As I am writing this, it’s days after the end of SAFETECH 2026, and I am still tired. This year’s convention was fun, exciting, educational, record-breaking and off the charts. Forty years of the Safe & Vault Technicians Association were celebrated in a fantastic way.
As always, we started the week filled with classes. We tried something a little different this year and added several factory certification classes. They were all filled. We added several basics classes, such as scoping and transferring and servicing, and even a database class.
The instructors were all top-notch and have heard nothing but praise for all of them. We continue to look for more exciting classes for presentation at future SAFETECH conventions to keep the new guys as well as the veteran safe crackers interested.
The Education Department did a fantastic job of organizing and planning this year’s classes. Your SAVTA Board spent weeks developing the initial education grid. Then the Education Department took over and made sure it all worked; that the instructors were contracted; that the class materials were presented; and much more. Months of planning culminated in an event that may not have been flawless but appeared to be a well-oiled machine.
We invited Clay Miller and April Truitt, two of the founding members of SAVTA, to present an evening of discussion and history. They did not disappoint. Further, we got to hear about the development of their new line of safe locks, rebranded as QSecurity. It was a very educational evening.
The Ask the Experts evening forum was brought back for a second year in a row, and it was very well attended. The panel was made up of Dave Fullarton, Adam Lewis and Scott Said. While waiting for the forum to begin, Adam Lewis entertained the crowd with a multitude of “dad jokes.” The panelists talked about their lives in the industry and took a lot of questions from the audience. It seemed like they would talk about anything even remotely related to safes, SAFETECH or SAVTA. It was another educational evening.
The Swap Meet took over one of the atriums, and a lot of items were bought and sold. I personally purchased several antique safe locks, some of which might one day wind up in the Friends of SAVTA Auction. I talked with several attendees who were over-excited about some of the items they found in the Swap Meet.
The Kick-Off Party had a few surprises. Besides the excellent food and drinks, there was a visit from a Tom Cruise wannabe look-alike of Maverick from the movie Top Gun. Yours truly had the pleasure of dressing up in a leather bomber jacket and aviator sunglasses. While the sound system attempted to amplify the theme from Top Gun, “Danger Zone,” I got to crash the party to start the evening off. It was a lot of fun.
Normally, the SAVTA President’s Award is presented on Saturday morning during the Membership Meeting. I determined that this year’s award recipient needed to be announced when most of the attendees were gathered in one place. It was my pleasure and honor to award Vaughn Armstrong with this high distinction. He has done so much for this association that it’s difficult to even begin to list his efforts. He’s always quiet and humble about the help he provides, and I wanted to turn up the volume for him and give him the recognition that he so deserves. Thank you, Vaughan.
Eventually the evening festivities turned to the Friends of SAVTA Auction. As tradition and custom dictate, Brian Lamb from Lockmasters stepped up to be the auctioneer. Over 60 lots of auction items were presented. Some of them drew large bids. The final auction item was the bomber jacket and aviator glasses that the Maverick imitator wore. Even this item went for a large sum. The auction raised over $24,000, a record-breaking number.
Thank you to everyone who bid and participated in the auction. This money helps to offset the costs of putting on the SAFETECH conventions and helps SAVTA operations run.
This event could not be possible without the generosity of the sponsors. I would like to thank them all. Their support makes these conventions viable.
Also, thank you to the ALOA Staff, the SAVTA Board and the numerous volunteers who worked tirelessly to present this year’s SAFETECH. A special thank you to the members who stepped up to assist with things that needed to get done — you know who you are. Their volunteerism is greatly appreciated.
And finally, I want to thank all of the members who attended this year’s convention and trade show. Without you, there would be no association. I look forward to seeing all of you for years to come at future SAFETECHs.
Gene Gyure, CRL, GSA-T, CAI
President