Security Essen: Internationality increased again

950 exhibitors (2016: 1040) from 43 countries presented their products and services at the world's leading trade show. "The Security Essen has underlined its position as the trend-setting international trade fair for everything to do with security. We were able to welcome significantly more visitors from abroad - 125 nations, that is an impressive number," said Oliver P. Kuhrt, Managing Director of Messe Essen. According to the fair, they counted over 36,000 trade visitors (2016: over 40,000). The internationality is around 40% (2016: 32%).

Kuhrt also emphasized the high number of first-time exhibitors, which he put at over 200. This shows the importance of the event as an independent platform for the security industry.

76% Decision maker on site

The high investment readiness of the trade visitors is emphasized. 76% were decision-makers in their companies, a quarter would prepare their investments at the fair or directly conclude contracts. Because: The economic situation is still excellent. According to the figures, industry sales in Germany alone are estimated at around 17.2 billion euros - a two-year increase of 18%. 62% of the visitors rated the economic situation of the security industry as good to very good. More than 90% were very satisfied or satisfied with their visit to the fair and intend to recommend Security Essen to others, as the organizers report in their final communiqué.

Trend toward smart solutions

At the event in Essen, the influence of digitization once again became clear: access solutions are becoming smarter and rely on smartphones or biometric identifiers as keys. Artificial intelligence helps to evaluate video data faster and more accurately. In the smart home, apps show windows that are still open or help keep track of valuables. The all-embracing topic at numerous exhibitors and also in many presentations was the protection of the accruing data and the networked accesses.

Strong attention attracted the winners of the Security Innovation Awards on itself. Seven exhibitors were honored with this award for pioneering innovations. For example, the Swiss company UrbanAlps convinced the jury with "Stealth Key," a tamper-proof key from the 3D printer.

Premiere for new "Cyber Security" exhibition hall

For the first time, Security Essen was held in the modernized exhibition halls. On the subject side, the organizers launched a premiere in the new Hall 8, which was dedicated to the aspect of "Cyber Security and Economic Protection". Exhibitors such as the Federal Office for Information Security, various private companies, but also the freshly founded Federal Association for Critical Infrastructure Protection presented themselves here.

Those responsible for trade fairs in the Ruhr region are launching "The Security Event - powered by Security Essen" for the first time in Birmingham from April 9 to 11, 2019. This cooperation between the British trade fair organizer Western Business Exhibitions and Messe Essen offers the European security industry a comprehensive platform for doing business in the UK.

The next Security Essen will take place from September 22 - 25, 2020.