If your business has anything to do with security and you were not at the just concluded Transport Security Expo 2011 you are not likely going to forgive yourself after you have read this editorial. Hang on a minute! And not to worry, the expanded programme being planned by the organisers for the 2012 edition offers yet another golden opportunity, or should we say ‘apple opportunity’? if so love apple. But miss the next one, hate yourself forever!
Transport Security Expo, the world beating annual gathering of professionals from within the transportation sector, has once again seen record attendance by delegates and exhibitors from across the globe.
Held against a backdrop of ongoing tension on the world stage, an industry wide threat level that remains high and fundamental policy changes under consultation, Transport Security Expo welcomed well over two-thousand delegates to the Olympia Exhibition & Conference Centre.
“The continued high level of attendance at this vitally important event emphasises that, in this 10th anniversary year since the attacks on New York and Washington DC, the threat faced in the transportation sector continues to evolve and expand,” said Peter Jones, Chief Executive, Niche Events.
Over the course of the two-day event, delegates attending dedicated conferences on aviation, maritime and road freight security, immersed themselves in the issues faced in each sector. The conference programme was enhanced by a solutions led sequence of mission critical technology workshops. Delegates and visitors also had the opportunity to assess the latest hardware from many of the world’s leading providers in the supporting exhibition.
Discussion in the joint International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and North Atlantic Treaty & North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) conference, emphasised that piracy on the high seas remains an intractable problem, with panel debate focused on armed self help as the first line of defence.
With the United Kingdom government having recently signalled a shift from prescribed security measures to a risk-based outcome-focused approach to securing the aviation system, debate within the annual Aviation Security Conference was dominated with questions about the impact of this policy shift on airports and airlines alike.
Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA), the multinational agency with a sharp focus on mitigating supply chain losses, held its regional conference in association with Transport Security.
Theft of in motion high value products within the European supply chain is said to be in excess of €8.2 billion annually. That figure is increasing year on year. TAPA focused attention on intelligence, auditing and insurance issues and delivered key insight into issues within the UK operational theatre in association with Truckpol.
Seventy world leading exhibitors demonstrated the very latest hardware and software solution, with many reporting strong product interest and high quality sales leads.
“Transport Security Expo continues to go from strength to strength thanks to strong industry sector support for this dedicated annual event. We are indebted to our sponsors, exhibitors, speakers and media partners, who continue to make Transport Security Expo the world-leading event that it has become. In marking our tenth year hosting this extremely important conference and exhibition, we look forward to seeing everyone next year for an even bigger and better Transport Security Expo,” concluded Mr. Jones.
