The Louisiana Life Safety & Security Association proudly celebrates the success of the 2025 LLSSA Convention, an outstanding gathering of life safety and security professionals featuring education, networking, industry innovation, and meaningful community engagement.
The event began with the annual LLSSA Golf Tournament, where the team of Avery Roberts, Greg Page, Jacob Thomas, and Adam Emmet took top honors. Chris Bartholomew claimed the Putting Contest title, Mike McIver won Longest Drive, and Jenny Williams earned Closest to the Hole. All proceeds from the tournament support LLSSA’s Youth Scholarship Program, helping provide educational opportunities for the children of Louisiana’s fire, police, and first responder families.
Inside the convention hall, attendees explored the latest products and services from 70 vendors and participated in over 23 hours of CEUs, ensuring licensed professionals remain at the forefront of industry standards and updates. The ever-popular Parade of Prizes, hosted by Cat Fleuret, awarded more than $5,000 in prizes to excited attendees. Dustin Loupe was recognized as the Event App Gamification Winner after leading the convention in app-based engagement.
A highlight of the convention was the ceremonial Tradeshow Opening Parade, featuring the Louisiana State Fire Marshal Color Guard presenting the colors, accompanied by the powerful music of the Baton Rouge Pipes and Drums. LLSSA’s mascot Gabe the Gator made his annual appearance—this time charming the crowd with two baby gators joining him.
During the State Meeting and Tradeshow, Kristin Hebert served as Master of Ceremonies, ensuring each moment flowed seamlessly. It was during the State Meeting that LLSSA proudly presented Lifetime Memberships to two long-serving leaders: Bill Hattier, honored for his many years as Treasurer and Legislative Committee Chairperson, and Ed Hilderbrand, recognized for his long-standing service as Golf Tournament and Scholarship Chairperson. Their dedication and commitment have played a vital role in shaping the association’s success and supporting its mission.
Another notable program was WISE — Women in Security Empowerment, offering an empowering space dedicated to the women of the life safety and security industry. The session featured guest speaker Melanie Talia of the New Orleans Police Department and the New Orleans Justice Foundation. Attendees also contributed to a meaningful cause, collecting teddy bears for children who must interact with law enforcement during difficult circumstances.
The LLSSA extends its sincere appreciation to every attendee, vendor, sponsor, volunteer, and partner who made the 2025 Convention exceptional. Planning is already underway for next year’s event, and we look forward to welcoming the industry back together for another impactful gathering.