2024 National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition a Success!
The NCS⁴ has concluded a successful 15th Annual National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition with a record attendance. The conference was held July 9-11, 2024, at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge in Phoenix, AZ. The 2024 conference theme, “Make It Matter,” encouraged those working in sport and special event security to explore and transform ideas into tangible changes with lasting impacts. The event offered dynamic programming, solution provider engagement, and opportunities to network with fellow professionals.
The conference opened with a keynote from L. Vance Taylor, Chief, Office of Access and Functional Needs, California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, and a motivational presentation from Dave Delaney, Chief Executive Officer of Futureforth.com
General sessions covered broad topics with panel discussions relevant to sports safety and security professionals in today’s ever-changing landscape, including emerging threats in sports security, FIFA World Cup security preparation, and drone threats at sporting events, to name a few. In addition to general sessions, the conference boasted an Awards Luncheon, breakout sessions, and an exhibition hall that allowed attendees to explore emerging technologies and network with industry peers.
Planning for the 2025 Annual Conference is underway, with details to be released later this year. The event will be held July 1-3, 2025, at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio, TX.
Thank you to our exhibitors and sponsors
Dr. Walter Cooper awarded the second-ever Cornerstone Award
Dr. Walter Cooper was awarded the second-ever Cornerstone Award at the NCS⁴ 15th Annual National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition Award Luncheon held in Phoenix on July 10. The Awards Luncheon was sponsored by Evolv Technology, which provides weapons detection systems for security screening.
The Cornerstone Award recognizes individuals who have played an integral role in the foundation of the NCS⁴ and/or provided leadership in the development and growth of NCS⁴ programs.
Farewell to NCS⁴ Graduate Assistant Ryan Theriot
Congratulations to Ryan Theriot, NCS⁴ Graduate Assistant, who has accepted a position at East Mississippi Community College where he will be an assistant coach for both the men's and women's soccer teams. He graduated in the spring with a Master's of Business Administration and a certificate in Sport Security Management. While at NCS⁴, Ryan primarily assisted with the Certified Sport Security Professional Certification (CSSP).
Read the Summer 2024 Issue of GAMEDAY SECURITY
The articles in this issue cover court-storming incidents, protecting high-profile individuals at events, and a safety and security primer for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Gary Stevens, Interscholastic Advisory Committee member, Publishes Book
Stolen Seasons represents an attempt to explain how the loss of opportunities in sport – which can never be returned – spurred people on all sides of the issue to find avenues of recovery. Faced with an unforeseen and unfamiliar foe, the resilience, creativity, and sense of resolve of Mainers involved in sport was on full display for more than two years. Stolen Seasons is the story of their, at times heroic, always selfless journey towards the future.
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! Registration opens next week.
Check our Forums page for more updates as they are released.
National Intercollegiate Athletics Safety and Security Forum
The NCS⁴ team is excited to announce the National Intercollegiate Athletics Safety and Security Forum will be held January 28-29, 2025, at Duke University in Durham, NC. Mark your calendar and make plans to attend!
Check our Forums page for more updates as they are released.
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.
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.
Rude awakening for thousands of Paris tourists arriving for Olympics
PARIS — Eight days ahead of the start to the 2024 Olympic Games, the Paris security perimeter around the Seine River, the site of the opening ceremony’s boat parade, officially went into effect Thursday morning. The scene could only be described as chaotic. Read More.
‘Outraged’: Miami-Dade officials vow to evaluate security issues after Copa America chaos
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava says her administration will examine how security and crowd control shortcomings led to the bedlam at the Copa América Final to prevent it from happening at future Hard Rock Stadium events. Read More.
Euro 2024: Germany celebrates largely secure tournament
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said Monday the UEFA Euro 2024 football championship hosted by Germany was mostly calm, despite "a few security-related incidents."
"There were significantly fewer security incidents and offenses than our security authorities had expected for an event attended by millions of people," Faeser said. "The very high police presence throughout the country was the main reason for this." Read More.
Texas HS Coaches Prioritize Heat Safety Ahead of Hot August Football Practices
The Texas High School Coaches Association is prepping for hot August football practices with a new safety plan to protect players from heat illness. THSCA executive director Joe Martin told the Midland Reporter-Telegram the association didn’t believe it talked about heat safety enough during last year’s convention and that is why he made it a point to emphasize it this time around. Read more
Strategies for Prohibiting Disposable Vapes in Sporting Arenas
The players are thundering down the court with three seconds to go, they take the shot for the win, the crowd is roaring and a puff of smoke obscures your view. It’s an anti-climactic ending, but a growing reality for sports fans at stadiums and arenas. The popularity of vapes, and their indoor use, is affecting the fan experience, health and safety. Combatting the rise of disposable vapes is a critical battle for facility owners, but one with many avenues for success. In a recent report by Mountain West Wire, experts explore how facility owners are implementing rules around vapes and managing their usage in the stands. Read more