In 1984, under the leadership of independent security consultant Charles Sennewald and with the support of Security World Magazine and the International Security Conference (ISC), 17 interested parties representing all parts of the United States met for a founding meeting at the Barnabey Hotel in El Segundo, California. During the two-day meeting, IAPSC founders discussed the mission of the proposed organization; adopted By-Laws, including membership requirements; and set forth this statement of purpose:
The purpose of the IAPSC is to establish and maintain the highest possible standards in the security consulting profession. For that purpose, the Association will provide opportunities for the professional enhancement of its members, and will promote greater awareness of the objective standards of its membership.
The IAPSC began to grow as an increasing number of consultants saw the opportunity to interact and network with their peers. This unique organization provided individual security consultants with the opportunity to exchange ideas within an interactive community.
Since our 1984 inception, IAPSC continues to hold annual meetings in charming U.S. locations. These annual meetings serve as opportunities for professional enrichment. Guest speakers, who are experts in various security-related fields, conduct seminars and give lectures to attendees. Occasionally, IAPSC members participate in meeting presentation in order to enlighten colleagues about their specific expertise. The variety of meeting locations also serves to broaden cultural experience for members and their spouses.
Several members have performed duties as Executive Director of IAPSC. Currently, the organization employs a professional management firm to handle its affairs, and the association is run by elected officers and a volunteer-elected Board of Directors.
The IAPSC is an organization of peers. No member is considered better than another, and frequent elections prevent any small group from dominating the association. The strict ethical standards and stringent membership requirements ensure that each member represents the highest professional standards.
Past Annual Conferences
2022 Annual Conference - 37th Annual Westminster, Colorado
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2021 Annual Conference – 36th Annual San Antonio, Texas
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Presentations (IAPSC Member login required)
2019 Annual Conference – "A Big Hit in Miami" May 4-6, 2019 – (35th Annual Conference) Miami, Florida
2018 Annual Conference – ” Oceans of Opportunity” April 29 – May 1, 2018 – (34th Annual Conference) San Diego, CA
2017 Annual Conference – May 7-9, 2017 – (33rd Annual Conference) Austin, TX
2016 Annual Conference – “Security at Home and Abroad – Innovating Your Practice in Today’s Risk Environment”: Charleston, SC
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Presentation handouts (download from the Members Library, must log in)
Sponsors & Exhibitors (view a list in the Members Library, must log in)
2015 Annual Conference – “Old Growth vs. New Growth: The Future of Consulting”: Napa, CA USA
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Presentation handouts (download from the Members Library, must log in)
Sponsors & Exhibitors (view a list in the Members Library, must log in)
2014 Annual Conference – “Security Consulting & All That Jazz”: New Orleans, LA USA
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2013 Annual Conference – “Excelling in a Competitive and Challenging Environment”: Napa, CA USA
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View the conference program
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2012 Annual Conference – “Security Consulting in 2012 – Business as Unusual”: Miami Beach, FL USA
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2011 Annual Conference – “Chart Your Course to Profit”: San Diego, CA USA
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2010 Annual Conference: Savannah, GA USA
2009 Annual Conference: Palm Springs, CA USA
2008 Annual Conference: Austin, TX USA
2007 Annual Conference: Jacksonville, FL USA
2006 Annual Conference: Carefree, AZ USA
2005 Annual Conference: Annapolis, MD USA
2004 Annual Conference: Newport Beach, CA USA
2003 Annual Conference: Boston, MA USA
2002 Annual Conference: Atlanta, GA USA
2001 Annual Conference: Santa Fe, NM USA
2000 Annual Conference: San Diego, CA USA
1999 Annual Conference: Williamsburg, VA USA
1998 Annual Conference: Palm Springs, CA USA
1997 Annual Conference: St. Petersburg, FL USA
1996 Annual Conference: Palm Springs, CA USA
1995 Annual Conference: Clearwater Beach, FL USA
1994 Annual Conference: Reno, NV USA
1993 Annual Conference: Palm Springs, CA USA
1992 Annual Conference: Hilton Head, SC USA
1991 Annual Conference: Laughlin, NV USA
1990 Annual Conference: Washington, DC USA
1989 Annual Conference: Scottsdale, AZ USA
1988 Annual Conference: Clearwater Beach, FL USA
1987 Annual Conference: LaJolla, CA USA
1986 Annual Conference: Atlantic City, NJ USA
1985 Annual Conference: Clearwater Beach, FL USA
1984 Founding Meeting: Los Angeles, CA USA