Trade Show & Exhibit Security and Safety Awareness Tips:

As if Trade Show and Exhibit Professionals did not have enough to concern themselves with, Felix P. Nater, President of Nater Associates, Ltd. a Workplace Security Expert suggests that proper preparation begins with the planning stages and concludes with the closing bell. Remember that your security and safety planning and execution considerations are not factors that should be overlooked or taken lightly. Having them included in your welcome packages will increase exhibitor’s value of the venue, the organizers and the potential customers. “An ounce of prevention is worth a point of cure.”

Merely planning for the sales lead and having the best exhibit that attracts the most number of clients are primary goals all exhibitors should strive to achieve. However, being conscious of the critical issues affecting the lead and the success of the exhibit takes constant care. Here are some suggestions Felix offers to help make your efforts worthwhile and all it takes is a little planning or having the experts plan the security process with you and your potential customers in mind.

- Planning without a security survey of your target location and situation could expose you to safety and security concerns you may assume are not barriers to a successful event. However, your prospective attendee might and not attend.

- Airline travel is a challenge at best these days. Will the level of security restrict travel individuals who might be at risk and will the location have an impact on the decision.

- Travel arrangements are sensitive concerns to foreign travelers and women in general. Appropriate arrangements at airports can be made by having greeters to coordinate travel to venue and alerting travelers of the unique criminal potentials most travelers are not aware of.

- The location of medical facilities approximate to the exhibit facilities is critical when there are special medical situations.

- Exhibitors, employees and participants should be informed to wear identification markings for routine security and in case of an emergency, which should include contact information.

- Exhibit information should address tourist boundaries in affect to protect unsuspecting exhibitors, employees and attendees from wandering into perilous situations.

- When leaving your booth areas, secure sensitive equipment and personal items. Criminals populate congregated areas, are in our midst and are as well dressed as the next exhibitor.

- Carrying laptops is both fashionable and essential to ones daily activities. Yet, laptops are the most sought after piece of technology. Why not install anti-theft software or Bio-stiks to deny access incident to a theft or loss.

- Access control should require the displaying of a daily badge by all, which distinguishes exhibitor from attendees.

- Display Badges should require issuance to those who present a valid photo identification card or driver’s license, which is entered into a database.

- When arriving to the facility parking lot, take care to observe the area as you drive in. Scan casually to notice any strange behavior or activity.

- When traveling in a car, avoid pulling in nose first into a parking if you can help it. Park with the front-end of your vehicle out ALWAYS unless otherwise posted.; Escape and Survival is your personal goal. Accidents do happen. 

- Coordinate security needs of key personnel in advance. If you promote an event at limited or restricted, ensure you abide by the notice.

- And finally yet importantly is accountability. In case of a theft, police would like to know what was stolen. Having a Checklist of all your personal and exhibit property will aid police in the recovery of the property in the event of an arrest or Lost and Found.

- Checklist should also be used to close down your exhibit areas at the end of the exhibit.

At the end of the day, the level of care and safety exhibitors provide exhibitors, employees, guests and visitor will determine the level of exposure if negligence is the charge.

For additional information, contact your Workplace Security Consultant, Felix P. Nater, President of Nater Associates, Ltd at 516-285-8484 or via email at nater@naterassociates.com.