Following on the success of the Interactive Theatre at IFSEC 2011, SAIS was once again requested by UBM Montgomery to organise and host the event at IFSEC 2012.
Errol Peace, chairman of SAIS, said that the attendance at the Interactive Theatre-style talk sessions was excellent. “We found that with some of the talks it was ‘standing room only’. We once again had Dr Craig Donald enthralling the crowds and there was a great response to Francois Marais’ talk on identity theft and Steve Conradie’s presentation on the status of the industry, with specific emphasis on training.”
Peace said that the Interactive Theatre was supported by the Institute Hub – a designated area for smaller SAIS members to exhibit on compact stands. “This worked very well, with keen interest shown for the seven exhibitors as well as on the SAIS stand.”
Peace was encouraged by the fact that most people attending the show had come with a specific purpose in mind. “This was in contrast to some of the previous shows where we encountered brochure collectors. The show gave SAIS an opportunity to answer industry questions on training and a lot of interest was generated around the current débâcle centres on the legislation of training.”
Homeland security
The Homeland Security Show is an initiative of UMB Montgomery worldwide. Launched last year at IFSEC, this niche show-within-a-show focuses on the internal safety and security of a country. South Africa is the first country in Africa to host such an event and this has prompted the incorporation of a Homeland Security Show in Nigeria.
The IFSEC Homeland Security Show included an exhibition displaying products relevant to homeland security and the VIP-only conference was targeted primarily at government agencies. These include the SA National Defence Force, the SA Police Services, Correctional Services, SA Intelligence Services, SA Customs, SA Immigration, disaster management agencies, rail authorities, ACSA, Transnet, National Key Points, Metro Police Services and quasi government agencies.
Terry Scallan, ex senior officer in the SANDF and past chairman of SAIS was appointed as the principal consultant for UBM Montgomery on the show. “Homeland security became prominent after the attack on the Twin Towers in New York and on the US Pentagon on September 11 2001 and led to the establishment in the United States of the Homeland Security Department of the Federal Government,” he explained.
Scallan pointed out that homeland security and safety is in essence the internal security and safety of a country and its citizens and is focused on any disaster situation that may occur in a country.
Deputy Minister of Police Maggie Sotyu opened the event. She stressed the importance of homeland security and spoke about the role of government and the private sector in ensuring the safety and security of the country.
A number of international and local speakers presented papers. These included a representative from the US Immigration and Customs Department as well as an FBI representative. Tarique Ghaffur, Former Assistant Commissioner of the London Metropolitan Police, provided an overview of International Homeland Security and Disaster Management.
Representatives from Swaziland, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Lesotho and Mozambique, together with a large contingent from Nigeria, attended the event.
“We had a great turnout this year, with many visitors to the stands and approximately 90 delegates at the conference,” said Scallan.
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