Major changes generally come after a catalyst. And in the security world, those catalysts typically have dire consequences. That’s the case in Europe, as arenas and stadiums the continent over reimagine their security in the wake of the Manchester Arena attack in May 2017.
On May 22, Salman Abedi detonated a suicide bomb at the exit of Manchester (U.K.) Arena, just as about 14,200 patrons were exiting a concert performed by American singer Ariana Grande. The shrapnel-filled explosive device ripped into the foyer of the arena, killing 22 others—including children—and injuring 250.
The aftermath was one not only tragic on a personal level, but highly concerning from a security point of view.
Since that date, the European Arena Association has taken the lead on bringing together security groups across the continent to discuss the needed next steps. Whether devoting association meetings to the topic of security, both the International Live Music Conference or the National Arenas Association, or the organizing of the first E3S Event & Safety Security Summit in London in October 2017, the issue of security has moved into the forefront of everyone’s mind in Europe.
But none more prominent than in Manchester. While Larissa Kisel, partnership and event marketing executive for SMG Europe and Manchester Arena says they aren’t going in-depth into discussing plans for the venue—still on track to reopen in September 2017—she adds they know the importance of people feeling confident to return to the arena and therefore have invested in additional security measures at the venue to provide that additional reassurance.
Phil Mead, managing director of the NEC Group Arenas in England, says in the immediate aftermath of the Manchester incident, they worked with local and national authorities to ensure enhanced security measures at all their group venues, including Arena Birmingham and Genting Arena. While Mead says they don’t discuss specific security details, he says they review them on an ongoing basis and “additional restrictions are implemented on a show by show basis.”
Felix Frei, CEO of Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland, says that following the Manchester Arena attack, there is a new normal throughout Europe in terms of security. “Even if Switzerland is still a very safe country, you have to take these measures,” he says. “But we also must know that 100 percent security and safety is never possible.”
The E3S is organized as a one-day meeting geared toward bringing together international venues, touring and sports professionals and security experts. Launched with support from the International Live Music Conference and the European Arena Association to help develop best practices, it will take over The O2 on Oct. 10.
The O2, the venue hosting the security event, has already put a focus on heightened security, says Barnaby Hooper, communications director. “Security is monitored at all times to ensure the safety of all our fans and we have a regular dialogue with the UK security services and police. Since the tragic events in Manchester and further attacks in London, security is reviewed on a regular basis.”
With the ongoing worldwide attacks, Hooper says a heightened awareness around the issue of security has been in place for some time. “The safety and security of our fans and visitors will always be the number-one priority for our venue and the industry more widely,” Hooper says. “The threat level in the UK has remained at severe for some time and, sadly, is likely to remain that way. For us the show goes on, and we are working hard to ensure everyone coming to The O2 has a great and memorable time.”
Frei says the Manchester events were reason to pause and review what they believed was already a solid security concept for a 15,000-seat arena in northern Zurich. Since the Manchester event, he says that some promoters and artists have asked for special measures, which isn’t always a helpful way to approach a situation if it can’t be well-coordinated with the security plans in place for the venue.
As security protocols continue to expand, fans need to know that it takes time to handle the needed checks, part of the norm now, as each person gets screened into the event, large bags don’t make it in and all bags must go through a check. Mead says his experience shows that fans now appreciate the difference, knowing it leads to their safety.
At the same time, Frei says he wishes ticketing agencies and artists themselves would help promote a sense of planning for security. “The most important thing is that artists and ticketing agencies have to inform their fans about the venues’ security measures through their social media channels,” he says. “They have the direct contact to the fans. I do not understand if they are not willing to do this.”
As each venue looks to review and enhance their own security, coming together will help the process and security meetings started immediately after the attack. And will continue. A meeting of the European Arenas Association took place in Paris a week after the attack focusing on the updated information from Manchester. “It served as a way of bringing the whole community together,” Mead says, “allowing us to share our thoughts on security and what new technologies and advanced processes can be implemented to improve it further across our venues.”
The upcoming ES3 will offer a new forum to share information and best practices, says ILMC head Greg Parmley. “There are many in the live entertainment business asking what more can be done,” he says. “Should venues, promoters and security teams be working differently and what new methods, tools and technologies are available to protect audiences and artists? E3S aims to answer these questions.”
By bringing together a mix of panel discussions with presentations by subject experts on everything from behavioral detection, high footfall screening, crowd dynamics and advances in festival security protocol, Parmley hopes they’ve created a focused dialogue.
“Public safety at our events continues to be our top priority, so security has to be so, too,” Mead says. “It is an unfortunate sign of the times we are living in.”
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REIMAGINING SECURITY PROTOCOLS
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