NCS⁴ NEWS June 5, 2025

Last Chance to Register for the National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition

Please make plans and join the NCS⁴ for the 16th Annual National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio, in conjunction with Title Sponsor, CSA360 Software. 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:

• NEW! Welcome Mixer in the Exhibit Hall on the day before the conference
• Meet and greet at the 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!

See complete details and exclusions on the website.

• Member Rate: $700 per person
• Non-Member Rate: $775 per person
• Group Rate: $625 per person
• Private Sector Attendee: $900 per person

Conference Agenda Highlights

Listen to the expertise, experience, and strategies our League’s top security leaders take proactively, setting the standard, and implementing the highest levels of safety and security for our events.

Gordon Lohmeyer, CFPS/PI, Assistant Agency Director, Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), will present on “Lithium Ion Battery and Energy-Responsive Challenges”.

During this session, attendees will see a practical exercise to test resilience concepts against worst-case scenarios stemming from hypothetical terrorism, natural disaster, and/or technological failure events.

During this session, Robert Miller will review the most current concepts and standards used in the protective design marketplace with a focus on fences, gates, bollards, and barriers.

Step into the dynamic world of Generative AI with this hands-on workshop designed to elevate your understanding and practical skills. James Spellos will dive into popular tools like ChatGPT, Claude, MidJourney, and Leonardo, along with a range of other cutting-edge platforms.

In this session, partnering organizations for Duke University Event Medicine will discuss their approach to emergency medical preparedness for events. This session aims to present ideas for venues and organizations of all sizes to build confidence and relationships alongside emergency preparedness.

Join Mark Camillo, Special Agent, U.S. Secret Service, Retired, when he discusses Best Practices to follow when hosting an International Sporting Event.

In this breakout session, Drew Pittman will lead a discussion on the future of field storming and court rushes, as numbers are on the rise for these types of events.

During this workshop, Amanda Wright will lead a conversation around emergency messaging for venues.

2025 AWARD RECIPIENTS

2025 Friends of ncs⁴ recipients

Four professionals will be recognized for their contributions to NCS⁴. The Friends of NCS⁴ Award recognizes professionals whose contributions have been invaluable to the advancement of the Center. The NCS⁴ staff and leadership nominate individuals who have been integral to the Center’s goals and activities during the past year.

David l. thomas

2025 champion of change award

David L. Thomas, Senior Vice President, Security & Ballpark Operations at Major League Baseball (MLB), will be presented the Champion of Change Award. The Champion of Change Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated their ability and commitment to bring about positive change in the sports safety and security industry. Through progressive leadership, this individual’s achievements have made a difference in organizational effectiveness and led the organization forward.

This award is sponsored by inOrbit, a software company dedicated to improving the lives of Security Professionals by developing the industry’s first Security Program Management Software (SPMS).

matt pellegrino

2025 milton e. ahlerich distinguished leadership award

Matt Pellegrino, Vice President, Operations and Match Day Security, New York City FC, will be presented the Milton E. Ahlerich Distinguished Leader Award. The Milton E. Ahlerich Distinguished Leadership Award recognizes a professional whose career includes multiple achievements and contributions to sports safety and security. The recipient’s service, commitment, ingenuity, and integrity must have elevated the profession to new levels to warrant this prestigious honor.

2025 facility of merit recipients

Five sports facilities will be recognized for their leadership in addressing safety and security issues as part of this year's conference. The Facility of Merit Award recognizes a sports facility that has demonstrated an innovative approach to enhancing safety and security beyond its normal operations or addressed a significant safety/security concern.

Thank you to our Sponsors and Exhibitors

The NCS⁴ Hosts a Pilot Course in Virginia Beach, VA

The NCS⁴ conducted a pilot course delivery for the recertification of MGT-475: Crowd Management for Sports and Special Events course in Virginia Beach, VA, hosted by the City of Virginia Beach Police Department.

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.

NCS⁴ Technology Webinar

Presented by Joshua Field, CSSP, Founder & CEO, Secure Event Solutions; Paul R. Grohowski, MPA, Security Manager, Orlando Venues; Joe Monroe, Chief of Police, University of Kentucky. Red Teaming provides a strategic approach to examining and strengthening organizational defenses. This session explores the fundamentals of red teaming, its methodologies, and the tangible benefits it delivers.

NCS⁴ LEARN Course Highlight

CROWD MANAGER FUNDAMENTALS

The goal of this course is to prepare venue staff to support crowd management needs and assist venue occupants. Frontline staff will be able to recognize hazards and understand the actions necessary during normal and emergency operations. The course is designed to supplement venue-specific training.

To learn more about eLearning opportunities, visit NCS⁴ LEARN or contact us at NCS4Learn@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:

• Frontline Staff Foundational Skills
• Crowd Manager Fundamentals
• Venue Staff Training: Security Awareness
• 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.