Yesterday, Examiner.com sent out a bulletin suggesting more articles on fan safety. Recent news was a good reason. As the memo pointed out, “at this year’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway, more than 30 fans were injured when a car flew into the catch fence and sprayed spectators with debris. Several of those fans are now considering legal action. Then at an NBA game in Indianapolis between the Indiana Pacers and Golden State Warriors, a fight between several players spilled over into the stands.”
There are several professional organizations which promote expertise in sports event safety. A decade of cost cutting has made their low profiles even lower. The seriousness of recent fan safety events may finally get them the attention -- and increased business -- they deserve.
For one hundred years, the Blue Book Building and Construction Network has been publishing directories of specialty solutions for operators of large facilities like sports stadium. The resource includes components like safety shields and emergency evacuation alert systems. The organization holds dozens of different events in cities around the U.S. And it provides a valuable free service to contact safety experts and other vendors electronically to prepare proposals for improving facility safety.
The International Facility Management Association of Houston, Texas provides professional training and certification in facilities management. It also guides members to vendors with specialized expertise in facility security. For example, Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies applies advanced technology such as biometrics with engineering knowhow to improve facility safety. Its annual convention will take place April 2 to 4 at the J.W. Marriot in Los Angeles. Attendees will put their sports event management expertise to the test on April 5 when IFMA hosts a golf tournament in Pasadena, California.
Disney, the owner of ESPN and Disney Sports and Recreation, is also making its safety management expertise available to other businesses. The Disney Institute holds regularly scheduled classes at Disney World in Orlando and Paris and also organizes custom training on site for specialized programs like sports event management.
“Recruitmilitary.com” can connect sports facilities operators with military veterans whose safety management skills have been tested in the toughest conditions. This organization also holds career events where sports facilities managers can rent booths for a nominal fee and make contacts with dozens of veterans with specialized skills. Many of these career fairs are held at major sports stadiums that are well suited for putting sports safety management candidates to the test. Gillette Stadium near Boston will host the April 11 event, Sports Authority Field in Denver will host the April 18 event and Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles will host the June 13 career fair.
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