SJUK Exclusive: 20 years of networking and innovation

August 24, 2022

Ahead of International Security Expo 2022, Security Journal UK catches up with Rachael Shattock, Group Event Director at Nineteen Group.

How will this year’s edition of International Security Expo differ from last year’s?

Firstly, it’s a particularly special year, as we celebrate our 20th anniversary and two decades of providing the critical link between government, industry, academia and the entire end user community.

Many of the popular show features will return, such as a jam-packed thought leadership programme, a hotbed of innovation on the show floor and specialist zones that allow attendees to deep dive into specific sector challenges. This year, our dedicated zones include the Government Zone, Perimeter Protection Zone, International Risk & Resilience Zone and Drone & Counter UAV Zone.

We are also excited to announce this year a varied schedule of live immersive demonstrations. This will enable visitors to see the industry’s most innovative solutions live in action, while informing the purchasing decisions of international security buyers, specifiers and key decision-makers. In the Government Zone, this will include demonstrations from Border Force and British Transport Police, while the Perimeter Protection Zone’s Live Testing Lab will return in partnership with LPCB.

We also feel very lucky to have record levels of support from UK Government this year. The specialist Government Zone will return, packed with many influential agencies and departments, while we are anticipating ministerial attendance, like last year, when Damian Hinds MP, Minister of State for Security and Borders, delivered a keynote speech.

It feels great to be returning in 2022 both at full strength and raring to go. This includes welcoming back international exhibitors such as Toshiba, who were unable to make it last year, as well as many international visitors. We can’t wait to facilitate business, innovation and education across the value chain and welcome everybody back to London Olympia. Visitors will also benefit from the show’s co-location with the industry’s newest cybersecurity expo: International Cyber Expo, which, in contrast to last year, has its own dedicated hall and will run as a standalone event.

How has your high-level advisory panel helped shape this year’s conference programme?

New security threats arise each day, which means our industry is in a constant state of flux. It is therefore vital that we have our fingers on the pulse and deliver an event that reflects the true priorities of the sector. This is where our expert advisory council comes in. Made up of almost 70 industry experts, the panel has played a critical role in the event’s success, helping to ensure it accurately reflects the security industry and covers the full spectrum, and most pertinent, issues of the day.

And, for 2022, we’re delighted to announce that ten new industry experts have joined our Advisory Committee. Their insights into our industry have proved hugely valuable in taking the show in the direction that best benefits the industry. This includes Anna-Liisa Tampuu, Co-chair of the Inclusive Security Special Interest Group, The Security Institute; Satia Rai, Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, International Professional Security Association (IPSA) and Matt Horne, Deputy Director (DD) of Investigations, National Crime Agency.

Our panel also play an important role by joining our extensive roster of speakers. The show’s thought leadership programme discusses the most burning questions and talking points of the security industry in 2022, providing a unique opportunity to gain some fascinating insights over the two days. We look forward to welcoming our advisory committee to this year’s event to share their expertise with attendees.

Protect Duty will be a key talking point at this year’s event – which speakers will be focussing on this subject during their discussions?

Day one in the Global Counter Terror & Serious and Organised Crime Summit will see a number of experts come together to discuss the detail behind the Protect Duty policy and the subsequent legislation. This includes tireless campaigner, Figen Murray – mother of Martyn Hett, one of the 22 victims of the Manchester Arena terrorist attack in 2017 – who will discuss how the role of counter terror is a society-wide issue, not just something that falls under the remit of the police and security services.

It will also be highlighted at the International Security Conference, where speakers will assemble on the first day to discuss the practical issues surrounding the implementation of the proposed legislation itself, with critical advice being shared for those businesses who need to comply with the new legislation, offering a place to understand the implications of the legislation and the practical change required. It will also serve as a one-stop shop to buy the most current and advanced products and services that will be required.

Speakers will also help attendees understand why design will be a critical part of implementing the Protect Duty, ensuring security solutions are compatible with the areas they are designed to protect.

We are privileged to host some of the industry’s most knowledgeable personnel on the matter. For example, NaCTSO – supporter and exhibitor at International Security Expo – who are fully engaged in the development and delivery of the Protect Duty together with Homeland Security Group, will offer insights into what is anticipated to be transformational from a national protective security perspective.

We can expect further insights from Advisory Council member, Julian Platt, Deputy National Coordinator, Counter Terrorism Policing, PROTECT & PREPARE, NaCTSO & NCTPHQ. Few are better placed to shape the agenda on Protect Duty and cover the most relevant aspects of the legislation.

Can you tell us more about the range of big-name exhibitors who will be attending?

More than 300 companies will spotlight their latest innovative products and solutions. We’re looking forward to welcoming back key players from all corners of the industry including premier partners APSTEC Systems, Astrophysics, Audax, Gallagher Security, HS Security Group, Leidos, LINEV Systems UK Ltd, LiveLink Aerospace, Mitie, Nuctech, Pitagone, Rapiscan Systems, Rohde & Schwarz, Smiths Detection, Vaylia, Varex and Weytec.

In addition, we’re excited to welcome back a host of international exhibitors who were unable to join us last year, including Toshiba, Motorola Solutions and new international exhibitors such as Voyager Labs, Pexraytech and ecaptureDtech.

Returning to help attendees discover the most sought-after products and solutions, dedicated zones will also bring together leading companies and Government representatives. For example, this year’s Government Zone will feature ACE, Border Force, British Transport Police, City of London Crime Prevention Association, Counter Terrorism Policing, Defence and Security Accelerator, JSaRC, National Counter Terrorism Security Office, Police Crime Prevention Initiatives, SIA, RISC, UK Defence & Security Exports and more.

The Drone and Counter UAV Zone, in association with Drone Platform & Counter-Drone – a special interest group for ADS, will provide a dedicated area for world-leading suppliers of drone and counter-drone capabilities to showcase the very latest technologies and solutions. Exhibitors in this zone and throughout the event include Addor Systems, BravoZulu, D-Fend Solutions, Dedrone, Drone Defence, LiveLink Aerospace, Metis Aerospace, Navtech, Radar, Operational Solutions Ltd, Revector, Robin Radar and SeeQuestor.

How is International Security Expo connecting qualified international buyers with sellers?

As ever, one of our main objectives is to serve as the conduit between buyers and sellers in the security market. More than 10,000 vetted visitors, spanning senior buyers, specifiers and influencers from KPMG, Heathrow Airport, Google, BAE Systems, Bank of England, British Airways, Ministry of Defence, United States Senate, HS2 Ltd, BMW, AstraZeneca, Natural History Museum, Microsoft, Shell, JPMorgan Chase & Co and Transport for London, will head to London to browse the unprecedented levels of innovation on show from over 350 international companies.

If that wasn’t enough, Connect+ Live, our International Hosted Buyer Programme, is back and bigger than ever, to account for the huge number of international exhibitors and attendees at this year’s event. Crucially, those who are unable to travel will not miss out – the hybrid model ensures buyers can also be connected virtually to the suppliers that matter.

We’ll also be running a VIP programme and VIP tours. More information on these opportunities will be revealed in due course.

What networking opportunities will be available at this year’s event?

The show will act as a networking hub for high-level buyers, specifiers and decision-makers to come together and discuss current and future challenges and trends. As in previous years, there will plenty of opportunities for our high-level audience of security professionals to meet new industry contacts and make genuine, meaningful and long-lasting connections to help them achieve their goals.

In past years, attendees across the value chain have stressed the importance of the event in providing a unique opportunity to meet face-to-face with the people that matter. We encourage both exhibitors and visitors to join us at the Networking Drinks Reception at the end of day one for an opportunity to celebrate 20 years of innovation, networking and the remarkable business partnerships that have formed over the history of the show.

Finally, what are you most excited for as the event draws closer?

As we continue to work hard behind the scenes, there is a real sense that 2022 will be the biggest and best year yet. In the last 20 years, we have worked extremely hard to reinforce our ‘International’ position, particularly after the past three years of lockdowns and travel restrictions. It seems fitting that, on our 20th anniversary, record numbers of international exhibitors and visitors will join us.

As well as bringing the international community together once more, we are very excited to get back onto a packed show floor, where security professionals will be able to source the latest products and witness live demonstrations.

Additionally, we are excited to offer attendees the chance to gain exclusive insights and teachings through our free-of-charge, CPD-certified thought leadership programme which includes three dedicated theatres featuring dozens of industry-leading experts.

We can’t wait to celebrate not only 20 years of the show, but 20 years of innovation in our brilliant industry with many familiar and new faces. We hope to see you there!

For more information, visit: www.internationalsecurityexpo.com

This article was originally published in the August 2022 edition of Security Journal UK. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.

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