Industry Leaders to Participate in Professional Sport Facilities Safety and Security Summit

The University of Southern Mississippi's National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) will bring together the top industry leaders in the field of sports safety and security for the annual Professional Sport Facilities Safety and Security Summit on March 8-10 at the National Center in Hattiesburg, Miss.

“This event provides a unique opportunity for industry professionals to come together to discuss best practices and develop industry standards as a team,” said Billy Lagenstein, director of event services, U.S. Bank Stadium.

The target audience includes security directors and facility managers, operations personnel, local/state law enforcement, government officials, emergency managers, fire/hazMat and emergency medical/health services, and invited solution providers.

A robust lineup of speakers, panelists, subject matter experts, and solution providers will compliment each of the critical issues that will be discussed during the two and one-half day event. Attendees will have the opportunity to dive deeper into the issues mentioned below in break out sessions:

• Event Day Safety and Security
• Crowd Dynamics/Management
• Emergency Action Planning
• Staff Development and Performance
• Facilities Design/Technology
• Risk/Threat/Vulnerability Assessment & Secure and Safety Aware Culture

Now more than ever, stadiums and arenas are becoming quite complex, hosting multiple types of events at their facilities. These range from sporting events to major headliner concerts and everything in between — which poses a plethora of safety and security challenges in regard to consistency, policies, and procedures.

To address this cross section, keynote speaker Doug Thornton, Executive Vice President, Stadiums and Arenas SMG, will present The Changing Landscape: The Intersection of Sport and Entertainment.

Attendees will also hear from Scott Breor, director, Protective Security Coordination Division - Office of Infrastructure Protection, Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Breor will highlight several of the DHS training and assessment programs, as well as screening and improvised explosive device (IED) best practices.

Other topics highlighted throughout the event include Sport Facilities Environmental Design, Perimeter Control, Violent Extremist Attacks, and Balancing Safety and Security with the Fan Experience.

“NCS4 is the leader in sports security and I always come away from their events with something that I can use at my facilities,” said Donald Paisant, CSSP, chief of public safety, SMG New Orleans (Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Smoothie King Center, Champions Square).

Cost of attendance for the Summit is $265 per person. Seating is limited.

For more information visit www.ncs4.com/professional.