NFL Chief of Security to Speak at Safety and Security Summits

The University of Southern Mississippi's National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) will bring together top safety and security industry leaders representing intercollegiate athletics as well as commercial sport and entertainment facilities during the week of January 15-19, 2018 at the Grande Lakes Orlando in Florida.  

The National Intercollegiate Athletics Safety and Security Summit will take place on January 15-17 followed by the Commercial Sport and Entertainment Facilities Safety and Security Summit on January 17-19.

For the first time in Summit history, a joint meeting will occur on January 17 including attendees from both events. A highlight of the joint session will be a keynote by Cathy Lanier, Senior Vice President and Chief Security Officer for the National Football League (NFL). Lanier's keynote is titled the “State of the Union of Sports Safety and Security.”

Part of Lanier's keynote will include a report on the sports safety and security industry from her perspective, as well as recommended safety and security measures she believes are necessary for the future.

Lanier was hired by the NFL in September 2016. In her role, she oversees all security operations for the League to include investigative affairs, compliance with the Federal government's SAFETY Act, and NFL venue, fan, player, staff and infrastructure security for all 32 clubs.

Prior to joining the League, Lanier spent 27 years with the Metropolitan Police Department, beginning in 1990. Lanier was also tapped as the first Commanding Officer of the Metropolitan Police Department's Office of Homeland Security and Counter-Terrorism. After assuming the leadership of the Metropolitan Police Department in January of 2007, she was confirmed as the Chief of Police in April, 2007 and held that position for 10 years.

“We are thrilled to have a strong leader like Cathy Lanier speak to our group and hear her unique perspective,” said Dr. Lou Marciani, director of NCS4.

“We invite you to come network and learn from your peers, participate in engaging discussions around critical issues and holistic best practices, and hear from some of the best in the industry.”

The target audience for the National Intercollegiate Athletics Safety and Security Summit includes athletic administrators and staff from NCAA Division I, II, and III institutions, athletic conference admins, football bowl admins, NCAA representatives, campus/local/state law enforcement, facility managers, emergency managers, fire/hazmat and emergency medical/health services, and governmental representatives.

The target audience for the Commercial Sport and Entertainment Facilities Safety and Security Summit includes personnel responsible for event planning and operations, facility managers, local/state law enforcement, government officials, emergency managers, fire/hazmat and emergency medical/health services. Facilities that host events such as sports, motor cross, wrestling, concerts, etc. will be in attendance.

Attendees will have the opportunity to dive deeper into designated issues during break out sessions for the following topical areas: Event Day Safety and Security, Crowd Dynamics/Management, Emergency Action Planning, Staff Development and Performance, Facilities Design/Technology, and Risk/Threat Assessment.

A robust line up of speakers, panelists, and subject matter experts will complement each of the critical issues that will be discussed during each two and half day event. Some of the current safety and security issues in the program will include civil unrest, customer service, new facility construction, and event staff training and retention, among others.

For more information about the National Intercollegiate Athletics Safety and Security Summit, visit http://www.ncs4.com/intercollegiate. Limited seats are available.  

For more information about the Commercial Sport and Entertainment Facilities Summit, visit http://www.ncs4.com/professional.  Limited seats are available.