Production Live! Coverage: The Diplomacy & Necessity of Back-of-House Security

The best security practices are out there and more concert organizers are paying attention. Meanwhile the technology and tools behind security are improving daily at dizzying speed with innovations that previously seemed to be the stuff of spy movies, but that all goes for naught if two things aren’t handled. 

Josh Blanchard – Yes, Even You
Production Live! panel discussion with Mike Downing, Ross Hollman and Cory Meredith Feb. 6.

“We all know what to do. We’ve had these brainstorms and know the best practices,” StaffPro President Cory Meredith said. “But it all costs money. So you have to figure out who is going to pay for it and who is also going to make sure it’s done properly. I think that’s the big change we’re seeing today.”

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The discussion kicked off Production Live! which takes place the day before Pollstar Live! focusing on the industry behind the scenes putting the shows together. Before the panel, Oak View Group President of Media and Conferences Ray Waddell welcomed guests and noted the importance of the production industry to both Pollstar and the re-launched Venues Now.

The panel agreed that while security will never be the No. 1 priority of concert organizers and artists, it needs to, and has, become at least a priority. “After 9/11 I really thought there would be a lot of change in the industry. Unfortunately, everyone put their head in the sand and that’s not going to happen with me,” Meredith said. “Finally we’re in a world where it’s definitely changing. We’re getting to the point where the artists want to be safe. They’re questioning the venues and saying we need to make sure you produce the best practices not only for ourselves but for our guests and our crew.

“I think the guests are getting smarter and smarter and asking, ‘Do I really want to go somewhere that’s not a hard target? I want to feel safe.”

Prevent Advisors Chief Security Officer Mike Downing, who moderated the panel, reiterated the mantra of security, military and police not being enough to stop the worst from happening, meaning the public as well as staff from top to recognizing behavioral cues and knowing when to speak up.

“The difference between prevention or crisis response – we always depend on our first responders when there is a crisis to bring chaos to order, but this idea of creating a culture of first preventers really relies on the people running the arenas and living in the communities, and I think that’s a really strong principle,” Downing said. Counter-terrorism and security firm Prevent Advisers is owned by Oak View Group, Pollstar’s parent company. 

Josh Blanchard – Production Live!
Oak View Group President of Media and Conferences Ray Waddell welcomes the crowd Feb. 6.

Ross Hollman, co-founder and CEO of SHO Services, stressed the importance of clear training and examples for staff – creating a culture where everyone feels encouraged to speak out and training that can be easily passed down to staffs that can often number in the hundreds.

“I think that ‘If you see something, say something,’ that’s been around for a long time, we see it in airports, it was in the subways in New York long before it was adopted nationally,” said Hollman, whose company provides crowd safety consulting and management for large events. “It’s been so beaten to death for so long that no one is really paying attention to it. So how do you reframe that in such a way that people are living that without hammering home a message that, in my opinion, [people] have a little bit started to ignore?”

Another practical thing that needs to be figured out ahead of time and can limit problems is clear and well defined credentials.

Hollman mentioned RFID integration that allows a lost or stolen badge to be deactivated instantly, near-instant face recognition software, and metal detector screening that will not only be shrunk down to a manageable size for events (rather than the airport monstrosities) but also allow security to know whether it’s just a flask in someone’s pocket and not a pistol.

Other considerations for backstage include being aware of cinder-block safe rooms rather than drywall and evacuation plans for artists as well as inexpensive wedges for doors that can allow artists and crew to prevent people from entering.

As always, while you can’t always prevent the worst from happening, you need to be prepared when it does.

Josh Blanchard – Production Live!: Back Of House Security
Mike Downing, Ross Hollman and Cory Meredith

“We’re in the midst of developing a training program for frontline employees all the way down to volunteers that are just there for the weekend, the basics of situational awareness, things to look for, behavioral cues. And the second part is how to respond to bleeding,” Hollman said.

“In talking with a number of security guards who were there at Route 91. Guys were taking off their belts with no training in how to use tourniquets, people were sticking their fingers in wounds –things that are a little uncomfortable to talk about, but those sort of [preparatory] techniques are out there and accessible.

“That equipment to carry and stage is relatively inexpensive and saves lives.”