Locks and Security News: your weekly locks and security industry newsletter
24th April 2024 Issue no. 702
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IFSEC - sitting at the heart of the security industry
IFSEC, the world's largest annual security exhibition, allowed its 22,743* total attendees to explore the most cutting-edge products and technologies as well as benefit from an extensive educational programme and unparalleled networking opportunities when it took place from 10-13 May 2010 at the NEC Birmingham. In addition to the positive feedback received from visitors, the event's success was clearly demonstrated by record-breaking rebooking figures for the 2011 event.
When questioned about the role IFSEC plays in the security market, James Kelly, Chief Executive of the British Security Industry Association, said: "It's been fantastic. I've worked in a number of industries in the past and I've been involved in very many trade shows and IFSEC is one of the best I have ever attended. It's been absolutely marvellous for the Association. It's very important that we're here at the heart of the industry's number one trade event."
With more than 650 exhibiting companies including leading brands such as Panasonic, JVC, Samsung, Norbain, Sony and Dallmeier, the extensive exhibition played host to hundreds of never seen before technologies. Eli Williams from Tyco said: "The show has been excellent. I can say that this year, we have had more attendants, more real contact�we actually had to fight for space yesterday. It was elbow room only so it's been a very key show for us this year. The IFSEC show is the jewel in the crown for us."
Visitors were able to concentrate their search for new products with the introduction of two dedicated seminar theatres which hosted case study led presentations from key suppliers. In addition to the free of charge educational programmes on the show floor, IFSEC also hosted a high-level conference which took a fresh and unique look at the key issues facing the security industry, including countering terror, protecting critical national infrastructure, preparing for London Olympics 2012, corporate security issues, security guarding and recent technological developments.
Graphical security control room management system experts ISM sponsored the Intelligent Integration Zone, which proved to be the most hotly anticipated and well attended feature at IFSEC. This interactive feature delivered a real visual impact with the centre stage taken by a control room in which visitors could see how the partner products were integrated into one holistic front end platform. Each one of the six partners - Detection Technologies, ACT, Visimetrics, Red Box Recorders, Cronapress and COE - had their own dedicated pod on the zone. "What has made our attendance at IFSEC so worthwhile is the fact that the initial interest from visitors is now translating into tangible results," said Stephen Smith, Sales and Marketing Director at ISM.
A truly international affair, IFSEC once again hosted the 'Meet the Buyers' event, which provides UK exhibitors with unrivalled access to international buyers of security products and services. Through strategic partnerships with UK Trade & Investment/UKTI Defense & Security Organisation and British Security Industry Association (BSIA), IFSEC invested in bringing 125 buyers from all over the globe to the event as part of the Inward Missions programme. A record-breaking 722 meetings took place which demonstrates the importance placed on this initiative to the international buyers' UK trade network.
"There's no denying that the security industry has been under pressure following the tumultuous economic conditions of the past two years however feedback received from visitors and exhibitors suggests a new positivity in the market. Exhibitors told us that IFSEC had enabled them to meet people with genuine, current projects and money to spend," said James Blue, Portfolio Director - Fire & Security. "We work hard to provide the security industry with an event that facilitates real business and are delighted to receive such strong feedback from exhibitors and visitors alike."
IFSEC returns to the NEC Birmingham from 16-19 May 2011.
*subject to audit
7th July 2010