When it comes to organizing an event, there’s a lot of factors to consider. However, there’s one crucial aspect that should be a top consideration—that is, security. As the event host, it is your responsibility to ensure the safety of your guests. Allocating a small portion of your budget and resources to security won’t hurt, as compared to having security risks and potential disasters that can compromise the success of your event.
That said, below are five security tips for your event that will promote the security and safety of your guests and staff.
- Evaluate security risks
As far as event security is concerned, know that various events have different needs. For this reason, you have to sit down and contemplate the kind of security risks your event will face. This evaluation entails knowing the location, host, attendees, the context of the event, and potential disasters during the event itself. Evaluating security risks is the initial step to planning for the security measures of your event.
- Have security checkpoints
Installing security checkpoints for entry is paramount in filtering allowed attendees from unscrupulous ones. Those who don’t have a business in attending the event shouldn’t gain entry at all. This forces agitators to confront security personnel even before they can cause any possible disasters. Make sure to install your registration desk a few hundred feet away from the lobby. That way, you can stop an uninvited person even before he or she reaches the crowd to create chaos.
- Ask valid IDs for registration
It’s supposed to be a mandatory thing to ask for valid IDs for registration. However, some small events tend to ignore this security requirement. Just to be on the safe side, it’s best to collect information for identity verification. Prior to the event, gather various data points, such as name, date of birth, and address. During the event, make sure they match the person’s identity. If someone fails to bring ID or the ID doesn’t match your registration information, do not allow entry at all.
- Keep your event private
Most businesses tend to announce their events publicly, even if the event is private in nature. The chances are that they mention their events on websites, newsletters, press releases, and social media. If it isn’t open to the public, and you already have target participants with confirmed attendance for the event, then it doesn’t make sense to promote your event in various digital channels and print media. Ultimately, informing the public about an event is a security risk, so know when to publicize your event or not.
- Set an emergency plan in place
When it comes to event security, there’s no better way than to come in prepared. This means having a security measure set in place. Also, it helps to create an emergency response plan by drafting a procedure that everyone will adhere to in case of disaster. This contingency plan includes ways for mass evacuation, locations of safe rooms, proper communication, and prompt actions to address the situation. As they say, it’s better to be prepared than sorry.
Final words
There’s no doubt that the potential for harm is too great not to take event security seriously. Given this high risk, consider the valuable security tips mentioned above—security risk evaluation, security checkpoint, valid IDs for registration, event privacy, and emergency plan.
If all these are too overwhelming to take, it’s best to hire security professionals who can do the job for you. Ultimately, an experienced security team can make a huge difference in your high-risk, crowded event.
If you’re looking for event security at your event, get in touch with us today! We’re happy to help.
