Schedule

The keynote “State of Security in America – Trends, Evolution, and the Adversaries in Preparation for the 2028 Olympics” highlights the evolving security landscape as the nation gears up for the games. It discusses increasing cyber threats, the rise of domestic terrorism, and the importance of advanced technologies and inter-agency collaboration. The presentation identifies key adversaries, including both foreign and domestic threats, and emphasizes proactive measures and community engagement to ensure safety during this significant event.

A conversation with Figen Murray and Sue O’Sullivan will honor the resilience of individuals affected by terrorism while emphasizing the urgent need for advocacy and legislative reform to prevent future tragedies. Through personal stories and expert insights, the discussion aims to inspire collective action that honors victims’ memories by fostering a safer and more compassionate society.

This panel examines how sports and entertainment organizations can shift from a reactive posture to one rooted in anticipation and preparedness. Speakers will highlight the role of consistent training, empowered frontline staff, and leadership buy-in in building a culture where potential threats are identified and addressed early. Through real-world venue and event examples, the discussion will show how investing in people and prevention not only reduces risk but also protects the fan experience.

This panel examines the real-world challenges security directors face in today’s sports and entertainment venues, including staffing shortages, unruly fan behavior and evolving threat vectors. Panelists will share practical insights, lessons learned, and proven approaches to managing risk and maintaining safe, resilient venues in an increasingly complex operating environment.

In Game Day Ready, security leaders from a variety of venues come together for a practical, candid discussion on how they build, deliver, and sustain effective training programs. Panelists will share real-world approaches to onboarding, ongoing development, and scenario-based preparedness—along with lessons learned from the field. Attendees will gain insight into what’s working across different venues, how managers are adapting training to evolving threats and expectations, and ways to build confident, consistent teams ready for anything on event day. Expect actionable takeaways, peer perspectives, and ideas you can bring back to your own operation immediately.

This panel brings together experienced security leaders to examine the evolving threats, vulnerabilities, and hazards shaping the future of physical security at event venues of all shapes and sizes. Our expert panelists will explore actionable insights on emerging risks – from technologies such as artificial intelligence and drones to threat actor evolution and the international threat landscape – so you can better prepare, adapt, and protect your venues in the years ahead.

• Women In Sports Security
• Best Practices in Securing Mass Gatherings
• Best Practices for Deploying Behaviour Detection Officers

• Women In Sports Security
• Best Practices in Securing Mass Gatherings
• Best Practices for Deploying Behaviour Detection Officers

Securing buy-in from leadership is the cornerstone of a resilient organization, and what sets one apart from cultivating a reactive security program. This panel of industry leaders and executives will explore how prevention focused strategies gain traction at the highest levels. Panelists will speak to everyday approaches for aligning security initiatives with business goals, communicating risk in ways that resonate with leadership, and fostering a culture where prevention is seen as a strategic investment, not a cost-center.

The lasting lessons learned from the Manchester Arena bombing and the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting focus on how these events reshaped safety and security practices across sports and entertainment venues. Panelists will explore where traditional security assumptions failed, how prevention must extend beyond venue boundaries, and what it truly means to build a culture of prevention across operators, law enforcement, and leadership. Through real-world examples and practical insights, the discussion will emphasize shared responsibility, early intervention, and deliberate planning to reduce risk and improve outcomes before a crisis occurs.