Anne Frayssinet, Milipol Events Director, spoke with Milipol Qatar Daily in an exclusive post-show interview

The Milipol Events Director discussed the highlights of this year’s show and the increasing importance of the event for the region.

What are your impressions of this year’s show? How do you feel the show performed?
As expected, the show was the biggest it’s been in 20 years, and the number of exhibitors, over 255, was the highest ever. These exhibitors came from 26 nations across Europe, Middle East, Asia and North America, including 70 companies from Qatar. With more than 14,500 visitors and 360 official delegates from 42 nations in attendance, it is safe to say the event was a resounding success.

On the last day, there were still a lot of people present. Exhibitors did the rounds with the sales team and were very happy, business went well. QAR 842 million worth of deals (approximately 211 million euros) were signed during the show. Quite a few exhibitors are looking ahead to 2026, and some have already booked their stands. So, frankly, the impressions are very good. It’s a very good omen for future editions, and we’re working very well with the Ministry of Interior of Qatar.

What were some of the highlights of this year’s show?
One of the highlights this year was the really beautiful stands that were built with a lot of investment on the part of the exhibitors. There were also of course lots of products, vehicles, demos on the stands, everything was very good quality, the exhibitors really brought their A-game. Also interesting this year were the many institutions represented from the region, something that hadn’t happened for a long time. Abu Dhabi Police, Dubai Police and Qatar Customs all had their own stands. There’s a real convergence of all these Middle Eastern institutions at Milipol Qatar. We really feel that this event is becoming very important for the region. This was particularly evident at the inauguration. There were more than a dozen interior ministers represented, which is extremely rare in Qatar. Another highlight this year was the major conference on artificial intelligence organised by the Ministry of Interior of Qatar next door, in Hall 4. And that’s the same thing, it really raises the bar even higher than other editions, because it’s an important subject, with experts who came for a day and a half, with a top-of-the-range hall, design and scenography. So that’s also something completely new, and it adds an even greater element to the overall event.

Why was it so important to launch this parallel conference?
It was very important because Milipol Qatar is already an event that must serve the states of the region. This was a real state conference, which was completely organised by the Ministry, on artificial intelligence. Everyone’s talking about AI everywhere, all the time, we’re asking ourselves so many questions, there are so many things to think about, particularly in terms of ethics. The technology will soon be operational, but what do we do with it? How do we use it? How do we integrate it into existing systems? How can solution providers and exhibitors use it? How can and should governments use it?

There are so many issues surrounding AI that it’s really important that all the countries in the world raise this question, as well as at all the Milipol events. It’s excellent that there was this initiative, because it’s their initiative, from the Ministry of Interior. It was very interesting for us.

Milipol around the world

Today the Milipol Network has events all around the world, including shows in Qatar, India, the Asia Pacific and of course the flagship event in Paris. Anne Frayssinet, Milipol Events Director, explained the role of Milipol Qatar within this network: “It’s the oldest Milipol show outside Paris, 20 years old, and it’s a special partner because we work directly with the local Ministry of Interior.” Ms Frayssinet explained that the Milipol team has a “very special” relationship with the Ministry of Interior in Qatar, who supports the organisation of the event “wholeheartedly.”

Next up on the Milipol agenda is the latest addition to the network: Milipol India. This event will take place at the India International Convention & Exhibition Centre in New Delhi from 23-25 April 2025 for its second edition. Ms Frayssinet explained that for the moment “Milipol India will be much smaller, much more national” but that India represents a huge market which in itself “justifies a Milipol show there”. She added that the Milipol team is “really looking forward to this second edition.”