Putting Trust and Safety at the Forefront of Events

Olympia’s robust event security operation was on show during last year’s London Tech Week – the UK’s flagship technology and innovation event. Over 28,000 delegates from 128 countries attended over three days, including several high-profile guests and VIPs, making it one of the largest events in the venue’s calendar.

“Due to the event’s high-risk profile, the security operation for London Tech Week needed to be executed to the highest standard,” said Paul Field, Security & Traffic Logistics Manager at Olympia Events. “From enhanced screening measures to effective coordination with local authorities, specialist teams, and our appointed security partner, Stambridge Events, we made sure visitor safety was our top priority throughout.”

With such a large and international audience, the venue’s security team worked closely with local authorities to bolster its existing procedures. The Hammersmith & Fulham (H&F) counter-terror desk and the Metropolitan Police events team were engaged early in the planning stages to ensure that robust measures were in place to deal with any potential threats or disruption.

Coordinated Planning

In addition to Olympia’s standard safety procedures, a number of enhanced security protocols were introduced. These included 100% bag checks, vehicle searches, explosion detection dogs, behavioural detection officers, and social media monitoring to flag potential risks.

“We worked closely with local authorities to ensure every potential security risk was mitigated, maintaining regular communication with them in the lead up to, and during the event,” Paul continued. “Creating a robust environment in which our delegates, exhibitors and VIPs felt safe was instrumental in ensuring the event ran smoothly and without disruption.”

Designated protest zones were also agreed in advance, helping to ensure any demonstrations could be managed safely and with minimal impact on the event. A police security coordinator was appointed to oversee operations, supported by uniformed officers and the Met’s  servitor team, who maintained a visible presence throughout the build and live show periods.

Smooth Delivery

London Tech Week’s second year at Olympia passed without any major incidents. Only minimal adjustments were requested by police to the venue’s proposed security strategy, reflecting the strength of the planning and communication in place.

Paul concluded: “What truly stood out was the team’s attention to detail and commitment to excellence. We were able to support the successful delivery of London Tech Week’s second event at Olympia thanks to the proactive and collaborative approach of our team with all stakeholders involved.”

The combination of visible policing, coordinated planning, and proactive risk management ensured the event ran smoothly for all involved. It was a clear demonstration of how close collaboration between organisers, venue teams, security partners, and local authorities can safeguard large-scale events without compromising the delegate experience.

Originally published on Event Industry News. Source: https://www.eventindustrynews.com/news/putting-trust-and-safety-at-the-forefront-of-events