Messe Frankfurt Middle East, organisers of Intersec, the event for safety, security and fire protection, and Light + Intelligent Building Middle East, the regional market leader within the light and building technology sector, has appointed Nathan Waugh as Portfolio Director, with a remit for driving growth across both events.
Waugh brings a wealth of experience, with a career spanning over 20 years in events and exhibitions in the UAE and the UK, most recently as Portfolio Director for Capital Events, part of the ADNEC Group, where he oversaw 12 exhibitions covering several industry verticals, including the security sector.
Following the success of the 2025 editions of Intersec, which welcomed a record 1,209 exhibitors as well as 47,300 visitors, and the co-located Light + Intelligent Building Middle East, which attracted a 10% increase in attendance to 15,948 visitors, Waugh’s appointment will be fundamental in driving continued growth for the flagship events, which have secured a position as the must-attend global showcase for the safety, security and fire protection industries and the lighting and building technology sectors.
Ted Bloom, CEO, Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “We are delighted to welcome Nathan to Messe Frankfurt Middle East as our new Portfolio Director. With over two decades of experience in the events and exhibitions industry, Nathan brings invaluable expertise and a deep understanding of the security, safety, and technology sectors.
“His proven track record in driving strategic growth and delivering world-class exhibitions will be instrumental as we continue to elevate Intersec and Light + Intelligent Building Middle East to new heights. Nathan’s leadership will be pivotal in strengthening our position as a global leader and shaping the future of these flagship events.”
Nathan Waugh, Portfolio Director: Security, Technology, and Production, said: “I am excited to have joined Messe Frankfurt Middle East to head up Intersec and Light + Intelligent Building Middle East. These events are both world-class platforms renowned for innovation, collaboration, and business growth, and the opportunity to lead the team to further build on these credentials is one I relish.
“I’ve been lucky to join a fantastic, passionate team, and I look forward to working alongside them to further grow and develop these events. My goal is to create new opportunities, drive industry progress, and deliver exceptionally curated experiences that cater to the needs of our exhibitors, visitors, and stakeholders.”
The 27th edition of Intersec takes place from 12-14 January 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, under the patronage of His Highness Mansoor Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, where it will provide a platform for leaders, policymakers, investment incubators, corporate partners and world-class start-ups to work towards a safer tomorrow. The 27th edition of the event will once again provide the strategy and solutions for those charged with maintaining national and international security, safety, and state-of-the-art fire protection.
The 2026 edition of the Light + Intelligent Building event will once again be co-located with Intersec, bringing together global innovators and government bodies, offering cutting-edge products, innovative solutions, and insights into the evolution of lighting and intelligent building technologies through various conferences and workshops.
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