 ITEC 2010 attracts first time exhibitors – and returnees
This year’s ITEC conference and exhibition which will be staged at ExCeL London from 18-20 May will feature a broad mix of companies from the global training and simulation community. They include first time exhibitors and a number of companies returning after an absence of some years.
An influx of new blood and the return of key players to the event ensure the conference continues to provide topical coverage of the industry, focused on bringing exhibitors, delegates and visitors together in an environment that is not only collegial but also cutting edge in terms of technologies, projects and commercial innovation.
First time exhibitors are not limited to smaller companies using ITEC to emphasise their innovative approach to the market. Northrop Grumman Mission Systems Europe will be showcasing its training capabilities in air traffic management as well as other domains, building on recent contract awards in the Middle East and elsewhere.
Further down the supply chain, Szenaris GmbH will be exhibiting its distance learning and virtual reality solutions for the first time in its own right, since emerging from the training and simulation division of Ray Sono AG (a long time supporter of ITEC) in 2009. Turkey’s Havelsan will be exhibiting for the first time, taking the opportunity to profile its wide range of flight simulators and weapons systems trainers, including electronic warfare training.
An equally visible sign of continuing support for the conference is the number of companies returning to active participation in the event after an absence of some years. Industry giant Thales is actively involved in ITEC 2010, as is Rheinmetall, both companies having been absent from recent ITECs. Meggitt Training Systems also makes a return to ITEC this year.
 Motivation for returnees is not limited to signs of economic growth emerging in the industry. Some companies will be highlighting significant contract events and progress since their last appearance at the conference. Metrix UK, the UK Ministry of Defence’s preferred partner for the massive Defence Training Rationalisation Package 1 (DTR) contract, which aims to recast technical training for the entire British armed forces, will be at ExCeL in May for its first ITEC presence since 2007. “With two contracts secured that address both training and property development aspects of DTR and with financial close for the contract now so close, we are very pleased to be able to return to ITEC and the opportunities it represents,” said Christopher Moseley, spokesman for the company.
Of course the defence training sector has not been immune to the global economic downturn. However, according to ITEC Show Director Nina Bushell, ITEC has weathered the storm well and this year’s conference will prove the continuing viability of Europe’s premier event for the training and simulation community. “The brand has held up very well over the last twenty years and people have remained loyal to the event. Although not many shows are immune from external effects, we have an increase in the number of exhibitors this year– including several first time attendees – and we anticipate an increase in traffic on the floor as well,” she said.
With new and returning exhibitors reinforcing the presence of the ‘usual suspects,’ ITEC 2010 appears set for another record year, at a point at which the future for the training and simulation community seems to be particularly robust.
ITEC 2010, ExCeL, London, UK
www.itec.co.uk |
