The International Association of Assembly Managers is forming a Safety and Security Task Force, IAAM president Lionel Dubay announced October 12. The task force will review the current crisis management methods used by the industry and work to develop "best practices" recommendaations for convention and conference centers, stadiums, arenas, and other public assembly facilities.

"We are in a new era with new challenges relative to safety, security, terrorism and crisis management," said Dubay, who manages the Stephen C. O’Connell Center at the University of Florida. "It is essential that we take action and demonstrate to our members and industry partners that we are here and committed to serve them."

The task force will focus on guest, tenant, and physical asset safety and security in light of the risk of terrorist attacks against these types of facilities. In addition to issues related to terrorist-type attacks, it also will look at general safety, security, health, and crisis management practices.

Frank Poe, past president of IAAM and CEO of the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, will chair the task force. Larry Perkins, chair of the IAAM Crowd Management Committee and Conference and assistant general manager of the Raleigh Entertainment and Sports Arena, will serve as vice chair.