Security without severity

Event security requires just as much thought as any other aspect of the planning process, and particularly finding the balance between ensuring the safety and security of your guests, while maintaining a comfortable balance and avoiding creating unnecessary annoyances, is the most challenging area to surmount. It is particularly important to ensure that guests do not feel ‘less welcome’ than other guests, nor do they feel ‘more scrutinised’, than the other guests. This can become somewhat tricky when designing a smooth entry flow, while expecting VIP guests, intertwined with other invitees. Hence, it is always a good idea, to prepare the best entry and egress of the VIP guests before the actual event to minimise these scenarios.

One of the first initiatives to undertake in the management of event security is to access your risk. A comprehensive review of the location, nature of the event and attendees should provide a good indication of the level of security intervention required. If the event is being hosted on a large scale, usually a security portal may be utilised to ensure the screening of personnel. In some instances, individual screening checks are undertaken, and if not done in a professional manner, can lead to a measure of embarrassment to the guest. Hence, I always advise for large events, it may be best to invest in walk through security portals, as they are faster, more efficient, and less intrusive than the hand-held scanners, and can provide easier management of the inflow of guests.

Your chosen security personnel must similarly blend with the occasion. This includes both their dress and their presence. Each of these characteristics must respect and complement your event. This means, if your event is more formal in nature, it may be best to request your security personnel be fashioned in blazers, rather than the operations styled uniforms. The security officers’ grooming is also important to maintain the overall atmosphere of your event.

Guests attending your event must do so with assurance that you have provided adequate security for their vehicles. If they are requested to park in an unsafe area, it is very unlikely that they will remain at the event for extended periods, and if so, may not be comfortable during the event. I started with stating that security is usually the last line of expenditure, however, it is imperative to consider the guest’s perspective, and ensure their need for safety and security is adequately covered, from the time they exit their vehicles to the time they re-enter their vehicles to depart.

In similar manner to the existence of professional event management teams, there are also professional event security management teams that are trained to assist and support the design of security management for events. Simply contracting the lowest priced firm, to ‘ensure a body presence’ simply would not cut it anymore. Review the credentials of the security firm with whom you may engage to ascertain their experience in event security, and once contracted; enlist them to develop a special event security plan in support of your primary event plan. Always remember, the security of your guests is your responsibility.

Most guests value any measures taken to create a secure event and will tolerate security routines, provided the steps required to gain access have been clearly detailed and the entry process is efficient and smooth.