Safety at the Forefront: Event Planners Making Security Top Priority


event security

In the latest “A View From Meeting Planners: Winning Strategies in Destination Marketing” report, respondents said they were most concerned about safety and security issues in destinations.

The threat of natural disasters and terror attacks means event planners are paying even more attention to security measures at venues.

In Development Counsellors International (DCI)’s third edition of its “A View From Meeting Planners: Winning Strategies in Destination Marketing” report, respondents said they were most concerned about safety and security issues in destinations. As Daniella Middleton, vice president at DCI, told Convene: “No destination is considered safe anymore.”

Society for Incentive Travel Excellence Chief Marketing Officer Pádraic Gilligan recently told Skift that duty of care and emergency preparedness are a given for any event, but the bar is constantly being raised. One way to raise awareness when it comes to security measures, he said, is through emergency preparedness certifications. Another is through communication with the venue.

Darren Horne, senior manager of security and safety at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, told Skift: “We are certainly seeing a change in the way our clients think about health and safety.” He added this was being noted by such measures as increased reconnaissance of the venue space before the event, engagement with intelligence agencies, use of media-monitoring software to identify risks, increased use of external security consultants, the requirement of close personal protection for VIPs, and requests for evacuation plans and procedures from the venue.

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