It is becoming apparent that event planners are being put under increasing pressure to secure the safety of their attendees. We have seen a rise of modern day threats and some of these may be potentially devastating. This article looks at these potential threats and ways to protect event organisers from damages to themselves and the public.

CYBER SECURITY

More recently, cyber-attacks and cyber security have become hot topics. As an event planner, cyber-attacks may be something you miss when looking out for threats that could affect your event. Responsible event professionals should look for ways to protect their data and privacy, but trying to understand the real threat of cyber-attacks and the unknown techy world that comes with it can be daunting.

An event of any size will no doubt rely on technology to some degree, which is why you will need a cyber security event recovery plan.  The risks you may face without one are significant, so make sure you and your staff have mandatory cyber-security training and up to date knowledge in the subject so you know how to act should an attack happen. Cyber-attacks happen quickly, without anyone expecting it, but having a plan in place will reduce the panic and improve the chance of containing the threat and minimising the damage.

Ensuring you have adequate cyber security insurance will act as a much-needed safety net, should an attack occur. Cyber insurance can cover losses relating to damaged or loss of information from IT systems and networks. Many polices generally cover assistance and management of the incident itself, something you will find essential when facing reputational damage or regulatory enforcement.

TERRORISM

There’s no question, we are all shocked by recent acts of terrorism over the past couple of years and there is no doubt that security has moved up the agenda for event planners. One distressing common theme to these attacks is that often events have been the target. Regulations, compliance and terror threat can vary from country to country and we can only try our best to minimise the risk.

The government suggest that we should ‘remain alert, not alarmed’, which seems like good advice considering that thousands of events are held across the UK each day. But, what should the event organisers do to remain alert when the prospect of terrorism remains a real threat?

Most safety schemes cover areas such as evacuation procedures, crowd safety and temporary structures but do not highlight terrorism as a threat. You may be thinking that your small event may not be the next target, but taking precautions and planning down to the last detail may help you if disaster was to strike. Having a list of useful contact names and numbers may seem like a simple thing to do but could save valuable seconds. Cooperation between event owners, organisers and the venue staff is vital to ensure communication runs smoothly.

RELIANCE ON TECHNOLOGY

The pressure on event planners to deliver with the newest and smartest technology will be a challenge for the years to come and keeping pace with a constantly changing world of tech is something planners need to get on board with.  35% of event planners surveyed by Social Tables stated that the arrival of event technology has made the most noticeable impact on the industry.

Technological advancements can be at the heart of remaining cost-efficient and sustainable but come with their drawbacks if a technical issue was to occur.

Technology comes with a whole world of problems, from reliability to understanding how it works. It never really crosses your mind that the entertainment system for your event may suddenly break, or the photo-booth you borrow gets damaged by guests, so making sure you are protected for any unexpected hiccups would be the right way to go.

Ensuring you have Event Equipment Insurance will give you the reassurance that items that you are legally responsible for, including your own and borrowed items are covered against accidental damage, loss or theft.

PUBLIC LIABILITY

Although public liability insurance isn’t compulsory by law, it may be a good idea to spend some time looking into it as your event will involve some form of interaction from the public.

Public Liability Insurance covers you for the cost of a claim made by a member of the public that has suffered injury or property damage as a result of your negligence at the event. This could mean anything from a guest slipping on a wet floor to someone damaging their belongings.

At Event Insurance Services, Public Liability Insurance policies are designed to be used in conjunction with any event you may be running, even when the event is off-site at a different venue; you will be covered.

EMPLOYER LIABILITY

Having Employer Liability Cover is frequently overlooked by event planners, but if you run multiple events then you’ll know that accidents can and do occur more often than you may expect. With increased responsibility and pressure to perform well at events, employees are at a higher risk of injury than ever.

Employers Liability is potentially relevant if you have any volunteers, helpers or employees who are working at your event. Employer liability provides cover for your legal liability to pay damages, claimants costs and expenses which arise as a result of an injury to anyone you employ at your event including temporary staff, volunteers or helpers. It doesn’t matter whether they are paid or unpaid, however, they must be under your control and supervision at the time they sustain an injury.

MULTIPLE EVENTS POLICY

Absorbing all this information may be daunting, but for the modern-day event organiser, choosing a hassle-free multiple events insurance package could well be the answer to your worries.

A Multiple Events Insurance policy makes your life so much easier if you are a regular event planner, by covering all of your events under one policy. The policy provides you with the flexibility to cover each of your individual events (up to three consecutive days per event) under one simple scheme. The policy is ideal for those either organising or attending up to 45 different UK-based events in the year.