Beset by the coronavirus pandemic and Atlanta protests, ASIS has announced that the Atlanta 2020 conference is canceled, replaced by an online event.
The ASIS GSX show has struggled over the last number of years while the besieged ISC West 2020 show is still scheduled (for now) to be held just 2 weeks later.
Inside this note, we examine the impact on ASIS, the future of the GSX show and the rivalry between Reed's ISC West and ASIS's GSX shows.
I'm not going to physical shows this year. In my opinion ASIS is playing this smart. The ISC show may well fold again at the last minute with the resulting turmoil, but regardless I'm not interested in travelling. ASIS will have a solid plan for a virtual show that will go forward no matter what happens. I can register for GSX+ with a high level of confidence that they will deliver a decent program.
I'm thinking Reed is trying to figure out how to spin this in their favor "ISC West is, again, the first large security expo of the year! Come party in Vegas so you can meet everyone who doesn't have to travel to Atlanta now."
The FAQs that I have read, provide multiple options for exhibitors. The only time a full refund will be not be granted is if exhibitor cancelled before January 1st in which they will get their money back with exception of deposit. My opinion is that ASIS is doing the right thing by all.
Refunds from GSX are available and only if you paid with a credit card, it will cost you 3%. We were told by Reed however, that refunds for ISC West (if approved) will cost 20%!
Both ISC West and GSX have agreed that you may rollover 100% funds to their 2021 shows although, ISC West rates will increase in 2021 and GSX is going to give "bonus priority points".
"Companies who choose this option will receive bonus priority points towards GSX 2021 Space Allocation" (whatever that means)
The impression I get is that GSX seems to have taken the high road on this issue while ISC West still wants to hold everyone hostage.
Reed is really trying every option to just burn people on the idea of ISC West being a must-do show. I'm just waiting for them to change the 2021 dates to start the show on a Sunday to really kill it off.
Exhibitor bookings will transfer automatically to 2021 and we will be in contact with each and every customer and event partner to discuss this in person. Rest assured that prices will be frozen from 2020 and we will be reaching out to everyone by phone but if we can’t reach any individual for a few days, then by email.
IFSEC also commented on their recent digital initiatives:
We welcomed many thousands of industry colleagues during our Digital Week in May and we continue to develop our online platforms to offer additional ways of connecting with the wider industry. We will continue to work with our customers to help them connect with audiences online, using both our existing platforms and several new initiatives due to launch later this year.
That is a sharp attendance drop from the claimed many tens of thousands historically IFSEC says come to the physical show. However, having a few thousand people at an online show makes sense, even if IFSEC makes it free, as people have a lot more options online than a once a year physical event.
ASIS has always been the go to for the educational side of the event. ISC has seen the value in ASIS' offering education sessions and has tried to make this a draw for their own show. SIA even has added young professionals to their offerings. I don't think that ISC can survive as a virtual event and I also think that a live ISC event will fail miserably at attendance. ASIS is doing the right thing here and looks like they are planning it well. The cost to attend the GSX event has been prohibitive for many desiring to attend the educational sessions and this may very well keep attendance higher than many may be expecting.
The last couple of GSX events, I have not been able to walk the floor anyway due to presenting, attending educational sessions, and meetings with clients and potential clients. I hope that the virtual products displays and demos will be archived and available on-demand as this would allow me to actually see more products and demos than I have been able to in past years.
Interesting notes from an ASIS Q&A, ASIS emphasized the 'profound impact' from not having a live show:
Also, ASIS is selling its HQ building:
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Comments (18)
Michael Cain
I'm not going to physical shows this year. In my opinion ASIS is playing this smart. The ISC show may well fold again at the last minute with the resulting turmoil, but regardless I'm not interested in travelling. ASIS will have a solid plan for a virtual show that will go forward no matter what happens. I can register for GSX+ with a high level of confidence that they will deliver a decent program.
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Undisclosed #1
an online show featuring new products?
what a great ASIS idea!
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Clint Hays
I'm thinking Reed is trying to figure out how to spin this in their favor "ISC West is, again, the first large security expo of the year! Come party in Vegas so you can meet everyone who doesn't have to travel to Atlanta now."
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Undisclosed Integrator #2
The FAQs that I have read, provide multiple options for exhibitors. The only time a full refund will be not be granted is if exhibitor cancelled before January 1st in which they will get their money back with exception of deposit. My opinion is that ASIS is doing the right thing by all.
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Undisclosed Manufacturer #3
We better our money back on ISC West, if ASIS was brave enough to understand this is the right move then it's about time for ISC as well.
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Undisclosed Manufacturer #4
Refunds from GSX are available and only if you paid with a credit card, it will cost you 3%. We were told by Reed however, that refunds for ISC West (if approved) will cost 20%!
Both ISC West and GSX have agreed that you may rollover 100% funds to their 2021 shows although, ISC West rates will increase in 2021 and GSX is going to give "bonus priority points".
"Companies who choose this option will receive bonus priority points towards GSX 2021 Space Allocation" (whatever that means)
The impression I get is that GSX seems to have taken the high road on this issue while ISC West still wants to hold everyone hostage.
That's the perception and, perception is reality!
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Undisclosed #8
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John Honovich
IFSEC 2020 is now cancelled, or as they put it 'rescheduled' until 2021:
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Tim Sutton
ASIS has always been the go to for the educational side of the event. ISC has seen the value in ASIS' offering education sessions and has tried to make this a draw for their own show. SIA even has added young professionals to their offerings. I don't think that ISC can survive as a virtual event and I also think that a live ISC event will fail miserably at attendance. ASIS is doing the right thing here and looks like they are planning it well. The cost to attend the GSX event has been prohibitive for many desiring to attend the educational sessions and this may very well keep attendance higher than many may be expecting.
The last couple of GSX events, I have not been able to walk the floor anyway due to presenting, attending educational sessions, and meetings with clients and potential clients. I hope that the virtual products displays and demos will be archived and available on-demand as this would allow me to actually see more products and demos than I have been able to in past years.
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John Honovich
Interesting notes from an ASIS Q&A, ASIS emphasized the 'profound impact' from not having a live show:
Also, ASIS is selling its HQ building:
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