Emerging Industry Leaders to be Honored at the 2025 National Sports Safety and Security Conference and Exhibition

Tue, 06/10/2025 - 09:20am | By: NCS⁴ Staff

Eight professionals will be recognized for their leadership in addressing safety and security issues during the 2025 National Sports Safety and Security Conference and Exhibition on June 30-July 2 in San Antonio, TX. The event is presented annually by the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS⁴) at The University of Southern Mississippi.

The Emerging Industry Leader Award recognizes a young professional who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in addressing safety and security issues. In addition to the enhanced safety and security of their venue/event, the recipient’s contributions have set an example for others to follow.

Each league or organization selects the criteria and determines who will be recognized. Individuals receiving the award include:

• Bonnie Almond, Vice President, Venue Operations, Tepper Sports and Entertainment
• Austin Augustus, PMP, MBA, Security Manager, Florida Panthers
• Madison Benner, Manager, Ballpark Operations & Security, Major League Baseball
• Taylor Dey, Manager, Safety & Security, Major League Soccer
• Matt Elliot, Assistant Athletic Director, Events and Facilities Operations, The University of Alabama
• Aaron Moore, Athletic Administrator, Noble High School
• Ed Whetham, Director of Event Operations, Twin Cities in Motion
• Jacob Zive, Director, Event Security Operations, New York Road Runners

“We are thrilled to recognize these outstanding young professionals who are raising the standards of sports safety and security and setting an example for their peers,” said Dr. Stacey Hall, NCS⁴ executive director and professor of sport management.

The awards will be presented at the luncheon during the conference. The awards luncheon is sponsored by Evolv Technology, which provides weapons detection systems for security screening.

Click here for more information about the conference and to register. Click here for more information about the awards.

About the 16^th Annual Conference
The National Sports Safety and Security Conference and Exhibition, sponsored by CSA360 Software, will take place June 30-July 2, 2025, at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort in San Antonio, Texas. The conference will attract more than 500 attendees and 70 exhibitors representing professional sports, intercollegiate athletics, interscholastic athletics, marathon and endurance events, sports and entertainment facilities, and those who provide safety and security products and services to the industry. Visit the conference website for more information.

About NCS⁴

Established in 2006, the NCS⁴ is the nation’s only academic center devoted to the study and practice of sports safety and security. The NCS⁴ is partially underwritten by grants from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The NCS⁴ mission focuses on three key pillars – Training and Education, Research, and Outreach. Click here for more information about NCS⁴, call 601.266.6183.