What religious meeting planners should consider
Richard P. Werth, who specializes in event and meeting security, compiled the following tips. Security should be a top priority for religious meeting planners, Werth contends, but in light of the September terrorist attacks, planners must take a proactive role in ensuring attendee safety.
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Stay alert to local and international news/issues, which can change quickly and may affect your event.
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Assess all your events/meetings, destinations, and facilities to determine potential risks and concerns. Be sensitive to attendees' concerns about their safety and about being away from loved ones. Make changes as appropriate. If there is a good business reason for events to continue, move forward cautiously and alertly.
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Make security an integral part of the event planning process.
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Consider lower profile destinations, venues and/or alternative meeting solutions.
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Examine event contracts for cancellations, changes, etc., to determine any effect. Review insurance policies to determine specific coverage.
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Review event and travel policies and procedures to ensure that they are relevant to the environment in which we must now operate.
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Ensure that emergency plans are integrated into every event. Develop contingency destinations and facilities in case venues must be changed.
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To reduce your organization's name exposure, use only low-profile signage and badges, non-company name merchandise items, etc.
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Establish a good relationship with hotel/facility security management.
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Use professional event security resources that have an established track record and that understand your event's objectives.
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Develop an emergency plan that includes critical local resources. Maintain accurate lists of attendees, their hotel(s) and room numbers, and their emergency contact information.
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Provide attendees with security, health and cultural guidelines customized to the destination, venues, and activities.
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Brief event staff on security and contingency procedures.
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Establish effective access control policies and procedures.
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Consider professional charter aircraft companies as an alternative to commercial air travel.
