Security & Counter Terror Expo (CTX)

Security & Counter Terror Expo (CTX) is the world's leading annual exhibition and conference dedicated to counter-terrorism and homeland security, held at ExCeL London. The 2026 edition takes place 18-19 June, bringing together government, policing, the armed forces, critical infrastructure operators and the private security industry to examine the latest technologies and strategies for countering modern terrorist threats. CTX is co-located with Forensics Europe Expo and includes the World Counter Terror Congress.

DATES
18-19 June 2026
2 days, annual
VENUE
ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock
London E16 1XL, United Kingdom
ORGANISER
evendia Ltd
Event company
ATTENDANCE
not disclosed
Government, policing, industry

Definition

Security & Counter Terror Expo (CTX) is an annual international trade exhibition and conference dedicated to counter-terrorism, homeland security and critical national infrastructure protection. It is held at ExCeL London every June and organised by evendia Ltd. CTX brings together professionals from government, policing, the armed forces, border control, intelligence services, critical infrastructure operators and the private security industry. The conference programme, which is free to all registered visitors, is structured around the four pillars of the UK CONTEST counter-terrorism strategy: Prevent, Pursue, Protect and Prepare. CTX is co-located with Forensics Europe Expo, and the World Counter Terror Congress (WCCON) forms part of the CTX programme.

Origins and development

CTX was established as the United Kingdom's principal counter-terrorism procurement and professional development event, growing from a domestic focus to an international audience. The event has been held annually at ExCeL London, where it has become the recognised annual gathering point for the UK and allied counter-terrorism community. Its CONTEST-aligned conference structure reflects the event's close relationship with UK government counter-terrorism policy, while its international exhibitor base and attendee list give it a genuinely global reach. The organiser, evendia Ltd (PO Box 692, Addlestone KT15 9FF), also publishes CT Insight (ctinsight.net), a counter-terrorism news and analysis platform.

The 2026 edition

CTX 2026 takes place 18-19 June at ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock. The two-day format combines an extensive exhibition floor with a free conference programme delivering insight, analysis and operational perspective on the current counter-terrorism landscape. The event co-locates with Forensics Europe Expo, extending its relevance for professionals involved in post-incident investigation and forensic intelligence. The World Counter Terror Congress (WCCON) is integrated into the CTX programme. No pre-event exhibitor or attendance figures were published at the time of verification (10 June 2026).

Where CTX sits in the security calendar

CTX occupies an unchallenged position as the UK's largest dedicated annual counter-terrorism event. It is distinct from DSEI (biennial, broader defence focus), the International Security Expo (September, broader converged security focus) and Milipol UK in that it maintains a sharp focus on counter-terrorism specifically. Its June timing sits ahead of the summer parliamentary recess and allows government and policing delegates to plan procurement decisions before year-end budget cycles. Internationally, CTX is one of the few events where allied government CT programmes and private sector capabilities are presented side by side under the framework of a coherent strategic doctrine (CONTEST).

Who attends CTX

Government and policing. Delegates from the UK Home Office, Ministry of Defence, OSCT (Office for Security and Counter Terrorism), Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP), MI5 and related agencies are regular attendees. Central and local government officials with responsibility for preparedness and resilience attend in significant numbers. Foreign allied government delegations also attend.

Uniformed services and armed forces. Police Counter Terrorism Units, Special Branch, specialist units, military explosive ordnance disposal and intelligence professionals.

Critical infrastructure operators. Security directors and heads of resilience from transport (rail, aviation, maritime), utilities, finance, healthcare and stadiums and events venues.

Industry. Manufacturers and integrators of: perimeter and access control systems, hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM), CBRN detection, personal protective equipment, surveillance and monitoring technology, explosive detection, threat assessment software, communications and command-and-control systems, and training and simulation solutions.

Policy and academia. Think tanks, research institutions, counter-terrorism analysts and policy specialists.

What the CTX format includes

Exhibition. A multi-hall exhibition at ExCeL London displaying counter-terrorism, security and forensic technology from UK and international suppliers. Product categories span the full CT spectrum from physical barriers through to software-based threat analysis.

CONTEST conference programme. A free-to-attend conference structured around the four CONTEST pillars: Prevent (countering radicalisation), Pursue (disrupting terrorist plots), Protect (hardening targets and reducing vulnerability), and Prepare (mitigating the impact of attacks). The programme features government officials, senior police officers, academics and industry specialists.

World Counter Terror Congress (WCCON). A senior-level policy and strategy congress integrated within CTX, providing a closed and open forum for government-to-government and government-to-industry dialogue on counter-terrorism strategy.

Forensics Europe Expo (co-located). An exhibition and conference for forensic science, forensic investigation technology and forensic intelligence, attended by forensic practitioners from law enforcement, the judiciary and the private sector.

Protective Security Theatre. A dedicated content theatre focusing on protective security, physical hardening and incident response, co-located within the CTX floorplan.

What CTX covers

The 2026 edition in numbers (organiser-declared)

Dates 18-19 June 2026
Venue ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock, E16 1XL
Organiser evendia Ltd
Exhibitor count not disclosed
Visitor count not disclosed
Co-located event Forensics Europe Expo
Conference cost free (with registration)
Congress World Counter Terror Congress (WCCON)

FAQ - Identity and audience

Is CTX open to the general public?

No. CTX is a professional trade fair for verified practitioners, government officials, law enforcement and industry professionals. Registration requires professional credentials. Personal security screening may apply at the venue.

Is the conference programme genuinely free?

Yes. The conference programme, including the CONTEST-aligned sessions, is provided at no cost to all registered visitors. Some premium or gated sessions within the WCCON may require separate accreditation.

Does CTX cover cyber threats as well as physical terrorism?

Yes. CTX addresses both physical and cyber dimensions of counter-terrorism, including cyber threats to critical national infrastructure. However, for a primarily cyber-focused audience, dedicated cybersecurity events provide broader coverage; CTX's cyber content is embedded within its CT operational context.

The venue: ExCeL London

ExCeL London is the United Kingdom's international exhibition and convention centre, located at One Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London E16 1XL. It offers over 100,000 square metres of flexible event space across its ICC, North and South exhibition halls. The venue is:

Contact: info@excel.london, tel. +44 (0)20 7069 5000.

The organiser: evendia Ltd

evendia Ltd is a specialist event company based in Addlestone, Surrey (PO Box 692, Addlestone KT15 9FF, UK), which organises CTX and publishes the associated CT Insight (ctinsight.net) counter-terrorism news and analysis platform. The company has an established relationship with UK government and policing stakeholders, reflected in the CONTEST-aligned structure of the CTX conference programme. Contact: info@evendia.co, tel. +44 (0) 208 191 0980.

Editorial take

CTX is unique in the global security calendar because it is simultaneously a procurement marketplace and a policy forum: the conference follows the UK government's own CONTEST doctrine, which means that every technology on the exhibition floor is implicitly evaluated against the strategic framework that will drive public-sector buying decisions for the coming year.

How to register and what it costs

Registration. Visitor registration is required; walk-in access is not permitted. Register via ctexpo.co.uk. Professional accreditation details will be requested. The conference programme is included in the visitor registration at no additional cost.

Exhibitors. To enquire about exhibition stand space or sponsorship, contact info@evendia.co. Stand pricing is not publicly listed; contact the organiser for a rate card.

WCCON / World Counter Terror Congress. Access to the Congress may require separate accreditation beyond the standard visitor badge; contact the organiser for details.

FAQ - Access and practicalities

Do I need security clearance to attend CTX?

No security clearance is required for standard visitor registration. However, the professional verification process is rigorous. Some WCCON sessions may be restricted to cleared or credentialed officials. Venue security screening (bag check, ID verification) applies on entry.

Is CTX accredited for CPD?

Contact the organiser directly for CPD accreditation confirmation. Previous editions have offered CPD-eligible sessions within the conference programme.

Can I bring foreign colleagues or clients?

Yes, subject to completing visitor registration. There are no nationality restrictions for the standard visitor programme; all attendees must complete the professional registration process and comply with UK visa requirements if applicable.

First time at Security & Counter Terror Expo? How to prepare

Resources

Official website https://ctexpo.co.uk
LinkedIn not disclosed
X not disclosed
Register https://ctexpo.co.uk/visit/
Programme https://ctexpo.co.uk/protective-security-theatre/
Forensics Europe Expo https://forensicseuropeexpo.com/