Counter Terror Expo ~ Just Another Event? [13 Feb 2009] [CCTV Media Ltd, peter.mawson@cctvmedia.co.uk] A Special Report by Peter Mawson of CCTV Media Ltd with additional comment from key players in the industry Click image for the CCTV Media website As a publisher I get to travel to a number of events in most corners of the globe and this year has already seen 11 show days across three continents. You’ll consequently forgive me for meeting the launch of yet another new event - claiming it will bring our industry together - with a little scepticism. That said, I do endeavour to keep an open mind and Counter Terror Expo was treated with my usual optimism - and thank goodness - what a show! It reminded me of the days when trade shows carried real value, not just a day out of the office and an opportunity for 'just one more!' The team at Niche Events (the organisers of the show) have impressed me over the years on a number of occasions; they seem to really understand what visitors, businesses and brands need and want to gain from an event. Time is money whatever your role and we all need to deliver returns whether they be profits or service. Certainly they delivered to the letter on this occasion. As I walked into the event, having been x-ray screened and ‘sniffed’ by a little black dog it was obvious the show was busy. I immediately ‘bumped’ into ‘faces’ who all, like me: were enthused by the energy the effective registration facilities created - there is nothing worse than waiting in a line to gain a lanyard and a badge when it’s obvious there's real business occurring steps away. The organisers had thought of everything and clearly had well established relationships with all the right people. Within minutes I'd shaken hands with influencers, consultants, Police and providers - not bad before you make it to the lift! Terrorism and Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) is rightly being addressed at this difficult time and not a moment too soon! In the UK there ‘appears’ to be little co-ordination of public area security systems - which to a layman of 15 years I find fundamentally wrong. As a result I’m happy to join the gathering band of disillusioned security practitioners who feel it appropriate to de-gag and speak out. I noted the press release from the Society of British Aerospace Companies released at the show which talked to the same/similar point - surely it’s possible to establish a committee of likeminded individuals (prepared to take decisions and actions) that can be tasked to review this most critical part of our National Infrastructure? With all the talk of recession it’s easy to forget we still don’t have public area systems that ‘talk’ to each other on a national basis - odd when you think the technology exists and the Government refuse to give in to terrorists. You’d think they’d find the funding as and when it's required to ensure UK citizens, who have the right to move around freely and safely, can do so. By comparison when homes were threatened by Northern Rock collapsing, money was forthcoming - but not so much action when it comes to keeping us safe on our streets from terrorist attacks? The show has for me started to plug a hole - it created a professional and safe platform upon which to openly discuss many aspects of the wider concerns terrorism creates. The delegates I spoke to, without exception, felt they were gaining real knowledge from the seminars they were attending (at no cost) and every one of them indicated they would be back next year. In true Niche Events style any teething problems relating to venue and on-site services (noticed only by the exhibitors who of course have additional responsibilities with their wares to accommodate) have already been addressed - next year you can look forward to an even stronger show at London Olympia. So that it’s noted - one consistent piece of feedback was the respect the exhibitors received from the individuals who made up the organising team. I have worked with various exhibition companies and that's often not the case - so if you did hang back 'to see how it goes' you missed out. You missed out on sales leads, experience, contacts and practical knowledge, as well as a wonderful networking reception - typical of those you expect in much warmer climates. I'd suggest if you have the scope to attend next year that you do so. Whether you are UK orientated or more international it was all at this show. Believe me, CCTV Media will be present and we’ll be delighted to align our brand and products with the show. We all like success and Niche deserve a huge pat on the back for getting it right. They have seen a weakness and delivered the answer that our industry has been in need of for some time. It’s a pleasure to deliver such a positive take on an event and below you’ll see it’s not just our business as a media partner that’s happy - the commercial providers too appear to have enjoyed the rush of fresh air from the three floors - floors that at peak times were difficult to physically get around! Counter Terror Expo 2009 event director Peter Jones, of Niche Events said: "As the launch event, and the only one of its kind in the UK, I have to say it was beyond anyone’s expectations. We had 130 exhibitors, all of which we have booked again next year. We expect the event to treble in size, but we will keep the focus purely on counter terror. We had around 4,000 delegates - twice as many as expected. We were surprised, not only at the numbers attending, but also the broad cross section of people. The presence of CCTV Media Ltd was felt at the show, and the workshop it ran went down extremely well. Next year’s event has been booked at the London Olympia on April 14 and 15" Ian Parry of ATG Access Ltd said: "I thought it was very well organised. I came away with a positive feeling about it, as the right people were saying the right things. I felt it achieved what it set out to do and was a very positive and busy show" Julie Busby, Director of Multipix Imaging said: "It seemed to go very well for us. We came away with some fantastic new opportunities which we are looking to follow up and turn into real business in the next few months. A good range of people attended and it was a very busy show, which, given the current climate, was fantastic to see" Steve Nichols, sales manager of MEL Secure Systems said: "I was very pleased with the event. We had a good selection of public service visitors to our stand. We wanted public sector business and this event generated more interest in our product. I am really looking forward to attending next year’s show" Hugo Rosemont, security policy adviser for the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC) said: "The Counter Terror Expo 2009 drew in the crowds and much of the industry suppliers’ community. Many SBAC and British Aviation Group member companies, who are engaging domestic and international security markets, were present. And given the wide range of governmental and private stakeholders in attendance, it proved to be an excellent opportunity to help them promote the security capabilities of the aerospace industry in the UK" Gill Lack, marketing director of Peli Products, also thought the event was a success, commenting: "We had quite a good show. It was quality rather than quantity in terms of leads we got from it. We have booked again for next year" Stephen Hogan, director of Government and Industry Affairs Europe, for Rapiscan Systems said: "I was very happy with the event. I was impressed by its size, scale and attendance. We thought it was just the sort of event we should be attending as a company in the security industry"