Reuniting manufacturers, distributors, installers, integrators, consultants and end users, The Security Event returns to the Birmingham NEC over 30 April – 2 May 2024. The exhibition will showcases leading security brands, offering visitors an opportunity to source the latest products, technologies and solutions, whilst networking and meeting face-to-face with key experts from across the industry. In addition to the exhibition hall, attendees can keep up-to-date with the latest developments and issues in security via a comprehensive, free-to-attend, accredited CPD education programme featuring seminars, case studies and workshops.
Peter Poole
To find out more about what’s in store for 2024, we caught up with Peter Poole, Sales Director at the event organiser Nineteen Group:
How is the show looking for 2024?
‘MEGA!’ Following another hugely successful and popular edition in 2023, we decided to move The Security Event (TSE) into Hall 5 of the NEC Birmingham to facilitate demand allowing for more exhibition space. Therefore the 2024 edition is 40% larger than last year, we are currently 97% sold out and we will showcase over 350 global leading security manufacturers, suppliers and service providers. TSE will also share Hall 5 with the Fire Safety Event, which is also the UK’s biggest show for active and passive fire safety and it alone has also grown by 48% hosting over 175 global leading manufacturers and suppliers.
Have you been surprised how quickly TSE has become so successful?
We assembled a very compelling plan for TSE and always had the belief that it would become the nations ‘biggest, best and favourite’ security show. In terms of our rapid rise, ‘yes’ there is an element of surprise that we have managed to achieve this inside only four editions, not to mention an 18month lockdown on tradeshows due to the pandemic.
There aren’t many tradeshows that have ever had such a journey like TSE and it is something the entire security industry should be very proud of achieving – we have all played our part! It is a competitive market, lots of security shows happening across the globe throughout the calendar year and to be hailed by the UK security community as their No.1 show of choice as well as being recognised on the world stage is incredible.
What do you put that speed of growth down to?
We continually engage with the security industry actively seeking all forms of feedback, we listen and we implement. In summary, we do what the industry tells us and as a result, The Security Event has become more than just a tradeshow, it is the industry’s annual focal point and their primary hub in the UK for stimulating ideas, accelerating sales, learning, networking and gaining inspiration.
It’s a show that has been ‘designed by the industry for the industry!’ Easily accessible being located in the heart of the country at the home of security, the NEC Birmingham, and once a year the entire UK security community come together in their thousands. Attracting installers, integrators, consultants and end users from every corner of the UK and everywhere in between and now also welcoming large numbers of international visitors from across Europe, Middle East and North America and further afield.
Is there anything new for the next event?
Absolutely there is, and why? We want our entire community to really look forward to coming to TSE, we want the show to be enjoyable, fun and for everyone to leave with a real sense of fulfilment having had a really rewarding experience. So it’s important to keep raising the bar every year!
Focusing on our exhibitors, we are renowned for hosting global leading ‘high quality’ manufacturers and suppliers and how have we delivered? 250 returning 2023 exhibitors, 100 NEW exhibitors of which 77 are BRAND-NEW having never participated before. TSE is going to be packed full with all the latest and greatest security technology, hardware, software, services and so much more.
Building upon the enormous success of last year’s inaugural Access Control Executive Brief Theatre which featured thought leadership sessions and a tech showcase, our extended 2024 partnership has evolved to introduce “The Forum”. This enhanced activation will include a standalone stage with a larger seating capacity for engaging presentations and thought leadership sessions on various topics such as digital transformation, enterprise software, best practices, cloud and mobile computing, and much more. This exclusive collaboration will unite industry leaders, showcase thought leadership and highlight business innovations in the access control and smart lock industry through presentations, round table discussions and creative storytelling.
Another MAJOR addition is the exclusive debut of the internationally renowned Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) who is set to unveil its groundbreaking Live Testing Lab. It will provide visitors with a unique opportunity to witness a team of professional forced entry specialists engaging with a diverse range of physical security products. From windows to fencing and locks to doorsets, the live demonstrations will showcase the resilience and effectiveness of these products in the face of simulated intrusion scenarios. Visitors can explore cutting-edge solutions, including bollards, barriers, gates, fencing, locks and much more.
Finally, we are expanding our partnership with Skills for Security to create an immersive zone featuring breakfast briefings, training courses, and a live competition onsite for future security engineers. Winners of the competition will advance to the WorldSkills Championship (WSUK). WSUK, is a charity dedicated to enhancing standards in apprenticeships and technical education, conducts an annual competition across various sectors, prioritising both technical and soft skills development. At The Security Event, we take pride in our role in nurturing the next generation of security professionals and facilitating their growth.
Read the full interview in the January 2024 edition of PSI magazine
