Security at major events has always been of great importance in the live entertainment industry. Prolight + Sound is devoting more attention than ever to this topic in light of current events. As the most important international meeting place for the industry Prolight + Sound will have its own focus on safety issues in 2020 and will even cover an entire hall level in the “Safety & Security” area.
Increased focus on safety
Due to terrorist threats and more extreme weather conditions, the topic of “security at events” is increasingly coming to the fore. Crowdmanagement is an important security aspect at major events (not only since the drama of the Love Parade in Duisburg in 2010). These and recent events at an open-air concert at which an LED wall overturned and several spectators were seriously injured are examples of why Prolight + Sound together with Verband der Medien- und Veranstaltungstechnik e. V. (Association of Media and Event Technology – VPLT) has been organizing its own conference series for many years. The International Event Safety & Security Conference (I-ESC) deals with current issues relating to the avoidance of hazards. Renowned speakers come together for this purpose. Since last year, the conference has concentrated on the direct and open exchange between speakers and participants.
I-ESC in a new guise
2019 the I-ESC presented itself in a new format and offered all lectures in English with German simultaneous translation in order to do justice to the international aspect of the event. The I-ESC will follow the new approach at the upcoming Prolight + Sound. The programme will alternate between panel discussions and expert lectures, followed by a round of questions. During the networking breaks, there will be several keynote lectures on security-related topics. Renowned speakers meet to discuss the latest findings on topics such as crowdmanagement, contingency plans in difficult weather conditions and occupational safety.
In the coming year cooperation with other industry associations is also planned which will focus on the special features of the German events market in a special I-ESC programme on 2 April.
Joint stand on the topic of “event safety”
In Hall 11.0 companies will be exhibiting everything to do with safety at major events and occupational health and safety. The latest products and current information on this topic will be presented there. Every day of the fair there will also be a separate safety programme on a central stage, in which exhibitors can actively participate or act as sponsors.
A rigging competition will be held to illustrate risk assessment, the control of technical protective measures and various rescue scenarios in practical terms.
Further topics relating to Safety & Security are in the planning stage and will be announced in good time.
