NCS⁴ NEWS eNewsletter | May 9, 2024

National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition

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.

Squires Awarded the Milton E. Ahlerich Distinguished Leadership Award

Congratulations to William (Bill) D. Squires, Founder/President of The Right Stuff Consulting, Inc., and Venue and Operations Consultant for the New York Football Giants, for being recognized with the Milton E. Ahlerich Distinguished Leadership Award. The award recognizes a professional whose career includes multiple achievements and contributions to sport safety and security. The recipient’s service, commitment, ingenuity, and integrity must have elevated the profession to new levels to warrant this prestigious honor. The recipient is selected by a panel of subject matter experts on behalf of the NCS⁴ and awarded annually at the National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition.

Agenda Highlights

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.

Discover a secret weapon communication experts use to lead with acceptance, empower teams, actively listen with intent, reduce fear and costly mistakes, think quickly on their feet, remember information, embrace innovation, and much more.

This presentation will provide emergent information so leaders, managers, operators, and analysts can better assess vulnerabilities and create a targeted security plan for facilities and events.

This session will cover the latest in security technology trends based on survey data from Security Industry (SIA) companies in the U.S. Each year SIA produces this valuable report for members and will share the findings with attendees.

Sports, recreation, and entertainment attorneys Carla Varriale-Barker and Courtney Dunn will present on liability considerations for event planners, venue operators, security, and facilities professionals.

Additional topics slated for the conference include:

• Violence Prevention Through Behavioral Threat Assessment – An Interactive Case Study
• NIL and the Celebrity Student: Security Challenges and Solutions
• The Secret Weapon Workshop
• Opportunistic Staff Training
• Security Planning for the One-Off Event
• 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

We still have a few booth spaces and sponsorships available. Please contact Sara Priebe at 601-266-6858 or sara.priebe@usm.edu for information.

NCS⁴ Staff News

NCS⁴ Graduate Assistant Enzo Fedato Ferreira, Receives MaSter’s Degree

Congratulations to NCS⁴ Graduate Assistant Enzo Fedato Ferreira, who is graduating this week with a Master’s degree in Sport Management and a graduate certificate in Sport Security Management. He also received awards for Outstanding Student in Sport Management and Outstanding Academic Achievement – Graduate. Enzo is headed to Clemson to seek a Ph.D. While on staff at NCS⁴, Enzo assisted in research efforts and conference and forum logistics.

Farewell to NCS⁴ Graduate Assistant ArianNa Barksdale

Congratulations to Arianna Barksdale, NCS⁴ Graduate Assistant, who has accepted a graduate fellowship with Grow America. She will graduate in the fall with a dual Master's degree – an MBA and a Master of Science in Economic Development (MSED). While at NCS⁴, Ari assisted with events, membership, and finance.

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.

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.

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.

CISA Vehicle Incident Prevention and Mitigation Guide

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) announced the release of a new resource, the Vehicle Incident Prevention and Mitigation Security Guide. CISA created this Guide to provide stakeholders with a high-level overview of general security best practices to prevent vehicular attacks that can harm pedestrians and critical infrastructure and potential actions to mitigate the consequences should an incident occur. It also provides a current, detailed look at the threat environment for this vector and underscores the fact that taking steps to mitigate against deliberate incidents can yield additional benefits for protection against accidental ones. The product outlines key steps organizations and individuals can take to increase their security in the face of vehicle incident threats.

For more information and to access this resource, click the button below.

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!