Woodstock 1969 is still the epitome of a gigantic event today. At the time, however, none of the organisers foresaw that this event would get so out of hand beyond „Love & Peace“. Back then, event security was not an issue. There were huge traffic jams on the surrounding roads, unauthorised access to the event site, injuries and enormous damage to property.
There was a lack of effective event protection, which is now mandatory for major events and strongly recommended for smaller events in order to ensure event safety on many levels.
This includes planning a safety concept to avoid obstructions and delays on access routes and at entrances and exits.
Furthermore, this safety concept usually includes
Effective event protection was obviously lacking at Woodstock in 1969. The hoped-for profit from this legendary event failed to materialise for precisely this reason: The damages to be paid were immense.
There is no standard concept for event protection, because every event is different. Consequently, there is also no standard price; this is based on the size and type of event, as well as the expected audience. A reputable company will first enquire about all the key data and get an idea of the premises and the site on site before calculating an appropriate price.
Is car park management or heaps of security necessary for smaller events, for example? Even at relatively small events, this may be necessary if the guests are high-profile and high monetary values are expected, such as at a jewellery sales event.
While the old rule of thumb of „one steward per 100 visitors“ may still be sufficient for a festival lasting several days on a greenfield site with lots of young people, completely different standards have to be applied for events with high-priced products.
Experienced event organisers are therefore aware that the invited VIPs need to be escorted, that stewards and ushers need to separate visitor flows and that security professionals can and must intervene to de-escalate situations.
But where, when and to what extent should event security be planned? Individual coordination between the organiser and an experienced security service is strongly recommended here.
Ever since the terrorist attack at the Bataclan club in Paris, visitors to major events have had an increased need for security, which organisers must take into account. Admission control with bag and body checks, for example, is an effective way of protecting the event from potential aggressors at an early stage.
A Event security is mandatory in all cases if the event is of public interest and/or has a commercial background. This applies to sporting events, concerts, political rallies or Christmas markets, exhibitions and trade fairs. The requirements of the authorities and the Assembly Centre Ordinance must be included in the preliminary analysis of the event.
If you are planning an event, ask yourself the following questions:
If you have answered „yes“ to any of these questions, it makes sense to contact a reputable security service.
He will make an appropriate selection of services from his portfolio.
There is no precise specification as to how many personnel are required or how many patrols need to be carried out. This makes it all the more important for event security to choose a security service with many years of expertise.
The quality of an event no longer depends solely on the artists, athletes or the products on display, but also on the extent to which security, peace and order can be guaranteed by the organiser.
No football fan who has bought an expensive ticket and is looking forward to the match wants to be caught between rival hooligans. In the same way, invited celebrities expect not to be harassed by overjoyed fans just before stepping onto the red carpet. For exclusive parties in a small circle, event security says a lot about the host's appreciation of the guests.
Ultimately, good event protection gives the organiser a good reputation.
Here you will find the most important aspects that should be considered in the event protection concept.
Event security is first and foremost about prevention and acting with foresight, and not just reacting when incidents occur. A good security service is not a deterrent, but conveys security and represents the organiser's sense of responsibility.
Local security companies that have been in business for a long time are generally very familiar with typical event locations and the challenges posed by the expected audience, giving them a major advantage over external or new organisers.
In addition to admission control and security, event security can also include these services:
Large events such as rock concerts, festivals or football matches certainly require all services, smaller events a suitable selection.
Equalising and directing visitor flows prevents visitors from being cramped in areas and passageways that are too small, or from clogging up entrances and access routes due to uncoordinated routes. The latter can lead to disputes, dissatisfaction or even panic and traffic accidents.
If it is an event site, the initial guidance is provided by the car park management, further instructions can be given by stewards when leaving the vehicle and visitors can be guided to the admission control.
Admission control can be carried out via admission tickets, cashier systems, turnstiles and even personal checks. This is a critical point at which the security service can stop potential aggressors before they enter the event.
If it is an event with reserved seating, the use of ushers prevents discussions and annoying situations between guests. Visitors feel supported and welcome.
During the event, Doormen monitor entrances and exits and potential danger zones. Depending on the size of the event or the local conditions, patrols are also possible. The focus is always on protecting the public. This also includes constant communication between security staff and early de-escalation intervention in the event of problem situations.
As a special service, event security can also include a cloakroom service and an information point. Visitors and guests who feel well looked after and informed are satisfied, well-balanced and can enjoy the event. Even these seemingly minor details distinguish good events from very good events.
For events with celebrities from the worlds of sport, music, film or politics, escort and personal protection is essential. This is not just about the physical protection of the people concerned, but also about shielding them from stress factors before their appearance.
Event security guarantees more than security, protection and order. The security professionals from Paffen Security Service also ensure that visitors can enjoy the event without stress. Equally important is the safety of athletes, artists and exhibitors so that they can provide the service commissioned by the organiser without unnecessary distractions and in full.
The regional presence of a security company is a real benefit for event organisers, as they already have local knowledge and good, long-standing contacts with the authorities and emergency services. Wach- und Sicherheitsdienst Paffen is very familiar with the Cologne/Bonn region. The company's many years of existence ensure smooth event protection, so that event organisers not only protect their reputation, people and property, but also their own profits.
Paffen Sicherheitsdienst offers you all security services from a single source.
We would be happy to create a customised security concept for you!
