Strategies for Securing Sporting and Entertainment Event Venues
This webinar was originally held on November 4, 2026 and is now available for on demand viewing.
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As global sporting events, concerts, festivals, political rallies, and other mass gatherings continue to attract larger crowds, they have also become increasingly attractive targets for terrorism, criminal activity, cyberattacks, civil unrest, and disruptive behavior. Recent incidents, including vehicle attacks on public gatherings, drone incursions over stadiums, cyberattacks against venue operators, coordinated ticket fraud, and growing concerns surrounding politically motivated violence, have highlighted the need for a comprehensive, intelligence-driven approach to venue security. Security leaders must protect people while preserving the guest experience, balancing visible deterrence with hospitality and operational efficiency.
This executive panel will examine how modern venue security has evolved beyond traditional guards and metal detectors into an integrated ecosystem combining intelligence sharing, behavioral detection, advanced technology, emergency preparedness, and interagency coordination. Panelists will discuss practical strategies applicable to professional sports, collegiate athletics, concerts, conventions, festivals, and campaign events.
Topics will include counterterrorism planning for soft targets, hostile vehicle mitigation, bombing prevention, drone detection, cybersecurity, severe weather preparedness, crowd science, spectator violence, real-time monitoring and surveillance and situational crime prevention. The discussion will also explore emerging technologies including AI-assisted video analytics, weapons detection systems, credential intelligence, mobile monitoring and mobile command platforms, robotics, the use of canine-assisted manned force, and integrated access control systems that enable earlier threat identification and faster response.
Beyond technology, the panel will emphasize the importance of risk assessments, crisis communications, business continuity planning, evacuation strategies, intelligence sharing between public and private partners, and ongoing security exercises. Panelists will also address the challenge of maintaining a welcoming environment while implementing robust protective measures that are inclusive, accessible, and proportionate to evolving threats.
Attendees will gain actionable insights into developing layered security strategies that strengthen resilience, improve operational readiness, and protect attendees, performers, athletes, public officials, and venue personnel across today's increasingly complex threat landscape.
Discussion Points:
- Securing Today's Soft Targets Requires Layered Defense
Explore how sporting venues, concert arenas, political rallies, and public festivals are implementing intelligence-led, layered security strategies that combine physical security, behavioral detection, cybersecurity, and real-time threat intelligence to address an increasingly diverse threat landscape. - Technology Is Transforming Event Security Operations
Examine how AI-powered video analytics, autonomous security robots, advanced weapons detection, drone detection and mitigation, credential intelligence, integrated access control, and canine-assisted security teams are enabling earlier threat detection while improving operational efficiency. - Preparing for the Full Spectrum of Risks
Discuss how security leaders are developing comprehensive preparedness plans for terrorism, hostile vehicles, cyberattacks, crowd violence, severe weather, active assailants, drone incursions, and emergency evacuations through risk assessments, tabletop exercises, and multi-agency planning. - Building Strong Public-Private Security Partnerships
Learn how venue operators, law enforcement, emergency management, intelligence agencies, private security providers, and technology partners share intelligence, coordinate incident response, and create unified command structures that improve resilience before, during, and after major events. - Protecting People Without Compromising the Guest Experience
Discover best practices for balancing visible security with hospitality by creating welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environments that maintain public confidence while enhancing safety through smart screening, crowd management, crisis communications, and business continuity planning.
Speakers
William Buckley, MBA, MS, CPP, CSSP, PSP
Security and Law Enforcement Professional
ASIS International
William Buckley, MBA, MS, CPP, CSSP, PSP, is a security and law enforcement professional specializing in security strategy, physical protection and sports and entertainment security. Affiliated with ASIS International, Buckley brings experience in security planning and operational risk management, focusing on protecting people and venues in complex environments. He holds the Certified Protection Professional (CPP) and Physical Security Professional (PSP) credentials from ASIS International, along with the Certified Sports Security Professional (CSSP) designation from NCS4. He also completed New York University's Fundamentals of Global Sports Management program. Buckley contributes to industry collaboration through ASIS International's Hospitality, Entertainment and Tourism community, supporting professional dialogue around venue security, crowd safety and evolving security challenges.
Brandon Cline
Account Executive, AmberBox Gunshot & Threat Detection
AmberBox
A former collegiate football coach with experience in sports management and athletic operations, Brandon Cline understands the unique challenges of managing and securing sports environments. He holds a Master’s degree in Athletic Administration from Central Methodist University and a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from the University of Missouri.
At AmberBox, Brandon works with organizations, including NFL teams, to enhance security across stadiums, arenas, and office facilities. He helps security leaders leverage real-time gunshot detection and automated emergency notifications to improve situational awareness and accelerate response during active threats.
Josh Ball
Vice President of Field Operations
Allied Universal Event Services
Josh Ball is Vice President of Field Operations, Quality Control and Special Events for Allied Universal Event Services, where he oversees operational quality assurance, special event operations, audits and the expansion of event consulting and risk intelligence capabilities. He brings more than 20 years of security leadership experience spanning professional sports, major events, critical infrastructure and aviation.
Prior to joining Allied Universal, Ball served as Senior Director of Safety and Security for the Kansas City Chiefs, where he led multisite security operations for NFL games, playoffs, concerts and other major events. He served as the primary security lead for FIFA World Cup matches in Kansas City and led the Chiefs' security operations for Super Bowl LVIII.
Previously, Ball was Senior Director of Security, Safety and First Aid at Churchill Downs, where he led security and safety operations for the Kentucky Derby and other events at the iconic Louisville venue. During his tenure, he also led a major security modernization initiative encompassing credentialing, access control and video surveillance.
Earlier in his career, Ball served as Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police for the Louisville Regional Airport Authority, overseeing law enforcement, emergency management and physical security for Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport and Bowman Field. He also played a leadership role in airport security modernization and served on industry committees with the Airports Council International–North America and the American Association of Airport Executives.
Major Darin J. Hull
Director
Cobb County Police Academy
Major Darin J. Hull is a 23-year law enforcement veteran currently serving as the Director of the Cobb County Police Academy in Georgia. Throughout his career, he has held numerous leadership positions overseeing patrol operations, criminal investigations, tactical operations, and public safety technology.
In addition to his law enforcement career, Major Hull has extensive experience in professional sports and large-scale event security, having worked more than 300 Major League Baseball games. He spent seven years working for the Atlanta Braves, ultimately serving as the Police Coordinator and Event Commander, overseeing law enforcement operations for games, concerts, and other major events at Truist Park, including the 2021 World Series. For the past four years, he has also worked with Major League Baseball Security, supporting security operations and coordination across professional baseball.
Major Hull holds a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and a Master of Public Administration and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Criminal Justice Leadership. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and has presented at numerous national and international law enforcement conferences.
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