Messe Frankfurt further expands portfolio in Africa

Having acquired a South African subsidiary with several events in the middle of this year, Messe Frankfurt is continuing to expand its portfolio in Africa. Trade & Fairs Consulting GmbH, planetfair GmbH + Co. KG, organisers of the only security trade fair in East Africa, and Messe Frankfurt are to come together to form a strategic partnership. As of 2015, the trade fair will be operating under the name "SecProTec EAST AFRICA powered by Intersec" for the first time. The event will be held between 9 and 11 July 2015 at the Kenyatta International Conference Center (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya.

Messe Frankfurt has been active in Africa since 1954 and the Group is now represented by its sales partners all over the continent. Uwe Behm, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt, explained: "The African continent has ample economic power and therefore has significant potential for international trade fairs. The cooperation with Trade & Fairs and planetfair demonstrates our firm belief that the future offers a wealth of opportunities for the African continent. We are pleased to be joining forces with such successful companies who are ideally acquainted with the local market conditions."

Skander Negasi, CEO of Trade & Fairs: "I welcome wholeheartedly the cooperation between Trade & Fairs, planetfair and Messe Frankfurt. It is coming at the right time given that security is a toppriority issue at all governmental levels in East Africa. "SecProTec EAST AFRICA powered by Intersec" offers manufacturers in the security sector direct access to East African markets and allows exhibitors and visitors alike to expand their business activities. By working together with Messe Frankfurt, we will be able to strengthen the international position of the trade fair in the long term and to assume a unique position in the East African security sector. We are very pleased to have an expert partner like Messe Frankfurt at our side with extensive experience organising security trade fairs."

Ingo Klöver, Managing Director of planetfair, is delighted at the future prospects offered by "SecProTec East Africa powered by Intersec": "Over the past two years, we have established SecProTec East Africa as the most important security trade fair in the East African market. Through the new cooperation with Intersec, Messe Frankfurt's internationally known brand, the eyes of key sector players will now be directed even more towards the growth market that is East Africa. This will also give rise to new prospects for rapid growth in the areas of PR, worldwide sales network and marketing."

In 2013 and 2014, the former SecProTec EAST AFRICA featured a total of 80 exhibiting companies from fifteen countries in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa showcasing their products and technical solutions. As well as viewing the products on display, 2,100 trade visitors from East and Central Africa took advantage of the comprehensive congress programme. At the trade fair are market segments represented such as fire protection and rescue services, building-related security technology, IT security and disaster management.

Messe Frankfurt is one of the world's leading organisers of security trade fairs, with a portfolio of 13 trade fairs and congresses in total. Ruth Lorenz, Vice President Technology and Production at Messe Frankfurt: "Our events offer ideal ways to access the world's most dynamic markets. With SecProTec EAST AFRICA powered by Intersec, we will offer - together with our partners - a strong and forward-looking platform for East and Central Africa. Our international sales network and years of experience organising successful security trade fairs create an excellent basis for further developing the event."

Security trade fairs and congresses are held in Germany, Asia, the Middle East, South America, Russia and East Africa. Intersec Dubai is the flagship event in this Portfolio.