BAPCO 2010 sees quality visitors and great business despite travel restrictions
Wednesday, 28 April, 2010
It could be said that the timing of BAPCO 2010 could not have been worse in terms of the travel restrictions placed on the UK as a result of the Icelandic volcanic eruption. However, BAPCO 2010 saw leading decision makers and influencers attend from all aspects of public safety communications including members of local and central government, the emergency services, fire authorities, MOD, British Army, Department of Health and the Police, to meet with suppliers and source new solutions.
Unsurprisingly, the majority of visitors were from the South East of England and London, but many delegates and exhibition visitors attended from the North of England and Scotland, with some dedicated international delegates making the journey from Europe to BAPCO by car!
The exhibition saw over 100 leading specialists showcase current and future communications and information management systems and engage in a flurry of business, order-writing and networking with visitors and delegates. Once again, the Opening Dinner at The Brewery on Tuesday 20th April provided delegates and suppliers with an excellent opportunity to make contact prior to the first day of the exhibition. Guest speaker Phil Packer's inspirational speech on his physical achievements in spite of his spinal cord injury met with a standing ovation and guest comedian Milton Jones kept the audience laughing with his many one-liners.
Nicola Savage from innovative communication solutions company Excelerate commented: "BAPCO is about quality and building relationships. It's always a great show for us. We matched last year's achievements in spite of the travel issues (volcanic ash!), and furthered key client relationships that really matter for our business."
Other exhibitors also confirmed their success at the event, Karen Lillywhite from Red Box Recorders proclaimed the event as their "most successful BAPCO ever!" and David White from Sungard gave his thanks to the organising team "Thank you again for another brilliantly executed and administered BAPCO".
The conference provided stimulating debate amongst delegates and speakers and saw the last minute addition of Colonel Bob Stewart, DSO, as a keynote speaker, who presented on 'Crisis Management and the media' and looked at how commanding emergency services professionals can deal with the media in emergency situations. Presentations from this year's conference programme are available to download from www.bapco.co.uk
Event Director Lucy McPhail commented "This is a unique event in that it brings together professionals from across all the emergency services and related agencies to see and test new technologies, and there is also a huge amount of business done between suppliers on the exhibition floor". The event also delivered an increase in the number of technology buyers and specifiers from across the civil contingency sector.
BAPCO 2011 Conference and Exhibition will take place 12th - 14nd April 2011 at the Business Design Centre, Islington, London.
