Sports Leagues, Venues Get Expert Security Attention

Special educational events are aiming at sports facilities with organizations ranging from the University of Southern Mississippi’s National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security to U.S. Department of Homeland Security putting on helpful conference. DHS’s Office of Infrastructure just sponsored The Sports League Conference. The sports leagues sub-sector and DHS partnership is an example of the National Infrastructure Protection Plan framework at work. The two-day event saw approximately 200 security representatives from various pro-sports leagues, including the NFL, MLB, NHL, and NASCAR, gather with private sport-event security companies and the country’s homeland security and law enforcement agencies. The conference was an opportunity for sharing information, establishing protocols, and conducting a table-top exercise in Northern Virginia.

At many pro, college and university sports venues, fun has turned into a big business season with concerns ranging from fan control and package screening to homeland security threats. So it is understandable that, for the first time in the United States, a National Sports Safety and Security Conference and Exhibition, August 2-4 in New Orleans’ Astor Crowne Plaza, will focus solely on the sports safety and security industry. It is bigger and with more scope that the DHS event. The gathering of top professionals in the field includes those tasked to protect college and university venues. The theme is "Balancing Safety, Security, and Spectator Experience" and the event is conducted by the University of Southern Mississippi’s National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4).

Security Magazine is the media sponsor for the conference, says Dr. Lou Marciani, NCS4 director. Publisher Mark McCourt said his publication's involvement with the NCS4 conference sprang from a conversation with Editor Diane Ritchey. “Diane asked me if I had interest in a larger relationship with NCS4 and the immediate answer was 'yes,' " relates McCourt.”Many of the security professionals I know at major universities and professional sporting arenas are seeking ever greater security and safety while competing with demand for bigger events and more interaction/intimacy between entertainer and fan.”

For more information about NCS4 and the national conference call 601-266-6183 or visit http://www.ncs4.com