NCS⁴ NEWS eNewsletter | April 18, 2024

Register Now and Make Plans to Attend NCS⁴'s 15th Annual Conference

The NCS⁴ invites you to attend the 15th Annual National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition on July 9–11 at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. The 2024 conference theme is Make It Matter, providing our industry friends and partners an opportunity to explore how we can transform ideas into tangible, lasting change. In a rapidly evolving world where innovation and change are the norm, the true measure of progress lies in the ability to turn ideas into meaningful impact.

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.

Agenda Highlight

For the first time in the history of the FIFA Men’s World Cup tournament, the event will take place in three countries (United States, Canada, and Mexico) and sixteen venues (United States – 11, Canada – 2, and Mexico – 3). The number of teams has increased from 32 to 48, producing 104 matches. This breakout session will discuss the planning and preparation for the world’s most-watched event.

This presentation is designed to prepare participants and their organizations to handle high-stress encounters with de-escalation and conflict-resolution techniques. The original course is based on the fundamental principles from educational research on mental health guidelines and literature from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Understanding the basics of how to effectively communicate and build a rapport with the use of body language, speech, and voice for maximum impact of success is our goal while maintaining a non-negotiable factor of safety for everyone involved. The workshop will focus on learning situational awareness, identifying early indicators and non-verbal cues of aggressors, and using specific techniques to de-escalate situations to a peaceful and collaborative resolution.

Conference programming will include general sessions with panel discussions on topics relevant to today’s ever-changing security landscape, while breakout sessions allow participants to engage with panelists and attendees on key issues. Topics slated for the conference include:

• Security Planning for the One-Off Event
• Emergent Threats and Hardening Tactics
• Security Technology Megatrends and Legislative Impacts
• Mitigating Liability for Event Premises and Organizers
• Violence Prevention Through Behavioral Threat Assessment, and more!

In addition to keynote speakers, an awards luncheon, interactive panel discussions, and breakout sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to explore emerging technologies and network with peers during the conference. A social reception planned for the event’s first evening allows practitioners, industry partners, and exhibitors to gather and network with friends and colleagues in a relaxed atmosphere.

Registration is $650 for NCS⁴ Connect members and $700 for non-members.

REGISTERING A GROUP?

Save $50 off each attendee registration when registering three or more people from the same organization. Discount will be automatically applied when applicable. *Cannot be combined with the member discount. *Does not apply to Private Sector Attendee registration or Exhibitors/Sponsors.

NCS⁴ CONNECT MEMBER DISCOUNT

NCS⁴ Connect Members receive a discount on conference attendee registration fees. If you are a current member, contact Sara Priebe for the conference discount code at sara.priebe@usm.edu. To become a member of NCS⁴ Connect, click here.

THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS JUNE 7.

Thank you to our exhibitors and sponsors

Congratulations to InControl Enterprise Dynamics, 2024 Golden Eagle Award Recipient

The NCS⁴ has announced TruVenue Sports and Entertainment Application, InControl Enterprise Dynamics, as the 2024 Golden Eagle Award winner. The 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 facility infrastructure. The recipient will present their winning case study at the annual conference this summer.

Young Professional Scholarship Recipients Announced

The NCS⁴ will recognize Young Professional Scholarship recipients at the National Conference this summer. Congratulations to all of the recipients!

Visit the conference website for more information or to register for the conference.

Solution Partners – Attend, Exhibit, or Sponsor the National Conference

THE DEADLINE TO BE INCLUDED IN PRINT AND SIGNAGE IS APRIL 26.

Registration for exhibitors and sponsors is being accepted. Hurry – spots are filling up! Exhibitors may register online using the link below. For those interested in sponsoring, please contact Sara Priebe at sara.priebe@usm.edu to request a sponsorship packet or for additional information. To attend, register as a Private Sector Attendee using the link below.

New eLearning Course Released

The NCS⁴ is pleased to announce the release of the Frontline Staff Foundational Skills course. This video-based training introduces frontline staff members to the skills necessary for providing guests with a safe and enjoyable experience. For additional details or to enroll your team, contact our learning management team at NCS4Learn@usm.edu.

Dr. Hall and Daniel Ward speak at Conference in NOLA

Dr. Hall served as the Academy for Venue Safety and Security closing keynote. Daniel Ward, NCS⁴ Director of Training & Exercise, also led a breakout session.

Second Pilot Held for New Staff Training and Development Course

The NCS⁴ conducted a pilot delivery of the DHS/FEMA-funded Sport and Special Event Staff Training and Development course at the Center for Access and Student Success at Florida A&M University last week. This exciting new course brings together commercial facilities personnel, first responders, and government agencies to improve safety and security training programs for sports and special events. We want to thank everyone who participated and look forward to offering the course this fall.

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’s National Emergency Response and Recovery Training Center (TEEX/NERRTC), a member of The Texas A&M University System.

NCS⁴ in the News

NCS⁴ instructors led the Crowd Management for Sport and Special Events course hosted by Green Bay Police this week. Fox 11 News in Green Bay published a story on how the city is preparing for the 2025 NFL Draft. Click the button below for the full story.

This Week’s Must Read from Gameday Security: Exploiting Sports

The latest issue of GAMEDAY SECURITY magazine highlights an article on Exploiting Sports. Human trafficking is associated with large sporting events, but it tragically is an everyday crime that demands education, awareness, and vigilance. Click the link below to view the magazine and navigate to page 19 to read the article.

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/Managers
• Venue/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.

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:

• NEW! 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 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.

Sport and Special Event Staff Training and Development Course Coming Fall 2024

This DHS/FEMA-funded course, expected to be released in the fall of 2024, will bring together first responders, government, and commercial facilities personnel to improve safety and security training and development programs. The overall goal for this training is to provide tools and methodologies for training and developing staff assigned to and responsible for public safety at sporting and special events.

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's National Emergency Response and Recovery Training Center (TEEX/NERRTC), a member of The Texas A&M University System.

Save the Date

National Marathon and Endurance Events Safety and Security Forum

The NCS⁴ team is excited to announce the National Marathon and Endurance Events Safety and Security Forum will be held December 3-4, 2024, in Virginia Beach, Va. Mark your calendar and make plans to attend!