The Second LPF Learning Day of 2019 a Great Success

The Loss Prevention Foundation (LPF), in partnership with the University of Florida’s Department of Criminal Justice, held its second LPF Learning Day of 2019 on Monday, September 30 on the campus of the University of Florida. Sponsored by Sensormatic Solutions, Learning Day brought together over 80 university students, loss prevention professionals, solution providers, and professors for the one-day educational event.

Learning Day is dedicated to the loss prevention/asset protection industry and the opportunities that it affords, centered on industry professionals sharing personal insights on asset protection, professional development strategies, mentorship, emerging technologies, analytics, facial recognition, investigations and more. Attendees included those interested in a career in public safety, business management, or related fields as well as current loss prevention professionals looking to continue to invest in their personal and professional growth and knowledge.

The event featured industry professionals sharing their thoughts on asset protection and professional development strategies, as well as their personal experiences and where they see loss prevention in the future. These LP/AP leaders and solution providers discussed the future of loss prevention as a career path, how the industry is continuing to evolve, and the importance of adapting our tools, methods, and mindset to the changing needs of the business—and retail as a whole.

The interactive focus of the presentations allowed participants to communicate directly with our speakers. Students and other attendees were provided first- hand insights into how we’ve expanded beyond traditional methods of loss prevention, building upon established skill sets and transitioning into a profit enhancement partnership. Richard Peck, LPC, senior vice president of loss prevention at TJX Companies stated it best, “You are in charge of your own self development. Make every experience count.”

“The LPF Learning Day at the University of Florida was a great success for the Loss Prevention Foundation and the industry,” stated Terry Sullivan, LPC, president of the LPF. “It was wonderful to see many of our industry professionals come out to support and educate the next generation of LP/AP professionals.”

In addition to Dr Mike Scicchitano, PhD, and Dr Read Hayes, PhD from the University of Florida, speakers included Richard Peck, LPC with The TJX Companies; Terry Sullivan, LPC with The Loss Prevention Foundation; Jim Lee, LPC with Loss Prevention Magazine; Scott Draher, LPC with The Lowe’s Companies; Tina Sellers, LPC with Family Dollar; Mike Lamb, LPC with The Kroger Companies; Paul Jaeckle, LPC with Meijer; Cathy Langley, LPC with Rite Aid; Joan Sparks with Sensormatic Solutions; Shannan Hanson with Profitect; Cita Doyle, LPQ with Instakey; Chris Vece, LPQ with Protos Security; Wayne Hoover, CFI with Wicklander-Zulawski; Dara Riordan with FaceFirst and Mathew Schriner, LPC with The Loss Prevention Foundation.

At the end of the session the Loss Prevention Foundation surprised all in attendance who were not already LPQ or LPC Certified with LPQ or LPC scholarships provided by the LPF participating partners which included FaceFirst, Instakey Security Systems, Loss Prevention Magazine, LPM Media Group, Product Protection Solutions (PPS), Profitect, Protos Security, Security Resources, Sensormatic Solutions and ThinkLP.

“We are so thankful to have great partners who graciously give back to our industry and want to see people grow and develop,” said Sullivan. “When we announced these scholarship opportunities the room lit up with applause! This was an amazing day and I am proud to be part of an industry known for giving back and continuing to advance.”

Stay tuned for the next LPF Learning Day event! Don’t miss the opportunity to get a closer look into the LP/AP profession, earn continuing education units towards your Loss Prevention Certification (LPC), have a chance to win an LPF course scholarship, and meet some of the top retail LP/AP leaders and solution providers within the industry.