Reprint from ASIS Dynamics Newsletter - November/December 2009 Issue

Local musical talent was on full display at the Opening Ceremony, beginning with the smooth tunes of the Sterling Brass Quintet, which greeted attendees as they entered the convention center’s ballroom for the ceremony. Before Cummings took the stage, members of the Magnolia High School Junior ROTC paraded the flags of the countries where ASIS members can be found. That display was underscored by Cummings in his opening remarks; he mentioned the Society’s various international conferences, including the upcoming ASIS 1st Middle East Security Conference to take place in Dubai in December. Cummings said such initiatives “represent the growth and globalization of our organization.”

Cummings’ introduction was followed by the impressive Harborlites Chorus, a 120-member international award-winning a cappella female chorus, which is a member of Sweet Adelines International. The Harborlites delighted attendees with familiar tunes such as “Tonight” from West Side Story, the Irish folk song “Danny Boy,” Phantom of the Opera’s “Angel of Music,” and a crowd-pleasing rendition of “Sweet Georgia Brown.” Additionally, a barbershop quartet of talented Harborlites members known as Hypnotic showed why they’re also award-winners with their flirtatious rendition of war-time tune, “Oh Johnny.”

The children of the Crystal Cathedral Academy Chorus also contributed their talents to the ceremony, singing songs of peace in French and Swahili before joining with the Harborlites for the opening ceremony’s closing numbers. The crowd laughed as the choirs provided their “best advice” for security professionals: “You Gotta Have Heart.” Attendee enthusiasm was evidence that heart is something there is no shortage of in the ASIS community.

Capping the festivities was the ribbon-cutting that officially opened the Exhibit Hall. The crowd looked on as Cummings was joined by Anaheim Mayor Pro Tem Bob Hernandez, Anaheim Chief of Police John Welter, 2009 California Teacher of the Year Alex Kajitani, and Host Chapter Seminar Committee Chairman Scott Hewitt, CPP. The group cut the ribbon (pictured below), and the crowd poured out of the ballroom and into the Exhibit Hall, which featured more than 700 exhibiting companies.