Mia warns venues of complacency in security-led conference

Venue safety will be the leading topic at the forthcoming Meetings Industry Association (mia) conference

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Venue safety will be the leading topic at the forthcoming Meetings Industry Association (mia) conference, as it urges the sector to avoid complacency in light of recent European terrorist attacks.

The association has invited former assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and global security expert Bob Quick, alongside hospitality and events consultant Bridget Baker, to address delegates at the conference on 20 March. They will discuss safeguarding and security, and the impact of terrorism and crime on travel, tourism, events and the hospitality sector.

The one-day conference, Don’t stop… rethink, will take place at Holiday Inn London Bloomsbury and is aimed at encouraging the meetings, conference and events industry to take the lead.

Quick will outline the context of global security risks in relation to crime and terrorism, and how it can unpredictably impact upon the UK meeting industry and vulnerable venue businesses. He said: “It is highly important for associations like the mia to discuss issues of security. There is a need to drive awareness of the current and potential threats facing the industry from both criminals and terrorists, and it is important to drive home the message that there is no longer any ‘normality’ as the capabilities of terror organisations and criminals increase and their tactics continue to evolve.

“Events such as the mia conference provide a valuable opportunity to become educated about the current evolving threats to venues, and the security practise developments that must be implemented to combat the issue.”

Quick will also touch on cyber crime and how venues can increase online security.

Register for the conference here.