ACS ’24Live
The Global Access Control Event
Not Just
The Access Control Summit is where the industry’s most important conversations happen. Now in its fourth year, ACS brings together C-suite executives, founders, and thought leaders from across access control, smart lock technology, and adjacent sectors.
This year we’re heading to New Zealand, co-hosted with Gallagher Security. With just 150 seats, ACS26 is built for depth — real relationships, frank exchange, and the kind of clarity that only comes when the right people are finally in the same room.
New Zealand is a long flight. We know. So we’ve built a full week around it.
1
Mainstream Moment
4
Themes
50
Speakers
150
Exec Seats
City Host & Partner
Gallagher Security
Hosting the Welcome Reception (6–9 PM) at the home of Sir William and Lady Judi Gallagher — hors d’oeuvres and drinks
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“The kind of place people put on their list and never quite get around to. We’re giving you the reason.”
ACS26 · New Zealand · October 2026Speakers
The People
Nearly 50 speakers across one Mainstream Moment. Full lineup announced soon. Here is the speaker info page.
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...and a lot more to come.
Check back here for speaker updates.Full Schedule
Agenda.
Tuesday, Oct 6 — Welcome Reception
6–9 PM · Home of Sir William & Lady Judi Gallagher · Hors d’oeuvres & drinks
Reception
Wednesday, October 7 — Mainstream Moment
BNZ Theatre · Hamilton
8:00 – 9:00 AM
Breakfast & Check-In
Breakfast
9:00 – 9:20 AM
Welcome & Framing
Mark Junge · Gallagher Security — featuring a Kapa Haka performance, hosted by Lee & Hilary
Opening
Theme 1 — From Doors to Identity
9:20 – 9:30 AM
My View
Michael Stuer · Portier
My View
9:30 – 9:45 AM
1:1
Virginie Flam · Idemia
1:1
9:45 – 10:10 AM
Panel: Who Owns the Customer When the Product Disappears
Jason Bohrer · RightCrowd / Allan Chester · Any2Any / Rhys Saxon · HID / Steven Whitaker · ICT
Theme 1
10:10 – 10:20 AM
My View
Jeff Nigriny · CertiPath
My View
10:20 – 10:35 AM
1:1
Simon Ellis · ASSA ABLOY
1:1
10:35 – 11:00 AM
Panel: The Shadow Database Nobody Asked Permission to Build
Gabriel Daher · Inner Range / Kevin Brown · Icetana / Sal D’Agostino · ID Machines / Donna Chapman · Solution Concept Associates
Theme 1
11:00 – 11:15 AM
Break
Break
Theme 2 — Capital Shapes Strategy
11:15 – 11:25 AM
My View
Steve Van Till
My View
11:25 – 11:40 AM
1:1
David Weinel · LSC Complete Security Solutions
1:1
11:40 – 12:05 PM
Panel: What the Money Is Actually Buying
Dennis Ma · Townsteel / Joe Grillo · Bibliotheca / Juergen Sept · Tanlock / Steve Humphreys · Hirsch
Theme 2
12:05 – 12:20 PM
1:1
Kahl Betham · Gallagher Security
1:1
12:20 – 12:45 PM
Panel: The Discipline That Helps and the Discipline That Kills
Josh Arnold · Gallagher Security / Trent Loebel · Torus / Peter Kuciak · Teldio / Leo Luo · BluOcean Security
Theme 2
12:45 – 1:00 PM
1:1
Brent Wijnberg · Smartlox
1:1
1:00 – 1:55 PM
Lunch
Lunch
Theme 3 — Legacy Meets Reinvention
1:55 – 2:05 PM
My View
Joni Lampinen · iLOQ
My View
2:05 – 2:20 PM
1:1
Michael Wong · Genea
1:1
2:20 – 2:45 PM
Panel: When to Cannibalize Your Own Business
Steve Barton · Acre Security / Jennifer Marx · AMAG / Mike Margrain · Gallagher Security / Scott Fraser · Salto
Theme 3
2:45 – 2:55 PM
My View
Merv Williams · Gallagher Security
My View
2:55 – 3:10 PM
1:1
Chris Goodall · dormakaba
1:1
3:10 – 3:35 PM
Panel: The Incumbent’s Advantage Nobody Talks About
Chris Wilson · Hanwha Vision America / Danny Smith · ColorID / Caine Hillier · Salto / Nick Mooyman · Astute Access
Theme 3
3:35 – 3:50 PM
Break
Break
Theme 4 — People Build Platforms
3:50 – 4:00 PM
My View
Rachel Akbar · Gallagher Security
My View
4:00 – 4:15 PM
1:1
Indra Palanimalai · Onugo
1:1
4:15 – 4:40 PM
Panel: Can You Hire Your Way Into a New Era, or Do You Have to Grow Into It
Jenny Brant · AVA / Mike Nielsen · RealSense / Kylie Morgan · Gallagher Security
Theme 4
4:40 – 4:55 PM
1:1
Gary Morrison · Security Industry Association
1:1
4:55 – 5:05 PM
My View
Arturo Falck · Whoo.ai
My View
5:05 – 5:15 PM
Closing Remarks
Lee Odess + Gallagher Executive
Close
5:15 – 7:00 PM
Happy Hour & Evening Reception
Reception
Mainstream Moment — 4 Themes
What We'reTalking About.
01
Theme 1
From Doors to Identity
The industry is shifting from hardware and credentials to software platforms, data, and identity. Who owns the customer relationship when the technology layer evolves?
02
Theme 2
Capital Shapes Strategy
Private equity, strategic acquirers, and public markets are reshaping the landscape. What does it mean to lead when financial discipline and growth expectations are in constant tension?
03
Theme 3
Legacy Meets Reinvention
Every established player navigating the same tension — a profitable installed base and a future that demands something different. When do you protect the core, and when do you cannibalize it?
04
Theme 4
People Build Platforms
Technology and capital get the headlines, but execution is a people problem. Talent, leadership, org design — the human bottlenecks that determine whether a strategy actually lands.
The New Zealand Experience
Make the Trip
The ACS main event is Tuesday, Oct 6 and Wednesday, Oct 7 in Hamilton. We’ve also planned optional activities in Auckland before and after, on Monday and Thursday.
Optional
Monday · Oct 5
Auckland, NZ
Optional hosted activity planned in Auckland. Stay tuned for more.
Auckland
● ACS Event Day
Tuesday · Oct 6
Welcome Day
Hamilton, NZ
Coach transfer from Auckland. Gallagher campus tour. Welcome Reception (6–9 PM) at the home of Sir William and Lady Judi Gallagher — hors d’oeuvres and drinks.
Hamilton
● ACS Event Day
Wednesday · Oct 7
Main Event Day
BNZ Theatre · Hamilton, NZ
A full day of ACS sessions, followed by a happy hour to close out the event.
Hamilton
Optional
Thursday · Oct 8
Auckland, NZ
Optional hosted activity planned in Auckland. Stay tuned for more.
Auckland
Auckland City Views
Waiheke Island — Wine & Vineyards
Explore Waikato — Hobbiton Movie Set
Raglan Beach, Waikato
“World-class scenery, incredible food and wine, and the kind of place people dream about visiting for years.”
ACS26 · New Zealand · October 2026Venue & Logistics
Hamilton,
Home of Sir William & Lady Judi GallagherWelcome Reception, Tue Oct 6 · 6–9 PM
Gallagher Auditorium, BNZ Theatre — Main Event, Wed Oct 7Photo: Stephen Barker, Barker Photography
Main Event Venue
BNZ Theatre
198 Victoria Street, Hamilton Central, NZ
Welcome Reception
Home of Sir William & Lady Judi Gallagher
Tue Oct 6 · 6–9 PM · Hors d’oeuvres & drinks
Primary Hotel Recommendation
Novotel Hamilton Tainui
6-min walk to BNZ Theatre · 7 Alma Street
Alt. Hotel Recommendation
Ibis Hamilton Tainui
Also centrally located in Hamilton
Airport Options
Hamilton Airport (HLZ) — 15 min
Auckland Airport (AKL) — 1.5 hr · international
FAQ
Questions.
The ACS26 main event takes place in Hamilton, New Zealand, across two days:
• Tuesday, October 6 — Welcome Reception (6–9 PM) at the home of Sir William and Lady Judi Gallagher — hors d’oeuvres and drinks, not a sit-down dinner
• Wednesday, October 7 — Full Mainstream Moment at BNZ Theatre, Hamilton Central
We recommend booking a hotel in Hamilton for the nights of October 6 and 7 — it’s about 2.5 hours south of Auckland, so staying close keeps you in the heart of the action.
And if you’re up for more, we’ve got optional activities planned in Auckland at the start and end of the week — a great way to bookend the trip.
• Tuesday, October 6 — Welcome Reception (6–9 PM) at the home of Sir William and Lady Judi Gallagher — hors d’oeuvres and drinks, not a sit-down dinner
• Wednesday, October 7 — Full Mainstream Moment at BNZ Theatre, Hamilton Central
We recommend booking a hotel in Hamilton for the nights of October 6 and 7 — it’s about 2.5 hours south of Auckland, so staying close keeps you in the heart of the action.
And if you’re up for more, we’ve got optional activities planned in Auckland at the start and end of the week — a great way to bookend the trip.
For the event itself, Hamilton is the way to go — it puts you right in the middle of everything, just a short walk from BNZ Theatre.
Want to join the optional Monday or Thursday activities in Auckland? Stay there for those nights instead. Either way, we’ve got you covered with hosted coach transfers between the two cities, so there’s no need to rent a car.
Recommended Hamilton Hotels
Novotel Hamilton Tainui — 7 Alma Street · 6-minute walk to BNZ Theatre · Primary recommendation
Ibis Hamilton Tainui — Also centrally located · Secondary option
Hotel accommodation is not included in registration and is at your own expense. Please see the question above for our recommended Hamilton hotels.
We will provide hosted coach transfers in both directions. More details provided after registration.
Not at all — they’re there for anyone who wants to make a full trip of it, explore Auckland, and extend their ACS experience. Tuesday and Wednesday in Hamilton are the main event days you won’t want to miss.
Registration covers your access to the main event, the Welcome Reception, coach transfers between Auckland and Hamilton, and optional activities in Auckland on Monday and Thursday.
Hotel accommodation is not included and is at the attendee’s own expense.
Hotel accommodation is not included and is at the attendee’s own expense.
Yes. All main event sessions will be professionally recorded and made available to registered attendees after the event.
Join us in
New Zealand.
150 seats. The access control industry’s most important room of the year.
Register for ACS26