Some Things Different, Most The Same

With this year's IFSEC exposition in the books, there are many things similar to tradeshows in the United States. IFSEC, hosted in the United Kingdom, relies heavily on local traffic. But because the show is in Birmingham, there is more outside traffic.

The same goes for vendors who attend the tradeshow. Most are U.K.-based, but there are an increasing number of security providers and manufacturers from outside the United Kingdom, at the show.

The differences are subtle, and a little more quiet. Here's what I noticed.

At tradeshows in the United States, attendees don’t have to spend much time waiting for assistance at any given booth. Most companies fully staff their booths to ensure swift response. At IFSEC, you can look, touch and handle a product before a company representative will help.

I like both approaches. Being an American, I guess I'm used to the more aggressive approach, and I expect it. Another difference I noticed with IFSEC is that exhibitors don't actively seek time with media representatives. Prior to ISC West or ASIS, company media representatives are seeking an engagement with the press. Not so much at IFSEC.

That doesn't mean the tradeshow is ineffective. I'd say this is the world's largest security show, and by all indications, it appears very effective and well run.

Thanks to our advertisers and e-news sponsors listed here for investing in the good cause of promoting IFSEC. I enjoyed visiting with company officials at their booths and looking over products. I appreciate the opportunity to visit the United Kingdom and IFSEC -- it's part of the global reach we enjoy at Security Products magazine.

Up next is ASIS in Orlando starting September 19. This is always a great tradeshow, and I hope we will be bringing you something extra special from this show. More to come on that at a later date.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher of Security Today magazine.

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