Intersec Building Messe Frankfurt to launch Intersec Building at Light + Building 2020

On the international fair and exhibition scene, Messe Frankfurt is already a heavyweight in the field of building and safety and security technology with its worldwide network of events, which includes not only leading trade fairs such as Intersec in Dubai but also regional market leaders, for example, Secutech Taipei, Shanghai Intelligent Building Technology and IEE – International Elevator and Escalator Expo India. In Frankfurt, products from the safety and security technology segment have been part of the Light + Building show since its launch in 2000. This year parallel to Light + Building, visitors could attend Intersec Forum and the ‘Secure!’ special show. Messe Frankfurt now plans to take a further step on the occasion of Light + Building 2020 with the launch of Intersec Building. In future, the subject of ‘connected security’ will be positioned with several different focal points at its home venue in Frankfurt.

When Light + Building opens its doors in Frankfurt am Main from 8 to 13 March 2020, Intersec Building will be an integral part. Can you explain the background to your plans?
Wolfgang Marzin: Both Intersec Building and Intersec Forum are integral parts of Light + Building and both focus on connected security in the wide-ranging field of building-services technology. With Intersec Building, Light + Building is taking account of the growing demand for connected safety and security technology in buildings and smart cities, and thus acting as a driving force for interdisciplinary business models. Why? Because the interest in safety and security technology shown by Light + Building visitors has jumped by 53 percent since 2014. Today, intelligent systems represent an indispensable aspect of modern buildings – as does their protection. Monitoring, access control or data protection are equally essential for people’s trust in technical solutions. The number of trade visitors from outside Germany interested in connected security has almost doubled in comparison with the previous event with a leap of 85 percent.

What advantages does Intersec Building in Frankfurt offer exhibitors and visitors and how does this new product segment differ from other formats?
Wolfgang Marzin: Safety and security systems do not exist in a vacuum. They will be component parts of a well-planned and implemented infrastructure. Only Light + Building covers the entire spectrum of building-services technology, including home and building automation solutions, and, via the integral Intersec Building, also takes account of the demands on connected security. We see it as our job to offer target groups interdisciplinary added value and Intersec Building will be an easy-to-navigate platform on both the demand and supply sides. Thus, manufacturers can use the clear focus of Intersec Building to position safety and security product lines at the same time as using Light + Building as the platform for the broader field of building-services technology. Simultaneously, the demand side, for instance, planners, electricians and architects, benefits from clear orientation.

Which additional groups of visitors do you aim to reach with Intersec Building, in other words, visitors who were either not to be found at Light + Building or were only there in relatively small numbers?
Wolfgang Marzin: Our primary aim is to reach systems integrators and we do this by offering all relevant components in one place. However, the synergistic effects generated by the integration of this product segment into Light + Building benefit the other target groups, too. In 2018, the 220,000 trade visitors to Light + Building included over 40,000 artisans, 20,000 planners and 9,000 architects. All are visitors who decide on the use of products and have one objective in common: to implement connected buildings.

Which trade associations are you working with on Intersec Building?
Wolfgang Marzin: The German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (Zentralverband Elektrotechnik- und Elektronikindustrie e.V. – ZVEI) supports Intersec Building – especially through the provision of extensive expertise and this is invaluable when it comes to planning the programme of lectures. Moreover, because the ZVEI has been our cooperation partner together with the Central Association of the German Electrical and Information Technology Trades (Zentralverband der Deutschen Elektro- und Informationstechnischen Handwerke – ZVEH) since the première of Light + Building in Frankfurt, significant synergistic effects are also to be seen here in terms of connected safety and security.

Last March, Intersec Forum attracted over 650 participants. What is the relationship of this event to Intersec Building and will Intersec Forum be held again in 2019?
Wolfgang Marzin: Intersec Forum is the conference for connected safety and security technology. It promotes an exchange of ideas and information and is an expert discussion and lecture platform. With over 650 participants within the framework of Light + Building 2018, Intersec Forum was a great success. On 12 and 13 March 2019, the Forum will be held during ISH – The World’s Leading Trade Fair for Water, Energy and Air Conditioning Technology. While Intersec Forum is held annually, Intersec Building is exclusively part of Light + Building and with this product segment, we are meeting the rapidly growing demands of the sector. Intelligent systems are indispensable for modern buildings, especially when it comes to ensuring they hold their value. The same applies to protecting these systems.

What will be the main themes at next year’s Intersec Forum?
Wolfgang Marzin: During ISH, Intersec Forum 2019 will primarily focus on four thematic blocks: cyber security, platform and security protocols, safety and security in building planning and fire protection. In the case of fire protection, the emphasis will be on early detection and warning. We are currently working on the detailed conference programme. In future, the subject of safety and security will be covered in all its aspects and facets at events in Frankfurt am Main.