I’ve been racking up the air miles in the name of global security and the war on terror. As I write this blog, I’m in Brazil – the subject of my next blog – not knowing yet whether the rest of my week will be spent in Paris, Wolverhampton, Oman or some combination of the three.
It’s mainly driven by ‘show season’ and the rash of conferences and expos across the globe at this time of year. And the pace shows no sign of slowing as we move towards Christmas and into the New Year. But I suppose the threat of terrorism is felt just as keenly from east to west and in the northern or southern hemispheres.
We kicked off with a couple of ‘local affairs’ at a UK police show called Radius and the 10th-anniversary Transport Security Expo at London’s Olympia, the leading event for global heads of aviation, maritime, counter-piracy, public transport and supply chain security for the past 10 years.
We were there with our partners Hardstaff Barriers and Highway Care. We have developed some of our proven counter-terror perimeter protection used at London 2012 and this year’s party political conferences.
Next week we’re in Paris at the Porte de Versailles for Expoprotection, mainland Europe’s bi-annual show for risk prevention and management.
Zaun will be exhibiting its highest-security, permanently-installed fencing solutions and will major on ArmaWeave, HiSec, HiSec Super and DualGuard, among a comprehensive portfolio that includes every conceivable option for access control and a range of PAS 68 blockers and bollards.
I head to Saudi Arabia, and specifically the RICEC in Riyadh, for our first appearance at the Middle East’s security, fire and safety event, which the Saudi Ministry of the Interior endorsed. I hope to follow up discussions started in London, not just with the Saudis but also with Omani and Emirati representatives.
Then Christmas provides only a brief respite before we head back to Dubai for the 15th edition of Intersec, just one of an anticipated 1000 international exhibitors seeking to share their intelligence and know-how on security, safety and protection.
We found it brilliant at the start of this year and opened an office in Dubai on the strength of relationships made.
So there’s no rest for the wicked – and I clearly must have been evil. Not that I’m complaining, as I love experiencing different cultures and meeting people the world over – and global security is a fascinating business to work in.