Securing the Show
Lisa Plummer -- Tradeshow Week, 7/17/2008 4:15:00 AM
Securing the Show Tradeshow security is more important than ever, according to Bill Callaghan, president of Century Security & Event Staffing. The demand is so great, he said, it made sense for his company to open another office – in the convention capitol of Las Vegas.
“That’s where everybody in the industry wants to be at one time or another,” Callaghan said. “If they can get the dates, that’s where they want to bring their tradeshows. Our clients were pushing me to go out to Las Vegas and open up (an office) because they like our management style.”
Since the new office opened in April, Callaghan’s staff hasn’t had much time to relax. So far, the company has lined up work on seven shows and events in the remainder of 2008, Callaghan said, including PGA Fall Expo, Intl. Autobody Congress & Exposition and Intl. Pool & Spa Expo/Backyard Living Expo, as well as 21 events next year.
A 33-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, the tradeshow bug bit Callaghan after working a variety of events at McCormick Place.
“It was a good opportunity for me after I retired to still work and do something I liked to do,” Callaghan said.
“There are so many different kinds of tradeshows … you’re not doing the same thing every day.”
Century first opened its doors in Orlando in 2001. Since then, the company has provided security for, among others, the Natl. Assn. of Broadcasters, the Natl. Assn. of Home Builders and the Photo Marketing Assn.
If business is booming for the security industry, does that mean shows need more protection? It depends on the show and the product, Callaghan said. The answer’s yes for electronics, jewelry and gun shows. Copyright infringement is a big problem too, he added, and guards are always on the look-out for prohibited devices, such as cell phone cameras and video equipment.
Other shows can have different issues. Callaghan said tighter security may be needed in the case of environmental or animal rights groups taking issue with certain exhibitors or shows; for events with high admission prices that may have problems with attendees trying to sneak in with expired badges; and for shows with certain themes that require age limitations.
From move-in through move-out, guards typically monitor the hall doors, check badges, roam the floor during show hours and patrol the halls after hours, making sure booths and products remain safe. For shows with bookstores, surveillance cameras and guards can also be put in place to protect goods. Though a security company is hired by the show, individual exhibitors with greater security requirements can hire extra guards to monitor their booths during and after show hours, Callaghan said.
The company expects to stay busy in Las Vegas, especially when the big tradeshow season kicks off in January. With megashows such as Intl. CES, World of Concrete and MAGIC Marketplace rolling in and out of town, Callaghan said the biggest challenge can be to motivate his personnel to preserve the robust energy and enthusiasm the busy season requires.
“Come March, I need a bed,” he joked. “Between all the venues, it’s a stretch to get it all done.”
