Planned with the full backing of the British Security Industry Association, The Security Institute, ASIS International’s UK Chapter 208, Skills for Security and several of the UK’s leading service providers, the Security Guarding and Support Services area at IFSEC 2008 represents yet another step forward since this element of the industry’s biggest and best exhibition was reintroduced two years ago.
For starters, the area is relocating to a prime location within Hall 7 at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre – right next door to co-located exhibition The Facilities Show, thereby directly involving all facilities managers tasked with looking after security as well as the more traditional, ‘purist’ in-house professional.
Right products and services
“Leaving the office for any great length of time is often a very difficult proposition for busy security and facilities managers, yet sourcing the right products and services to ensure that their company’s business and/or premises runs smoothly and effectively is a central part of the role,” comments James Blue, the award-winning event director for IFSEC. “The co-location of Security Guarding and Support Services with The Facilities Show means that visitors can source products and services across all aspects of their remit under one roof.” Arguably, there’s never been a more important time for end users to ‘challenge’ their partners in the guarding world. Licensing and regulation has bedded down, but the Regulator has increased costs of late and there is much talk in the industry about ‘value add’ from the guarding service, and where that’s going to come from. There’s no better place to discuss this than person-to-person at IFSEC with the major suppliers in tow. The 2007 addition of Support Services embraced the many other important solutions provided by – and for – the security guarding sector.
“Security guarding companies are now being asked on a fairly regular basis to provide operatives with a much wider skills set than has previously been the norm,” adds Blue. “We want to continue reflecting that change in emphasis by tailoring the show’s content to suit.”
Who will be there?
Companies who have already signed on the dotted line to take part include Amerex Fire International, ARC Training International, the Bluecard Software Technology Company, C-Tec (Computonics), G4S Security Services (UK), Grillstone Electronic Technology (HK), Halo Personal Protection Systems, Innovise, the International Professional Security Association, Kentec Electronics and the Legion Group. Exhibitors also include MITIE Security, M-Set Technologies, the MV Group, Nationwide Security Services, the National Training Inspectorate for Professional Dog Users, Rilliant Systems, Romtrac, Safety Technology International, the Security Guard Company, Tagtronics, The Body Armour Company and multi-award winning guarding provider Wilson James.
What the industry says…
Speaking about IFSEC 2008, Darren Gamage – head of marketing at MITIE Security – explains: “We’re delighted to have a major presence within the Security Guarding and Support Services area at IFSEC 2008. We’ve worked closely with the show’s organisers to help shape the event, and built-in feedback from visitors in 2007. We’re really looking forward to a successful and busy show.”
Douglas Greenwell – sales and marketing director at G4S Security Services (UK) – adds: “Our position at the show affords us the perfect opportunity to demonstrate our full range of integrated security solutions. We look forward to welcoming new and existing clients to Stand 570 so that they can discuss their holistic security requirements. We’ll be able to demonstrate to them numerous products, technologies and services.”
Conferring
IFSEC 2008 also features a packed seminar programme and an all-new strategic IFSEC Conference aimed at a broad range of security professionals. Expert speakers include representatives from the Metropolitan Police Service, Huntingdon Life Sciences, G4S Cash Services, JP Morgan and London Underground. Sessions are set to focus on the real-life applications of effective security technologies across retail, banking, transport and related sectors. Click here for more.
