Intersec Saudi Arabia moved to March 2021
In view of the worldwide situation caused by the Corona pandemic, and the prohibitions on events and travel restrictions associated with it, Messe Frankfurt Middle East has decided, jointly with its partners – ACE Group – AlHarithy Company to move the 4th edition of Intersec Saudi Arabia from 1-3 September, 2020 and it will now be held from 15 – 17 March 2021, at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Centre. The new dates also apply to the conferences that are held alongside Intersec Saudi Arabia.
This decision to organize the show in March 2021 has also been taken after the Saudi government authorities’ announcement that the organization of exhibition and conferences can start from 15 September, 2020 and international in-bound and out-bound flights will resume from 1st August, 2020.
The three-day event is organised by Saudi-based ACE Group under licence from Dubai-headquartered Messe Frankfurt Middle East. The new dates come after extensive feedback and consultation with the venue, exhibitors, visitors, trade partners and associations, as the Saudi government continues to contain the spread of Covid-19.
In its 4th edition, Intersec Saudi Arabia was initially postponed to run in September 2020, however Show Director Alexandria Robinson said the move to 2021 was widely supported by stakeholders: “Plans are underway to deliver a sold-out event once again next year with more than 120 exhibitors from 20 countries participating. As is customary, we’ll deliver a wide range of value-added conferences and workshops covering pertinent security, safety, and fire protection topics.”
“Intersec Saudi Arabia is an important and growing show, designed to reflect Saudi’s security, safety, and fire protection industries, and one where international solution providers look to make inroads in a bustling market,” added Ms. Robinson.
Intersec Saudi Arabia is supported by the Ministry of Interior (MoI), the Saudi Civil Defense, and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO). It covers the six key product sections of commercial security, information security, perimeter & physical security, homeland security & policing, fire & rescue, and safety & health.
Saudi is the Middle East’s largest commercial security, fire protection and safety market, and is estimated to be worth US$9.6 billion in 2020 according to analysts 6Wresearch.
Homeland security and policing will hold the lion’s share of spend this year, at US$5.4 billion. This is followed by information security (US$2.8 billion), commercial security (US$892 million), fire safety (US$309 million), and physical and perimeter protection (US$227 million).
The organizers have been monitoring the situation in Saudi Arabia and this decision is not one they have taken lightly nor without full possession of the facts as best they understand them. Given the recent precautionary measures put in place by the Government, they believe it is best for the Safety, Security and Fire players, with whom they are proudly connected and have served since 2016. Whilst travel restrictions to KSA left them few options to move the event at this time, ACE Group & Messe Frankfurt ME’s first priority is also to ensure the health and well-being of our exhibitors and visitors and they understand how challenging planning ahead can be in such uncertain times.
Intersec Saudi Arabia is an important and growing show, designed to reflect Saudi Arabia’s security, safety, and fire protection industries, and one where international solution providers look to make inroads in a bustling market. The event has significant support from key government entities including the Saudi Civil Defense, and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), together with the industry at large.
This year’s event was sold out with 120 exhibitors from 20 countries and visitor registrations tracking 18% ahead of last year. And whilst it is disappointing that they have had to move the event, the new date will give all the more time to be in a good position to start rebuilding business contacts and supply chain.