Charles (Chuck) Andrews, CPP, Chairman of the Board & Founder of Friends of Chuck (FOC) tells SJA why GSX attendees should head to Texas Night 2024, for its tenth year!

When and where is Texas Night being held?

Texas Night 2024 will be taking place on the evening of Sunday 22 September at 6:30pm to 10:30pm.

It will be held at Mango’s Tropical Café, a fantastic venue only a few minutes’ walk from Orange County Convention Center Orlando, the location of ASIS International’s GSX event.

Mango’s is also very close to many of the hotels ASIS GSX attendees will be staying at – so there’s no excuse to miss it!

We wanted to pick a venue that feels like an ode to Florida and the tropics but that allowed us to bring our own flavor of Texas to #TexasNight2024.

The venue has 16 bars, 62 TVs, two levels and a million-dollar state-of-the-art sound/lighting system that will be sure to get you doing the Texas two-step!

For the first time ever, Texas Night will be held In Conjunction With (ICW) ASIS GSX, meaning we are sanctioned by ASIS International and are an official event!

Find us in the ASIS agenda line-up!

What can attendees expect at Texas Night?

This will be our tenth annual Texas Night, and it is now 12 years since we started holding this event, with a gap due to a break over COVID.

Last year’s ASIS GSX in Dallas, Texas, saw #TexasNight2023 become the largest Texas Night to date with around 4,000 security professionals gathering for the most epic security networking event, ever!

As per previous years, one of the best reasons to come along to Texas Night is because of the networking opportunities and the chance to meet people face-to-face.

All year long we send emails, texts and call each other over Zoom… but you can never replace face-to-face moments to build relationships that will last a lifetime!

The entertainment in Orlando will also be unbeatable – we’ll have a country band called Whiskey County playing live music, lots of food and new for this year is a cigar bar.

Notably, Texas Ranger Whiskey from Rebecca Creek distillery will be there with samples being handed out as they were last year!

I’ll be there again with my book, Yes, S.I.R., which will be available to take home with you.

I may also have a few Texas Ranger challenge points leftover if some folks want those as well. And maybe a surprise here and there?

You got to show up to know, but follow me on LinkedIn and join the Texas Night 2024 LinkedIn group page to keep up!

Our sponsors, including our main sponsor Evolv Technology, will be set up all the way from the parking lot into the inside and scattered around the venue.

You’ll be able to meet with them to discuss their latest technologies and innovative solutions, all while enjoying music and a drink!

I want to give a BIG Texas THANK YOU to our sponsors for being a part of this event and helping to make it a great success as always.

There will be even more happening at Texas Night that I’m not giving away yet – but keep an eye out for updates in the run up to the event!

Why should GSX attendees head to Texas Night?

Firstly, the event is always FREE and the opportunities to meet with the rest of the industry early on Sunday night, the night before the ASIS GSX show opens, in a relaxed, fun environment are unparalleled!

The business of security is networking, and if you’re going to start ASIS GSX right, you need to be able to meet new people and catch up with your old friends.

It’s so important that the industry can come together and meet in person, particularly at such a fun place!

The caliber of attendees at Texas Night includes senior security colleagues and professionals, Chief Security Officers (CSOs) and other leaders from around the globe.

There’s no better way to meet people than Texas Night – this is an event not to be missed!  

Next, Texas Night will be the event that kicks GSX off! Taking place on the Sunday before the show, this is the opportunity to set up meetings, talk to friends and have a great time in a great atmosphere.

It’s a set precedent now that Texas Night happens the day before the GSX show starts, but it also means that people can gather and schedule meetings ahead of time.

Many GSX attendees arrive in town the day before it begins, so it makes sense to have people come together as soon as possible.

Texas Night is the chance to set the tone for your week at GSX. You can talk business, find your new job, strike deals and make new friends.

How will this Texas Night build upon the legacy of previous years?

Texas Night brings a long lasting and interesting value proposition to ASIS members and the security industry as a whole.

This year adds to that ongoing legacy and we’ll continue to do so as long as there is interest and support from the industry and sponsors.

Building further upon Texas Night, Friends of Chuck (FOC) will be looking to hold more events and bring the security industry together in more ways.

Keep an eye out and make sure to follow me for more announcements and news!

Watch for this announcement soon, the FIRST EVER #SecurityCruise2025!

Where can people go to find out about the latest updates for Texas Night?

The best place to discover the latest updates will be my LinkedIn profile – so make sure you’re following me (Charles “Chuck” Andrews – MSME, CPP) – or the event’s LinkedIn page, called TEXAS NIGHT 2024 @Mango’s #ASISGSX – Orlando, FL.

We’re also using the hashtag #TXNight2024 so make sure to follow this for the latest updates!

How do attendees register?

Entry is open to all ASIS GSX attendees is free; you can register using the link below. You must be registered for entry so that you receive your entry credentials.

Those that don’t register ahead of time will have to join a separate line on the day, where they’ll have to sign up there.

Key details

Date: Sunday 22 September 2024

Time: 6:30pm – 10:30pm

Venue: Mango’s Tropical Café

Address: 8126 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819

Click here to register for Texas Night 2024!

A special thanks to the sponsors of Texas Night 2024

Here are the sponsors so far making your #texanight2024 networking possible:

• Evolv Technology (Title sponsor)
• Friends of Chuck (FOC)
• International Security Journal
• Security Journal Americas
• Action-CS
• AMAROK
• ASIS Foundation
• ASIS Military & Veterans Community
• Asylon
• BlackCloak
• BlitzT
• Gallagher Security
• Genea
• Global Integrity
• IDP Americas
• International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO)
• Intel
• Kolins Security Group
• Ledlow Security Group
• Lincoln Security Services
• Lynx Systems
• Panoptic Solutions
• PowerStack
• Premier Body Armor
• RaySecur
• Rebecca Creek & Texas Ranger Whiskey
• Sage Integration
• Secure Options Consulting
• Security Solutions Watch
• Siemens
• Staff Wizard
• Thermal Radar
• Unlimited Technology
• U.S. Bullet Proofing
• Women In Security

This article was originally published in the September edition of Security Journal Americas. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.