The sixth annual National Sports Safety and Security Conference and Exhibition returns to the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Fla., July 6-9. More than 400 sports venue and event operators, managers and security leaders from professional, intercollegiate and interscholastic athletics, as well as marathon and other endurance events, are expected to attend this year's event.
This year's conference will feature exhibits from some of the top suppliers in the industry, as well as an extensive offering of workshops, roundtables and seminars. New this year:
UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS FORUM
The 2015 National Forum will focus on airspace safety and security at sporting events, with a specific focus on unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and radio-controlled model aircraft (RCMA). Sports security managers across all levels are faced with this increasingly common threat and have to consider how to conduct inspections to assess locations, situations and damage; coordinate response; locate missing persons or targets; and address crowd and traffic flow.
Held July 6 from 1 to 4 p.m., the forum will help attendees understand the operating environment, the technologies and the policy implications, including what they can do to address this threat. Two solutions-based scenarios will be presented, each focusing on planning, training and response.
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MOCK TRIAL
For the first time in the history of the conference, attendees can participate as jurors in a realistic mock trial, Robinson vs. Collegiate Stadium. Based upon actual cases involving alcohol abuse, fighting and personal injury, the trial will help attendees manage and understand the impact of legal action against themselves and their organization or facility.
Says Chad Kasdan, partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP and a participating attorney in the mock trial, "Having excellent policies, procedures, training and operations is only one piece of the puzzle. Seeing how those carefully devised plans play out at trial before a judge and jury will give you rare insight into the end game. More than likely, the experience will open your eyes to a completely different perspective."
Carla Varriale, a litigator who has represented Major League Baseball teams and players, will also serve as an attorney. Dana Fox, a high-profile trial attorney, will serve as judge. Fox served as lead counsel for the Los Angeles Dodgers and former owner Frank McCourt in the litigation resulting from the assault of a spectator after a Dodgers game in 2011. He was also responsible for a summary judgment in the fatal fall of a two-year old from a luxury suite at Staples Center after a Los Angeles Lakers game.
"With the addition of the mock trial, we've created valuable learning opportunities and experiences, not just for veterans in the sports security industry, but for students studying law, as well as lawyers themselves," says NCS4 director Lou Marciani.
The mock trial will be held July 7.
SECURITY SOLUTIONS ROUNDTABLE
As many as 20 exhibitors or sponsors will participate in the first Security Solutions Roundtable, which is being held July 8 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. This unique environment will allow a small group of attendees to discuss the latest technology, products and services available to help them meet today's security challenges.
The roundtable will consist of three 30-minute sessions, with at least 10 attendees in each session. Participating suppliers will include Veracity, Esri, MicroPower Technologies, MorphoTrak, Rapiscan Systems, CEIA USA and Tramedic.
This article originally appeared in the Spring 2015 issue of Gameday Security with the title "Set to Soar"
