NCS⁴ NEWS eNewsletter | November 21, 2024

UPCOMING EVENTS

National Marathon and Endurance Events Safety and Security Forum

The NCS⁴ team is looking forward to seeing our friends and colleagues at the 2024 National Marathon and Endurance Events Safety and Security Forum in Virginia Beach, VA.

Agenda Spotlight

PR agency owner and CEO Meg Treat, APR will offer attendees the blueprint for formulating a winning response to crisis at your event. Retain your most important relationships and quell media attention with a statement that creates calm in the chaos. Learn how to turn tough moments into opportunities to strengthen your connection with your community and improve the participant experience.

Thank you to our Solution Partners

National Intercollegiate Athletics Safety and Security Forum

Make plans and join NCS⁴ for the 2025 National Intercollegiate Athletics Safety and Security Forum on January 28-29, 2025, at Duke University in Durham, NC. The objective of the Forum is to address key safety and security challenges facing intercollegiate athletic programs and to share best practices for continuous improvement.

Collegiate athletic programs and venues attract a large number of athletes and spectators, making safety and security a top priority for venue operators, public safety officials, and local communities. Discussing current issues and exploring solutions in a forum environment will help colleges and universities, athletic conferences, and associations enhance safety and security plans and operations.

The Forum runs for two full days, starting at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, January 28.

The agenda is now available. Register soon to be able to be a part of general sessions that will cover Establishing and Implementing Effective Procedures in case of Medical Emergencies, Addressing the Unique Challenges of Collegiate Venues, Effective Security Implementation when hosting International Sporting Events, Role Transitions and Identity Development, and Campus Security and First Amendment Rights.

WHO WILL BE THERE: Athletic administrators and staff from NCAA Division I, II, and III institutions, athletic conference administrators, football bowl administrators, NCAA representatives, campus law enforcement, local and state law enforcement, facility managers, government officials, emergency managers, fire/HAZMAT, emergency medical services, city planners, governing bodies, and sports commissions.

Private sector companies may only attend the forum as Solution Partners. Examples of private sector companies include event staffing, video/access management, perimeter security, consultants, lawyers, integrators, etc.

We have very limited space for this event, and registration is based on a first-come, first-served basis. The hotel room block ends on Monday, December 30. Visit the event website to learn more, register now, and book your hotel.

Thank you to our Solution Partners

For information about becoming a Solution Partner for this event, complete this form or contact Sara Priebe, NCS⁴ Event and Membership Manager, at sara.priebe@usm.edu or 601-266-6858.

2025 National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition Announced

The NCS⁴ invites you to attend 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, Texas.

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

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

Exhibitor and sponsor information:

• Registration is open for returning exhibitors and sponsors through November 24.
• Registration for new exhibitors and sponsors will begin starting on November 25.
• Exhibitors may register online.

To request information on exhibiting and sponsoring, please contact Sara Priebe, NCS⁴ Event and Membership Manager, at sara.priebe@usm.edu or 601-266-6858.

CISA Releases the Venue Guide for Security Considerations

As the Sector Risk Management Agency for Commercial Facilities, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is committed to partnering with venue operators in mitigating the threat of targeted violence and preparing for potential incidents. In collaboration with industry experts and security professionals, CISA developed the Venue Guide for Security Considerations. Applying the guide will enable venue operators to effectively identify and manage risk. This guide serves as a broad catalog to support safe and secure day-to day operations and event management planning and execution.

California Governor's Office of Emergency Services Releases Guide to Support Large Venues

The "Integrating Access and Functional Needs within Large Venue Safety & Security Operations" guide highlights the inclusive practices and procedures large venues should implement to establish a safe and secure environment for all guests before, during, and after the events they host.

Dr. Brandon Allen Featured in Published Articles

Security Management interviewed Dr. Allen about security initiatives resulting from recent attacks at a soccer match in Amsterdam.

Dr. Allen was featured in an article about the best sports cities and what makes them successful.

Dr. Stacey Hall Presents at 10th Annual New York City Corporate Security Symposium

Dr. Hall served on the Large Event Security Planning: Best Practices to Minimize Risk panel alongside, John Durkin, Regional Director, Region 2, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, DHS, Tom Galati, Senior Vice President, Security, NBC Universal, G.B. Jones, Chief Safety and Security Officer, FIFA World Cup 2026, John Eversole, Executive Vice President, Chief Security Officer, The Madison Square Garden Company, and Scott Breor, Associate Director, Infrastructure Security Division, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Department of Homeland Security

NCS⁴ Publishes Industry Research Report

Venue Security Director Survey

This study aims to explore professional sports venue security issues, emerging threats, and technology solutions. Information gleaned from this study will assist venue security directors in planning and policy development, venue operations, and technology utilization. The survey consisted of 53 questions related to venue demographics, staffing, training and development, facility operations, fan behavior, and technology solutions. The online survey was administered to venue security directors hosting professional sports teams from Major League Baseball (MLB), Major League Soccer (MLS), the National Basketball Association (NBA), the National Football League (NFL), and the National Hockey League (NHL).

This Week’s Must Read from GAMEDAY SECURITY: A United Continent

The latest issue of GAMEDAY SECURITY magazine highlights an article on “The VIP Treatment.” When North America hosts the 2026 FIFA World Cup, it will be "The biggest version of the biggest sporting event in the world." Click the link below to view the magazine and navigate to page 23 to read the article.

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.

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.