More than 60 members of the press, staff from security manufacturing and integrator companies, and a host of industry analysts and influencers gathered at the Canaletto Restaurant overlooking the Venetian Hotel's beautiful Italian plaza. The occasion was the official launch of the IP UserGroup USA in the United States and all of North America.
Paul Hennings, IP UserGroup Director, welcomed the crowd and previewed the group's plans going forward, "With more than 10,000 members dedicated to promoting IP networked technology, we are delighted to bring the IP UserGroup to America to provide this vitally important market with a unique, powerful platform for the education and promotion of the benefits and application potential of IP."
Hennings also made the exciting announcement that a number of industry-leading companies had already signed on as Charter Affiliate (5-year) members, including Cisco
Systems, Dallmeier Electronic, DVTel, Milestone Systems, and as new USA Affiliate Members-Codestuff and Promollis. A host of other companies are in discussions to join the new organization, and the IP UserGroup USA looks to have 15 or more Charter Members signed on for the first IP-in-Action LiveT event planned for Chicago in September.
Throughout the week, the IP UserGroup management team was busy staffing an information booth on the show floor, visiting with more than 40 affiliate and potential members, and distributing over 5000 pieces of collateral summarizing the benefits of IP UserGroup membership and promoting the new IP UserGroup USA website, www.ipusergroupusa.com
Kevin Fagan, IP UserGroup Director, summed up the Vegas launch, "It was clear that IP technology was not only at most booths, but also in the air as visitors talked about it in the restaurants and coffee shops-just about everywhere! The IP UserGroup USA has an important role to play over the coming months and years, and we were gratified by the tremendous level of interest and by the fact that several companies have already signed on to the US organization."
The IP UserGroup community of 10,000 members is dedicated to understanding and promoting IP Networked Technology and its utilisation in security, surveillance and building management solutions. With an international membership offering contacts in more than 68 countries, the IP UserGroup is an independent organization giving it unprecedented objectivity and stature among other organisations, trade associations, the media and industry experts and influencers. The IP UserGroup's extensive end user benefits combined with its international reputation and reach is why it is backed by the most respected companies in a wide array of industry sectors. Activities and benefits the IP UserGroup offers its members include:

• A 24/7 website members portal with a wide range of technical and commercial information and comment-providing a unique route to market for members

• IP-in-Action LIVET educational forums where members and guests enjoy seminars, master classes, workshops and hands-on technology demonstrations as well as discussion and networking

• Quarterly membership publication IPfocus® (e-zine in the US) dedicated to IP networked education and applications

• A constant stream of education and information sharing in the IP UserGroup "virtual community" through e-letters and technical bulletins

• Very latest information and expertise from the IP UserGroup library of video and audio presentations and seminars delivered by the best in the business