The countdown has begun for the return of the “world’s largest” security, safety, and fire protection trade show in Dubai, with 90 percent of exhibition space already booked some four months ahead of its grand opening for the 18th time.

More than 1,300 exhibitors from 52 countries are expected to participate at Intersec 2016, which returns to the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre with new features that reflect a constantly evolving regional and international security landscape.

New developments at the three-day event, organized by Messe Frankfurt Middle East, include a smart home and building automation section, adding to the five other core sections of commercial security; information security; fire and rescue; safety and health; and homeland security and policing.

A smart home live demonstration area will take center-stage at the new section, where industry leaders such as ASSA ABLOY, Honeywell, Dahua, CP Plus, WolfGuard, and TechCom will showcase their latest home security, auto controlling, energy management and multimedia technologies in a 100 sqm villa.

With a focus on technologies such as KNX, X10, Zigbee, En-Ocean, Bluetooth, and Z-Wave, smart home live demonstration arrives as the Middle East commands 10 percent of the global smart home market.

Intersec 2016, which takes place from Jan. 17-19, will also feature several new pavilions.

Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “Safety and security continues to be top priority issues across the globe.”

Xin Chen, GM of Dahua Technology Middle East, explained: “Our traffic solutions include radar devices, speed and red light enforcement, while our mobile solutions focus on public transportation, police vehicles, and school buses.”

Marwan Khoury, marketing manager for Axis Communications in the MEA, said: “Axis maintains the number one position for network video surveillance in the wider Middle East thanks to its ability to be first-to-market with innovative products.”