As I write this, I’ve just returned from Birmingham, United Kingdom, having attended The Security Event at the NEC. TSE, as it’s known, came immediately on the heels of ISC West, creating that familiar traveler’s paradox many of you resonated with in my recent LinkedIn post — feeling simultaneously depleted yet energized, riding emotional highs and lows, frantically busy one moment and restlessly bored the next. But despite the jetlag and back-to-back show schedule, I wouldn't change it for the world.
More Than Just Another Trade Show
The Security Event, Europe’s leading commercial, enterprise and domestic security showcase, brings manufacturers, distributors, installers, integrators, consultants and end users across the U.K. and the European Union. But what truly sets it apart became crystal clear to me this year.
After my first visit in 2023, I sensed something distinctive about TSE but couldn’t quite articulate it. After experiencing it again with Hilary Gallagher (CMO and COO of The Access Control Collective), I can say with even more conviction that TSE is fundamentally a people and culture show that happens to showcase security products.
This distinction remains elusive to those who haven’t invested time at TSE, view all trade shows through a homogeneous lens, or believe a booth’s sole purpose is displaying products while waiting for potential clients to wander by. But this misses the point entirely.
The People-First Philosophy
TSE prioritizes people first, then companies, and finally technology. Those who embrace this people-centric, cultural dimension consistently walk away feeling it’s a resounding success year after year. Conversely, those fixated solely on product demonstrations while waiting for whale clients to enter their 10x10 booth inevitably leave frustrated.
The social fabric of TSE is unmistakable — drinks flow at 10 a.m., a DJ creates a party atmosphere as the event winds down, people pause for meaningful conversations rather than rush from booth to booth, and competitors connect when the day ends. These aren’t peripheral elements; they define TSE’s unique character.
The Access Control Collective's XForum Success
The Access Control Collective will continue attending as long as the Nineteen Group has us. Our XForum has hit its stride because everyone involved — organizers, workers, participants and attendees — has embraced its vision of meaningful conversations between people, not just explanations of products.
We hosted 27 presentations over the three days, with companies exploring cutting-edge topics in the industry. We’ve learned valuable lessons, but our approach fundamentally worked. The market wants thought leadership — to hear from leaders shaping today and tomorrow. Professional audio and recording of every presentation proved extremely valuable, and we’ll be rolling out all presentations online and through my LinkedIn.
Building Community Beyond the Show Floor
I’m profoundly grateful to be part of this community. This year, we inaugurated the first Night of Access in downtown Birmingham at The Botanist (special thanks to Acre security, SwiftConnect, RightCrowd and Wavelynx for sponsoring). Over 100 people attended, and we’ll definitely run it again in 2026, building on what we started.
The event will remain open to everyone who wishes to attend because that's precisely what this show embodies: people and community.
Challenges and Unique Characteristics
The show faced significant challenges being scheduled right after ISC West. This timing was especially taxing for those of us attending both events, and many executives were forced to choose between the two shows. The timing also coincided with the U.K.’s spring half-term, affecting overall turnout. Nevertheless, attendance remained solid, if not quite matching the packed, buzzing atmosphere of ISC West.
A distinctive feature of TSE is its commitment to uniform booth sizes, which gives every exhibiting company an equal voice without allowing any single entity to dominate visually. I sincerely hope this philosophy continues — it pushes companies to find creative ways to stand out beyond sheer booth size.
This is unmistakably an access control-focused show. While video surveillance and alarm companies maintain a presence, access control companies constitute most exhibitors. The show also features many large and small distributors, reflecting how products are traditionally marketed throughout Europe.
Looking Ahead
Great news for 2026: There will be no overlap with ISC West! While ISC West 2026 will occur March 23–27 at the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, The Security Event will run April 28–30 at the NEC Birmingham.
For those interested in more European security events, we’ll be back in Europe at the end of May for the Access Control Summit (ACS25), hosting 170 global executives from all parts of the industry in San Sebastián, Spain. With a mix of panel discussions, 1:1s and an “Exponential” theme, we’ll hear from all the top brands. Details are available at TACC.me/acs25, and all are welcome!
Why You Should Attend TSE
The formula for success at TSE is clear: Invest in the people, understand the market, embrace the culture and be genuinely social. Only then will you reap the rewards. This isn’t just another trade show — it’s a cultural experience that reflects the European security industry's collaborative spirit.
Suppose you’re looking for an event that values meaningful connection as much as technological innovation, where relationships are built over morning coffee and evening drinks, where competitors become colleagues, and where the emphasis is on people rather than products. In that case, TSE should be at the top of your list for 2026.
Interested in what trends were the same or different between ISC West and The Security Event? Not a problem. We share those with the Access Control Executive Brief Members in Brief 97. Check out TACC.me for more information on how to join and get yourself a copy.
