Following her stirring comments at the Opening Session, Elaine Duke, Acting Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security spent a few extra minutes briefly addressing and meeting some IAVM members in a meet-and-greet where she reinforced the resolve of citizens in the wake of uncertain times.
“Assembling at events is so important to our American fabric,” said the Deputy Secretary, “not only from terrorists striking, but even from making us afraid. I hope that everybody knows their Protective Service Advisors (PSA), because we 
are here to serve you and help build best practices.”
IAVM President and CEO Brad Mayne, CFE, shared with the Secretary progress on the Exhibitions and Meetings Safety and Security Initiative (EMSSI) and that many in the room are involved as Industry Security Council members.
Security Duke concluded by shaking hands and having brief individual conversations before leaving the group with one final thought.
“As Americans we shouldn’t be afraid, because that’s not our nature,” she said. “They have a saying up on the Beltway that if you drive the Beltway you shouldn’t be afraid of anything.”
