5 Critical Tips for Hiring Event Security

If you’re familiar with the 1969 Altamont Free Concert, you know the importance of event security. The organizers of that concert thought hiring event security was as simple as calling the local chapter of the Hell’s Angels and paying them in beer.

While you might not be hosting a concert with 500,000 attendees, you need good security for the safety of you and your guests. The best security ensures a smooth, seamless event.

Are you organizing something that you think will need security? Check out these five tips for hiring the best security.

1. Figure Out What You Need

Different events require different security. If you’re holding a 200 person charity dinner, you may not think you need armed event security. Then again, your Congressperson RSVP’d. You might want to think again. 

Will the event be political? Do you expect any protests? If not that, then how big is the venue? Maybe your event is in a large convention hall, or in an outdoor space like a botanical garden.

Each of these venues presents its own security risks and weak points. To get the right security, you’ll need to take all these variables into account.

2. Do Your Research

Though the Hell’s Angels example seems like hyperbole these days, Altamont sets a good example as to what you shouldn’t do when hiring event security. Don’t hire a security firm that works cheap.

Make sure they carry proper licensing. Requirements for event security licensing are different in each state, so make sure you know what they are.

Check out what services any prospective security team offers. Events have so many variables. What you envision in the planning stages may be different from what the actual event is. Are they flexible enough to adjust to a changing event’s needs?

3. Set a Budget

When planning an event, you budget for all sorts of services. There’s the cost of the venue. Then the catering and entertainment. Chairs and tables and beverage service. Don’t let the cost of hiring security for an event be an afterthought.

Event security costs range in price depending on the type of security you need. The more thorough, the more money you’ll have to spend. Armed event security costs much more than unarmed. See more about it.

4. Get the Right Ratio

You don’t want too much security. An event with too much security feels stifled and strange. Not enough security and you could expose your event.

When hiring security, discuss with any company their past experiences working events of a similar type. They’ll give you an estimate of how many guards they think you’ll need. Then compare it to how many you think you’ll need.

5. Keep Open Communication

When hiring security, it’s best to keep an open line of communication with your security company. What are your expectations for the event? What is the protocol you want them to follow?

Likewise, the company should feel comfortable communicating any issues or problems with you. Remember you hire security to keep you and your guests safe. These companies work for you.

Hiring Event Security

Hiring event security shouldn’t be an afterthought these days. Given the highly charged political times we live in, an event you may think is innocent may spur protests. Or worse.

Make sure to be diligent with your budget to include the costs of good security, assess what you need, and hire only licensed professionals.

Do you need more event planning help? Check out the rest of our site.