Members of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) enjoyed their week at the Security Essen trade show in Germany. Many report that they won business at a show that exceeded their expectations.
In a survey of British-based exhibitors who took part in the BSIA’s UK Pavilion at the show – including many members of the association’s dedicated Export Council – the majority of respondents reported that the show was better than they had expected, indicating a continuation in the uplift in demand from European customers that was reported by members of the BSIA’s Export Council in a pre-event survey. This year’s show certainly lived up to expectations, with two thirds of respondents having won business worth as much as £250,000 each as a result of attending Security Essen.
Belonging to the UK pavilion also has benefits for exhibitors, according to the BSIA’s survey. While support from the BSIA was listed as one of the main benefits of belonging to the UK pavilion, the biggest benefit to exhibitors was the location of the UK pavilion at the show, according to over 75% of respondents.
Caroline Strickley, pictured, Export Services Executive at the BSIA, who attended the show to provide support for the Brit-exhibitors, said: “The position of the UK pavilion was exceptionally good this year. Thanks to the location in Hall 3, footfall was particularly high, making it easier for delegates to locate and engage with UK suppliers.”
One company for which Security Essen was a particular success was new BSIA member, Detection Technologies Ltd. The company picked up the Security Innovation Gold Award, which honours technological developments.
Keith Talbot, Director at Detection Technologies Ltd, said: “The Essen exhibition was our first show following our successful application to become a BSIA member and exhibit in the UK pavilion area. We have attended other exhibitions including Essen before, however both myself and my colleagues agreed that this event was the most successful. The support and guidance received from the BSIA contributed to making it a great show.”
The Export Council, which comprises a core group of association members who have a major interest in the export of British products and services, aims to act as a neutral forum for the discussion of export related issues and to exchange ideas and experiences of various markets and territories.
Since 1991, the association has co-ordinated UK pavilions at some 75 overseas security trade shows, including Security Essen in addition to Intersec Dubai, Safety and Security Asia and MIPS Russia. Linked with this, the association also organises several “table-top” events with specific British Embassies, allowing UK security companies to approach markets as diverse as Sweden, Spain, Lebanon, Romania and Saudi Arabia.
All respondents to the BSIA’s survey indicated that they would recommend taking part in the UK Pavilion to other exhibitors. This success has also served to fuel the UK security market’s appetite for doing business in Europe, with all respondents to the survey intending to return to the show when it returns in 2014. For more information on the export council, visit www.bsia.co.uk/export-council
