NCS⁴ NEWS eNewsletter | December 19, 2024

Thank you to the Marathon and Endurance Events Advisory Committee for your guidance and support.

Thank you to our Solution Partners WHO HELPED MAKE THE FORUM POSSIBLE!

Register Now!

National Intercollegiate Athletics Safety and Security Forum

Make plans and join NCS⁴ for the 2025 National Intercollegiate Athletics Safety and Security Forum on January 28-29, 2025, at Duke University in Durham, NC. The objective of the Forum is to address key safety and security challenges facing intercollegiate athletic programs and to share best practices for continuous improvement.

Collegiate athletic programs and venues attract a large number of athletes and spectators, making safety and security a top priority for venue operators, public safety officials, and local communities. Discussing current issues and exploring solutions in a forum environment will help colleges and universities, athletic conferences, and associations enhance safety and security plans and operations.

The Forum runs for two full days, starting at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, January 28.

The agenda is now available. Register soon to be a part of general sessions that will cover Establishing and Implementing Effective Procedures in Case of Medical Emergencies, Addressing the Unique Challenges of Collegiate Venues, Effective Security Implementation When Hosting International Sporting Events, Role Transitions and Identity Development, and Campus Security and First Amendment Rights.

Agenda Highlights

Join Brian Finch at the National Intercollegiate Athletics Safety and Security Forum as he addresses how security officials can manage protestors at events on college campuses without running directly afoul of Constitutional First Amendment concerns.

Join Laura Weimer as she helps navigate your evolution as a leader and reflect on key leadership questions that can help you grow as a leader in the industry.

Are staff as rescue-ready as the available equipment? A panel of professionals from partnering organizations for Duke University Event Medicine will discuss their approach to emergency medical preparedness for events.

A panel of campus law enforcement and event management professionals will explore strategies for safeguarding large crowds, preventing threats, and leveraging technology to ensure safety without compromising the guest experience.

WHO WILL BE THERE: Athletic administrators and staff from NCAA Division I, II, and III institutions, athletic conference administrators, football bowl administrators, NCAA representatives, campus law enforcement, local and state law enforcement, facility managers, government officials, emergency managers, fire/HAZMAT, emergency medical services, city planners, governing bodies, and sports commissions.

Private sector companies may only attend the forum as Solution Partners.

We have very limited space for this event, and registration is based on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit the event website to learn more, register now, and book your hotel.

Thank you to our Solution Partners

2025 National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition Announced

The NCS⁴ invites you to attend the 16th Annual National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition on June 30 – July 2, 2025, at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio, TX.

The 2025 conference theme, Setting the Standard, focuses on defining and implementing the highest levels of safety and security practices for sports and special events. This year's conference seeks to inspire a proactive approach to advancing safety and security programs through the convergence of people, processes, and technology. Attendees will explore how to create a culture of safety, build trust with stakeholders, and respond effectively to emerging threats, all while striving to set a new standard for excellence in safety and security.

The conference will offer dynamic programming, solution provider engagement, and opportunities to network with fellow professionals. This highly regarded gathering of sports safety and security professionals is an opportune time to share ideas, tools, and proven strategies to help advance the industry.

What to expect as a conference attendee:

• Meet and greet at the opening reception and social
• Hear from leading industry experts on current topics and technology advancements
• Participate in interactive panel discussions
• Attend the Awards Luncheon
• Network with peers
• Engage with panelists and attendees in dynamic breakout sessions
• Explore emerging technologies
• Discover new products and services in the Exhibit Hall

Register by April 15 and save $$$ with the early-bird rate. Prices increase on April 16, 2025.

See complete details and exclusions on the website.

• Member Rate: $650 per person
• Non-Member Rate: $725 per person
• Group Rate: $625 per person
• Private Sector Attendee: $900 per person

Exhibitors may register online. To request information on exhibiting and sponsoring, please contact Sara Priebe, NCS⁴ Event and Membership Manager, at sara.priebe@usm.edu or 601-266-6858.

Fall 2024 Issue of GAMEDAY SECURITY MAGAZINE Released

The articles in this issue cover how Red Teaming in sports venues can help foster a culture of security awareness and resilience, meeting the needs of guests with access and functional needs, and how the 2024 Summer Olympics set a new standard for security heading into the Los Angeles Games in 2028.

2024 Research Impacts Practice Report Released

The Research Impacts Practice report showcases applied research from the NCS⁴ staff, research affiliates, and colleagues nationally and internationally. The report recognizes these contributions in advancing the body of knowledge, subsequently adding value to academic programs and professional industry settings as we work to improve the safety and security of sports and entertainment venues and events.

NCS⁴ eLearning Options

The NCS⁴ eLearning platform, NCS⁴ LEARN, provides opportunities for individuals and organizations to access asynchronous professional development opportunities. Current offerings include the following:

• Frontline Staff Foundational Skills
• Venue Staff Training
• Crowd Manager Fundamentals
• Senior Leader Course: Sports and Entertainment Security

Please visit the website or contact us at NCS4Learn@usm.edu if you have any questions or would like to inquire about bulk registration.

Click one of the links above or the button below for details or to register.

The NCS⁴ is the only organization that offers a certification recognizing expertise in sport security management. Earning the Certified Sport Security Professional (CSSP) designation sets you apart from other professionals and highlights your dedication to remaining current with industry trends. Professionals in the sports security industry need to have a firm grasp of public safety measures and understand how to apply those measures in the unique environments created by sports venues and events. The CSSP certification validates expertise in the following domains:

• Business and Facility Management
• Emergency Planning
• Emergency Management
• Legal and Regulatory
• Crowd Management
• Security Principles and Practice

The CSSP certification is awarded to individuals who meet experience, education, and professional reference criteria and pass an exam relevant to sports safety and security management. It is maintained through ongoing continuing education and industry contribution requirements every three years.

TARGET AUDIENCE

• Venue/Event Security Directors/ManagersVenue/Event Operations Directors/Managers
• Law Enforcement
• Emergency Managers
• Private Security Practitioners
• Fire/HAZMAT
• EMS
• Other Sports Safety and Security Leaders

BENEFITS

• Expand security knowledge and experience
• Strengthen relationships with peers
• Broaden career opportunities
• Demonstrate a commitment to professional development

IMPORTANT LINKS

• CSSP Application Process
• Senior Leader Course: Sports and Entertainment Security
• See the CSSP Candidate Handbook for eligibility, application, exam preparation, and recertification details.

For more information, visit the website by clicking the button below or contact CertificationSupport@usm.edu.

Fundamentals of Crowd Safety Course

NCS⁴ and GKStill International have partnered to jointly offer the Fundamentals of Crowd Safety online E-Learning course to address capability gaps in crowd behavior and sciences. Professor Dr. G. Keith Still, Visiting Professor of Crowd Science at the University of Suffolk, developed this certified, accredited course. The course offers an 8-hour online interactive experience designed to teach the essential elements of crowd safety and crowd risk analysis. The course is especially valuable to event organizers, as it ensures that those who complete it are compliant with the NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code — specifically, the areas of section 12 of the code that require a venue to provide a crowd manager trained in crowd management techniques for occupancies exceeding 1,000.