London, UK

This is the clear message being shown by record exhibitor and delegate interest in the forthcoming Counter Terror Expo 2009 (CTX09), which is to be held at the prestigious QE11 Centre in London from 10-11 February next year.

In fact CTX09 is being held against the backdrop of a continued heightened state of alert in many countries around the world for the probability of an imminent terrorist attack. Such is the level of concern globally, that over seventy-five of the world's leading counter terrorism experts will gather at CTX09 to debate the current nature of the threat, examine trends, indentify potential threat trajectories and help to identify possible solutions to counter any renewed offensive by terrorist groups intent on causing maximum damage and harm.

"Events including September 11, Bali, Madrid, the London Underground and Bus bombing and the Glasgow Airport attacks serve as a reminder that the threat from terrorism is never far away," comments Peter Jones, event director for CTX09. "The twarted August 10 bomb plot and the failed London club-land attacks give us a moment of pause with the realisation that acts of terrorism can come from unknown and expected avenues."

That terrorist groups have an upper hand still appears clear despite political rhetoric to the contrary. One of the biggest threats still facing us is that from the unseen hand. Terrorist groups have become adept in striking when least expected and from entirely unexpected directions. Intelligence can only go so far in preventing terrorist attacks but is next to useless when the threat is unknown and so-called clean skins who have rarely if ever come under the watchful gaze of the appropriate authorities.

"The events of recent years have taught us much in respect to how terrorist groups work, but equally have confounded us with the nimble ease with which they change tack and direction in the blink of an eye. Those events have also caused us to question the counter measures and methodologies in place to interdict acts of terrorism," said Peter Jones.

"In the aftermath of both the September 11 attacks in the United States of America and the July 7 attacks in the United Kingdom, it was found that disparate parts of the law enforcement community possessed certain amounts of intelligence on some of the terrorists involved but for one reason or another neglected to share that information with counterparts elsewhere. Intelligence sharing is a vital prerequisite in countering terrorism and yet has been one of the biggest failures as we battle with the threats we face," adds Mr. Jones.

CTX09 features both a high-level conference programme in which experts will come together with other practitioners and solutions providers in the field of counter terrorism for two full days of informed debate, designed to facilitate an open exchange of views and drive forward concepts to counter the threat faced from international terrorism. CTX09 will also feature a range of specialist workshops designed to provide a forum through which delegates can explore the latest technological solutions available to combat the global terrorist threat. CTX09 also has a unique exhibition showcasing the very latest specialist security products and solutions that form a crucial part in countering that terrorist menace.

The multi-stream conference programme will cover the following and other themes:

• Border Control & Immigration
• Inter-Agency Co-operation & Information Sharing
• Counter Terrorism Policy
• International Co-Operation
• Transportation
• High Profile Events & Venues
• Infrastructure & Utilities
• Contingencies & Resilience

The specialist workshops are expected to focus upon:

• Intelligence & Information Sharing
• People Smuggling & Drug Trafficking
• Covert Surveillance Techniques
• Concealed Weapons Detection
• Liquid Explosive Detection
• Chemical & Biological Weapons
• Threat from Within
• Aviation Security

CTX09 organisers say the event has been structured such that the key interlocking issues faced by counter terrorism specialists will be given precedence, in an effort to drive forward meaningful strategies to outwit and outmaneuver those who may be planning further attacks.

"London has seen more than it's fair share of terrorist atrocities in recent times and it is right and proper that CTX09 be held here and in close proximity to the corridors of power in Whitehall. Moreover, London will host the world's greatest sporting event, the 2012 Olympic Games. A major theme within CTX09 will be the security of such large scale events and we hope that debate within this theme will inform and assist in ensuring the 2012 Olympic Games are the safest in the history of the Olympiad," concludes Peter Jones.

With space now at a premium, suppliers wishing to exhibit at CTX09 are being encouraged to contact the organisers without delay in order to avoid disappointment. Similarly, delegate numbers are understood to be climbing fast and those people with a professional interest in attending the event are being reminded of the need to book as early as possible.