GLOBAL MSC SECURITY SEMINAR - 9th MARCH 2010
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We were delighted to host the first Global MSC Security Spring Seminar and Exhibition in Bristol in conjunction with Safer South Gloucestershire and Safer Bristol. The event took place on 9th March 2010 at the Bristol Royal Marriott Hotel on the subject of "Putting The National CCTV Strategy Into Practice" The event attracted nearly 50 manufacturing and integration exhibitors and well over 100 end-users to listen to informative and lively presentations and to view the latest developments in CCTV and security products. Speakers at the event were:

Assistant Chief Constable John Long opened the seminar and talked briefly on the benefits of CCTV for crime reduction. Andy Rennison was unable to attend in person but a gave a presentation by video on what his role as CCTV Regulator is to involve. Additionally, Alan Pratt from the Home Office talked about how the National CCTV Oversight Body will be implementing the recommendations made by the National CCTV Strategy. Geoff Teale and Garry Parkins of the NPIA were also on hand to give updates on the Strategy and answer questions raised by the audience.

Dr Peter Fussey of the University of East London gave a stimulating presentation into the ethical debate on CCTV and discussed the pros and cons of surveillance whilst Bill Oddy of West Oxfordshire District Council talked about reducing expenditure and generating income during a recession. John Hirst of West Country Crimestoppers gave an insight into how the charity is contributing to crime prevention and reduction.

In the afternoon short presentations were given by parties in the Bristol area who are working together as recommeded by the Strategy. Gordon McLanaghan of the Bristol Emergency Control Centre opened the session talking about how his control centres works and was followed by Rod Briggs of Safer South Gloucesterhire who's images are monitored by the Control Centre. John Laite of BCC Traffic Centre then talked about how the cameras in Bristol share images between traffic management and public space monitoring. Jerry Woods of Bristol Unversity talked about how they are planning on sharing images and infrastructure with Bristol City Council and DS Sim Cryer of Avon & Somerset Constabulary rounded up the session discussing how the police have used images to convict terrorists and other serious criminal offenders.  

Details of exhibitors who participated in this event are below (click on their name to access their website):

During the day there was the opportunity for delegates to enter a draw to win an iPod nano which was donated by Sicura Systems. Samantha Sutton of Bristol City Council won the prize.

On the evening of 8th March 2010 there was a private networking dinner to allow delegates to meet with exhibitors in a relaxed atmosphere. Throughout the evening there were fundraising events to raise funds for the very worthy charities, Help for Heroes and Crimestoppers. There were fabulous prizes including signed shirts from Bristol Rovers FC (won by Amy Kedward of Bristol City Council) and Bristol City FC (won by Ted Buffery of Select Electrics), a signed football from Bristol Rovers FC (won by Malcolm Glenn of Thames Valley Police), a camcorder from COE (won by Geoff Teale of the NPIA) , a digital camera from Samsung (won by Rod Briggs of South Glos Council) and dinner bed and breakfast for two at the Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel (won by John Curtin of Blaenau Gwent Council) donated by Marriott Hotels. A total of £1325 was raised for Help for Heroes and £150 was raised for Crimestoppers.

The wine at this dinner was kindly sponsored by:

   
In addition to the Seminar on 9th March 2010, during the day on 8th March, there was opportunity to visit the Bristol City Council's Emergency Control Room and meet with Gordon McLanaghan and his team to see how the National CCTV Strategy is being put into practice by working with other Councils and organisations. There was also an opportunity to visit the Bristol City Council Traffic Management Control Centre and meet with John Laite and his team who are managing the flow of Traffic in and around Bristol. There were over 50 visitors to the Control Rooms during the day who found the experience extremely worthwhile.

SAFE NEWCASTLE & GLOBAL MSC SECURITY SEMINAR
NEWCASTLE - 17th NOVEMBER 2009
We were delighted to host the third annual Safe Newcastle & Global MSC Security Seminar and Exhibition in conjunction with Government Office for the North East and The Security Institue on Tuesday 17th November 2009.The event took place at the Gosforth Park Marriott Hotel on the subject of "Risk Reward - Getting the Balance Right by Driving Efficiency" . The event attracted nearly 50 manufacturing and integration exhibitors and over 100 end-users to listen to informative and lively presentations and to view the latest developments in CCTV and security products. Speakers at the event were:

"if 'Carlsberg Made Conferences' it was that good" - Jack Regan - South Yorkshire Police
Dr Mike Carter, Director of Executive Education for the University of Exeter, opened the seminar with a thought provoking look at the impending Government budget cuts Local Authorities are likely to face and how forward planning can avoid drastic measures. 

Mick Harrison (of the NPIA) and David White (Gobal MSC Security) delivered a presentation on the importance of CCTV training for operatives. Jerry Woods (University of Bristol) delivered an insightful presentation on how security costs at the University had been reduced and efficiency had been increased through careful planning. John Broomfield (Nottingham City Council) talked about developments with staffing the Nottingham CCTV system, Helen Garbutt (of Your Homes Newcastle - YHN) gave a background into the need for YHN to renew their entire security system and Chief Superintendant John Buckley (Avon & Somerset Constabulary) talked about how the police use images.

In the afternoon, Garry Parkins (of the NPIA) delivered an update on developments with the CCTV Board followed by an open forum for delegates to ask questions which produced a lively debate. In addition, several manufacturers gave an insight into developments in technology and how their products can be used to to provide a rewarding CCTV system. You can download a press release about the event here

"Thanks for putting on yet again another excellent event. All here look forward to continuing our support for the seminars through 2010 and beyond" - Steve Hodges, Dallmeier
Exhibitors who participated in this event are below (click on their name to visit their website)

"Great event; brilliant for technical knowledge updates" - John McPartlan, National Policing Improvement Agency
During the day there was the opportunity to enter a draw to win an iPod nano which was kindly sponsored by Dallmeier. The winner was Jim Yule of Wi-Link Solutions

Prior to the Seminar, during the day on 16th November, one of our exhibitors, Zenitel UK,  hosted a go-karting event. Almost 40 people attended the event which was extremely good fun and wasn't hampered at all by the November weather. Zenitel presented awards for winners at the networking dinner which was hosted at the Gosforth Marriott on the evening of 16th November. Overall winner of the event was Gary Calvert of Wireless CCTV, second place was Jason Piggott of Dallmeier and third place was Steve Dobby of Bosch.

The networking dinner took place at the Gosforth Marriott on the evening of 16th November where over 130 end-users and exhibitors enjoyed a relaxed and fun filled evening. During the dinner, there was an opportunity to enter a raffle to win a camcorder players which had been donated by COE. The winner was Anne Boyd of Your Homes Newcastle. The money raised from the raffle (which came to a grand total of £650) was donated to the BBC Children In Need Appeal. In addition, Norbain donated an MP3 player which was the prize for a game of Heads and Tails. The winner was Jim Summers of Select Electrics and the money raised (which amounted to £200) was donated to the Help for Heroes charity. 

The wine at this dinner was kindly sponsored by:
   

GLOBAL MSC SECURITY SEMINAR       READING - 4th MARCH 2009

The Global MSC Security Spring Seminar was held in Reading on 4th March 2009 on the subject of "Thinking Ahead...Upgrade & Integration". The event (free to registered delegates) took place at the De Vere Wokefield Park Hotel in Reading. The event attracted 40 manufacturer and integrating exhibitors and approximately 90 end users. A full programme for the event can be downloaded here. Speakers at the event were:

"It was a well worth while event, I am pleased I attended" - Paul Barker, Chevron Corporation
DCI Mick Neville delivered a controversal speech on how the police are not making best use of recorded CCTV evidence which generated a great deal of debate with the audience.

Garry Parkins and Geoff Teale (of the NPIA) delivered an update on driving the National Strategy CCTV recommendations forward via the newly formed National CCTV Board.

Terry Bolton and Tony Holinrake of Wigan Council discussed how they spent their money wisely upgrading their CCTV Control Room. Ray Stead of Portsmouth City discussed the pitfalls to avoid when upgrading your Control Room and Robby Holgate of Stevenage Borough Council discussed generating an income when monitoring other Local Authority areas.

In addition, several manufacturers gave an insight into developments in technology and how their products can be used to assist in the upgrade and integration of CCTV systems.  
 "I found the whole experience whorth while and managed to pick up some interesting information from both speakers and trade stands. The whole day went well and a credit to the organisation" - Ray Stead, Portsmouth City Council         
Exhibitors who participated in this event are below (click on their name to visit their website)

During the day, delegates entered a draw to win a balloon flight for two which was kindly donated by BWS Security Systems. The flight was won by Mick Neville of the Metropolitan Polce.
Prior to the Seminar, during the day on 3rd March, PersideS hosted a golf day. A dozen golf fans turned up for bacon sandwiches followed by 18 holes of golf playing an individual Stableford golf tournament. PersideS then presented awards for winners at the networking dinner which was hosetd at Wokefield Park on the evening of 3rd March. Overall winner of the event was Mark Taylor of Telindus and runner up was Rhodri Briggs of Safer South Gloucestershire. The boobie prize went to MSC's very own Derek Maltby!

The networking dinner took place at Wokefield Park on the evening of 3rd March where over 90 end-users and exhibitors enjoyed a relaxed and fun filled evening. During the dinner, there was an opportunity to enter a raffle to win two MP3 players and a bottle of whiskey which had been donated by Norbain and Samsung Electronics. The money raised from the raffle (which came to a grand total of £250) was donated to the Eve Appeal. Unfortunately due to the weather BWS were unable to inflate their hot air balloon and offer tethered flights but on the morning of 4th March they were able to inflate the balloon at the entrance the exhibition to greet attendees.

The wine at this dinner was kindly sponsored by:

We were excited to host our second Seminar and Exhibition in conjunction with Safe Newcastle and Government Office for the North East in Newcastle on 25th November 2008. The event took place at the Gosforth Park Marriott on the subject of 'The National CCTV Strategy - Where Are We One Year On?' The event attracted nearly 50 manufacturing and integration exhibitors and over 130 end-users to listen to informative and lively presentations and to view the latest developments in CCTV and security products. A link to the BBC website regarding the event is here. Speakers at the event were:

"I'm always pleased to be involved in events of this nature, especially when they are ran as well as the Newcastle event. If I can be of help in the future just ask. Again can I compliment you and your team on delivering such an excellent conference. The feedback I received from delegates and speakers was positive about the conference, its set up and its content" - Chief Inspector Bob Ryan - Northumbria Police

Garry Parkins (Consultant to the NPIA and Co-author of the National CCTV Strategy) delivered a very insightful presentation on developments with the National Strategy and our event was the first to learn that the Home Office has established a  CCTV Project Board to enable systems to register and meet approval status. A press release regarding this announcement can be downloaded here.

Dr David Murakami Wood gave an extremely interesting presentation regarding his studies into the development of CCTV systems in Tokyo, Japan and its contrasts and similarities with the development of CCTV systems in the UK.

There was a great deal of debate surrounding presentations given by Chief Inspector Bob Ryan of Northumbria Police, Mike Withers of Salisbury District Council and Gordon McLanaghan of Bristol City Council which resulted in the late afternoon part of the Seminar being turned into an open forum for delegates to enter into a lively debate around the Strategy which proved to be very beneficial for all involved.

"Just wanted to re-iterate my thanks and appreciation for a well organised and informative couple of days. The event was fantastic and was a great advert for your organisation and its organisational skills and resources" - Craig Spence - Corby Borough Council

        

"Just a quick note to thank you for inviting me to Newcastle to your CCTV event, I found it really useful. I'm sure it didn't happen by accident and that there was a lot of hard work involved by all concerned, I just wanted to acknowledge your efforts!" - Colin Murphy - Birmingham City Council

Exhibitors who participated are below (click on the exhibitor's name to visit their website):

"Thank you for such an enjoyable conference. Particularly the 'spirited' debate!" - Mike Withers - Salisbury District Council 
During the day, delegates entered a draw to win an Apple iPod-touch which was kindly donated by Stryker Communications. The iPod was won by Jim Summers of Select Electrics.

Prior to the Seminar, during the day on 24th November, one of our exhibitors, PersideS, hosted a golf day. Despite the sleet, snow and rain, over a dozen die-hard golf fans turned up for bacon sandwiches followed by 18 holes of golf playing an individual Stableford golf tournament. PersideS then presented awards for winners at the networking dinner which was hosetd at the Gosforth Marriott on the evening of 24th November. Overall winner of the event was Colin Murphy of Birmingham City Council and runner up was Rhodri Briggs of Safer South Gloucestershire. Winners of 'longest drive' and 'nearest the pin' were Craig Spence of Corby Borough Council and Nick Kimber of Trapeze Networks. 
 
The networking dinner took place at the Gosforth Marriott on the evening of 24th November where over 130 end-users and exhibitors enjoyed a relaxed and fun filled evening. During the dinner, there was an opportunity to enter a raffle to win two MP3 players which had been donated by Samsung Electronics. Winners were Councillor Anita Lower of Newcastle City Council and Bill Austin of Trowbridge Town Council. The money raised from the raffle (which came to a grand total of £502) was donated to the BBC Children In Need Appeal.  

The wine at this dinner was kindly sponsored by: