"To achieve visitor figures like this is truly reflective of the show's global appeal," explains James Blue, IFSEC event director. "IFSEC has a strong, dedicated team behind it who, together with pro-active exhibitors and a first class educational programme have been able to provide the industry with an event that really addresses the pertinent issues."

As well as providing visitors with a wide variety of the latest products and services to hit the market, IFSEC 2008 also presented a comprehensive conference programme for the first time. The IFSEC Conference 2008 tackled the issues of border security, transportation security, surveillance and protection, major incident management and response, within niche, focused sessions for key industry sectors. Delegates had the opportunity to learn first-hand from the best of the security profession including:

- Rageh Omaar, Former BBC Baghdad Correspondent
- Mark Whittle, National Security Manager,McDonald's - Rae Jiggins, Chief Inspector, British Transport Police
- John Scott, Head of Security, Post Office
- John McDermott, Head of Security, Central Criminal Court
- Terry Scallan, Governor, South African Institute of Security
- Gerald Toms, Stadium Manager, Millennium Stadium

IFSEC 2008 also included a number of brand new feature areas including "A Day in the Life of a Smartcard" and the IP Innovation Centre.

"A Day in the Life of a Smartcard", sponsored by HID Global, was a first for the UK security industry and gave a hands-on view of all elements of RFID and smartcard technology in action across a range of market sectors and applications.

Run by IP integration specialists Universal Security, in conjunction with the CNL IPSecurityCenter, the IP Innovation Centre offered "an adventure in IP" for installers and security managers alike. The area featured a specially commissioned installation of security systems to demonstrate how they can be networked via IP technology.

Feedback from the exhibitors at IFSEC 2008 clearly demonstrates the event's success:

"Companies from all over the world were interested in our innovative product, IPSecurityCenter, and we have a number of immediate prospects which we are following through. We were delighted to be invited to co-sponsor the IP Innovation Centre, which proved to be a tremendous success. The "adventure in IP" was extremely well received by a diverse audience. We believe that IFSEC will go from strength to strength and are delighted with the proposed format for next year. We have booked our space and look forward to a very successful IFSEC 2009." Beverly Mann, VP marketing, CNL.

"IFSEC is our main exhibition of the year and is a major part of our marketing strategy. As well as getting good results, we always feel well looked after when we come to IFSEC." Trish Bambury, marketing manager, Paxton Access.

"This is the most significant exhibition for Seagate's video surveillance effort in Europe. The traffic to our stand has been great and we have seen a really high calibre of visitor. As a result, we exceeded all of our targets for the event - IFSEC has really delivered this year." Robert Suu, business development EMEA, Seagate Technology.

The security industry celebrated its successes at the IFSEC Security Industry Awards on Monday 12 May at the National Motorcycle Museum. Acknowledging the people, products and technological advancements that have shaped the security industry over the past year, the annual Security Industry Awards are judged by a panel of industry experts.

British Security Industry Association chief executive, David Dickinson, comments: "Innovation is the very lifeblood of the security industry and this year's IFSEC award winners show that the future is bright for our industry. Individually, they demonstrate commitment to innovation and excellence and collectively, they show how vibrant and forward looking our industry is. All the winners are to be congratulated on their achievements and should be justly proud of the contribution they are making to our industry."

IFSEC 2009 will take place from 11-14 May 2009 at the NEC Birmingham, UK and already promises to be bigger and better than ever before.