Dishan Isaac, Show Director of Intersec 2026 outlines its expansion plans, technical priorities and partnerships shaping global fire safety, emergency response and regulatory alignment in an evolving risk landscape
Please introduce yourself and give us a brief background into the history and heritage of Intersec?
As Show Director for Intersec, I oversee the strategic direction of the event as it enters its 27th edition. Since its launch in Dubai in 1999, Intersec has evolved in step with the region’s rapid infrastructure and safety development, growing from a product-led exhibition into one of the world’s most influential platforms for security, safety and fire protection.
Fire safety has been a core pillar throughout that journey. Intersec has consistently reflected the industry’s shift from isolated fire disciplines towards integrated, whole-life safety strategies that encompass prevention, detection, protection and response. The event’s long-standing partnership with the General Command of Dubai Civil Defence has been central to this evolution, ensuring that fire safety innovation is aligned with regulation, enforcement and operational readiness.
Held every January, Intersec has become the first major global meeting point of the year for the fire and safety industry. It provides a forum where manufacturers, engineers, regulators and first responders can align priorities, benchmark innovation and address emerging risks across the built environment and critical infrastructure.
What are your growth targets for Intersec 2026 versus the previous edition?
Intersec 2026 will be our largest and most internationally representative edition to date. We are targeting 50,000 visitors, supported by increased government engagement and a stronger international buyer presence.
More than 1,400 exhibitors from over 60 countries are expected, occupying 67,000 sqm across 13 halls, with dedicated space for live fire and rescue demonstrations. Fire protection continues to be one of the fastest-growing sectors on the show floor, driven by demand across construction, energy, industrial facilities and transport infrastructure.
International participation remains a defining strength. We anticipate that 40 percent of visitors will travel from outside the UAE, reinforcing Dubai’s role as a global hub for fire safety knowledge exchange and procurement.
How are strategic partnerships shaping the 2026 programme and exhibitor mix?
Intersec’s partnership ecosystem plays a critical role in maintaining technical credibility across the fire sector. Our continued collaboration with the General Command of Dubai Civil Defence ensures that the programme reflects real operational priorities, regulatory expectations and long-term resilience planning.
Global associations including NFPA and the Association for Specialist Fire Protection are central to shaping the fire conference agenda, certification pathways and professional development content. Their involvement ensures that discussions move beyond product innovation to address compliance, competency and performance across the full lifecycle of fire safety systems.
These partnerships attract exhibitors operating at the forefront of fire detection, suppression, passive fire protection and emergency response, positioning Intersec as a platform where solutions are assessed against real-world risk and regulatory frameworks.
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