Showsec joined a panel of high profile professionals for a lively discussion on festival safety at the UK Festival Conference, 15th November, HMV Institute in London.

Mark Logan, director at Showsec, joined the “Weather – Or Not” debate which explored safety standards following the stage collapse tragedies this summer. The panel was mediated by Andy Lenthall, general manager at Production Services Association, and featured fellow festival industry leaders including Live Nation UK COO John Probyn, Hedwig De Meyer from Stageco and Simon James from The Event Safety Shop.

Mark drew on personal experience, to discuss how thorough contingency plans, site-wide monitoring processes and incorporating external agencies are vital to diminish threats posed by adverse weather events.

Examples discussed included this year’s Bestival where Showsec evacuated during the site build, when high winds recorded at up to 28 m/s hit the site.

The effects from the tail end of Hurricane Katia meant the site lost a load-in day and caused widespread logistical disturbance to a number of the onsite agencies.

Mark commented; “Safety is about all stakeholders – festival organisers, security, police, first aid and local authorities – working together. I am delighted to have been part of such a lively panel which saw the audience get involved. The fact that the industry is continually striving to exceed safety standards can only be a good thing.

“We are proud to have supported the UK Festival Conference and Awards by being part of the panel and also sponsoring the “Best Family Festival” category. All of us at Showsec would like to extend huge congratulations to Beautiful Days festival that walked away with the title, and also congratulate our clients Creamfields for winning ‘Best Dance Festival’ and Bestival for ‘Fans Favourite Festival.”