APCO 2023, the annual conference and expo for the public safety sector, closes today in Nashville after a four day run of informative sessions and on-site displays by exhibitors. Billed as the premier event for public safety communications officials, the show attracted attendees such as comm center managers, public safety communications equipment and services vendors.
On Monday at the Opening General Session at Music City Center, hundreds of attendees heard about the association’s progress and its work to elevate 911 professionals along with a lesson on teamwork and perseverance from a legendary Navy Seal Team Six member.
“You matter. You make a difference,” APCO CEO Derek Poarch told the audience. “The job that you have chosen is hard, the situations you manage are intense, and the world itself feels a little tougher to navigate every day. No matter what else is happening in your own lives, you go to work, you put on a headset – and you make this great country safer.”
During the General session on Monday, the association announced the winners of its 2023 Public Safety Communications Awards and Technology Leadership Awards.
After the awards, attendees heard from Ryan Burchnell, Director of Market Development for FirstNet Built with AT&T, who introduced an eight-year member of Seal Team Six and the man who shot Osama Bin Laden on May 2, 2011, in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Robert O’Neill described his career in the Seals and what they learn about working together in teams to achieve shared goals.
Conference attendees include a wide range of organizations, including emergency communications centers, law enforcement, fire service, emergency medical services, and government agencies, along with service providers and commercial vendors.
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