For the BSIA, work on IFSEC preparations begins way ahead of the event itself. The IFSEC Security Industry Awards reward the best new technology and products that have been introduced to the security sector in the last year, and recognise the industry's leading projects and installations. Currently, the BSIA is working closely with IFSEC organisers, United Business Media (UBM), to coordinate the judging of the IFSEC Awards, and looks forward to welcoming the winners onto our stand for a photo shoot on the morning of Tuesday 15th May.

Meet the Buyers is also returning to IFSEC 2012 for the sixth consecutive year on Monday 14th May. Organised by the BSIA in partnership with the UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation (UKTI DSO), IFSEC organiser UBM and the International Trade Promotion Centre, Meet the Buyers is a popular ‘speed networking’ event, where brief ten-minute introductory meetings are arranged in advance, last year’s edition of the popular event confirmed its extraordinary success and welcomed security procurement specialists from countries including India, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Dubai and Nigeria.
Over the years, Meet The Buyers has achieved impressive results, introducing UK businesses to over 1,200 overseas buyers and resulting in almost £10 million worth of predicted sales.
Attending the event in 2011 for a second year running, Jumade Adejola, from Nigerian company Surveillant Fire Limited, explained the reasons why, as a foreign company, this event is so beneficial: “My organisation has been dealing with UK companies for a number of years now, but being able to attend and be associated with Meet the Buyers puts us ahead of our competitors, as it proves we are serious about forging lasting links with UK businesses. We have seen a significant boost in sales following the event, and our relationships with UK companies have never been better, as being able to meet people face to face always allows for greater networking success.”
In addition to coordinating Meet the Buyers, the BSIA will also host IFSEC’s International Visitors’ Lounge in Hall 4.
If you're exhibiting at IFSEC International 2012 and want to get involved in Meet the Buyers, contact the BSIA’s Export Services Executive, Caroline Strickley, by calling 0845 389 0742 or by email.
New to IFSEC this year is a brand new product area dedicated to those companies that provide lone worker services, which the BSIA’s Lone Worker Group is helping to coordinate. For those IFSEC delgates whose employees are required to work alone or without direct supervision, the lone worker pavilion will showcase the products and services offered by many BSIA members, whose products comply with relevant British and European standards including BS8484, which is a crucial feature to look for when sourcing lone worker devices. The Lone Worker Protection Product Area can be found in Hall 3A, and more information can be found online.
As well as supporting UBM with such IFSEC staples as Meet the Buyers, there is also a great deal of activity planned for the BSIA’s stand (Hall 4, C130).
While the BSIA’s membership is already diverse, representing a wide range of industry sectors and specialist areas, growth is a key aspect of the BSIA’s business plan for 2012, with the ultimate goal of achieving deeper penetration of the various sectors that we represent. IFSEC, of course, is an ideal opportunity for the BSIA to reach out to potential new members, and raise awareness of the many benefits of becoming part of the industry’s leading trade association.
With this in mind, the BSIA will be hosting a networking luncheon on its stand on Wednesday, 16th May, an informal event which is open to members and non-members. The luncheon will be an ideal place for non-members to meet both BSIA staff and existing members to find out more about the benefits of joining the BSIA. Further details will be released nearer the time, but anybody keen on attending can register their interest by contacting the BSIA’s Membership Manager, Daren Wood, on 07710 082645 or by email. Those interested in BSIA membership but unable to attend IFSEC this year can also register online to receive regular updates from the BSIA.
For existing members of the Association, the BSIA stand will be hosting a dedicated Members’ Lounge, providing an ideal place for members of the Association – whether visiting IFSEC as a delegate or exhibitor – to have a welcome break, catch up on emails, hold meetings, meet BSIA staff, or simply have a cup of coffee.

Finally, one of the BSIA’s newest sections of membership, the Training Providers Section, will be officially launching its Code of Ethics on the BSIA stand during IFSEC.

The Training Providers Section was originally established in 2011 in recognition of the fact that the continued success of our industry relies upon all of its personnel receiving consistent levels of high-quality training, but that is not necessarily always the case.

Trevor Elliott, Director of Manpower and Membership Services at the BSIA, added: "The Training Providers' Section is extremely ambitious in its objectives and is committed to working with fellow training providers, colleges, security companies, trade organisations and the Government to drive standards, increase professionalism and ultimately improve the standard of training offered in the security industry.

For more information on the BSIA’s activity at IFSEC International 2012, visit the Association’s dedicated IFSEC web page, at http://www.bsia.co.uk/bsia-and-ifsec