Jump, Jive & Wail

SDM and its sponsors hosted the seventh annual SDM 100 Gala, featuring a fun 1940s theme and music.

People dancing — After a few simple swing instructions, SDM 100 Gala guests flocked to the dance floor.

Ken Wiesenfeld, Carmela Franklyn and Gary Franklyn, Security Networks, donned 1940s attire in keeping with the SDM 100 Gala theme.

Attendees of the SDM 100 Gala — Many executives of the nation's largest security companies posed for a group photo at the start of the seventh annual SDM 100 Gala, held June 28 in Nashville.

Jump, jive and wail — the Hollywood glamour of the 1940s and swing dancing — were themes of the seventh annual SDM 100 Gala, held June 28 in Nashville. The Gala is SDM’s annual black-tie event held to recognize the success of the largest security companies in the industry, as ranked on the SDM 100.

The evening began with an elegant reception, featuring a 1940s favorite cocktail — the whiskey sour. Guests posed for pictures beside 1940s movie posters such as Casablanca or Adam’s Rib.

Just before dinner was served, representatives from about 40 SDM 100 companies posed for a group photo. SDM’s publisher, Mark McCourt, welcomed everyone and then treated guests to a specially created video of movie clips, dubbed over to represent SDM 100 executives as 1940s movie actors. (To view the video, visit www.sdmmag.com/video.) SDM’s regional sales manager, Chris Ward, acknowledged the Gala sponsors (see list below) and editor, Laura Stepanek, recognized SDM 100 executives.

Following dinner, guests were invited to the dance floor for swing dance instructions. They then passed the remainder of this elegant evening by dancing to 1940s music performed by Gwen Hughes and the Continental Orchestra, and chatting with friends and associates. (Note: More Gala photos are presented at www.SDMmag.com/media.)