This issue of Gulf Fire is published to coincide with the 22nd edition of Intersec in Dubai being staged on 19 to 21 January 2020, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Gulf Fire is proud to be the Intersec Show’s premier media fire and rescue magazine partner.
Intersec’s staggering growth and influence year-on-year of this global showcase event is truly remarkable, and it is interesting to recall its origins. Intersec began life in Dubai over two decades ago as a very modest conference along with a table-top exhibition involving just a few companies, and it has come a very long way to become the world’s leading security, fire protection and safety trade gathering.
A look back at the statistics at the 2019 edition of Intersec readily show just what a huge and important event it has become. The three days of the 2019 Show set a new record in visitor numbers in what was the most successful annual Intersec edition yet. The event attracted 34,854 visitors from 135 countries, a 20 per cent year-on-year increase over the previous year (29,000 in 2018).
With 1,202 exhibitors drawn from 54 countries, six show sections, 15 country pavilions, live outdoor demonstrations, a drone zone, and the new Future Security Summit, Intersec 2019 was at its very best, with new business partnerships sharing the stage with innovative product launches.
Across the Intersec Halls, Security, Fire & Rescue, Policing, and Safety & Health products and innovations came together. For major brand manufacturers, newcomers, local or international, Intersec, with its unique product diversity, is one of the most important annual industry meeting points and a source of technologies for wholesale and retail trade as well as for corporate buyers and governments.
Another strong feature of Intersec’s growth has been the conference programme that has provided a learning and awareness aspect of some of the latest global topics and developments, adding to the event’s significant opportunities for business networking.
In the Intersec 2020 fire sector, amongst unrivalled opportunities for networking will include current topics to be discussed and considered. Amongst these will undoubtedly include the problems encountered internationally with aluminium composite panels (ACP’s) on the external faces of a number of high rise towers, and their contribution to rapid upward and downward fire spread. Apart from new technology in fire safety and protection, other topical issues will, no doubt, include firefighting strategies in tall towers, and the growth of non-fire technical rescue work, including hazmat operations, urban search and rescue (USAR) and rope rescue.
Organised by Messe Frankfurt Middle East GnmbH, Intersec 2020 will occupy a sprawling 60,000 sq. metres at its Dubai venue. In 2019, the Fire and Rescue section significantly forming the largest section, comprising a record 431 international exhibitors, the Intersec 2020 may well see this total exceeded.
Andreas Rex, Intersec’s Show Director has said: “We have put in a lot of effort into making Intersec the most comprehensive in terms of increasing the diversity of our exhibitor range and offering a more engaging conference format, while at the same time returning with improved popular highlights such as the outdoor live demonstration area.”
The Messe Frankfurt Middle East Intersec team are to be commended for building the event to its current international status and importance, and Gulf Fire looks forward to making a contribution to the continuing growth and success of Intersec Dubai.
The resurgent construction sector in Gulf States and its increased infrastructure spending, along with the updated regulations and safety standards have paved the way for a steep growth and demand across the fire detection, prevention and protection industry.
Recent industry reports indicate that in 2019 the fire safety systems market across the GCC region alone has been valued at US$ 1.9 billion, and this is predicted to grow to around US$ 3.0 billion by 2024.
With an eye of the economics of the spend on fire safety and protection, as well as the provision of front-line firefighting and rescue, another large forthcoming global gathering in the Gulf now coming closer is World EXPO 2020. This will be held in Dubai between 20 October 2020 and 10 April 2021 at a site that will cover a total of 438 hectares located in Dubai South district, near the Al Maktoum International Airport.
This is the very first time that World EXPO has been awarded to a Middle East country. EXPO 2020 Dubai is being organised under the theme ‘Connecting Minds and Creating the Future’. It is estimated that over the six months of the show, the EXPO 2020 Dubai could see a staggering attendance of some 25 million visitors to what will be a global shop window of innovation and technology.
At this huge worldwide gathering over six months, when many professions will make their way to Dubai, the latest Fire Protection and Safety measures, together with Firefighting Technology, Strategies and Tactics will be featured. Advance information will appear in the next edition of Gulf Fire, and further details can be found at www.expo2020dubai.ae/
Gulf Fire was launched at Intersec 2016 and has rapidly grown to become the premier voice of fire safety & protection, and firefighting and rescue across the region.
This record-breaking 160 page Gulf Fire Intersec edition will be distributed to exhibitors, delegates and visitors alike. The MDM Publishing Gulf Fire team look forward to meeting you during Intersec 2020. Do come and visit us on our stand.
About the Author
Neil Wallington is a former British Chief Fire Officer, a Past International President of the Institution of Fire Engineers, and a holder of the Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct. He is the author of 17 books on the work of the fire service, and acts as a consultant with extensive experience in the Gulf on a range of projects.
