Security Journal UK speaks with Event Director, Tristan Norman to look ahead to The Security Event 2021.
From a business perspective, one of the biggest consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the cancellation of events and conferences. Usually a staple of the security industry calendar, there have been no live, in-person major events for well over 12 months now.
However, this is soon set to change as government restrictions begin to ease across the UK, meaning The Security Event is scheduled to return, taking place from 7-9 September at the NEC in Birmingham, UK. Excitement is growing throughout the industry at the chance to once again meet face-to-face and network with colleagues and peers for the first time since the beginning of 2020.
To look ahead to The Security Event 2021, Security Journal UK caught up with Event Director, Tristan Norman to find out what visitors can expect to see at the NEC and how it feels to be at the forefront of the return of in-person events.
Physical over virtual
During the period when in-person events were not permitted, a range of virtual events sprang up to fill the void. Whilst they were useful to continue some form of networking and relationship building (albeit very limited), they proved to be no real substitute for traditional physical events.
Norman said: “Never before have we had such a long period of time where people have been kept apart so I think there is a huge amount of anticipation to once again get back networking and have some face-to-face interaction. There have been a lot of businesses and organisations which have pivoted to virtual events but they just can’t replicate what an in-person event delivers.
“The ability to see and touch a product, the ability to ask questions face-to-face, to see the whites of someone’s eyes when you close a deal and the serendipity of standing behind someone in the coffee queue that you haven’t seen for 15 years and to start talking business with them again, you just can’t replace that. I think the pandemic has really highlighted the value of in-person events and we will see them grow exponentially once restrictions have eased worldwide.”
The previous edition of The Security Event was held in April 2019 and was a staggering success, offering fantastic networking opportunities as well as a very impressive calibre of exhibitors and visitors. Understandably, Norman is tremendously excited to welcome the industry back to the NEC for the 2021 edition of the event.
“I can’t wait! We had to postpone the 2020 event eight weeks before it was due to take place and this is the third re-scheduling of it. The event itself has changed so much in the intervening period and all the team have been working extremely hard behind closed doors to put on a fantastic show.
“The Security Event 2021 will be double the size of the 2019 version as well as have double the number of exhibitors and double the amount of content. The entire show is a different beast to what it was in 2019 and we just can’t wait to provide that platform for the industry to get back to doing what it does best.”
Showcasing innovation
With more than 175 businesses already signed up to exhibit at The Security Event 2021, there will be plenty of new solutions and technology for visitors to see. Norman believes everyone who attends the show will be in for a real treat: “The sheer amount of new products that are going to be on show and available at The Security Event will be fantastic. Just as we’ve been busy behind closed doors, I know for a fact that all of our exhibitors have been working to develop new products, solutions and integrations which they cannot wait to demonstrate to our audience.
“In addition to the product innovation on display, visitors can also expect a lot of networking opportunities. We are the largest and only commercial security event in the UK in 2021 and we are creating a platform for the industry to meet in one place once again.”
In terms of networking opportunities, Norman revealed that the event’s organisers will once again be hosting an open bar from 4:30pm till 5:30pm on the first two days of the show and there will also be a VIP networking event for the fire and security industries on the evening of Tuesday 7 September.
Although the UK Government has announced that all COVID restrictions will be eased on 19 July, it is possible that this may change in due course so there is likely to still be some COVID-19 protocols and guidelines in place at The Security Event 2021.
Norman explained: “We will obviously follow all government guidance and the guidelines of our venue. With that being said, the government plans to release all social distancing and face mask measures on 19 July and we would adhere to that.
“During registration, we will likely ask people to provide proof of vaccination or a negative test before they enter the hall. If they are unable to do that, we will offer an on-site COVID test before they enter the hall. Once inside, there won’t be a requirement to wear a mask unless an individual would like to wear one and there will not be a stipulation on the capacity allowed as things stand.”
Feeling the support
The demand for exhibitor space has been quite staggering but there is still limited space available for any organisations that are looking to get involved. Norman stated: “We have actually ran out of space a couple of times and had to go back to the NEC and ask for more. The recent launch of the National Cyber Security Show, co-located with The Security Event, has opened up an entire new hall and enabled us to create more stand space.
“It’s shaping up to be a phenomenal event. Our visitor registrations are way ahead of where they have been in the past, we are just about to eclipse our total number of registrations for the 2019 event and we are still a couple of months out from the show.”
As well as the latest security solutions being showcased, visitors will also be able to enjoy a full CPD Accredited conference programme throughout the three days of the event, packed with some of the leading subject matter experts in the industry such as Fraser Sampson, the new Biometric & Surveillance Camera Commissioner.
Norman concluded: “We have been blown away by the support the industry has given us right from the beginning. We originally created The Security Event with nine founding partners and we are delighted to say that they are all still on board with us and support the show fully. The event is designed by the industry, for the industry and everyone seems to have got behind that ethos.
“I don’t think there is a better platform in the security industry in 2021 to generate sales, increase brand awareness and demonstrate innovation than The Security Event.”
There is no doubt that in-person events have been sorely missed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The networking, relationships and ROI they offer just cannot be matched by the virtual equivalent. It is heartening to see the brilliant support that The Security Event has received from the rest of the industry and it looks set to be an event that cannot be missed. See you all at the NEC.
This article was originally published in the July edition of Security Journal UK.
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