Part of the mission of LP Magazine is to provide educational content to help asset protection professionals in their careers. We do this through our digital and print magazine and by building communities. On April 11, LPM went on the road with education and provided networking opportunities as well with its first Regional Town Hall, just outside of Dallas, Texas.
Asset protection professionals met at the AXIS experience center for a lunch and learn afternoon. LPM knows how busy AP professionals are, so we provided a robust afternoon of learning bookended with networking time.
Rob Melton, assistant special agent in charge, Homeland Security Investigations for Tulsa Oklahoma and Texas panhandle, discussed Operation Boiling Point and the pillars of its foundation. As the partnerships with HSI and retailers continue to grow, Melton walked through ways in which retailers can engage HSI when they are working on organized retail crime cases. He also shared the ACAMS report which will help AP investigators explain ORC to their leadership or local law enforcement. It was clear that the federal government understands the impact of ORC on retailers and is putting its money where its mouth is when supporting retailers’ efforts. 
Wayne Hoover, CFI, W-Z senior partner and IAI chair, provided training to the group on ways they can use the fundamental interview technique—rapport building—in other aspects of their job or even in personal relationships. W-Z training has evolved over the last few years and attendees were given insight into the Adaptive/Maladaptive concepts, which can be leveraged to make conversations more productive. As usual, Hoover entertained the group and also educated them with content they could take away and use that day.
The last session of the day featured a panel of AP/LP executives who shared their valuable career insights with the group. The level of honesty and openness from the panel was refreshing! Sue Read, director of LP and EHS from FleetPride, shared with the group the best piece of career advice she’d ever received: “Early in my career, a supervisor told me that if I was presented with an opportunity, even if it was a challenge, to take a risk and do it.” The topic of fearlessness reappeared throughout the panel session. What executives are looking for in a candidate and ways LP professionals can make themselves invaluable to an organization were discussed as well.
In regard to the LPM meeting itself, Jim Mires VP of LP and safety for Sally Beauty, said, “there is so much emerging talent in our industry and events like this one will be fantastic for their development. Keep these going!” Rick Beardsley, the third panelist and senior director of LP and safety with At Home agreed with Jim and enjoyed the participation from the group: “I look forward to more of these Town Halls.”
The day concluded with more networking; LPC, LPQ, and CFI scholarship giveaways; and cold beverages in the AXIS Experience Center. Thank you to our host AXIS and our other sponsors Auror, W-Z, and the LPF for making this day possible.