Event Planners Struggle to Balance Tight Security With a Welcoming Environment
Photo Credit: Attendees clapping at a TED conference in 2015. Flickr / TED Conference
Skift Take
Preparing for risks can be overwhelming — but it shouldn't feel that way for an attendee.
Any large gathering of people, such as a business conference, presents security risks that event organizers must be ready to respond to.
In recent years, this has become more complicated, as a few major threats have become more common. Climate change has raised the frequency of severe weather events, and has even increased the risk of disease outbreaks, according to a recent report from travel management company BCD Travel. Global tensions and the rise of polarizing political candidates have also made an impact on event safety.
Now, the main question for event planners is how to effectively prepare for such risks while still making sure the event is welcoming and enjoyable for attendees.
“Whether it’s flooding in South Africa or severe hailstorms in Guadalajara, Mexico, travelers are increasingly faced with disruptions caused by extreme natural events,” the report states. “According to the World Health Organization, large outbreaks of deadly diseases are becoming the