NCS⁴ NEWS March 6, 2025

Register Now and Save $$$ for the 16th National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition

Early-Bird registration deadline: April 15

Please make plans and join the NCS⁴ for 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. We hope you will join us.

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

New This Year! Welcome Mixer the day before the conference begins.

The NCS⁴ will have a Welcome Mixer in the Exhibit Hall on Sunday, June 29, from 3-5 p.m. Mix and mingle with fellow attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors. Appetizers provided. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. We hope you will join us!

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 get in touch with Sara Priebe, NCS⁴ Event and Membership Manager, at sara.priebe@usm.edu or 601-266-6858.

2025 Young Professional Scholarship Recipients will be announced soon!

The NCS⁴ is committed to educating the next generation of sport and special event security professionals. The Young Professional Scholarship Program is designed for professionals 40 years of age or younger working in the sports and entertainment security industry. The scholarship program is sponsored by Axis Communications and supports young professionals’ educational goals by covering the NCS⁴ Annual Conference and Exhibition registration fee. Recipients are exposed to general educational programming, innovative technology solutions, security expert insights, and networking opportunities.

The NCS⁴ will award five scholarships covering the cost of registration to the National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition, June 30 – July 2, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas.

All applications have been submitted, and the scholarship recipients will be notified on March 14, 2025. Thank you to all of the young professionals who applied!

REGISTERED NCS⁴ CONFERENCE EXHIBITORS AND SPONSORS ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR THE 2025 GOLDEN EAGLE AWARD

Excellence in Design and Innovation in Sport Venue Security Integration

Applicants from leading systems integration, architecture, design, engineering, and consulting firms are invited to submit case studies from successful projects that had safety and security at the forefront of planning and execution.

The 2025 Golden Eagle Award recognizes excellence in system integration, architecture, engineering, and/or construction (A/E/C) specifically related to the safety and security of spectators, property, and infrastructure of spectator event facilities. The Golden Eagle Award considers critical design and functionality elements that enable and promote the safety and security of all stakeholders in an efficient and effective manner.

A panel of judges reviews all applications to determine the most compelling projects. The winning submission will be selected as the 2025 Golden Eagle Award recipient, with the opportunity to present their case study to attendees at the National Conference. The winner will be recognized at the Awards Luncheon during the National Conference.

Applicants are asked to provide the following project information for judges’ consideration:

• Describe what risk or security issue your company was hired to address
• Provide an overview of how your team strategically approached the project/security issue
• Share details on the solution you provided, including technologies used to mitigate the security issue
• Explain how the solution balanced safety/security with the fan experience
• Submit a 600-word case study about the project

Judges will also consider:

• Relevance to the sports industry
• Effectiveness and efficiency of the solution in solving the identified problems/issues
• The use of creativity, innovation, and technology in a way that leads the industry forward

To participate, interested applicants should complete an online application and submit it by March 18, 2025.

Interested in earning your CSSP designation at this year's National Conference?

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. In addition to the distinction, you will be able to connect with other CSSPs on the private CSSP LinkedIn group and interact with industry experts through a complimentary subscription to NCS⁴ Connect. If you are in a mid- or upper-level position and create sport-security-related policies, procedures, training, and plans, the CSSP might be right for you.

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

Getting Certified

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.

If you are interested in getting certified, please visit the conference website for additional information on taking the exam at the conference, how to prepare for the exam, and a link to the CSSP application.

Thank you to our Sponsors and Exhibitors

The NCS⁴ Hosts a Course in Doral, FL, in Support of the 2026 World Cup

The NCS⁴ conducted a course delivery of the Sport Venue Evacuation and Protective Actions (MGT-412) course at the Miami Dade EOC in support of the 2026 World Cup.

This course represents a cooperative effort between The University of Southern Mississippi’s National Center for Spectator Sports Security and Safety (USM/NCS⁴) and the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service - TEEX National Emergency Response and Recovery Training Center (TEEX/NERRTC), a member of The Texas A&M University System.

Dr. Brandon Allen Presents at the Global Sports Business Association Conference

Dr. Allen presented an oral presentation at the Global Sports Business Association (GSBA) Conference held February 21-24, 2025, on Royal Caribbean’s’ “Independence of the Seas.” The presentation titled “Addressing Inappropriate Fan Behavior: Challenges, Trends, and Best Practices for Professional Sports Venues” was a collaboration effort with Drs. Stacey Hall and Laurajean Holmgren. This study investigated security issues related to negative fan behavior at professional sports venues and proposed best practices to prevent or mitigate such actions.

Dr. Stacey Hall Presents at Municipal Special Events Summit

On February 17, 2025, Dr. Hall conducted a presentation, “Resources for Sport and Special Event Organizers and First Responders,” for members of the Municipal Special Event Association at their annual conference in Savannah, GA. The presentation focused on training, research, and outreach programs, including free resources available to the special event planning community.

This Week's GAMEDAY SECURITY Must Read

Meeting the needs of guests with access and functional needs positively impacts overall safety while also making the gameday experience more enjoyable for everyone.

Dr. Brandon Allen Featured in ESPN Article

Concerns about court storming peaked nationally last season after collisions with basketball stars Caitlin Clark of Iowa and Kyle Filipowski of Duke during celebratory postgame storms at Ohio State and Wake Forest. In the wake of those incidents, Duke men's coach Jon Scheyer, his five-time national champion predecessor Mike Krzyzewski, Wake's Steve Forbes and Bill Self of Kansas, among others, called for a national ban on storming and for zero tolerance policies.

CISA Releases the Active Assailant Emergency Action Plan Template and Instructional Guide

These resources provide organizations and venue operators with tangible guidance to assist users with developing a comprehensive and implementable emergency action plan (EAP).

In addition to providing a fillable and tailorable EAP template, along with a companion instructional guide, these new products also introduce numerous other applicable resources conveniently organized to align with each section of an EAP. These new products are intended for security planners of facilities and venues of all sizes.

NCS⁴ Releases 2024 Marathon and Endurance Event White Paper

The NCS⁴ staff surveyed attendees from the Marathon and Endurance event forum to gauge the operational practices and safety and security concerns of marathon and endurance event personnel. The survey consisted of 21 questions covering demographics, race event details, safety and security concerns, emergency planning, response, and communications. The results of this survey have been condensed into the 2024 Marathon and Endurance Event White Paper. Special thanks to those who participated in the survey.

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.

Fundamentals of Crowd Safety Course

NCS⁴ and GKStill International have partnered to jointly offer the Fundamentals of Crowd Safety online eLearning 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.