The Three Counties Defence & Security Expo (3CDSE) returns on 2-3 November, but with more opportunities for startups and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs)to showcase their innovative technology and services.  

With an expected audience of over 1500 delegates and over 100 exhibiting companies, 3CDSE 2022 will give creators of emerging technologies from within the three counties a chance to meet potential buyers and collaborators from both sides of the Atlantic, with a strong emphasis on startups and SMEs.  

Held at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, 3CDSE is positioned to serve the region’s strong defence and security sector, which includes defence primes and SMEs. From its origin as a networking forum, 3CDSE has evolved to become the UK’s most diverse and forward-thinking security expo.  

Marking a change from previous years, the event will be introducing new opportunities for businesses to seek funding, introduce them to key procurement decision-makers, and enter into new markets. The free to attend Funding and Enterprise Zone offers the opportunity to showcase to potential buyers, act as advocates for their innovation partners and to seek potential future collaborators. There will also be speaker sessions aimed at start-ups, with the opportunity to ask questions about funding, development and selling from a panel of experts.  

New for this year’s main exhibition day, (Thursday 3 November), and following feedback from exhibitors in 2021, is a closed-door exhibition where exhibitors can show sensitive products and services. 3CDSE is unique in being able to offer this level of access with security vetted attendees. Exhibiting companies will also be able to meet one-to-one with teams from the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) and U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM), giving opportunities to speak directly to buyer from both sides of the Atlantic.  

3CDSE President, Richard Morgan said, “We are delighted to bring together again our audiences of MOD Defence Equipment & Support and UK Strategic Command, law enforcement agencies and emergency services with the industry that serve them. This year we have the added bonus of significant participation by US DEVCOM, and we honoured to welcome their CTO Charneta Samms as our Day 2 keynote speaker. Feedback from previous years’ events has highlighted how important the event is as at enabling business to be conducted face-to-face and for enabling future capability requirements to be discussed in confidence. We are regularly advised of transactions that are carried out as a result of direct discussions held at the show.’ 

Recognising the strong North Atlantic ties that 3CDSE fosters, this year’s event is being supported by a delegation of six representatives from U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM-ATL), including chief technology officer Ms Charnetta Samms. Ms Samms will be a keynote speaker at the 3CDSE Conference on the morning of Thursday 3 November and holding one-to-one briefings with exhibitors later in the day.  

Strategic Command Director Strategy Major General James Roddis said: 

“3CDSE represents an excellent opportunity for Strategic Command to foster our ties with allies, partners and industry. We know how important Multi Domain Integration, and our role in driving it is for an effective modern military and this event is a brilliant opportunity to share our expertise and insight with key decision makers in the field.”