The reviews are in, and ISC West was another hit. Brisk attendance and a comprehensive lineup of the industry’s top companies and products contributed to another successful show for Reed Exhibitions. Our Expert Panel Roundtable, who have attended many such events, added their own reflections to the industry’s post-ISC glow. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How successful was ISC West 2018 for security industry exhibitors and visitors?
Overall, the show was one of the best we've seen in the last few years with regards to foot traffic, meaningful conversations and valuable education sessions that have become synonymous with the Security Industry Association (SIA) brand. As a first-time exhibitor at the show, we were impressed with how many people stopped by to talk to us about our products following a panel discussion with security leaders at the University of Central Florida. It shows that attendees really are listening to the challenges today's organisations face and seeking out the resources needed to address these issues. Visitors were excited to see that manufacturers are starting to pay attention to cybersecurity concerns and incorporating new technologies like AI and machine learning.
ISC West 2018 was another huge success. Year after year, the number of attendees at the show continues to increase, and ISC West has become the major security industry trade show of the year. Despite the increase in attendees, manufacturers cannot set up their immensely expensive booths and then expect the crowds to magically find them in the sea of high flying signs and bright lights. The success of the show for a manufacturer is based on the leg work that happens before and after the event. Establishing meetings upfront and utilising all tools that ISC West provides exhibitors to communicate and display their brand allows manufacturers to drive traffic to the booth. Post-event follow-up also becomes a key to determining the success of any trade show. Spending the time and energy to connect with customers on the show floor only comes to fruition with methodical follow-up.
ISC West turned out to be a great show this year not only for our company but for the industry, demonstrating the strength of SIA programming and education, as well as the value of the expo for attendees. Throughout the three days, we were able to make connections with our partners and existing customers, while also starting important conversations about the needs of end users in today's threat landscape. Discussions about the latest trends in the industry, such as cloud-based access control and video management, were at the forefront of these conversations while also covering emerging trends in areas such as cybersecurity. Booth traffic was really strong, and feedback from our team was positive, showing that the investment we made to attend the show was worth it this year.
ISC West always proves to be an exciting show, but I can affirm that this year’s show was our best yet. With over 30,000 security professionals in attendance and the opportunity to participate in 85 different learning sessions, the event provided a great platform for us to share insights and best practices. From a keynote speech by the Department of Homeland Security to education programs on biometrics, we were surrounded by thought leadership in action. In the Johnson Controls booth, in addition to Tyco products, we also showcased a range of emerging technology solutions brought to us by our Tel Aviv-based Open Innovation team, from autonomous drones to software-based solutions that leverage machine learning to deliver enhanced cyber security. We also took the opportunity to host a number of education sessions around active shooter risk mitigation, false alarm reduction, and the benefits of integrated smart buildings.
This year's ISC West was an incredible conference for everyone involved. We were excited to see an increase in attendance, making for a packed yet fulfilling three days. Engaging conversations were centered around the technologies that are driving the future of the security operations centre, such as facial recognition, artificial intelligence and mobile applications. The trends driving the market, including Big Data and analytics, were also displayed throughout the show floor, indicating the demand for video solutions that not only enhance security, but also increase intelligence. We were pleased to experience yet another successful ISC West and we truly appreciate all those who made it possible.
Overall, I think the show was a great one; especially as interest in the unmanned drones and robotics area created a lot of buzz for exhibitors in the area. For us, the volume of visitors to both our booth and the surrounding area demonstrated the impact that emerging technology has on the overall market, especially in the areas of artificial intelligence, advanced analytics and machine learning. On the education side, there certainly was a large interest in how robotics will impact the industry in the coming years and how the influence of AI is permeating the innovative tech coming out of some really cool companies that are making a real splash. We're excited to come back next year and continue to be a part of "what's new" in the industry.