Uniting the entire security buying and influencing chain to create an unrivalled business platform, IFSEC International delivered its most comprehensive show ever at the NEC in May.
Organiser UBM Live is delighted to report an impressive 24,933* total attendees (subject to ABC audit): a clear increase in the pure security audience and a staggering 25% increase in terms of end users attending the show.
The 39th Edition of the show ran at Birmingham’s NEC from 14-17 May as not only UBM Live’s flagship security exhibition but also the world’s largest annual security and fire event. Over 700 exhibitors were present, including over 100 companies exhibiting for the first time, and there were 11,000-plus downloads of the IFSEC International visitor app. No less than 2,295 visitors attended education sessions while IFSEC Connections saw over 40 meetings taking place with excellent client feedback.
Overhaul of prime content
IFSEC International underwent an overhaul of its content to keep pace with and reflect the changing trends and focal points within the security world, in turn representing the latest product innovations, technologies, services and solutions applicable to what’s a broad industry sector.
As a result, show organiser UBM Live is reporting a 68% increase in the number of visitors attending education sessions, representing approximately 10% of total attendees.
Keith Crouch, the loss prevention manager at Super Group, visited the show. He commented: “We work in retail so we’ve picked up things that would help improve our systems. We’ve made good contacts which has been really useful. The CCTV seminar sessions run by Tavcom Training wereexcellent.”
Thomas Wigley of the Home Retail Group added: “I came to see what’s available on the IP market and there’s a massive selection here. I’ve concentrated on some of the bigger suppliers like Norbain, Panasonic and Samsung, yet the entire show has been really useful.”
Major investment in the education programme
UBM Live injected major investment into IFSEC International’s education programme this year, including the new Security Management Education Theatre created for security managers and all those responsible for managing the security of their organisation (such as facilities, estates and building managers).
Of particular note, and as stated, 2012 saw a significant increase in end user visitors, and in particular from across the retail, transport and facilities management sectors.
Eng Fernando Mendes from IVV Automacao LDA also visited the NEC and had this to say about IFSEC International 2012: “I come every year to this exhibition and think it is one of the most important exhibitions in Europe. We are professionals. We’re importers and distributors of this stuff so we have to come. This year is better than last year – there are more people – I will be coming next year. I visit IFSEC to check out the latest technology that’s available and how it’s moving forward all the time. I found a number of products suitable for the environment I work in. We attended the seminars on London 2012 and IP technology, both of which we found very interesting.”
ipAssured Education Zone proves popular
Indeed, a hot topic for the industry which was heavily reflected at IFSEC International 2012 is IP and the move towards convergence. A bespoke education programme with an emphasis on IP and integration skills and knowledge contributed to a 40% rise in visitors from the IT/networking/telecoms sector, reinforcing IFSEC International 2012 as the most important destination for discussion and debate on the future of electronic security.
As part of this IP education drive, IFSEC International 2012 debuted the ipAssured Education Zone which was supported by Anixter. The ipAssured Education Zone was an exclusive area where a team of experts offered presentations on leading industry trends.
Theresa Stenebring, EMEA program marketing manager at Anixter, explained: “We chose to come to IFSEC because it’s the most international show in EMEA. We wanted to engage with an international event, and saw that the time was right to talk and educate about IP and the migration process from older technologies. We want to help people, both end users and channel experts, to really get into the whole new world of IP which is not so new anymore. IFSEC International felt like it was a bigger show this year than the previous one. Even if we haven’t exhibited before, we have of course been visiting. The people at the NEC were there to learn and to understand, and see new solutions and products. Its a good quality event. We’re very excited by it.”
With the objective of making IFSEC International 2012 the meeting place for debate on the wider issues affecting the security world, the team at UBM Live’s Security Portfolio worked with industry partners to deliver thought-provoking discussion on topics of crucial importance to the future of this vital business sector.
“IFSEC International is a place where all of the manufacturers of security products come together, and in four days you can accomplish what would take you a whole year to do if you had to meet separately for meetings and arrangements,” suggested Glenn Fletcher, UK and Ireland sales manager at Milestone Solutions.
Boasting eight seminar theatres in total, the extensive and free-to-attend education sessions and workshop programme ensured IFSEC International offered more educational content than ever before.
Comments from the show’s key supporting partners
IFSEC International is supported by leading industry and government associations and organisations, the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), UKTI/DSO, ASIS, the National Security Inspectorate (NSI), The Security Institute, the Fire Industry Association (FIA), the Association of Police & Public Security Suppliers (APPSS) and The International Security Industry Organisation (ISIO).
James Kelly, CEO at the BSIA, said: “The British Security Industry Association enjoyed another successful year at IFSEC International, welcoming almost four times more visitors to its stand than in 2011.”
Huw Edwards, marketing communications director at Norbain, commented: “IFSEC International has always been a great forum for networking and meeting with new and existing customers. This was a particularly exciting IFSEC for Norbain as it gave us the opportunity to launch and gather initial feedback on a range of new services, including Service Plus, The Norbain Academy and my-nvc.com. Using the touch screens on the stand was a very effective form of taking quality leads that have subsequently led to new accounts being opened. Our expanding IP portfolio was of particular interest to visitors, along with our own seminars that were all very well attended.”
Focusing on lone worker security
As keeping abreast of the latest industry trends is integral to visitors, IFSEC International 2012 saw the introduction of a number of key product areas. 2012 saw the showcasing of IFSEC International’s first Lone Worker Protection area (sponsored by Connexion2), which was created to support and protect the UK’s eight million lone workers.
With ever-increasing numbers of lone workers, IFSEC International recognises that it’s crucial employers have an effective system in place for the protection of their staff. Managing risks in the workplace is, of course, a Duty of Care issue.
Adding to this, a number of new and interactive feature areas such as How Lighting Affects Surveillance and the aforementioned ipAssured Education Zone proved incredibly popular throughout the four days of IFSEC International.
Acknowledging a number of successes across the security sector this past year, the IFSEC International Security Industry Awards (produced in association with the BSIA and headline sponsored by the Norbain Group) took place during IFSEC International. Proving to be a highlight of the week, this spectacular night was hosted by BBC sports presenters Mark Lawrenson and Dan Walker, and saw more than GB pound 4,000 raised for official charity partner ActionAid.
Stepping up to the challenge in 2012
Charlie Cracknell, event director for IFSEC International, said: “IFSEC International defined itself as the ‘must attend’ event that represents the ‘entire security buying and influencing chain’ from across the globe. With a strong proposition combining the leading security and fire manufacturers, integrators, training via first-class free education, new show features, interactive experiences and networking, IFSEC International stepped up to the challenge in 2012. This has only been possible with the support of our partners and exhibitors and the commitment from our visitors.”
Demonstrating a variety of the latest industry products and developments from across the globe the international contingent once again excelled itself at IFSEC International this year. With country pavilions focused on China, Taiwan, Korea, Germany, France, Italy and the USA and all accommodating leading manufacturers and suppliers, IFSEC International cemented its position as a leading global industry event.
- IFSEC International is part of the UBM Live Protection & Management Series which took place at the NEC from 14-17 May encompassing Safety & Health Expo (Europe’s definitive annual event that brings together the safety and health industry) and the Facilities Show (the UK’s largest facilities event).
- Other IFSEC Global events include IFSEC India, IFSEC Saudi Arabia, IFSEC South Africa, IFSEC West Africa, IFSEC Southeast Asia and Bezpeka powered by IFSEC (Ukraine), as well as this coming October’s Global Security Summit.
**IFSEC International 2013 takes place from 13-16 May 2013. For further information or to discuss exhibiting opportunities please visit the official website or contact event manager Peter Poole on (tel) +44 (0) 20 7921 8284 or via e-mail at: peter.poole@ubm.com