The National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security’s (NCS4) 12th Annual National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition agenda is now available. The conference will be held on Nov. 9-10 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Ariz., in conjunction with Title Sponsor, Aluma. The 2021 conference theme is Reconnect. Reflect. Inspire.
The conference provides an opportunity to reconnect with peers, reflect on industry changes and technological advancements, and support and inspire professionals making a difference in the safety and security of the sports and entertainment industries.
“We know how eager everyone is to gather in person, and we are excited to make that happen for our first face-to-face event since the COVID pandemic,” said Lauren Cranford, NCS4 Director of Operations. “We are working hard to bring meaningful content that is important and relevant to the sports and entertainment industry and look forward to sharing information and networking with peers during this exciting time together.”
The NCS4 announces Mark Campana, Live Nation Concerts’ Chief Operating Officer, as a keynote speaker to kick off the opening general session. Campana will inform attendees about “The Changing Entertainment Landscape.”
“The entertainment industry has adapted over the years to provide fans with better environments to enjoy a show, and it has been challenged to even a greater level over the past few years in that regard,” said Campana. “I look forward to delving into recent advancements in event management and what may be on the horizon.”
General sessions cover broad topics with panel discussions relevant to sports safety and security professionals in today’s ever-changing landscape, while breakout sessions allow participants to engage with panelists and attendees on key issues.
“The NCS4 provides a conference program that is a must for those involved with sports and special event management and security,” said Joe Monroe, University of Kentucky’s Chief of Police. “As we focus on rebounding from a pandemic, now is the time for you to connect with your peers and professionals to share best practices.”
Chief Monroe serves as a panelist on the general session entitled, “If You Build It, They Will Come: Best Practices for Managing Security Projects and Stakeholder Relationships,” where presenters discuss best practices for planning, implementing, monitoring, and managing facility renovations and new construction projects based on continuous risk assessment and predictive forecasting. Additionally, the panel shares insight on effective collaboration tactics with project stakeholders and third-party contractors to ensure harmonious working relationships throughout the lifespan of a project and beyond.
Additional general sessions include:
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: A New Lens on Safety and Security in Your Organization
• Negligent Security Litigation – Preparing for the Unexpected
• Integrating Cyber and Physical Security: An NFL Perspective
• DHS SAFETY Act: Lessons Learned From the Evolving Landscape
Attendees choose two breakout sessions from the following topics with content ranging from new technologies to communication, crisis intervention, and more:
• Breaking Barriers: The New Technologies Transforming Event and Venue Safety
• Communicating in a Crisis: Are You Ready?
• Enhancing Levels of Awareness Through Exceptional Focus, Performance, and Control in Extreme Situations
• Intro to Crisis Intervention and De-Escalation Tactics
• Thought-Provoking Security Program Continuity Considerations: Development, Evolution, and Continuum
In the breakout session, “Intro to Crisis Intervention and De-Escalation Tactics, participants can expect to learn the basic steps in de-escalation/crisis intervention based on cognitive responses vs. visceral responses. “This helps the sports security industry practitioner understand the different motivations associated with various reactions in their respective venues,” said Christian D’Alesandro, Dallas SWAT (Ret.).
In addition to keynote speakers, an awards luncheon, interactive panel discussions, and breakout sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to explore emerging technologies and network with peers during the conference. A social reception planned for the event's first evening allows practitioners, industry partners, and exhibitors to gather in the Exhibit Hall to network with friends and colleagues in a relaxed atmosphere.
To unwind after the conference, attendees can explore the 316-acre resort and surrounding the Sonoran Desert. The resort features five swimming pools, a spa, and two championship golf courses. It is surrounded by desert vistas and mountain views with opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and outdoor shopping nearby.
Visit ncs4.usm.edu/conference to register or for more information.
About NCS4:
Established in 2006, the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS⁴) is the nation's only academic center devoted to the study and practice of sports safety and security. The NCS4 is partially underwritten by grants from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The NCS4 mission focuses on three key pillars – Training and Education, Research, and Outreach. For more information about NCS4, call 601.266.6183 or visit ncs4.usm.edu.
About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is a comprehensive public research institution delivering transformative programs on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites in central and southern Mississippi, as well as online. Founded in 1910, USM is one of only 131 universities in the nation to earn the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education’s "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity” designation, and its robust research enterprise includes experts in ocean science and engineering, polymer science and engineering, and large event venue safety and security, among others. USM is also one of only 37 institutions in the nation accredited in theatre, art and design, dance and music. As an economic driver, USM generates an annual economic impact of more than $600 million across the state. USM welcomes a diverse student body of more than 14,000, representing 71 countries, all 50 states, and every county in Mississippi. USM students have collected four Truman Scholarships and 36 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships, while also leading Mississippi with 24 Goldwater Scholarships, an honor that recognizes the next generation of great research scientists. Home to the Golden Eagles, USM competes in 17 Division I sports sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For more information, visit usm.edu.
