NEW ORLEANS—With two successful conferences already under their belts, officials at the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4), expect the third edition to be even bigger and better.
The 3rd Annual National Sports Safety and Security Conference and Exhibition is set for July 31-Aug. 2, 2012 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans. The theme for this year’s conference is “Bridging the Gap between SAFETY and Security.”
“There is a growing interest in sport safety and security at the professional college settings,” said NCS4 Director Dr. Lou Marciani. “The conference and exhibition provides a wholesome environment for sport venue security personnel, event services, first responders, manufacturers, government agencies and league security officials to learn more about security/safety technologies, services and education.”
The 2011 conference included a sellout among vendors (56) and attendees (more than 400). The conference also featured a keynote address by NASCAR President Mike Helton. NCS4 officials expect at least 450 attendees for the 2012 conference and have reserved space for as many as 63 exhibitors.
Among the many topics scheduled for discussion during the three-day conference are the following:
• “National Forum: Spectator Violence”
• “The New Spectator: A Change in the Landscape”
• “Dealing with Weather: Safety Factors to Consider”
• “Preparing for Incidents Involving Active Shooter”
• “Best Practices in Mitigating Risk at Your Sports Venue”
Established in 2006, the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security at The University of Southern Mississippi was created to provide an interdisciplinary academic environment to further increase sport security awareness, improve sport security policies and procedures and enhance emergency response through evacuation, recovery operations and crowd management training.
For more information about NCS4 and the national conference call (601) 266-6183 or visit www.NCS4.com/conference.
