaways from PSA TEC aren't found in a certification exam, keynote presentation or breakout session. They're found in the moments that change how someone sees themselves.
For Paige Galley of Prime Secured, one conversation following a leadership session completely shifted her perspective on what it means to be a leader.
"I didn't really consider myself a leader within my organization because I don't have direct reports. She completely changed my mindset on that by explaining that leadership is not defined by whether or not you manage people. If you own an area of expertise within your company and people turn to you for guidance, then you are a leader."
That insight stayed with Paige long after the session ended and became one of her most meaningful takeaways from the week.
"The experience did a lot for my confidence!"
Experiences like these are a reminder that professional growth isn't always about gaining new knowledge. Sometimes it's about gaining a new perspective. The conversations that happen before, during and after a session can be just as impactful as the content itself, creating momentum that extends well beyond the event.
The PSA Community Difference
While Fellows highlighted the education, certifications and keynote presentations, one theme consistently rose to the top: community.
Whether through committee meetings, networking receptions, certification courses or hallway conversations, Fellows repeatedly described an environment where people were willing to share experiences, offer guidance and invest in each other's success.
Erin pointed to the mixers and networking events as some of her favorite experiences.
"Because I am an extrovert, I cannot stress enough, the mixers were amazing for meeting and getting to know folks within the industry."
Mikayla echoed that sentiment when reflecting on the overall experience.
"Opportunities like this don't come around often, and I'm really grateful PSA continues to invest in programs like this for emerging professionals."
Education may bring people to PSA TEC for the first time.
Community is often what brings them back.
Looking Ahead
As we reflect on this year's Fellowship experience, one thing is clear: the value of PSA TEC extends far beyond the sessions themselves.
It's found in the conversations that spark new ideas, the relationships that become lasting connections and the perspectives that challenge us to think differently.
For this year's Fellows, PSA TEC delivered education, networking and professional growth.
But perhaps most importantly, it reminded them that they are part of a larger community committed to learning, sharing and moving the industry forward—together.