More than 25,468 people congregated at IFSEC from 16-19 May 2011 at the NEC, Birmingham, say organisers. That’s a 12 per cent increase year on year.
IFSEC reports that it also saw an increase in the number of specifiers, installers, engineers and technicians in attendance.
James Kelly, Chief Executive, BSIA, said: "Yet another successful IFSEC for the BSIA this year, with the event providing an ideal opportunity for us to network with our existing members while making valuable new connections.
“Our work alongside UBM to organise the IFSEC Awards reinforces our commitment to celebrating achievement and encouraging technological development in our industry, while the ever-popular ‘Meet the Buyers’ event united UK companies with security buyers from around the world in a series of over 700 short meetings. By bringing such valuable events together under one roof, IFSEC remains the UK’s leading security event and one which the BSIA will continue to support in coming years."
Mike Bluestone, Chairman, Security Institute, added: “The Security Institute congratulates UBM on yet another highly successful and well attended IFSEC event. The combination of specialist conference sessions, and an impressive line up of advanced security products, meant that there was something to hold everyone’s interest. At the Security Institute stand we were able to welcome lots of visitors, including many old and new faces, as well as potential new members. Roll on IFSEC 2012!”
There were more than 650 exhibiting companies including Sony, Norbain, Panasonic, Samsung, Redcare, Synectics, Risco, Texecom, HIK and CSL DualCom.
Feedback
“We had a constant stream of visitors to our stand during all four days of the show,” said Marc Handels, Vice President Marketing and Sales of SALTO Systems. There were times during the show when there was hardly any room to move around on the stand as it was packed with visitors all wanting to see demonstrations of our latest wireless access control solutions. IFSEC 2011 provided a great opportunity for us to strengthen ties with existing users and forge relationships with potential new customers alike. Impressively several major blue chip companies and corporations made a point of coming to the show specifically to see and do business.”
Mike Hurst, Vice Chairman – Strategy, ASIS International UK Chapter, said: “We had increased our presence at the show this year with a much larger stand in a prime location. Additionally, there were many ASIS members speaking at or chairing modules at the IFSEC Conference and we had a networking event for members. All in all IFSEC 2011 was a great success for ASIS International and we look forward to 2012.”
The introduction of IFSEC’s joint venture with Tavcom Training, the Tavcom Training Theatre, delivered IP training in hall 5. Mike Tennent FIET, Managing Director, Tavcom Training, said: “It was a pleasure to host the introduction of a FREE education centre for interested parties wanting independent views of the latest technologies in a non jargon style together with the opportunity to speak freely on a one to one basis to independent and supplier specialists.”
IFSEC 2011 also saw the launch of the inaugural Future of Security Competition. In the new initiative for IFSEC, nine finalists pitted their security products against each other in a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style battle, judged by a panel. 2020 Imaging gaining the judges’ stamp of approval, winning $10,000 to put towards the development of their product. The international audience increased to 33 per cent of total visitors and represented 133 countries.
James Blue, Portfolio Director – Fire & Security, at UBM Live, a division of UBM Plc, organisers of IFSEC, said: “It is evident that the economic unease throughout the last couple of years have put a strain on the security industry, however, we have observed from the visitors and exhibitors at IFSEC this year, a new, buoyant outlook, which was clearly evident across the whole exhibition. IFSEC 2011 confirmed the industry is still attempting to return to pre-recession levels; nonetheless security spending is on the rise, as revealed in the Frost & Sullivan Security Industry Outlook report findings.
“Indicative of the evolving security landscape, new ideas and product innovations are fundamental, which is why we take great pride in providing the security industry with the annual leading security event, showcasing the best in future security, products, services and technological innovations that the global security market has to offer.”
IFSEC returns to the NEC Birmingham, from 14-17 May 2012. For further information on the event –
