Trade Shows Are Big Business and Require Security

Trade shows are big business in our nation, with some cities hosting giant events that span multiple days. You may be thinking of Comic Con, but countless trade shows, industry-specific, occur annually in Las Vegas, San Diego, Los Angeles, Orlando, New York, Dallas, and every major city in between. Trade shows are an opportunity for like-minded individuals to connect and learn more about things that interest them. Even technology or car trade shows draw those with an interest and can inspire. Many trade show organizers have figured out that trade shows are successful because of the attendee experience. Business relationships are built, assets are exchanged, and prototypes can give a snapshot into the future. Event coordinators and individual businesses alike have chosen to hire private security guards to protect their assets and maintain order in busy, hectic environments.

Key Responsibilities of Trade Show Security Officers

When private security guards arrive at the venue where the trade show is being held, they immediately begin applying their knowledge and experience in risk assessment. Skilled security guards are familiar with current and emerging threats at trade shows and often receive specialized training in specific industries. At Off Duty Officers, we ask our guards to educate themselves on the industry and be able to provide an even higher level of knowledge to keep these events running smoothly. Our security roster spans across the nation, and we can dispatch skilled and equipped security officers to serve in uniform or street attire and be armed or unarmed. An armed security officer may not be necessary at a wedding trade show. Still, any trade show expecting large crowds with special appearances will benefit from the coverage trained and experience trade show security guards offer.

Crowd Management

One of the most common and well-known roles of a trade show security guard is crowd control and management. This can be inside the venue, at the entrance, in the parking area, or all three. Large crowds may need to be managed by ensuring the flow of traffic is going in the right direction, which makes identifying suspicious behaviors easier and more obvious. Suspicious behaviors must be addressed before they become a problem. The average person is unlikely to report or act on any issues they see at a trade show, which is why experienced officers are necessary at these venues to ensure a safe and secure experience. Only someone designated to watch over the crowd can accurately identify and address concerns before they become problematic.

The key to crowd control is handling things before they become an issue, and this can only be done through early identification of potential risks and suspicious behaviors.

Access Controlled

At some trade shows, companies may bring in expensive prototypes or assets to impress attendees. However, depending on your sales team to provide the level of security necessary is something that highly trained security officers can more efficiently do. If you plan to have valuable assets in your booth or are a vendor offering items people want, you deserve to protect your investment with private trade show security guards. Entrances and exits can be monitored by someone skilled in checking identification and credentials for access. Without security in place, anyone can access your booth and valuables throughout the event. When it matters, consider hiring private security guards to protect your investment, as trade shows can be expensive.

The key to access control is diligence in adhering to the provided access list and avoiding exceptions – a skill that comes from a skilled security professional.

Responding to Emergencies

People rarely think about security guards being the first to respond to an emergency, but those who choose this profession are often the first line of responders to emergencies. Bomb threats, active shooters, crimes, evacuations, and medical emergencies are fundamental considerations for large trade show events. The venues may be large, but crowds can create dangerous situations quickly. In the event of an emergency, a well-trained security officer, such as one from Off Duty Officers, will respond without hesitation. Security guards work and communicate seamlessly with law enforcement and other emergency services, thereby removing that burden from staff and other attendants who, without specialized training, are unlikely to be helpful in an actual emergency.

Trade shows are a huge moneymaker, and much of the business and interest is generated from these thoughtfully planned events because they are safe, secure, and without incident. Today, event planners and venues hosting trade shows should strongly consider using a reputable security company with skilled guards for these events. Investing in your vendors and visitors will yield significant benefits in the long run, as your event will continue to grow year after year. Contact our security coordinator today for a hassle-free quote for temporary or short-term trade show security personnel.