The International Association of Assembly Managers Foundation has received a $250,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to increase emergency preparedness in venues, including meeting and convention facilities, according to a press release.

With the grant, IAAM will deliver regional training in safety and security protocols for facility managers, public safety officials, and other meetings and events professionals. Experts in risk management and emergency response from the IAAM Academy for Venue Safety and Security will lead the sessions.

“The faculty of IAAM’s Academy of Venue Safety and Security are not only experts and engaging instructors, they have hands-on experience ranging from routine planning and preparation to involvement in major emergencies,” said Frank Poe, dean of the IAAM Academy of Venue Safety and Security and director of the Dallas Convention Center.

The funds also will be used to develop a risk self-assessment and benchmarking tool for a broad range of hazard scenarios. The Risk Self Assessment Tool, which IAAM has been working on with guidance from the DHS, provides a means to assess a venue’s preparedness for a range of threats. The tool also offers guidance on safety and security enhancements.

For more details, visit www.iaamfoundation.org.