Just an Idea

  • Sep 26, 2012

A couple ideas crossed my mind while taking a lunch break at Security Essen. The facility is so large that they have two press centers, but what I liked most about the press center is that they service a nice cup of chicken noodle soup to the journalists.

Yes, I like to eat but my favorite nourishment is chicken noodle soup. During the tradeshows in the United States it’s difficult to take time off the show floor while visiting with exhibitors and manufacturers, but if the media knew they could get a bowl of chicken noodle soup, maybe the media would be inclined to take a short break each day and sort through the generous amounts of press material.

I’m just thinking….

Another thought that popped into my brain is that of U.S. tradeshows. In my opinion, ISC West and Reed Exhibitions do the best job of producing the finest large-scale security tradeshow. It used to be one show was for dealers and integrators, while the other is for end users. That line has blurred somewhat over recent years.

ISC West is the premier show, and as I think about being at Security Essen in Germany, I wondered if tradeshows in the United States shouldn’t follow suit. Security Essen is a massive tradeshow but it’s held every two years. IFSEC, held in Birmingham, U.K. also is a large security tradeshow but it’s held every year.

The difference in the European shows is that IFSEC gathers a wider audience worldwide, and ESSEN is more focused on the Eastern European market. Each has its niche.

In my mind, the question comes: is there still room in the United States for two large-scale security tradeshows? I’d like to know your thoughts. Feel free to send me your response at [email protected].

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