The GPLA Convention
GPLA 2024 Convention Dates Announced!
The Greater Philadelphia Locksmiths Association is excited to announce that our 75th Anniversary Convention will be held from Wednesday, September 25th through Sunday, September 29th, 2024.
Don’t miss our biggest show ever! Join us for our 75th anniversary Grand Gala Convention. The Awards Banquet will be on Saturday, September 28th, 2024.
Confirmed classes so far:
- Basic Master Keying (8.0 NJ CEU’s)
- Advanced Master Keying (8.0 NJ CEU’s)
- NJ Locksmith Licensing Mandatory Classes (10 NJ CEU’s)
- CCTV Systems
- Automotive Locksmithing 101
- Basic Safe Penetration (7.5 NJ CEU’s)
- Basic Mechanical Combination Safe Lock Servicing (6.5 NJ CEU’s)
- ALOA Fire Door Inspector Certification and Exam
Interested exhibitors should contact Exhibit Chairman Ed Fitzgerald at 856-665-1311 or ed@arnoldslock.com.
For website/convention advertising, contact the convention chairman Sven K Hellwig Sr. at skhlock@aol.com or 215-669-6444.
Please check back often for more updates.
The 2024 Convention Dates:
Wednesday, September 25th through Sunday, September 29th, 2024
Location:
Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia
*Important Note*
GPLA is subsidizing your guestroom rate; they are paying $55 per night towards the $205 rate. Therefore, your rate will be $150 per night, plus tax. You will book your room at $205 rate, and the hotel will make the necessary adjustments prior to check-in.
The GPLA 2019 Convention Store is now CLOSED!
All registrations must now be made on site at the convention.
Please do not email or fax any registrations.
The Connelly-Singer Scholarship of GPLA
To celebrate our 75th Anniversary, GPLA will be awarding 15 full scholarships for three days of classes each at our 2024 annual convention – a $495.00 value! We encourage all interested locksmiths to apply for the Scholarship using the appropriate application (GPLA member or non-member applications) linked below.
10 Great Reasons To Attend The Greater Philadelphia Locksmiths Association 75th Anniversary Convention
1. Education
10-12 top-notch industry classes, many with NJ State continuing education credits (CEU) and instructed by nationally recognized professional instructors with years of experience. Our class prices are some of the best values in the industry!
2. 50+ Vendor Exhibits
Over 50 Exhibitors during Saturday’s show, showcasing an A to Z of products, services, equipment, and more. Thousands of items are available for purchase; you can even buy a new service vehicle if that’s what you need! From a new pick set or trick tool, locks, safes, and vans, you will find it here. Hundreds of door prizes are given away all day long, and GPLA and ALOA will be giving away a complete ALOA Convention package for next year!
3. Scholarships
Fifteen full scholarships in celebration of our 75th Anniversay – a $495.00 value! We encourage all interested locksmiths to apply for the Connelly-Singer Scholarship using the appropriate application (GPLA member or non-member applications) linked below. See the GPLAs scholarship page for an application. Applications must be received no later than 30 days prior to the convention date.
4. Friday Night Social
The Friday Night Social is becoming known throughout the industry as the best time you can have without your pick set! Always a different theme to have fun with, great humorous presentations, and crowd participation. Great food, great fun, great friends guaranteed!
5. Meet and Greet
The opportunity to meet, greet, and network with industry leaders from manufacturers and distributors, as well as outstanding world-renowned industry names in specialty fields, various association representatives, and more.
6. Free Parking
Free parking for all attendees and guests at our new location: Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia near the sports complex. Ready to accommodate every one of your needs, the hotel features 5-Star accomodations, 8 on-site restaurants and bars, 2000 slot machines, 140 live-action table games, entertainment and more!
7. Refreshments
Refreshments are available all day at the convention, exhibit show, and during classes, compliments of our convention sponsors, to be announced.
8. Test Your Skills
Show off your professional skills and win big money at our Pick and Bump Contest. Who has the quickest draw with their pick sets?! It could be you who wins a crisp $50 or $100 bill!
9. Old Friends
A chance to stop and take the time out of our busy schedules to relax a little, talk to old friends, or making it a point to say “Hello” to some new friends! Enjoy our non-rushed experience each day of the Convention.
10. Awards Banquet
Our industry’s most prestigious and well-known banquet, with awards being presented to recipients from around the world, around the country, and around our hometown. Come and share in the once-in-a-lifetime thrill that these recipients experience when being presented with one of the awards. Sharing in their joy will be contagious. The Friday Night Social, President’s Reception, and Black Tie Preferred Awards Banquet, including hors d’oeuvres and top-shelf bar, surf and turf meal, dessert, and music are all included with your banquet ticket!