NCS⁴ NEWS March 27, 2025

Register Now and Save $$$$ for the 16th National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition

The agenda is coming next week!

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!

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

five INDIVIDUALS TO RECEIVE YOUNG PROFESSIONAL SCHOLARSHIP AT THE 2025 CONFERENCE

The NCS⁴ will recognize five individuals as Young Professional Scholarship recipients during the 2025 National Conference & Exhibition.

The NCS⁴ is committed to educating the next generation of sport security professionals and supporting young professionals’ educational goals through the Young Professional Scholarship program by covering the registration fee to the National Conference. The scholarship program is sponsored by Axis Communications.

“We would like to thank our sponsor for this program, Axis Communications, as we work together to recognize and support young professionals in the sport security space. We look forward to connecting with them at the conference,” said Dr. Stacey A. Hall, NCS⁴ Executive Director and Professor of Sport Management.

The conference will expose recipients to general educational programming, innovative technology solutions, security expert insights, and networking opportunities.

“Axis Communications values education, and we celebrate personal and professional development,” said James Stark, Axis Communications Segment Development Manager – Retail, Americas. “We are proud to participate in helping deserving young professionals through the financial support of the scholarship and appreciate the opportunity to partner with NCS⁴ in this impactful initiative.”

Recipients are representatives of the following industries: professional sports and entertainment and intercollegiate athletics.

The NCS⁴ and Axis Communications are excited to announce the 2025 Young Professional Award recipients:

• Dana Cole, North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center
• Gerritt Jones, Texas Rangers Baseball Club
• Logan Kinnett, Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center
• Andrew Riojas, United Supermarkets Arena – Texas Tech University
• McKayla Tiffany, Boise State University Department of Public Safety

Congratulations to all of the recipients!

Interested in earning your CSSP designation at this year's National Conference?

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. In addition to the distinction, you will be able to connect with other CSSPs on the private CSSP LinkedIn group and interact with industry experts through a complimentary subscription to NCS⁴ CONNECT. If you are in a mid- or upper-level position and create sport-security-related policies, procedures, training, and plans, the CSSP might be right for you.

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

Getting Certified

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.

If you are interested in getting certified, please visit the conference website for additional information on taking the exam at the conference, how to prepare for the exam, and a link to the CSSP application.

Please note: Your CSSP application and all supporting materials MUST be submitted before April 29, 2025, and you MUST be notified by the NCS⁴ Certification Department that you are eligible to take the examination at the National Conference.

Thank you to our Sponsors and Exhibitors

BECOME AN EXHIBITOR OR SPONSOR

Exhibit booth spaces and sponsorships are quickly filling up - don't delay!

Registration for exhibitors and sponsors is being accepted. 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.

The NCS⁴ Hosts a Pilot Course in Nashville, TN, at Belmont University

The NCS⁴ conducted a pilot course delivery for the recertification of MGT-412: Sport Venue Evacuation and Protective Actions course in Nashville, TN, at Belmont University.

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.

The NCS⁴ Conducts a Training Session at IAVM’s Academy for Venue Safety and Security

Last week, the NCS⁴ Director of Training, Daniel Ward, conducted a training session at the International Association of Venue Managers’ (IAVM) Academy for Venue Safety and Security (AVSS). The training session gave attendees an overview of communication fundamentals, planning considerations, and venue emergency messaging principles.

NCS⁴ LEARN Course Highlight

Venue Staff Training: Security Awareness

This course is designed to enhance safety and security awareness among venue and event staff, providing a foundational understanding of safety and security principles for your organization to build upon.

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

NCS⁴ Releases 2025 Intercollegiate Athletics Safety and Security White Paper

The NCS⁴ staff surveyed attendees from the National Intercollegiate Athletics Safety and Security Forum to explore safety and security operations and concerns at intercollegiate sporting events. The survey consisted of 33 questions covering demographics, staffing and operations, safety and security concerns, and technology utilization. The results of this survey have been condensed into the 2025 Intercollegiate Athletics Safety and Security White Paper. Special thanks to those who participated in the survey.

NCS⁴ Research Presented at the College Sport Research Institute Conference, Columbia, SC

Dr. Brandon Allen, Director of Research, represented the NCS⁴ at the College Sport Research Institute Conference. Presentations authored by Dr. Allen, Dr. Stacey Hall, and Dr. Laurajean Holmgren covered 1) safety and security measures at professional venues, including emerging threats and technology solutions, and 2) Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) planning for college sports events.

This Week's GAMEDAY SECURITY Must Read

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris set a new standard for security heading into the Los Angeles Games in 2028.

CISA Releases the Active Assailant Emergency Action Plan Template and Instructional Guide

These resources provide organizations and venue operators with tangible guidance to assist users with developing a comprehensive and implementable emergency action plan (EAP).

In addition to providing a fillable and tailorable EAP template, along with a companion instructional guide, these new products also introduce numerous other applicable resources conveniently organized to align with each section of an EAP. These new products are intended for security planners of facilities and venues of all sizes.

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.