UK Pavilions promoting the ‘Great Britain’ brand at Intersec
Following a successful show at IFSEC South East Asia and with Intersec Dubai fast approaching, Matthew Grimley of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) discusses the benefits of exhibiting as part of a UK Pavilion.
In a recent report, UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) revealed an increase in foreign direct investment to the UK – from 1,559 projects in 2012/13 to 1,773 projects in 2013/14. Britain now stands first in Europe and second in the world (following the USA) in terms of its ability to attract investment from overseas. These figures provide indisputable evidence that the demand for British-made products and services is definitely on the rise. For businesses operating in the UK’s security sector, export provided a welcome boost throughout the economic downturn and looks set to provide further growth as economic prosperity returns to the UK.
Government figures also suggest that the UK security sector currently accounts for around 4% of the global security market, which was worth £410 billion in 2012 and is forecast to rise to around £571 billion in 2016. The UK’s own share of this market is still relatively small, and both the industry and Government are now seeking to grow its international presence in the coming years.
Therefore, raising awareness in overseas markets of the quality of UK security products and services is a key function of the BSIA, whose members make up approximately 70 percent of the UK’s security industry. In fact, the BSIA has demonstrated its commitment to promoting the British brand by lobbying the Government to increase export funding as part of its manifesto for engagement with the new Government.
One of the services currently offered by the BSIA is the organisation of UK Pavilions at overseas events. Here, UK security exporters promote their products and services alongside each other at a reduced cost, enabling them to share expertise while receiving support and guidance from the BSIA.
More recently, the BSIA has achieved UKTI Approved Trade Organisation (ATO) status which means that the Association is now responsible for liaising with UKTI and organisations to identify the correct international exhibitions which UKTI, through the ATO, should support. These exhibitions will form part of the UKTI’s Tradeshow Access Programme (TAP) calendar of events. The BSIA has taken the lead in taking UK companies to overseas shows for over 20 years, and will continue to do so as the ATO for the security sector.
From the 2nd – 4th September, the BSIA took 14 UK companies (10 security and 4 fire) to IFSEC South East Asia, held in Kuala Lumpur, as part of the UK Pavilion. Exhibiting at an international trade show as part of the UK pavilion has benefits for both experienced and new exhibitors; companies exhibiting as part of the UK Pavilion enjoy a wide range of support throughout the show.
Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, the UK Pavilion is often the focal point for end users looking to source quality products and services, for which the British brand is globally renowned. The BSIA works with the show organisers to promote the pavilion and the companies exhibiting within it, ensuring that visitors to the show are aware of the range of UK companies present.
The UK Pavilion is also a great opportunity for exhibitors to build connections with fellow exhibitors, experts and representatives in the security and fire industry, enhancing their international reputation.
In addition, the Association also helps companies to exhibit overseas by helping them to access the UKTI’s TAP funding programme, which can offset an exhibitor’s costs by up to £2,500. Logistically, the BSIA appoints a freight forwarder to assist companies with the shipment of their goods; and on site, the BSIA oversees the construction of stands, deals with technical problems and provides a BSIA representative to support exhibitors throughout the show.
Peter Jarvis, Senior Executive VP of Storm Interface comments:
“As a new exhibitor, being part of the UK Pavilion was a very positive experience. With the logistics of stand construction and provision of services being largely handled by the BSIA, we were able to concentrate on the promotional and sales activities required to make our trade show presence as productive as it could be.”
This view is shared by experienced exhibitors such as TDSi, as Managing Director John Davies explains:
“Being an experienced exporter, TDSi still chooses to be part of the UK Pavilion at the international exhibitions we attend. Being co-located with fellow UK companies ensures those buyers who are sourcing quality UK products can easily find us. The knowledge and experience we gain from being part of the Pavilion, especially in shows we have not attended before provides us with the opportunity to tailor our show offering for the market we are targeting.”
John concludes:
“The BSIA liaises with local contractors to ensure that the TDSi stand, within the UK Pavilion, is built and our products are on site when we arrive at the show.”
As Intersec 2016 fast approaches, now is the time for companies wanting to exhibit as part of the UK Pavilion to book their stand. Taking place in Dubai between 17th-19th January, Intersec remains a key fixture on the Association’s calendar of must-attend events.
Daren Wood, Membership and Export Services Manager at the BSIA comments:
“This will be the 18th year that the BSIA has attended Intersec and each year continues to improve on the last. Feedback from 2015’s event showed that 75% of respondents who took part in our post event survey believed that visitor numbers to their stand had grown year-on-year. Furthermore, 75% of them also expected to obtain more orders as a direct result of exhibiting at Intersec and all of the respondents confirmed that they were planning to attend 2016’s event.”
Companies wishing to exhibit as part of the UK Pavilion can book stand space via Daren, by emailing d.wood@bsia.co.uk or calling 0845 389 3889
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