The 20th edition of Intersec, the world’s leading trade fair for security, safety, and fire protection opened on Sunday in Dubai, UAE featuring 1,337 exhibitors from 59 countries.
Inaugurated by Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the three-day event covers 60,000 sq m of space at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, a 5% increase over the previous year.
More than 5,000 brands are on show across seven focus areas of Commercial Security, Fire & Rescue, Safety & Health, Homeland Security & Policing, Information & Cyber Security, Perimeter & Physical Security, and Smart Home and Building Automation.
“Intersec has played a significant contributory role in enhancing the safety and security of our society by bringing the latest innovations and developments within reach of Middle East buyers and establishments. The show’s success underlines the importance of Dubai’s role in driving change, innovation and development across the region,” said Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed, Intersec’s patron.
Fire & Rescue recorded the largest year-on-year exhibitor growth at Intersec 2018, with 448 companies on board this year, a 24 per cent increase over 2017. Information & Cyber Security too continues its upward growth trajectory, and this year features 52 exhibitors dedicated to combating cyber threats, espionage, and online criminals.
With 453 exhibitors, Commercial Security remains the largest individual section, while Perimeter & Physical Security (90 exhibitors), Safety & Health (173 exhibitors), Homeland Security & Policing (91 exhibitors), and Smart Home & Building Automation (30 exhibitors) were also widely represented.
Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Intersec’s organizer Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “Spearheaded by the UAE, the Middle East has undergone rapid economic transformation, and with it, the need to keep critical infrastructure, assets and people safe and secure.
“That rapid transformation is reflected in the market itself, and when Intersec made its debut in 1999, when it featured just 61 exhibitors, the Middle East homeland and commercial security market combined was worth just $52 million,” he noted.
“Since then, the market has grown at a remarkable compound annual growth rate of 33 per cent, and is currently worth $12.2 billion. That growth too is underlined by the business success of many Intersec exhibitors - 13 of which participated at the first Intersec in 1999, and returning in 2018. Many others have been with the show for more than 10 years, and during that time, have watched their business volumes grow in double digits,” added Pauwels.
Spearheading the show highlights on the opening day at Intersec 2018 was the new Indoor Drone Zone, where the show’s Government Partners the Dubai Police and Dubai Civil Defense were among those delivering live demonstrations of their latest drones in action.
Meanwhile, the Live Outdoor Demo Area was home to some exciting Firefighting rescue applications, Armored Cars, and a line-up of Dubai Police Super Cars. Here was also the scene for the Middle East unveiling of the Bristol FL 60 XR – the world’s highest aerial platform with fire rescue ladders providing an outreach of 31.5 meters.
With 83% international exhibitor participation, Intersec 2018’s global footprint is underlined by 15 country pavilions from Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Korea, Pakistan, Singapore, Taiwan, the UK, the US and for the first time in 2018, Russia. UAE participation is also high, growing 6% year-on-year, with 223 exhibitors covering 10,500sqm of exhibition space.
