Achieving the Gold Standard at the National Sports Safety and Security Conference

With six successful conferences already under their belts, officials at the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) at The University of Southern Mississippi expect the seventh edition to be even better with the addition of several new highlights this year.

The 7th annual National Sports Safety and Security Conference and Exhibition is set for July 12-14 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort in Phoenix, Ariz. This year's theme is Achieving the Gold Standard. To develop the "Gold Standard" benchmarking, safety and security gaps have been identified as a result of NCS4's training, research, summits and conferences.

“Nine specific pillars were identified to close the gap to best practices,” said NCS4 Director Lou Marciani. “The pillars will be interwoven throughout the conference and help attendees achieve the Gold Standard within their own organizations.”

The nine Gold Standard Pillars include:

*The Evolving Sport Security Leader
*The Evolving Sport and Entertainment Landscape
*Effective Risk/Threat/Vulnerability Assessment
*The Enhanced Collaborative Planning Process
*The Impact of Crowd Management
*The Emerging Safety and Security Culture
*The Maximization of Human Talent
*The Emerging Sport Security Technology
*The Impact of Environmental Design

In addition to top-notch speakers, panelists, and an awards ceremony, other conference highlights this year include:

*National Forum – The Changing World: What is the Effect of the Paris Incident on Sports Safety and Security? The forum will include an extensive review of the incident in Paris and how it will affect future emergency preparedness and responses for sporting events and surrounding areas.

*National Table Top Exercise – Assess Your Preparation, Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery Protocols, Plans and Capabilities

*Roundtables – A variety of pertinent topics such as Bag Search Procedures, Drone Regulations, Parking Lot Safety, Selling Alcohol at Your Event, among others, will be addressed.

*Technology – Browse the latest solutions in the Exhibit Hall

*Arizona Excursions – Tour the Grand Canyon or Red Rocks of Sedona
On Thursday afternoon, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in the Town Hall Meetings (Marathons, Intercollegiate Athletics, Interscholastic Athletics, and Professional Sport Facilities), providing an environment to network with their peers, discuss best practices, and exchange ideas within their particular industry.

Visit our website at www.ncs4.com/conference and register at the early bird rate. The discounted rate ends May 12.