NCS⁴ NEWS eNewsletter | May 25, 2023

Time Is Running Out – Register Now for the Conference Next Month!

The NCS⁴ invites you to attend the 14th Annual National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition on June 27-29 at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa. The 2023 conference theme is Level-Up, challenging our industry friends and partners to strive for continuous improvement. The conference will offer dynamic programming, solution provider engagement, and opportunities to network with fellow professionals. This highly regarded gathering of sports safety and security professionals is an opportune time to share ideas, tools, and proven strategies to help advance the industry.

Kimberly Cheatle, Director of the United States Secret Service, will kick off the conference’s opening general session with “Mitigating Threats and Safeguarding Large-Scale and National Special Security Events.”

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 and network with friends and colleagues in a relaxed atmosphere.

Agenda highlight

David Atkins, keynote motivational speaker, announced to present, “No Excuses, Breakthrough Fear and Adversity to Play a Bigger Game in Business and Life” at the National Conference. Atkins is a retired New York State Police Captain with 22 years of service, a first responder at Ground Zero on 9/11, and author of The Leveled Up Life.

A presentation on “Trends in Facility Security Design” will be presented by a panel of architecture and facility design experts at the National Conference. The panel will share the latest design strategies and technologies to help keep venues safer and more secure.

Conference programming will include general sessions with panel discussions on topics relevant to today’s ever-changing security landscape, while breakout sessions allow participants to engage with panelists and attendees on key issues. Topics slated for the conference include:

• Trends in Stadium Design
• Command Center Best Practices
• Human Trafficking
• SAFETY Act
• Threat and Risk Assessment
• Building Resilient Teams
• Value of Table Top Exercises

Registering a Group?

Save $75 off each attendee registration when registering three or more people from the same organization. Discount will be automatically applied when applicable. *Cannot be combined with the member discount. *Does not apply to Private Sector Attendee registration or Exhibitors/Sponsors.

NCS⁴ Connect Member discount

NCS⁴ Connect Members receive a discount on conference attendee registration fees. If you are a current member, contact Sara Priebe for the conference discount code at sara.priebe@usm.edu. To become a member of NCS⁴ Connect, click here.

The deadline to register is June 8.

Award Recipients Announced

The NCS⁴ values the contribution of professionals in the field and is proud to recognize those individuals and organizations having a positive impact on advancing the industry. Recipients are selected by a panel of subject matter experts, industry peers, league associations, advisory committees, or the NCS⁴ leadership and awarded annually at the National Conference.

The Awards Luncheon is sponsored by Evolv Technology, which provides weapons detection systems for security screening.

Milton E. Ahlerich Distinguished Leadership Award

Jim Folk, Vice President of Ballpark Improvements for the Cleveland Guardians

Champion of Change Award

Scott Dickson, Associate General Manager of The Schottenstein Center at The Ohio State University (OSU)

The award is sponsored by 24/7 Software, which provides a DHS SAFETY Act designated operations management platform to enhance real-time communications, incident management, and more.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Dr. Lou Marciani, Director and Co-Founder, Innovation Institute for Fan Experience (IIFX)

The award is sponsored by Meridian Rapid Defense Group, which provides SAFETY Act Certified barriers for major sporting events across the U.S.

Professional of the Year Award

• Jan Seeley, Director, Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend
• Nathan Priest, Athletic Director, Morse High School
• Matt Davidson, Associate Athletic Director, Event Management and Operations, University of Nebraska
• Jorge Costa, Senior Vice President and Chief Venue Officer, Oracle Park, San Francisco Giants
• Kevin Clark, Director, Security, D.C. United
• Blake Paris, Senior Vice President of Public Safety and Guest Experience, Utah Jazz
• Leah Mastaglio, Senior Assistant General Manager, NRG Park
• Tim “Tuba” Smith, Director, Festivals and Strategic Initiatives, C3 Presents

The award is sponsored by Prevent Advisors, a full-service security consulting company with extensive knowledge, expertise, and understanding of the operational aspects of sports and entertainment facilities and venues. They are the first and only company to receive SAFETY Act Designation for a Red Team Assessment Service.

Facility of Merit Award

Grandma’s Marathon

M. O. Campbell Education Center – Aldine ISD

Charles Schwab Field Omaha

Minute Maid Park

Allegiant Stadium

Technology Alliance Member of the Year Award

Emerging Industry Leader Award

• Dr. Michele “Shelly” Weinstein, Medical Operations Coordinator, Marine Corps Marathon Organization
• Kyle Poore, Security Coordinator, Lincoln Public Schools
• Brooks Imhoff, CSSP, Director of Event Services, The Schottenstein Center, The Ohio State University
• Justin Pagan, Manager, Event Security and Team Travel, Chicago Cubs
• Nicholas Vajen, Director of Safety and Security, Sporting Kansas City
• Shaun West, Head of Team and Arena Security, National Basketball Association
• Adrianne Wynne, Director of Security, Golden State Warriors
• Anthony Kosednar, Cybersecurity Consultant, State Farm Stadium
• Colleen Iskenian, Facility Security Manager, Philadelphia Eagles

The award is sponsored by Momentus Technologies, which provides venue and event management software for venues of all kinds and events of all types.

Friends of NCS⁴ Award

• Matt Davidson, Associate Athletic Director, Event Management and Operations, University of Nebraska
• Laura Dyer, Captain (Ret.) – Special Events Commander, University of Maryland
• J.P. Hayslip, Director of Facility Security, Philadelphia Eagles
• Mark Herrera, Director of Safety and Security, The International Association of Venue Managers
• Jeff Stonebreaker, CSSP, Senior Vice President, Safety and Security, Major League Soccer
• Jason Van’t Hof, Intelligence Analyst, National Football League

Golden Eagle Award

Rampart Mobile Medical Unit, CrowdRx

Sponsored by SDM and Security Magazines

Thank You to Our Solution Partners!

NCS⁴ Staff Publishes Article in the Journal of Applied Sport Management

Dr. Stacey Hall, Dr. Joslyn Zale, and Ryan Kavanaugh publishes article on Spectator Awareness and Support of Safety and Security Practices and Technologies during COVID-19.

Abstract

Since 2020, a global pandemic has challenged the sports industry in unprecedented ways; the industry came to a standstill at one point, eventually returning with limited capacities and public health safety and security precautions. This exploratory study examined spectators' awareness and level of support for general safety and security measures and their willingness to embrace COVID-19-specific policies as they returned to live events in the U.S. in 2021. A total of 609 participants who attended a professional or collegiate sporting event within the previous three years completed the survey. Results indicated that spectators considered security measures when deciding to attend events and preferred visible measures (e.g., law enforcement presence, screening technologies, and security cameras). Spectators were willing to encounter COVID-related measures (e.g., temperature checks, digital health passes, and touchless screening) to return to live events. The most important decision-making factor in future event attendance was enhanced venue/event cleaning/hygiene protocols.

NCS⁴ Staffer, Tymika Rushing, Honored for 10 Years of Service

Congratulations to NCS⁴ Business Affairs Manager, Tymika Rushing, for her 10 years of service to The University of Southern Mississippi. Rushing was honored at an Employee Recognition ceremony earlier this month for her years of service.

Rushing is responsible for overseeing the daily financial operations of NCS⁴, which includes coordinating processes in budgeting and compliance for grants and externally funded projects, contractual amendments, and various fiscal responsibilities. Her role is to provide comprehensive financial management to include, but not limited to, budget planning, forecasting, compliance, and financial reporting.

Before joining NCS⁴, Rushing was a Contracting Specialist at the NASA Shared Services Center (NSSC) and as a Grants & Contracts Coordinator within the Office of Research Administration at The University of Southern Mississippi.

Thank you, Tymika, for your years of service. We appreciate all you do!

NCS⁴ Graduate Assistant, Liana Guillemaud, Receives Master's Degree

Congratulations to former NCS⁴ Graduate Assistant, Liana Guillemaud, for receiving a Master's degree in Business Administration from USM earlier this month. While on staff at NCS⁴, Guillemaud assisted with the membership program as well as other marketing, research, and communication activities.

ICYMI: NCS⁴ Continues to Strengthen Foothold in Industry

Millions of spectators attend sports/entertainment events across the globe every year. And with that massive audience comes the ever-present threat of violence or terrorist acts. Since 2006, the NCS⁴ has established training and protocols to mitigate potential risks associated with high-attendance venues. Housed at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) in Hattiesburg, Miss., NCS⁴ remains the nation’s only academic center devoted to the study and practice of spectator sports safety and security.

Watch the video or click the button below to view the full story from Southern Miss Now.

ICYMI: CSSP Special Edition Newsletter

The NCS⁴ recently published a special edition newsletter recognizing those who received CSSP certification over the past year. In the newsletter, the NCS⁴ congratulates the latest CSSP recipients and recognizes current certificants and commission members. Click the link to view the newsletter.

ICYMI: Dr. Stacey Hall Publishes Textbook

Dr. Stacey A. Hall, NCS⁴ Executive Director, recently announced the release of a new textbook in collaboration with longtime colleagues Dr. Walter Cooper and Dr. Jim McGee, Ph.D. “Security and Risk Assessment for Facility and Event Managers” is a new resource for practitioners in facility and event security, as well as for students taking courses in sport management, risk management, and security management. Dr. Hall thanks the Human Kinetics team for all their support and guidance (and patience).

Congratulations to Dr. Hall and her colleagues on publishing this valuable resource!

NCS⁴ eLearning Options

The NCS⁴ eLearning platform, NCS⁴ LEARN, provides opportunities for individuals and organizations to access asynchronous professional development opportunities. Current offerings include:

• Venue Staff Training
• Crowd Manager Fundamentals
• Senior Leader Course: Sports and Entertainment Security

Please visit the website or contact us at NCS4Learn@usm.edu if you have any questions or would like to inquire about bulk registration.

Click one of the links above or the button below for details or to register.

Fundamentals of Crowd Safety Course Offered Online

NCS⁴ and GKStill International have partnered to jointly offer the Fundamentals of Crowd Safety online E-Learning course to address capability gaps in crowd behavior and sciences. Professor Dr. G. Keith Still, Visiting Professor of Crowd Science at the University of Suffolk, developed this certified, accredited course. The course offers an 8-hour online interactive experience designed to teach the essential elements of crowd safety and crowd risk analysis. The course is especially valuable to event organizers, as it ensures that those who complete it are compliant with the NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code — specifically, the areas of section 12 of the code that require a venue to provide a crowd manager trained in crowd management techniques for occupancies exceeding 1000.