Feverish preparations are underway for the next edition of Expoprotection, one of the top three European trade shows for occupational risk management and risk prevention. The final figures of the previous edition, held in November 2016, seem to bode well for a new edition that will be both dynamic and successful. The exhibition complex of Porte de Versailles, in Paris, in fact, attracted 25,000 professional visitors and a record number of exhibitors: 754, up 9.17% on 2014, and no fewer than 305 newcomers, in an exhibition area of 42,000 square metres. The very origins of the exhibitors themselves, with almost 40% arriving from abroad, accounts for the strongly international scope of the event, with particular emphasis on those companies coming from Germany, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Belgium, and Poland.

The 2018 edition of Expoprotection will once again be focused on reconfirming the fair’s reputation as an event dedicated to the future, as underlined in the words of its director, Jean-François Sol Dourdin, at the end of the last edition: “We wanted to go further and really think about tomorrow’s risks, risk management solutions, and market structure. Our project was ambitious and entirely focused on the future. I am happy to say we succeeded”.

It is exactly in this context of going beyond the present and projecting itself into the future through different and interrelated approaches that the 2016 edition of Expoprotection kicked off a series of programmes and initiatives, with the aim of offering visitors a complete overview of the new products available on the market and the latest trends.

Over the three days of the fair, Expoprotection was entirely focused on the future through its space for networking and innovation, the HUB, where visitors had the chance to meet up with 12 start-ups with their innovative projects, ranging from malicious drone detection to driver vigilance monitoring.

Another space present at the fair and dedicated to the future was LE LIVE, where the scenario was projected even further into the future, with a look at how risk prevention and risk management might change in the future. Thus, a productive dialogue among experts coming from different backgrounds and professionals in the sector addressed issues such as the “liberated company”, “trades of the future”, “crimes of the future”, “smart cities/safe cities”, and “firefighters of the future”.

Naturally, Expoprotection also represented a showcase for excellence in launching new products and market trends, while also acting as a springboard for more than 200 innovations and new products. Some of them were the protagonists of the Expoprotection Awards in the categories “Security and Firefighting” and “Occupational, Natural, and Industrial Risks”.

Not to be forgotten was the packed programme of meetings, talks, and seminars, which attracted a turnout of 5,700 participants, in a strong upward trend over 2014. Especially successful was Le Live TV studio, which hosted talks and panel discussions, the Start-up contests, the Awards, and educational demonstrations.

In addition to all the activities at Le Live, a programme of 100 talks and workshops addressed five main themes:

• “Educating employees about health and safety at work and changing behaviours” (Cabinet Master);
• “The safety and security professions in the future” (Expoprotection Demain);
• “MSD (Musculoskeletal disorders), absenteeism, disabilities: actions for more effective prevention” (CNAM – the French National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts);
• “Tomorrow’s safety and security” (Expoprotection Demain);
• “The terrorist threat from within companies: prevention and protection strategies” (ASIS France).

Last, but not least, and meeting up with extremely positive feedback was the FeelGood@work events space, where it was possible for the public to try 5 new and fun experiences for improving performance and well-being at work, including light therapy, sound massage, the breathing armchair, and the treadmill desk.

All that’s left to do at this point is make preparations for the next edition to be held from 6 to 8 November 2018, with a variety of innovations that will project us into the future.