Given recent events in the capital and elsewhere around the country, many are asking whether events managers are taking security seriously enough. Criminals and terrorists love to target congregations of people to publicize their atrocities further.
It’s an ongoing problem and something that’s been at the forefront of the industry’s priorities for some time. Companies and organizations need managers who take security into consideration.
But what can be done, and are managers doing enough? Let’s find out.
Why Event Security Is Essential
Even security is essential for several reasons:
Crowd Safety
Crowd safety is at the top of why event security is essential. Improper security measures can lead to crushes and stampedes that cause injuries.
Protecting Property
Security is also essential for protecting people’s property. Guards can respond to issues on-site without having to wait for police backup. Their presence can discourage would-be criminals from pickpocketing or otherwise harming other guests at the event.
Guest Experience
Companies like Zed Security and Guarding also emphasize the value of security for the guest experience. For many, it is a way to feel safe and have a more positive experience outside the home.
Why Some Security Managers Don’t Take Event Security Seriously Enough
With that said many security managers should take event security more seriously. Marketing, administration, and organization often become the default priorities because of the economic incentives at work, making many overlook physical safety.
The following are some reasons why security managers don’t always take event security seriously enough:
The Cost
Putting on a show and providing additional security is expensive. This applies to small and large events, causing many managers to simply avoid the idea or convince themselves it’s not important.
How much managers have to spend depends on the companies they use and the heaviness of the security they want to implement. Moving heads of state requires a lot of security while putting on a bar concert needs less. However, just having one or two personnel on the ground can make all the difference and keep the event civil.
Misunderstanding The Risks
Many event managers also misunderstand the risks events impose because they haven’t seen the effects of lacking security directly. Familiar events often seem significantly tamer than larger ones, leading managers to skimp on security (which isn’t advisable).
Instead, risk understanding should be based on the data. Event planners should have access to statistics showing the likelihood of something going wrong (based on time, date, location, audience, attendees, and type). Then, they should make an informed decision about whether the event should go ahead and, if so, what the security presence should look like.
Risking The Atmosphere
Finally, many event managers don’t take security seriously enough because they don’t want it to ruin their event’s atmosphere. They worry about the impression security guards will give off.
This concern is valid, but many companies now offer security teams that blend into the background, only springing into action when necessary. Plainclothes guards can mingle and fit in, without making an event look like Fort Knox.
