Dubai, UAE: The halls were bustling with activity to the very last hour, and as the 18th edition of Intersec came to end posting record growth, it was evident this was the most successful edition ever of the world’s largest trade show for security, safety, and fire protection.
Intersec 2016 attracted 31,261 trade visitors from 127 countries, 15 per cent more than the previous year, while a total of 1,280 exhibitors from 55 countries spanned 50,000sqm at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre – 10 per cent larger than in 2015.
The double-digit growth of the three-day event underlined its crucial role in the future development of not only the Middle East and Africa’s security, safety, and fire protection sectors, but further beyond.
This was emphasised by at least 100 product launches across the show’s seven focus areas of Commercial Security, Fire & Rescue, Safety & Health, Homeland Security & Policing, Information Security, Smart Home and Physical & Perimeter Security.
In its 18th edition, Intersec 2016 featured 37 of the world’s top 50 commercial security solutions providers, including the entire top ten of Honeywell, Hikvision, Bosch, Safran, Dahua, Assa Abloy, Tyco, Flir Systems, Samsung Techwin, and Axis Communications.
“From humble beginnings in 1999, when it featured just 61 exhibitors, Intersec has developed into a global powerhouse,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Intersec’s organiser, Messe Frankfurt Middle East.
“Its impact on the international market was highlighted by exhibitors confirming strong leads from as far away as the USA and Brazil, to Australia or Switzerland, came by their stands to do business.”
With 83 per cent of participating exhibitors coming from outside of the UAE, Intersec 2016 was the most internationally representative yet. Taking place from 17-19 January 2016, the exhibition also witnessed the highest level of participation by UAE exhibitors, whose numbers were up by 8 per cent over the previous year.
Fibrenetix, a Danish manufacturer of Video Optimised Servers and Storage Solutions, was among the many international players launching new products to market, including its Armoured Vehicle Cameras and Long Range Cameras for Border Control and Homeland Security.
Jes Nagel, CEO of Fibrenetix, said: “Middle East rulers, especially in UAE, are at the forefront of video surveillance and homeland security and understand the importance of having legislation in place to ensure public places, airports, hotels, shopping malls and ports are monitored 24/7,” said Nagel.
“They have legislated to ensure the density of cameras covering every corner of public space can be quickly and easily accessed by the authorities in case of an event. European governments have a lot to learn from rulers in the UAE and indeed the wider GCC with regards to public security, video surveillance, and homeland security.”
Exhibiting for the second time at Intersec 2016, Nagel added: “Intersec this year is even more international than last year. We have people coming from Romania, Iran and Turks which I didn’t expect. We would usually expect these types of visitors to attend big shows in Europe, however they are all coming here to see new technology and innovations so it’s an interesting development to see them come here and see the latest technology available.”
Fire and Rescue, which was 27 per cent larger than the previous year, recorded the fastest growth at Intersec 2016. Turkish firefighting vehicle manufacture Volkan was among the debut exhibitors.
Duygu Tecim, Corporate Communications Manager at Volkan, said the Middle East and North Africa accounts for 50 per cent of its export market, yet one of its most promising business leads over the three days came from the USA.
“Geographically many visitors are of course coming from the GCC countries as well as from Iran, India, and we even had two guests from the USA that are looking for a partnership to build a European specified fire truck for the American market,” said Tecim.
“We’re already working in the USA market but it’s good to meet with them here at Intersec. Roughly we’ve received more than 300 really serious leads that we can get in contact with following the show and start discuss potential partnerships.”
Harry Kwon, General Manager at Korean manufacturer IDIS, one of the world’s largest commercial security providers, added: “This year Intersec had more visitors from both the international as well as local markets – it has been a very busy time throughout the exhibition with high footfall at our booth.
“Middle East customers require high capacity storage, so we have launched a new MVR that supports 130 terabytes and a new camera that covers 360 degrees view. Most important is that it also has self-standing ability.”
Immensely pleased at the business leads generated over the three days of the show was Gregor Steiner, Head of Product Marketing at Siemens. “It was really good for us as we had about 60 per cent more visitors than we expected. This year has been a lot better and we appreciate the support of the organisers.”
Christopher Graham, Marketing Communications Leader MENA at Honeywell echoed the sentiment. “The exhibition was a great opportunity for us to interact with our customers, clients, visitors and other exhibiting companies. It has been very busy at the exhibition throughout for us.”
“We have been part of Intersec for a long time now and look forward to being there in the coming edition, obviously we are also increasing year-on-year.”
Buzzing with activity from the very beginning was the new Smart Home section, where a live demonstration area of a ‘simulated villa’ offered visitors a real-time showcase of smart home products in action ranging from Digital Door Locks and home video cameras, to Roller Shutters, Door Video Phone Panels / TV Controller/ Ipad to Monitor & Controls.
Other new additions this year at Intersec 2016 included a Safety Design in Buildings Pavilion in the Fire & Rescue section, along with a dedicated Jobs & Careers Pavilion. Alongside the event was a busy schedule of industry conferences which were held in cooperation with the Dubai Police and Dubai Civil Defence: the Occupational Health & Safety Conference, the Middle East Fire Conference and the Critical Infrastructure Security Conference.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Intersec is the flagship event of Messe Frankfurt’s global network of 11 security and safety shows, including Secutech in Taiwan, Secutech India, Secutech Thailand, Secutech Vietnam, Intersec Buenos Aires, Seguriexpo Buenos Aires, TB Forum powered by Intersec in Moscow, SecProTec East Africa powered by Intersec in Nairobi, Innosecure in Germany and the new Intersec Forum – Smart Security Conference in Frankfurt am Main.
The 19th edition of Intersec will return from 22-24 January 2017.