Continental View

Some may be questioning the economics of trade shows these days, but apparently not Clarion Events in the UK. After announcing this spring that it would launch a new security trade show in London in 2010 focused on the critical infrastructure market, the events organizer announced today that it is buying Counter Terror Expo, an exhibition and conference devoted to homeland security, from Niche Events.

Counter Terror Expo, which was just launched this year, reportedly had over 4,000 visitors and just won the Association of Exhibition Organisers’ Excellence Award for best trade show launch at a ceremony a couple of weeks ago.

I was at Counter Terror Expo this year, and the show was well attended and the conference, for the most part, interesting. At first glance, it would seem like this show would duplicate a lot of what Clarion is planning for it’s new CNi Expo, but maybe that’s not the case.

According to Clarion, Counter Terror Expo will be more of a complement than competition to its security exhibition lineup, which also includes the Defense Systems and Equipment International (DSEi) show.

From the release:
Gordon Payne, Managing Director of Clarion Defence and Security said: “Nations today face increasingly diverse risks and threats to their security. The gap between long-established defence needs and emerging national security interests is closing, with greater crossover of technologies, systems and practises. Our defence and security portfolio enables us to meet the needs of these fast changing markets and the acquisition of Counter Terror Expo further strengthens our market leading position.”

No word on why Niche Events decided to sell an award-winning show, but it’s not cutting its ties with the event completely: Niche Events’ managing director Peter Jones, who was responsible for the launch of Counter Terror Expo, will continue to run the event.

You can find the full announcement on the Counter Terror Expo acquisition here.