Transport Security Expo 2014

With Government inititatives to share homegrown capabilities and skyrocketing interest around the world in security advances, leading annual Aviation, Maritime and Rail industry event Transport Security Expo (www.transec.com); which this year added modules in Major Events and Secure Transportation; is trailblazing with an exciting range of new features including making the event entirely free to delegates, with all conferences and their world-class speakers accessible to all, for the first time in its history.

The move was driven by increasing demand as well as synergies with Government efforts to promote expertise and technology on the widest possible level. Transport Security Expo has become the global hub for foreign countries looking to meet and learn best practice from each other in ensuring the safe movement of people and goods. Last year's event saw a delegation from Libya arrive with the aim of improving security at 13 of the country's airports; a Saudi team met UK rail security experts to discuss new rail projects in that country and Malaysia sent representatives to the event's Cyber Workshops to gain experience from UK cyber experts.

This year Australia's Transport Commissioner Paul Retter is flying to host the event's VIP Airport Programme and join 50 officials from the UK Department for Transport and 30 representatives from the British Transport Police, while a further 22 foreign countries are also in discussion to send delegations to the event.

The show works alongside the Home Office and the UKTI DSO to identify priority opportunity markets and ensure the right industry representatives from those nations are sent to learn the latest best practice.

Peter Jones, CEO of organisers Nineteen Events, explained: "As an organiser our job is not only bringing together delegates, visitors and exhibitors but also being a promoter and educator for the industry. We are working closer than ever with the Home Office and the UKTI to present Britain as the gold standard for transport security and the record number of senior international delegates looking to learn about and buy the latest products and services from around the globe has shown us that now is the time to open up our premium content to all visitors."

Jones added that making conferences sessions free was always a natural eventual progression for the event which continues to grow year on year - and with closer talks to Government and an elite Advisory Board boasting names such as ex-Security Minister Admiral Lord West and the Home Office Director for Security Industry Engagement Stephen Phipson, he believes the time had come to be bold and seize the moment this year.

"Britain is quickly becoming the go-to place to learn about not just security technologies and initiatives but their full integration across platforms; and in that spirit, with more global interest than ever before, it's clear the time has come to throw down the barriers - literally and figuratively! - and open our doors to offer 'access all areas' to unrivalled expertise." Jones said.

An expanded show this year includes new conferences for the latest areas where the UK has developed unparalleled understanding - major events transport security and secure transportation. They will also return with a record-breaking Hosted Buyer programme - a 'speed-dating' service joining key industry buyers with relevant exhibitors showcasing their wares, with buyers from a wide range of sectors such as Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse Border Force, Heathrow and Stanstead airports, Associated British Ports, the Home Office, Philip Morris and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime - to name a few.

Alongside the event's enhanced conference programme, foreign and domestic visitors will be able to access an enlarged show which now includes a Live Demonstration Theatre providing live real-time examples of security scenarios and solutions in action, and a Security Vehicle Zone showcasing the very latest in armoured vehicles for protection of VIPs, celebrities, high net-worth people and cash in transit.

Jones added: "Transport Security Expo is an organic show that has grown over a decade along with the demand and requirements of the industry we serve. This is a true breakthrough year and the right time to take a bold step forward with our ongoing strategy for the future." All delegates that have already paid for the conferences will have their money refunded and join all other attendees in seeing 70 of the world's best speakers for free.