“True innovation
happens at the
crossroads of the
expected and
unexpected”
heads of security but having something that's
interactive and where they can see security
brought to life in a real-life scenario we feel
is really engaging.”
Disaster response
2018 also saw the launch of the
International Disaster Response Expo, which
had 50 exhibitors and co-located with the
International Security Expo.
“We had DFID in the middle, which is the
Department for International Development,
they control £10.7bn of the £14.5bn foreign
aid budget,” says Jones. “We had the UN
supporting it, we had the British Red Cross
supporting it, and our exhibitors were
showing equipment and solutions to respond
major global disasters – man made or natural
disasters.”
Jones adds that he foresees the show
outgrowing its co-located sister event.
“It’s the first event of its kind and it's quite
ground-breaking event. I think for the future
that show has the potential to be bigger
than the Security Expo,” he explains. “If
we're looking at shelters and housing, search
and rescue equipment, plant equipment and
equipment for digging through rubble and
earthquakes etc., big equipment makes big
shows.”
The success of the two expos is not the
only exciting news for Nineteen Group. In
late 2018, the organiser also announced
significant investment from Phoenix Equity
Partners and the acquisition of Western
Business Events, which will be launching
The Security Event at the NEC on 9-11 April
2019.
And the story doesn’t stop there, as Jones
stated when the announcement was made:
“Phoenix’s investment and experience will
enable us to seize more opportunities like
this in the future, and to fulfil our ambitious
plans for growth.”EN
35
250+
international speakers,
13
free conferences,
350+
exhibitors,
1,000+
new products and launches
exhibitionnews.co.uk | January 2019