2020 Concealed Carry Expo. Presented by USCCA

About the presentation:
“Women's Intermediate Handguns” is ideal for ladies who are ready to take the next step with their firearms skills, tools and mindset. Basics and fundamentals of shooting will be reviewed, while exploring situational awareness, popular types of handguns, ammunition types and storage and concealed carry options. Recognizing and clearing malfunctions, understanding range etiquette and commands, and using the dominant and non-dominant hand and reloading will also be covered.

About the speaker:
Author of Women's Handgun & Self-Defense Fundamentals, associate editor of Concealed Carry Magazine and creator of the Pacifiers & Peacemakers blog, Beth Alcazar has enjoyed nearly two decades of teaching and working in the firearms industry. She holds degrees in language arts, education and communication management and uses her experience and enthusiasm to share safe and responsible firearms ownership and usage with others. Beth is certified through the NRA as a Training Counselor, Chief Range Safety Officer and Certified Instructor for multiple disciplines. She is also a Certified Instructor through SIG Sauer Academy, ALICE Institute, DRAW School, TWAW, I.C.E. Training and is a USCCA Certified Instructor and Senior Training Counselor. Beth also received the NRA's prestigious Marion P. Hammer Woman of Distinction Award for 2019.

About the presentation:
Learn from self-defense expert Dave Young as he reveals the truth about real-life gunfights and discusses the knowledge, skills and gear you need to survive one. During this primarily hands-on course, Dave will walk you through the drills and exercises that will give you the gunfighting skills you need to overcome a deadly threat. Topics include: moving with your firearm, drawing your firearm, hand-eye coordination, different angles of fire and much more.

This course will also cover topics such as how to select the right holster and firearm for your unique needs, different ammo types, the advantage of carrying concealed and the tactics you need to know to protect yourself and your loved ones anytime, anywhere.

About the speaker:
Dave Young is a nationally recognized defensive tactics instructor with a 30-year history in military and civilian law enforcement. As the founder and director of ARMA Training and U.S. Fighting Systems, Dave has dedicated his life to defensive training instruction. Specializing in personal and officer survival, crowd management, and non-lethal weaponry, he has been featured on the National Geographic channel and sits on the boards of PoliceOne.com and Police Magazine.

Dave is an active member of several organizations, including the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA), National Rifle Association (NRA) and Georgia International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (GALEFI).

About the presentation:
This hands-on class consists of two distinct 1.5-hour reality-based training sessions that will help students sharpen their gun-handling skills in a variety of simulated, real-world situations. Course sessions will cover firearms handling, proper tactical movement, appropriate decision-making, a shooting simulator and force-on-force training using T4E-converted handguns that employ non-lethal marking rounds. These converted handguns allow scenario participants to safely fight “attackers” in lethal-force scenarios, followed by a debriefing and assessment of the drill. Participants will be able to determine what works and what doesn't when it comes to their equipment, decision-making capabilities and levels of training. The session is considered to be the highest level of evaluation and application of skills available without having to engage in a real fight.

*NOTE: All attendees are required to bring gloves and long sleeves/hooded sweatshirts. No weapons of any kind are allowed in this course. Attendees are subject to a weapons check before class and will have access to storage units if necessary.

About the speaker:
Donna Anthony has more than 20 years of experience in security and law enforcement. She has served as a sworn police officer in Alaska, an undercover investigator for the Alaska State Trooper Statewide Drug Task Force Unit and an Ohio deputy sheriff. She has collaborated with such federal law enforcement agencies as the U.S. Marshals, DEA, ATF and FBI.

After retiring from the Palmer Police Department, Donna founded the Alaska Investigation Agency, LLC in 2012, and is the owner of Point Blank Firearms & Self Defense Training, LLC. Her passion for self-defense drove her to become a member of the National Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors Association. She is also the national training coordinator for The Well Armed Woman (TWAW), a non-profit organization that educates, equips and empowers women shooters.

Donna has extensive law enforcement training, from hostage negotiation to tactical operations planning, including Rapid Response to an Active Shooter, Undercover Techniques and Anti-Terrorism Training.

About the presentation:
This course will introduce you to the defensive mindset and help you explore all of the tools you’ll need to build confidence and be self-reliant. You will also gain an understanding of basic hand-to-hand defensive measures to help you become a more confident, competent and capable person. No matter your physical abilities, you’ll gain insight and get exposure to effective, modern self-defense techniques.

About the speaker:
Lena Miculek:
Lena Miculek is the top multi-discipline female competitor in the world and focuses on 3-gun and PCC competition as a member of Team SIG. Lena entered the world of competitive shooting at the age of 8 and proved she would be a force to be reckoned with. She won her first World Champion title at age 17 and now has eight World Shooting titles in five different shooting disciplines, three PCC national titles and 20 PCC championships, more than 50 3-Gun championships, and hundreds of championships and high lady titles in the disciplines in which she competes. Additionally, Lena is recognized in the industry as the most-influential female competitor and continues to break records and barriers for females across the industry. In 2023, Lena and SIG Sauer founded ROSE, a program for women based on Lena’s years of experience as a competitor and teaching women at every skill level all over the country. ROSE is a complete system that’s easy to understand, easy to learn and easy to use. It takes you step-by-step through the process — from your first time holding a pistol all the way to your first time at a range — and it is a community of women coming together to help and encourage one another.

Justin Christopher:
Justin Christopher has been teaching professionally for more than 20 years. He is a Tactical Arrest and Control Instructor, an Edged Weapons Instructor, a Senior Instructor for the SIG Sauer Academy, and a certified 3rd degree Gracie Jiu Jitsu Black Belt. Justin also spent more than 10 years working in law enforcement, primarily in the SWAT community. Over the last two decades, Justin has traveled the world training various military and law enforcement organizations. Justin’s unique mix of real-world experience, humble demeanor and engaging teaching style have made him a highly sought-after and respected instructor.

About the presentation:
Steve Fischer, Manager of Training Operations for the USCCA, will be combining elements from both of the USCCA's core curriculums — Concealed Carry & Home Defense Fundamentals and Defensive Shooting Fundamentals — to help attendees gain an understanding of how to reduce the risk of experiencing a home invasion. More importantly, he will explain how to plan, prepare, practice and respond so that the odds favor the good guy instead of the bad guy.

About the speaker:
Steve Fischer started training in the Martial Arts at a young age. His hunting and range experiences with his father and grandfather led him on a lifelong journey and ignited his passion for personal defense and firearms.

While serving in the U.S. Army Reserve, Steve completed training as an Infantry Soldier, Combat Lifesaver, Master Fitness Trainer and Drill Sergeant, eventually becoming an instructor at the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant School. He competed for a number of years as a member of the 84th Division High Power Rifle Team, earning his Army Excellence in Competition Bronze Rifle Badge.

Steve’s commitment to Martial Arts led him to become a full-time Martial Arts Instructor. After 35+ years of teaching and training, he decided to retire from the profession as a Kukkiwon Certified 4th Degree Master Instructor and has since been recommended to skip test to 6th Degree in honor of his long-term commitment to passing on his knowledge.

Steve holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Services and has had the privilege of learning from and training with a wide variety of experts, including George Harris, Steven Gilcreast, Massad Ayoob, Rob Pincus, Lew Gosnell, Eric Ingersoll, Chris Currie, Mike Hughes, Dave Young, Anthony Lambert, Deryck Poole, Barret Kendrick and Jason Speller.

About the presentation:
Curious how politicians, the media and botched "studies" have twisted the facts on gun control? From myths about mass public shootings to “gun-free” zones to suicides to gun ownership rates and crime, Lott addresses the claims you frequently hear in the media and explains what simply doesn’t add up with those claims.

About the speaker:
Dr. John Lott is an economist and a world-recognized expert on guns and crime. During the Trump administration, he served as the senior advisor for research and statistics at the U.S. Department of Justice. John has held research or teaching positions at various academic institutions, including the University of Chicago, Yale University, Wharton, Stanford University, UCLA and Rice University and was the chief economist at the United States Sentencing Commission during 1988-1989. He holds a Ph.D. in economics from UCLA. Nobel laureate Milton Friedman noted: “John Lott has few equals as a perceptive analyst of controversial public policy issues.”

About the presentation:
We'll talk about solutions for many of the most frustrating (and common) visual issues people have shooting with both eyes open, cross-eye dominance, or aging eyes that may not see well either near or far.

About the speaker:
Mike "Ox" Ochsner is an NRA, Rangemaster, and Reality Based Training Association instructor, a Force Science Institute Analyst, and a master-level IDPA shooter with a subcompact. His best-selling "Real World Gunfight Training" (RealWorldGunfightTraining.com) and 20+ firearms training courses, targets, and training aids use performance neurology, accelerated learning, and real-world context to help shooters build life-saving skills that work in chaotic, high-stress situations up to 10 times faster than traditional training methods.

About the presentation:
In the seminar, Countering the Mass Shooter Threat, author Michael Martin reviews data gathered from more than 90 mass shootings that have occurred since Columbine to determine what can be learned from these terrible tragedies. Using that data, Martin dispels the anti-gun myths that a reduction in magazine capacity or the banning of AR-15s or any other firearm type could have prevented even a single attack or reduced the carnage. Martin goes on to analyze whether other proposals by anti-gun groups would have an effect, including universal background checks or red flag laws; and whether “gun-free zones” help or hurt. Martin summarizes this seminar with a point-by-point plan designed to eliminate the scourge of these shooters once and for all, based upon hard facts, and not emotion. If you’re ready to learn more about how to protect your house of worship, your children’s school, or your place of business, don’t miss this seminar presented by the author of the USCCA textbook, Countering the Mass Shooter Threat..

About the speaker:
Michael Martin is the researcher and author behind the USCCA textbooks, Countering the Mass Shooter Threat, Emergency First-Aid Fundamentals and Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals. In addition to his work with the USCCA, Michael is also certified as a CIRAS (Collaborative Incident Response, Active Shooter) instructor. He teaches police, fire and EMS agencies how to respond to the aftermath of mass shooting events in order to minimize the loss of life. Martin's textbooks and other training materials are currently in use by thousands of USCCA instructors across the U.S., and he is considered one of the nation’s foremost experts in mass shootings. Martin also serves as a full-time firefighter and paramedic in the Twin Cities and is a U.S. Army veteran, with service time in South Korea; Augsburg, Germany; and Washington, D.C.

About the presentation:
This seminar will cover many of the mental, physical, legal and Practical aspects of consideration and preparation for the individuals entering into the realm of owning and carrying a firearm for personal protection, competition, as well as recreational purposes.
Chapter 1 in my Book Marksmanship Simplified covers the Simplicity of Safety and Success removing many of the roadblocks to getting started and Chapter 9 offers a variety of options that a person can pursue to expand their endeavors beyond the basics.

About the speaker:
George Harris has been a leading firearms educator and trainer for more than 40 years. His experiences and interests in teaching others were instrumental in the formulation of his unique approach to firearms training. He co-founded the SIGARMS Academy, an internationally recognized and highly sought-after training institution for armed professionals and responsible citizens. He was awarded the highly coveted U.S. Army Distinguished Marksmanship badges for both Service Pistol and Service Rifle and served as the coach and a firing team member of the World Champion U.S. Army Reserve International Combat Team. George currently serves as the CEO of International Firearms Consultants LLC, a “one-stop shop” for all personal and professional firearms-related needs.

About the speaker:
Michael Martin is the researcher and author behind the USCCA textbooks, Countering the Mass Shooter Threat, Emergency First-Aid Fundamentals and Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals. In addition to his work with the USCCA, Michael is also certified as a CIRAS (Collaborative Incident Response, Active Shooter) instructor. He teaches police, fire and EMS agencies how to respond to the aftermath of mass shooting events in order to minimize the loss of life. Martin's textbooks and other training materials are currently in use by thousands of USCCA instructors across the U.S., and he is considered one of the nation’s foremost experts in mass shootings. Martin also serves as a full-time firefighter and paramedic in the Twin Cities and is a U.S. Army veteran, with service time in South Korea; Augsburg, Germany; and Washington, D.C.

About the presentation:
Self-defense is an incredibly important area of life to focus on. We work extremely hard to provide for and protect our families, however, when was the last time you focused on self-awareness? Have you dealt with some of your prejudices and biases? Sure, you may think you don’t have any of the aforementioned, but the simple fact of the matter is – we all do.
Without a proper understanding of yourself and how you have subconsciously blended self-defense and self-awareness; your unknown or unaddressed perception can lead you to prison.

About the speaker:
Kevin Dixie, a St. Louis native, wears multiple hats in his nationwide mission to strengthen communities. As owner-operator of No Other Choice Firearms Training (NOC) and USCCA Training Counselor, he passionately promotes responsible firearm use and advocates for gun rights. His journey, shaped by a challenging upbringing, led him to encourage positive change and Civil Rights advocacy. With over 21 years dedicated to his mission, he founded impactful initiatives like Aiming for the Truth, healing broken families, and the Greenwood Project, empowering families with self-reliance skills. As a devoted husband and father, Kevin envisions a resilient community for all.

About the presentation:
Are you training to save a life with a gun or poke holes in paper? We'll discuss 6 aspects of real-world gunfights that are ignored by conventional training and how to add them to your training. When you add real-world context to training, studies show that you'll react 4X faster, you'll make better choices, and you'll be more accurate under stress.

About the speaker:
Mike "Ox" Ochsner is an NRA, Rangemaster, and Reality Based Training Association instructor, a Force Science Institute Analyst, and a master-level IDPA shooter with a subcompact. His best-selling "Real World Gunfight Training" (RealWorldGunfightTraining.com) and 20+ firearms training courses, targets, and training aids use performance neurology, accelerated learning, and real-world context to help shooters build life-saving skills that work in chaotic, high-stress situations up to 10 times faster than traditional training methods.

About the presentation:
A candid discussion of the unprecedented security environment in the United States and what you can do to protect what matters most.

About the speaker:
Rob Chadwick is the director of Education & Training at the USCCA. He recently retired as the head of the Tactical Training Program for the FBI at Quantico, where he was responsible for ensuring the operational readiness and proficiency of all FBI personnel. Rob represented the United States as the keynote speaker at the International Active Shooter Preparedness Conference in Prague and authored the FBI's "Active Shooter Awareness and Preparation for Houses of Worship'' presentation after responding to the attack at Mother Emanuel AME church in Charleston. Rob served as an FBI SWAT team member, sniper team leader and tactical medic. Additionally, he served as agent in charge for Attorney General William P. Barr's protective detail.

About the presentation:

Presented by: John Lott Jr.
How surveys falsely shows Americans’ support for gun control. Guns are not the leading cause of children’s deaths. False claims about pistol braces, why we need a national gun registry, murder rates in Republican and Democrat states, and who are mass public shooters.

About the speaker:
Dr. John Lott is an economist and a world-recognized expert on guns and crime. During the Trump administration, he served as the senior advisor for research and statistics at the U.S. Department of Justice. John has held research or teaching positions at various academic institutions, including the University of Chicago, Yale University, Wharton, Stanford University, UCLA and Rice University and was the chief economist at the United States Sentencing Commission during 1988-1989. He holds a Ph.D. in economics from UCLA. Nobel laureate Milton Friedman noted: “John Lott has few equals as a perceptive analyst of controversial public policy issues.”

About the presentation:
THINK SAFE, ACT SAFE, BE SAFE: This presentation will inspire you to be your safest self: protect yourself and those around you through simple planning and tactics. Learn how you can enhance your safety at work, home and out in public. We will explore mindset, awareness and how to minimize opportunity for assaults, thefts and injury.

About the speaker:
Julia Valencia is an accomplished, well-respected law enforcement officer and trainer. She is a premier Defensive Tactics and Combatives Instructor who provides training at local police agencies, the Police Academy and even to security teams outside of the U.S. Julia was inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2016 for instruction in tactical training and women’s self-defense. She is the only female primary instructor for the nationally known defensive tactics training group “Arrestling” and a lead instructor for Next Level Training (SIRT). In 2018, she earned the title of “Officer of the Year.” She is currently assigned as a police Corporal with her agency and is the first female motorcycle officer there. She has also recently taken a position at West Coast Armory/Bellevue Gun Club helping citizens understand firearms and the legalities of gun ownership. Julia is passionate about personal safety, community service and family.

About the presentation:
The topic of The Importance of Good Equipment, Choosing the Right Tool for the Job eliminates the random purchase of shooting equipment without the shooter knowing or understanding what they really need to accomplish their intended mission.
Chapter 10 of Marksmanship Simplified will guide the reader in optimizing the selection of safety gear, firearms, ammunition and accessories for their chosen purpose. Beyond selection of equipment is the validation of the equipment for the shooters intended purpose. This chapter will also help with upgrades and new purchases as the shooter evolves on their journey to increasing performance.

About the speaker:
George Harris has been a leading firearms educator and trainer for more than 40 years. His experiences and interests in teaching others were instrumental in the formulation of his unique approach to firearms training. He co-founded the SIGARMS Academy, an internationally recognized and highly sought-after training institution for armed professionals and responsible citizens. He was awarded the highly coveted U.S. Army Distinguished Marksmanship badges for both Service Pistol and Service Rifle and served as the coach and a firing team member of the World Champion U.S. Army Reserve International Combat Team. George currently serves as the CEO of International Firearms Consultants LLC, a “one-stop shop” for all personal and professional firearms-related needs.

About the presentation:
Join Team SIG Professional Shooter and ROSE Program visionary Lena Miculek for an inspirational discussion at a women’s luncheon. Lena will take you through her journey with firearms, covering topics such as growing up on a range, how the ROSE Program blossomed and what it means to be a member of the ROSE community. A Q&A with Lena will follow the discussion, and lunch will be provided.

About the speaker:
Lena Miculek is the top multi-discipline female competitor in the world and focuses on 3-gun and PCC competition as a member of Team SIG. Lena entered the world of competitive shooting at the age of 8 and proved she would be a force to be reckoned with. She won her first World Champion title at age 17 and now has eight World Shooting titles in five different shooting disciplines, three PCC national titles and 20 PCC championships, more than 50 3-Gun championships, and hundreds of championships and high lady titles in the disciplines in which she competes. Additionally, Lena is recognized in the industry as the most-influential female competitor and continues to break records and barriers for females across the industry. In 2023, Lena and SIG Sauer founded ROSE, a program for women based on Lena’s years of experience as a competitor and teaching women at every skill level all over the country. ROSE is a complete system that’s easy to understand, easy to learn and easy to use. It takes you step-by-step through the process — from your first time holding a pistol all the way to your first time at a range — and it is a community of women coming together to help and encourage one another.

About the speaker:
Author of Women's Handgun & Self-Defense Fundamentals, associate editor of Concealed Carry Magazine and creator of the Pacifiers & Peacemakers blog, Beth Alcazar has enjoyed nearly two decades of teaching and working in the firearms industry. She holds degrees in language arts, education and communication management and uses her experience and enthusiasm to share safe and responsible firearms ownership and usage with others. Beth is certified through the NRA as a Training Counselor, Chief Range Safety Officer and Certified Instructor for multiple disciplines. She is also a Certified Instructor through SIG Sauer Academy, ALICE Institute, DRAW School, TWAW, I.C.E. Training and is a USCCA Certified Instructor and Senior Training Counselor. Beth also received the NRA's prestigious Marion P. Hammer Woman of Distinction Award for 2019.

About the presentation:
This three-hour course is designed to deliver crucial advanced concealed carry training skills. Taught by Gary Drake and Sgt. Don Gulla, the curriculum focuses on combining hand-to-hand tactics with firearms training. Topics include: shooting from a seated position, developing a flinch draw, weapon retention, close-quarter shooting and small-joint manipulation.

About the speaker:
Gary Drake:
Gary Drake is a veteran of law enforcement, law enforcement training, military training, tactical training and the United States Marine Corps. His certifications and awards include SIRT Pistol Instructor, Level 4 Arrestling Instructor and induction into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Gary currently serves as an instructor of firearms and defensive tactics for basic academy recruits at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center.

Julia Valencia:
Julia Valencia is an accomplished, well-respected law enforcement officer and trainer. She is a premier Defensive Tactics and Combatives Instructor who provides training at local police agencies, the Police Academy and even to security teams outside of the U.S. Julia was inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2016 for instruction in tactical training and women’s self-defense. She is the only female primary instructor for the nationally known defensive tactics training group “Arrestling” and a lead instructor for Next Level Training (SIRT). In 2018, she earned the title of “Officer of the Year.” She is currently assigned as a police Corporal with her agency and is the first female motorcycle officer there. She has also recently taken a position at West Coast Armory/Bellevue Gun Club helping citizens understand firearms and the legalities of gun ownership. Julia is passionate about personal safety, community service and family.

About the presentation:
This hands-on class consists of two distinct 1.5-hour reality-based training sessions that will help students sharpen their gun-handling skills in a variety of simulated, real-world situations. Course sessions will cover firearms handling, proper tactical movement, appropriate decision-making, a shooting simulator and force-on-force training using T4E-converted handguns that employ non-lethal marking rounds. These converted handguns allow scenario participants to safely fight “attackers” in lethal-force scenarios, followed by a debriefing and assessment of the drill. Participants will be able to determine what works and what doesn't when it comes to their equipment, decision-making capabilities and levels of training. The session is considered to be the highest level of evaluation and application of skills available without having to engage in a real fight.

*NOTE: All attendees are required to bring gloves and long sleeves/hooded sweatshirts. No weapons of any kind are allowed in this course. Attendees are subject to a weapons check before class and will have access to storage units if necessary.

About the speaker:
Donna Anthony has more than 20 years of experience in security and law enforcement. She has served as a sworn police officer in Alaska, an undercover investigator for the Alaska State Trooper Statewide Drug Task Force Unit and an Ohio deputy sheriff. She has collaborated with such federal law enforcement agencies as the U.S. Marshals, DEA, ATF and FBI.

After retiring from the Palmer Police Department, Donna founded the Alaska Investigation Agency, LLC in 2012, and is the owner of Point Blank Firearms & Self Defense Training, LLC. Her passion for self-defense drove her to become a member of the National Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors Association. She is also the national training coordinator for The Well Armed Woman (TWAW), a non-profit organization that educates, equips and empowers women shooters.

Donna has extensive law enforcement training, from hostage negotiation to tactical operations planning, including Rapid Response to an Active Shooter, Undercover Techniques and Anti-Terrorism Training.

About the presentation:
Get the lifesaving education and safety information you and your family need to prevent gun mishandling, serious accidents and even death. Join firearms expert Dave Young as he shares valuable lessons on teaching your children about guns. Topics include proper firearms storage, the four key safety rules, how to properly handle a firearm, how to safely remove a firearm from a child, emergency first aid for gunshot wounds and much more.

Many in-home firearms deaths and accidents that involve children are preventable with proper education and supervision. Dave will show you the successful methods he has used as a Marine Corps veteran, tactical firearms instructor and father of six to keep his kids safe and his guns secure.

About the speaker:
Dave Young is a nationally recognized defensive tactics instructor with a 30-year history in military and civilian law enforcement. As the founder and director of ARMA Training and U.S. Fighting Systems, Dave has dedicated his life to defensive training instruction. Specializing in personal and officer survival, crowd management, and non-lethal weaponry, he has been featured on the National Geographic channel and sits on the boards of PoliceOne.com and Police Magazine.

Dave is an active member of several organizations, including the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA), National Rifle Association (NRA) and Georgia International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (GALEFI).

About the presentation:
The topic of Trouble Shooting the Troubled Shooter, Identifying and Correcting Common Shooting Mistakes will help the audience in attendance to detect and correct their own performance deficiencies by understanding what the problem is, why it occurs and how to fix it permanently. Chapter 11 of Marksmanship Simplified provides a comprehensive study of common shooting errors and how to correct those errors with a minimum of effort.

About the speaker:
George Harris has been a leading firearms educator and trainer for more than 40 years. His experiences and interests in teaching others were instrumental in the formulation of his unique approach to firearms training. He co-founded the SIGARMS Academy, an internationally recognized and highly sought-after training institution for armed professionals and responsible citizens. He was awarded the highly coveted U.S. Army Distinguished Marksmanship badges for both Service Pistol and Service Rifle and served as the coach and a firing team member of the World Champion U.S. Army Reserve International Combat Team. George currently serves as the CEO of International Firearms Consultants LLC, a “one-stop shop” for all personal and professional firearms-related needs.

About the presentation:
New! Discover how to talk to Parents and kids about Firearms and gun safety. Find out how to educate children at different stages and ages of life, as well as presenting to a family, the variety of safety topics, to include proper storage, handling, and use of a firearms for protection. Let's work together educate our children on responsible gun ownership.

This Class is For:
Parents who have recently purchased a firearm.
Families who want to learn more about safety.
New and experienced firearm owners interested in talking to their kids about firearms safety and use

About the speaker:
Author of Women's Handgun & Self-Defense Fundamentals, associate editor of Concealed Carry Magazine and creator of the Pacifiers & Peacemakers blog, Beth Alcazar has enjoyed nearly two decades of teaching and working in the firearms industry. She holds degrees in language arts, education and communication management and uses her experience and enthusiasm to share safe and responsible firearms ownership and usage with others. Beth is certified through the NRA as a Training Counselor, Chief Range Safety Officer and Certified Instructor for multiple disciplines. She is also a Certified Instructor through SIG Sauer Academy, ALICE Institute, DRAW School, TWAW, I.C.E. Training and is a USCCA Certified Instructor and Senior Training Counselor. Beth also received the NRA's prestigious Marion P. Hammer Woman of Distinction Award for 2019.

About the presentation:
What method of concealed carry will work for you? What is most comfortable? How do you make adjustments in your carry method? These are all questions you will explore and work through during this seminar to help you find the methods and tools for an optimal everyday concealed carry.

About the speaker:
Lena Miculek:
Lena Miculek is the top multi-discipline female competitor in the world and focuses on 3-gun and PCC competition as a member of Team SIG. Lena entered the world of competitive shooting at the age of 8 and proved she would be a force to be reckoned with. She won her first World Champion title at age 17 and now has eight World Shooting titles in five different shooting disciplines, three PCC national titles and 20 PCC championships, more than 50 3-Gun championships, and hundreds of championships and high lady titles in the disciplines in which she competes. Additionally, Lena is recognized in the industry as the most-influential female competitor and continues to break records and barriers for females across the industry. In 2023, Lena and SIG Sauer founded ROSE, a program for women based on Lena’s years of experience as a competitor and teaching women at every skill level all over the country. ROSE is a complete system that’s easy to understand, easy to learn and easy to use. It takes you step-by-step through the process — from your first time holding a pistol all the way to your first time at a range — and it is a community of women coming together to help and encourage one another.

Hana L. Bilodeau:
Hana L. Bilodeau has more than 15 years of law enforcement experience, serving both locally and federally. At the local level, Hana worked as a patrol officer before being promoted to the Detective Division, where she worked as an Advanced Forensic Interview and Interrogation Expert, traveling throughout the country with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. After nearly ten years serving locally, Hana moved on to federal law enforcement, serving as a Federal Air Marshal. She completed numerous domestic and international missions before taking the rank as the first female to ever be promoted to the Boston Field Offices Training Division. There she was responsible for training the Boston Field Office in defensive tactics, fitness and firearms. While still serving in her active law enforcement role, Hana joined SIG Sauer in 2012 as a part-time contract firearms instructor. Shortly thereafter, she joined SIG Sauer Academy full time as the Lead Female Senior Instructor. Hana taught a wide range of courses from beginner to advanced specialty classes. In 2018, she was promoted to the Director of Training & Special Events for the Commercial Sales Division of SIG Sauer Inc.

About the presentation:
Take time to listen to USCCA Network Attorneys from across the U.S. as they discuss some of the real-world self-defense situations with which they’ve helped USCCA Members. This time is set aside to talk about how USCCA Membership can help provide a legal defense for members after they’ve been forced to defend themselves. These excellent criminal defense attorneys will discuss the stories and the legal aftermaths that several USCCA Members had to face. Each of these stories will provide you with insight into what to do — or not to do — in the event that you are faced with a decision to defend yourself or others. You won’t want to miss this!

About the speaker:
Alan Diamond:
Alan Diamond Melbourne FL defense attorney has been the attorney of record in over 11,000 criminal cases. Mr. Diamond graduated from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies. He received his law degree in 1992 from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill College of Law. He is an inaugural member of the USCCA (United States Concealed Carry Association) Legal Advisory Board. Our mission is to educate, train and legally protect people involved in self-defense, deadly force encounters. During his 23+ year career as a criminal law attorney Mr. Diamond has handled thousands of cases in both State and Federal Court. He has litigated hundreds of cases involving the use or possession of firearms and the legal issues surrounding those allegations. He has litigated issues before FDLE and the Florida Department of Agriculture regarding concealed weapons permitting and the right to own and possess firearms.

Kasey Castillo:
Kasey Castillo is a managing partner at CASTILLO HARPER, APC, and one of the founding partners of the law firm. Kasey heads the Administrative Defense and Criminal Defense Divisions of the firm. Kasey handles the criminal defense of peace officers, including those facing state and federal prosecution and criminal and civil grand juries. Kasey is part of the firm’s Critical Incident Response Team, and often responds to officer-involved shootings, major uses of force, and in-custody deaths. Kasey is also proud to protect the rights of those who concealed carry as a panel attorney for the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA).

Eric Puryear:
Attorney Puryear founded Puryear Law. P.C. to provide clients with professional, prompt, and diligent legal services. He firmly believes that the role of an attorney is to help his clients with the many legal issues that each of us faces in the modern world, and to do so in a way that builds trust and confidence. Towards that end, he prides himself on taking as much time as is needed to meet with his clients – face to face. Along the same lines, he ensures that phone calls and emails to his office are promptly returned, and that clients are not left waiting for the legal services that he knows they need. In sum, he doesn't consider his job done until his client’s needs have been fully met.
As a person with extensive computer and technology experience (including a degree in Computer Science), Mr. Puryear knows that using the right technology is essential in today’s world. That’s why he makes use of the latest technology in his law practice. He has found that making maximum use of secure, encrypted computer and communication technology has enabled him to reduce costs and improve the quality of his legal services. The net result is lower legal fees for his clients, better service for his clients, and fewer environmental resources consumed by needless printing/copying.

Steven Lieberman:
Steven Lieberman Esq. is a use of force attorney working with law enforcement and legally armed civilians in protocols, training, as well as civil and criminal culpability compliance issues. He is the co-owner of the Artemis Defense Institute, a training organization that works with various law enforcement agencies, (both at the State and Federal level), as well as military units and legally armed civilians. His knowledge of use of force protocols, as well as the institutional workings of law enforcement, provides clients with the necessary tools to avoid criminal prosecution, and mitigate civil liability.
Mr. Lieberman is a Captain in the California State Military Reserve, serving in the capacity as a JAG officer to the 40th Infantry Division. He also attained the rank of Eagle Scout in 1985, which was awarded in a joint Court of Honor with his friend Cosmo Taormina.

Irena Stefanovski:
Irena Stefanovski is the youngest attorney to have ever made partner at McDermott Law Group; having done so after only 5 years. She is a very accomplished and aggressive trial attorney, who has successfully litigated multiple murder and attempted murder cases where she’s asserted self defense on behalf of her clients. Her reputation for results has garnered the respect of numerous judges and prosecutors across multiple counties. Irena takes tremendous pride in defending people in court after they’ve been forced to defend themselves out of court.

About the presentation:
Steve Fischer, Manager of Training for the USCCA, will be combining elements from both of the USCCA's core curriculums — Concealed Carry & Home Defense Fundamentals and Defensive Shooting Fundamentals — to help attendees gain an understanding of how to reduce the risk of experiencing a home invasion. More importantly, he will explain how to plan, prepare, practice and respond so that the odds favor the good guy instead of the bad guy.

About the speaker:
Steve Fischer started training in the Martial Arts at a young age. His hunting and range experiences with his father and grandfather led him on a lifelong journey and ignited his passion for personal defense and firearms.

While serving in the U.S. Army Reserve, Steve completed training as an Infantry Soldier, Combat Lifesaver, Master Fitness Trainer and Drill Sergeant, eventually becoming an instructor at the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant School. He competed for a number of years as a member of the 84th Division High Power Rifle Team, earning his Army Excellence in Competition Bronze Rifle Badge.

Steve’s commitment to Martial Arts led him to become a full-time Martial Arts Instructor. After 35+ years of teaching and training, he decided to retire from the profession as a Kukkiwon Certified 4th Degree Master Instructor and has since been recommended to skip test to 6th Degree in honor of his long-term commitment to passing on his knowledge.

Steve holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Services and has had the privilege of learning from and training with a wide variety of experts, including George Harris, Steven Gilcreast, Massad Ayoob, Rob Pincus, Lew Gosnell, Eric Ingersoll, Chris Currie, Mike Hughes, Dave Young, Anthony Lambert, Deryck Poole, Barret Kendrick and Jason Speller.

About the presentation:
In this discussion, Kevin Dixie will cover the history of the U.S. and why the right to carry a firearm is so significant to all Americans. Once a person has decided to act on the human right to defend himself or herself, one must appreciate the responsibility that comes with it and what this choice signifies. It’s much more than simply carrying a gun. How has the person subconsciously decided to make the community safer? Kevin will help you answer that and other related questions during this presentation.

Kevin will also address the biases individuals have formed. What does the bad guy look like when someone imagines a self-defense scenario? Does the bad guy always look, dress and speak the same? As protectors, we must exclude these biases. How do we subdue those thoughts and think outside these confines?

Having worked 10 years in law enforcement, Kevin has been exposed to people making rash decisions based on what their conscious has come to believe was a threat. This has cost many people their freedom and the ability to protect what they love. Kevin’s job was to apprehend some of the most ruthless human beings imaginable … and now he wants to prevent good people from being misidentified as criminals.

About the speaker:
Kevin Dixie, a St. Louis native, wears multiple hats in his nationwide mission to strengthen communities. As owner-operator of No Other Choice Firearms Training (NOC) and USCCA Training Counselor, he passionately promotes responsible firearm use and advocates for gun rights. His journey, shaped by a challenging upbringing, led him to encourage positive change and Civil Rights advocacy. With over 21 years dedicated to his mission, he founded impactful initiatives like Aiming for the Truth, healing broken families, and the Greenwood Project, empowering families with self-reliance skills. As a devoted husband and father, Kevin envisions a resilient community for all.

About the presentation:
Armament Systems and Procedures (ASP) is a legendary provider of tactical equipment and training to law enforcement. And they’re now introducing their first-ever civilian training program. This presentation will give you an overview of the new “Be Your Own Defender®” (BYOD) course, including Instructor Certification opportunities. You’ll also learn about the ASP Defender OC (pepper spray) devices featured in the training classes. Make sure to stop by the ASP/BYOD booth (#337) during the Expo, to learn more about the courses and check out the Defender products, and enter to win one for yourself.

About the speaker:
Ray Johnson:
Ray has been in the ASP family since he became a law enforcement Instructor in 2014. He became a Trainer four years later, and has now added Southeast Sales Director to his resume with the company. Ray has a deep background in training, beginning with his military career—he served in Desert Storm/Desert Shield, and taught nuclear, biological, chemical warfare survivability—and continuing through ten years as a law enforcement firearms instructor. As you’ll see when you watch his presentation, Ray is a passionate, high-energy trainer, and he’s excited to bring his experience and expertise to the civilian personal defense world.


Michael Hess:
Michael is ASP’s Vice President of Marketing, as well as an ASP law enforcement Instructor and Be Your Own Defender (BYOD) Trainer. While his professional life with ASP focuses on less-lethal equipment and training, Michael is also a lifelong “gun guy.” He’s a firearms instructor, and particularly loves to teach new shooters to be safe and competent. And he’s looking forward to bringing that same passion for teaching to students and prospective Instructors in the Be Your Own Defender program.

About the presentation:
If you’ve ever imagined finding yourself in a self-defense situation, you may have envisioned a heroic ending where you successfully defended yourself or your family from an armed attacker. But have you ever thought about what would occur in the immediate aftermath of a use of force? The seminar, The Legal Use of Force and its Aftermath explores the multiple decision points you must face if you find yourself with no other choice but to use deadly force to stop an attack. In this seminar, Michael Martin, author of the USCCA textbook, Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals, uses a variety of deadly force scenarios to coach his audience through each decision point that will occur before, during, and after a use of deadly force. These scenarios will examine whether any other option exists and will explore exactly how the police, the prosecutor, and even a jury may view a case. The seminar culminates with a real-world claim of “self-defense" where the audience gets to act as the prosecuting attorney, where they will get to make the ultimate decision on whether to charge a concealed carry permit holder with a crime or to set them free.

About the speaker:
Michael Martin is the researcher and author behind the USCCA textbooks, Countering the Mass Shooter Threat, Emergency First-Aid Fundamentals and Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals. In addition to his work with the USCCA, Michael is also certified as a CIRAS (Collaborative Incident Response, Active Shooter) instructor. He teaches police, fire and EMS agencies how to respond to the aftermath of mass shooting events in order to minimize the loss of life. Martin's textbooks and other training materials are currently in use by thousands of USCCA instructors across the U.S., and he is considered one of the nation’s foremost experts in mass shootings. Martin also serves as a full-time firefighter and paramedic in the Twin Cities and is a U.S. Army veteran, with service time in South Korea; Augsburg, Germany; and Washington, D.C.

About the presentation:
Uncover the firearms tactics relied on by elite military and law enforcement personnel with expert firearms trainer Dave Young. Learn what to do when someone is pointing a gun at you, how to work as a team with a family member or bystander, how to control your angles of fire, the strategies you need to know in order to win against all odds and much more.

This is a hands-on course that will help you build the skills and knowledge necessary to save your life and the lives of those around you in a variety of life-threatening scenarios.

About the speaker:
Dave Young is a nationally recognized defensive tactics instructor with a 30-year history in military and civilian law enforcement. As the founder and director of ARMA Training and U.S. Fighting Systems, Dave has dedicated his life to defensive training instruction. Specializing in personal and officer survival, crowd management, and non-lethal weaponry, he has been featured on the National Geographic channel and sits on the boards of PoliceOne.com and Police Magazine.

Dave is an active member of several organizations, including the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA), National Rifle Association (NRA) and Georgia International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (GALEFI).

About the presentation:
This hands-on class consists of two distinct 1.5-hour reality-based training sessions that will help students sharpen their gun-handling skills in a variety of simulated, real-world situations. Course sessions will cover firearms handling, proper tactical movement, appropriate decision-making, a shooting simulator and force-on-force training using T4E-converted handguns that employ non-lethal marking rounds. These converted handguns allow scenario participants to safely fight “attackers” in lethal-force scenarios, followed by a debriefing and assessment of the drill. Participants will be able to determine what works and what doesn't when it comes to their equipment, decision-making capabilities and levels of training. The session is considered to be the highest level of evaluation and application of skills available without having to engage in a real fight.

*NOTE: All attendees are required to bring gloves and long sleeves/hooded sweatshirts. No weapons of any kind are allowed in this course. Attendees are subject to a weapons check before class and will have access to storage units if necessary.

About the speaker:
Donna Anthony has more than 20 years of experience in security and law enforcement. She has served as a sworn police officer in Alaska, an undercover investigator for the Alaska State Trooper Statewide Drug Task Force Unit and an Ohio deputy sheriff. She has collaborated with such federal law enforcement agencies as the U.S. Marshals, DEA, ATF and FBI.

After retiring from the Palmer Police Department, Donna founded the Alaska Investigation Agency, LLC in 2012, and is the owner of Point Blank Firearms & Self Defense Training, LLC. Her passion for self-defense drove her to become a member of the National Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors Association. She is also the national training coordinator for The Well Armed Woman (TWAW), a non-profit organization that educates, equips and empowers women shooters.

Donna has extensive law enforcement training, from hostage negotiation to tactical operations planning, including Rapid Response to an Active Shooter, Undercover Techniques and Anti-Terrorism Training.

About the presentation:
This seminar will cover many of the mental, physical, legal and Practical aspects of consideration and preparation for the individuals entering into the realm of owning and carrying a firearm for personal protection, competition, as well as recreational purposes.
Chapter 1 in my Book Marksmanship Simplified covers the Simplicity of Safety and Success removing many of the roadblocks to getting started and Chapter 9 offers a variety of options that a person can pursue to expand their endeavors beyond the basics.

About the speaker:
George Harris has been a leading firearms educator and trainer for more than 40 years. His experiences and interests in teaching others were instrumental in the formulation of his unique approach to firearms training. He co-founded the SIGARMS Academy, an internationally recognized and highly sought-after training institution for armed professionals and responsible citizens. He was awarded the highly coveted U.S. Army Distinguished Marksmanship badges for both Service Pistol and Service Rifle and served as the coach and a firing team member of the World Champion U.S. Army Reserve International Combat Team. George currently serves as the CEO of International Firearms Consultants LLC, a “one-stop shop” for all personal and professional firearms-related needs.

About the presentation:
We'll talk about solutions for many of the most frustrating (and common) visual issues people have shooting with both eyes open, cross-eye dominance, or aging eyes that may not see well either near or far.

About the speaker:
Mike "Ox" Ochsner is an NRA, Rangemaster, and Reality Based Training Association instructor, a Force Science Institute Analyst, and a master-level IDPA shooter with a subcompact. His best-selling "Real World Gunfight Training" (RealWorldGunfightTraining.com) and 20+ firearms training courses, targets, and training aids use performance neurology, accelerated learning, and real-world context to help shooters build life-saving skills that work in chaotic, high-stress situations up to 10 times faster than traditional training methods.

About the presentation:
In this workshop, Julia Valencia will provide an introduction to tried-and-true self-defense tactics. Attendees will learn how to increase awareness, build confidence, maximize their safety and execute the appropriate close quarters draw from various positions and platforms.

About the speaker:
Julia Valencia is an accomplished, well-respected law enforcement officer and trainer. She is a premier Defensive Tactics and Combatives Instructor who provides training at local police agencies, the Police Academy and even to security teams outside of the U.S. Julia was inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2016 for instruction in tactical training and women’s self-defense. She is the only female primary instructor for the nationally known defensive tactics training group “Arrestling” and a lead instructor for Next Level Training (SIRT). In 2018, she earned the title of “Officer of the Year.” She is currently assigned as a police Corporal with her agency and is the first female motorcycle officer there. She has also recently taken a position at West Coast Armory/Bellevue Gun Club helping citizens understand firearms and the legalities of gun ownership. Julia is passionate about personal safety, community service and family.

About the presentation:
In the seminar, Countering the Mass Shooter Threat, author Michael Martin reviews data gathered from more than 90 mass shootings that have occurred since Columbine to determine what can be learned from these terrible tragedies. Using that data, Martin dispels the anti-gun myths that a reduction in magazine capacity or the banning of AR-15s or any other firearm type could have prevented even a single attack or reduced the carnage. Martin goes on to analyze whether other proposals by anti-gun groups would have an effect, including universal background checks or red flag laws; and whether “gun-free zones” help or hurt. Martin summarizes this seminar with a point-by-point plan designed to eliminate the scourge of these shooters once and for all, based upon hard facts, and not emotion. If you’re ready to learn more about how to protect your house of worship, your children’s school, or your place of business, don’t miss this seminar presented by the author of the USCCA textbook, Countering the Mass Shooter Threat.

About the speaker:
Michael Martin is the researcher and author behind the USCCA textbooks, Countering the Mass Shooter Threat, Emergency First-Aid Fundamentals and Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals. In addition to his work with the USCCA, Michael is also certified as a CIRAS (Collaborative Incident Response, Active Shooter) instructor. He teaches police, fire and EMS agencies how to respond to the aftermath of mass shooting events in order to minimize the loss of life. Martin's textbooks and other training materials are currently in use by thousands of USCCA instructors across the U.S., and he is considered one of the nation’s foremost experts in mass shootings. Martin also serves as a full-time firefighter and paramedic in the Twin Cities and is a U.S. Army veteran, with service time in South Korea; Augsburg, Germany; and Washington, D.C.

About the presentation:
New! Discover how to talk to Parents and kids about Firearms and gun safety. Find out how to educate children at different stages and ages of life, as well as presenting to a family, the variety of safety topics, to include proper storage, handling, and use of a firearms for protection. Let's work together educate our children on responsible gun ownership.

This Class is For:
Parents who have recently purchased a firearm.
Families who want to learn more about safety.
New and experienced firearm owners interested in talking to their kids about firearms safety and use

About the speaker:
Author of Women's Handgun & Self-Defense Fundamentals, associate editor of Concealed Carry Magazine and creator of the Pacifiers & Peacemakers blog, Beth Alcazar has enjoyed nearly two decades of teaching and working in the firearms industry. She holds degrees in language arts, education and communication management and uses her experience and enthusiasm to share safe and responsible firearms ownership and usage with others. Beth is certified through the NRA as a Training Counselor, Chief Range Safety Officer and Certified Instructor for multiple disciplines. She is also a Certified Instructor through SIG Sauer Academy, ALICE Institute, DRAW School, TWAW, I.C.E. Training and is a USCCA Certified Instructor and Senior Training Counselor. Beth also received the NRA's prestigious Marion P. Hammer Woman of Distinction Award for 2019.

About the presentation:
In this seminar, you will be exposed to and learn proper techniques to safely draw and recover to a concealed carry holster. You will also work on improving draw speed from your preferred method of concealed carry while establishing a good shooting grip. This seminar will also review the importance of a solid shooting platform and of establishing a “shooter’s grip” prior to drawing the firearm from the holster.

About the speaker:
Christopher Paquette:
Christopher Paquette, also known as “Paco,” currently teaches pistol, rifle, and shotgun courses. He also
helps with a few tactical courses offered at the SIG Sauer Academy. Prior to working at the Academy, Chris retired as a lieutenant with a state agency after 20 years and is currently a special deputy with a sheriff’s department. During Chris’s time in law enforcement, he worked patrol, investigations, undercover, prosecution and training and was a SWAT operator. In his last 4.5 years, he was the firearms bureau commander at a state-run police academy, where he trained recruits and in-service officers in the use of firearms and use-of-force decision-making.

Mike South:
Mike comes to the SIG Sauer Academy with more than 24 years of combined military and law enforcement experience. Prior to federal law enforcement, Mike spent four years in USMC Infantry and is a first Gulf War vet with numerous awards and commendations. He also spent 10 years combined in local (NH) law enforcement and is a certified instructor in pistol, rifle, shotgun, ASP, handcuffing, OC spray, officer survival, motor vehicle tactics and use of force. Mike spent seven years with the Department of Energy (Office of Secure Transportation), serving as a federal agent with the Special Response Force (SRF), a highly trained full-time tactical team whose duties include mission support and recovery. Mike trained in close-quarters battle (CQB); explosive and mechanical breaches; urban and motor vehicle assaults; designated marksman (sniper with the SR 25 platform); and surveillance and counter surveillance. Mike spent seven years as a U.S. air marshal within the Department of Homeland Security. During this time, he received the “Director’s Award” and the “Distinguished Expert” award. Mike is an active NRA and FLEO member.

About the presentation:
Are you training to save a life with a gun or poke holes in paper? We'll discuss 6 aspects of real-world gunfights that are ignored by conventional training and how to add them to your training. When you add real-world context to training, studies show that you'll react 4X faster, you'll make better choices, and you'll be more accurate under stress.

About the speaker:
Mike "Ox" Ochsner is an NRA, Rangemaster, and Reality Based Training Association instructor, a Force Science Institute Analyst, and a master-level IDPA shooter with a subcompact. His best-selling "Real World Gunfight Training" (RealWorldGunfightTraining.com) and 20+ firearms training courses, targets, and training aids use performance neurology, accelerated learning, and real-world context to help shooters build life-saving skills that work in chaotic, high-stress situations up to 10 times faster than traditional training methods.

About the presentation:
The topic of The Importance of Good Equipment, Choosing the Right Tool for the Job eliminates the random purchase of shooting equipment without the shooter knowing or understanding what they really need to accomplish their intended mission.
Chapter 10 of Marksmanship Simplified will guide the reader in optimizing the selection of safety gear, firearms, ammunition and accessories for their chosen purpose. Beyond selection of equipment is the validation of the equipment for the shooters intended purpose. This chapter will also help with upgrades and new purchases as the shooter evolves on their journey to increasing performance.

About the speaker:
George Harris has been a leading firearms educator and trainer for more than 40 years. His experiences and interests in teaching others were instrumental in the formulation of his unique approach to firearms training. He co-founded the SIGARMS Academy, an internationally recognized and highly sought-after training institution for armed professionals and responsible citizens. He was awarded the highly coveted U.S. Army Distinguished Marksmanship badges for both Service Pistol and Service Rifle and served as the coach and a firing team member of the World Champion U.S. Army Reserve International Combat Team. George currently serves as the CEO of International Firearms Consultants LLC, a “one-stop shop” for all personal and professional firearms-related needs.

About the presentation:
THINK SAFE, ACT SAFE, BE SAFE: This presentation will inspire you to be your safest self: protect yourself and those around you through simple planning and tactics. Learn how you can enhance your safety at work, home and out in public. We will explore mindset, awareness and how to minimize opportunity for assaults, thefts and injury.

About the speaker:
Julia Valencia is an accomplished, well-respected law enforcement officer and trainer. She is a premier Defensive Tactics and Combatives Instructor who provides training at local police agencies, the Police Academy and even to security teams outside of the U.S. Julia was inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2016 for instruction in tactical training and women’s self-defense. She is the only female primary instructor for the nationally known defensive tactics training group “Arrestling” and a lead instructor for Next Level Training (SIRT). In 2018, she earned the title of “Officer of the Year.” She is currently assigned as a police Corporal with her agency and is the first female motorcycle officer there. She has also recently taken a position at West Coast Armory/Bellevue Gun Club helping citizens understand firearms and the legalities of gun ownership. Julia is passionate about personal safety, community service and family.

About the presentation:
Understanding and being consistent with our values. Creating your best version of you, and recognizing when we are in and out of alignment with yourself. We will teach tools to notice when we are in bias and pull ourselves back on track.

About the speaker:
Holly Schneider:
Holly is a licensed clinical social worker with over 30 years of expertise, specializing in multiple clinical frameworks, including CBT, DBT & EMDR. She has been a Life Coach at Delta Defense, LLC in West Bend, Wisconsin since 2019, promoting mental health wellbeing to employees through individual coaching, group skill development, and culture training. Prior to Delta Defense, she worked professionally in behavioral health inpatient care, adolescent residential treatment, in-home family therapy, and outpatient clinical practice. In 2020 Holly won a moral courage award through the Wellness Council of Wisconsin for implementing successful mental health coaching in the workplace. Her mission in life is to help leaders be the best version of themselves, regardless of what they carry in their backpack. Known as a “toolbox” coach, she is an author, counselor and public speaker gaining traction in her unique training for organizational culture. Released in 2021, her book, Carry Your Own Backpack: Simple Tools To Help You Live Peacefully is a guide to emotional wellbeing and healthy relationships. Her easy tools help define healthy boundaries, encouraging alignment with values. The book comes with a clinical toolbox for emotional, cognitive and behavioral skills that can be practically applied.

Andrew Nett:
Andrew is a licensed clinical social worker with a demonstrated history working in the mental healthcare industry. He has provided care for in-patient and out-patient settings, and has experience working with children, adults, couples, and groups. Andrew is skilled in treating mental health and substance abuse through a variety of interventions and modalities. Bringing clinical expertise to the workplace, Andrew currently works for Delta Defense. Providing individual and group coaching to all employees on personal and professional needs. Delta utilizes Andrew as a culture trainer, teaching new employees necessary emotional intelligence skills. Andrew also serves Delta by facilitating sessions with teams to resolve conflict and improve collaboration so the organization can more effectively serve customers. Andrew is passionate about the symbiotic relationship between organization and employee health. He is driven to help businesses build a strong culture, by prioritizing employee wellness, while reducing costs associated with healthcare, turnover and absenteeism. He knows, regardless of title or experience, we all have human elements that make us susceptible to difficulties. Andrew is committed to helping clients understand themselves and use this awareness to be effective and fulfilled in their lives.

About the presentation:
The age of technology and devices to improve pistol shooting are upon us. Over the past few years, you’ve likely seen the implantation of pistol-mounted optics. Perhaps you are reluctant to transition from iron sights to a pistol-mounted optic due to the unknown or a lack of understanding of how to quickly learn to observe the dot. During this seminar, you’ll learn a few techniques that will allow you to quickly locate the dot and begin to understand the benefits at all levels.

About the speaker:
Dave Perkins has more than 25 years of experience working in law enforcement, 18 of which were spent
with SWAT, serving as a sniper, team leader and team commander. During his time in law enforcement, he served as the chief firearms and training officer for his agency and the SWAT team. He retired from full-time service as a chief deputy and operations commander and joined the SIG Sauer Academy as a full-time instructor. He has been teaching a wide variety of firearms and tactics-related
classes there for 11 years. Dave received his BA in Criminal Justice from Franklin Pierce College, his MS in Leadership from the University of New England and his Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Education from the University of Virginia. Dave is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Session 276, Quantico, VA

About the presentation:
The topic of Trouble Shooting the Troubled Shooter, Identifying and Correcting Common Shooting Mistakes will help the audience in attendance to detect and correct their own performance deficiencies by understanding what the problem is, why it occurs and how to fix it permanently. Chapter 11 of Marksmanship Simplified provides a comprehensive study of common shooting errors and how to correct those errors with a minimum of effort.

About the speaker:
George Harris has been a leading firearms educator and trainer for more than 40 years. His experiences and interests in teaching others were instrumental in the formulation of his unique approach to firearms training. He co-founded the SIGARMS Academy, an internationally recognized and highly sought-after training institution for armed professionals and responsible citizens. He was awarded the highly coveted U.S. Army Distinguished Marksmanship badges for both Service Pistol and Service Rifle and served as the coach and a firing team member of the World Champion U.S. Army Reserve International Combat Team. George currently serves as the CEO of International Firearms Consultants LLC, a “one-stop shop” for all personal and professional firearms-related needs.

About the presentation:
Self-defense is an incredibly important area of life to focus on. We work extremely hard to provide for and protect our families, however, when was the last time you focused on self-awareness? Have you dealt with some of your prejudices and biases? Sure, you may think you don’t have any of the aforementioned, but the simple fact of the matter is – we all do.
Without a proper understanding of yourself and how you have subconsciously blended self-defense and self-awareness; your unknown or unaddressed perception can lead you to prison.

About the speaker:
Kevin Dixie, a St. Louis native, wears multiple hats in his nationwide mission to strengthen communities. As owner-operator of No Other Choice Firearms Training (NOC) and USCCA Training Counselor, he passionately promotes responsible firearm use and advocates for gun rights. His journey, shaped by a challenging upbringing, led him to encourage positive change and Civil Rights advocacy. With over 21 years dedicated to his mission, he founded impactful initiatives like Aiming for the Truth, healing broken families, and the Greenwood Project, empowering families with self-reliance skills. As a devoted husband and father, Kevin envisions a resilient community for all.

About the presentation:
Steve Fischer, Manager of Training for the USCCA, will be combining elements from both of the USCCA's core curriculums — Concealed Carry & Home Defense Fundamentals and Defensive Shooting Fundamentals — to help attendees gain an understanding of how to reduce the risk of experiencing a home invasion. More importantly, he will explain how to plan, prepare, practice and respond so that the odds favor the good guy instead of the bad guy.

About the speaker:
Steve Fischer started training in the Martial Arts at a young age. His hunting and range experiences with his father and grandfather led him on a lifelong journey and ignited his passion for personal defense and firearms.

While serving in the U.S. Army Reserve, Steve completed training as an Infantry Soldier, Combat Lifesaver, Master Fitness Trainer and Drill Sergeant, eventually becoming an instructor at the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant School. He competed for a number of years as a member of the 84th Division High Power Rifle Team, earning his Army Excellence in Competition Bronze Rifle Badge.

Steve’s commitment to Martial Arts led him to become a full-time Martial Arts Instructor. After 35+ years of teaching and training, he decided to retire from the profession as a Kukkiwon Certified 4th Degree Master Instructor and has since been recommended to skip test to 6th Degree in honor of his long-term commitment to passing on his knowledge.

Steve holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Services and has had the privilege of learning from and training with a wide variety of experts, including George Harris, Steven Gilcreast, Massad Ayoob, Rob Pincus, Lew Gosnell, Eric Ingersoll, Chris Currie, Mike Hughes, Dave Young, Anthony Lambert, Deryck Poole, Barret Kendrick and Jason Speller.

About the presentation:
Serious arterial bleeding from a gunshot wound, a knife wound, or from other significant trauma can end a victim’s life in minutes. While that trauma victim ultimately needs to be in surgery in the hands of a skilled surgeon, the act of saving the person's life will be very likely be performed in the field by a lay rescuer, well before the surgeon even knows the patient is on his or her way to the emergency room. The USCCA mini-course, Save a Life, Control the Bleed, is designed to teach you those life-saving skills including: Knowing how to properly apply a commercial tourniquet or fashion a field expedient one; how to apply a compression bandage; how to pack a wound when no other option exists; and how to treat a patient who has sustained a penetrating injury to the torso. This seminar not only walks you through each of those interventions, it provides hands-on practical exercises with commercial and field expedient versions of each. The seminar culminates with a real-world scenario where volunteers from the audience will be plunged into an emergency situation, requiring teamwork and your newly obtained skills to ultimately save the life of a severely injured victim. Don’t miss this seminar presented by Michael Martin, the creator of the USCCA mini-course, Save a Life, Control the Bleed, and the author of the USCCA textbook, Emergency First Aid Fundamentals.

About the speaker:
Michael Martin is the researcher and author behind the USCCA textbooks, Countering the Mass Shooter Threat, Emergency First-Aid Fundamentals and Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals. In addition to his work with the USCCA, Michael is also certified as a CIRAS (Collaborative Incident Response, Active Shooter) instructor. He teaches police, fire and EMS agencies how to respond to the aftermath of mass shooting events in order to minimize the loss of life. Martin's textbooks and other training materials are currently in use by thousands of USCCA instructors across the U.S., and he is considered one of the nation’s foremost experts in mass shootings. Martin also serves as a full-time firefighter and paramedic in the Twin Cities and is a U.S. Army veteran, with service time in South Korea; Augsburg, Germany; and Washington, D.C.