At conferences and other business events, the organizers must also ensure the safety of the participants. At an exclusive business event, we chose a rather unusual approach to event protection at the request of the organizers.
The background
„Thank you for not being there.“
The special task that event security faces
At a large and exclusive business event, the client company didn’t want to see the classic men in black bomber jackets with a big security sign on their backs. However, they did not want to do without security personnel as a necessary element of a well-planned event.
Original quote:
„We don’t want the guests to be afraid of the security guards.“
A sometimes justified statement, as the classic categories of BIG, BROAD, FRIGHTY and FEARFUL are often used by many security companies. This may have a right to exist in certain locations and on certain occasions, but in my personal opinion it is really difficult to reconcile with a high-class business event.
Because here, too, the saying applies: first impressions count!
The event manager therefore had the task of offering something different.
The challenge we faced for this event was to ensure the safety of the participants without being perceived as security ourselves. In this case, it was not about protecting the safety of individual speakers Rather, all participants were to be protected unobtrusively but efficiently.
Our conceptual approach for this business event
The planning of security measures must be in line with the general event planning and take into account the specific needs and risks of the event in question.
The initial briefing therefore covered the key data for the event, such as the location, number of participants and agenda, as well as the client’s detailed specifications. This was followed by further discussions and we developed the following solution for the event:
Security within the location
Our security staff were dressed in business outfits themselves and were fully integrated into the event. This way, they were able to move freely around the venue and were not perceived as security at all, but as regular participants in the event. In a rolling system, they had all security-relevant positions at the event location under control.
Monitoring the entrance
One of the security-relevant positions here, as at many events, was the entrance, where the guests were received by hostesses from the event agency. This area was also to be monitored as inconspicuously as possible. For this purpose, we positioned a darkened van in the adjacent parking lot. This allowed one of our employees to spot the access to the entrance door unseen and report any potential problems in advance. Admittedly, the special nature of the location made spotting quite easy for us.
Our conclusion
This example shows that unconventional ideas and pragmatic implementation can often lead to successful security solutions in the event sector (and not only there).
This security concept worked out to the complete satisfaction of both the client and the event agency. THANK YOU FOR NOT BEING THERE ….
Other relevant questions about security measures at business events:
Is security staff necessary at business events?
The need for security personnel depends on various factors, such as the size of the event, the venue, the type of guests (e.g. VIPs or public figures) and the type of event. For larger events or those with high-level attendees, it often makes sense to use security personnel to ensure the safety and smooth running of the event.
Are covert security measures appropriate for business events?
Covert security measures can be useful, especially if discretion is required or if an obvious security presence could be perceived as disruptive. They can help to minimize potential risks without compromising the atmosphere of the event.
Should security staff at business events be armed?
Whether security personnel should be armed depends on the specific threat level, local laws and the nature of the event. In many cases, unarmed personnel are sufficient, especially in countries with strict gun laws. However, in certain situations, such as high risk or specific threats, armed personnel may be appropriate. RH Security can also provide armed personnel.
Is event security also important for corporate events?
Corporate events are usually not open to the public, but security is still important. These events may contain sensitive information, high-level executives or valuable resources. Security needs vary depending on the type of corporate event, but measures to protect attendees, information and sometimes property are often necessary.
I am a close protection specialist with more than 10 years of experience in a special unit of the NRW state police. Since 2016 I am the owner and managing director of RH Security.
