When to Brave the Crowds

On this blog we talk a lot about avoiding crowds and crowd control. No one likes to be in the middle of a large crowd with constant bustling. It can be both overwhelming and frustrating to be stuck in the middle of a crowd. Despite this, there are certain situations when being amid a crowd is worth it. This month we’re going to give you our top times to brave the crowds.

1.      Cultural/Historical Sites – If you’re going to go on vacation, especially if you plan to leave the country, you will likely have the opportunity to view many cultural and historical sites. Locations such as Big Ben and the Eiffel Tower are always going to be packed, and for good reason. Significant landmarks like this will give you memories to last a lifetime, and it’s well worth traveling amid the crowds to get a peek at them.

2.      Festivals – Any big festival is going to be crowded. Festivals are also something that can be attended for a limited time. They’re a celebration, and the best thing you can do is embrace the crowds and join the celebration.

3.      Natural Landmarks – Locations such as the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls create a sense of magic. These completely natural landscapes feel otherworldly. They’re a great reminder of the power of nature. These awe-inspiring destinations are also often fairly crowded. Don’t worry though, because for the most part crowds will not take away from the show.

4.      Holiday events – Whether you’re going to a big party or just want to head to the beach for the 4^th of July, you are likely to encounter a lot of crowding. You may be tempted to stay home and avoid the crowds, but if that’s hindering your ability to celebrate, reconsider.

5.      Concerts – A concert by nature is crowded. There’s a lot of standing, singing, and dancing, and for

some people this may get overwhelming. For concerts though, the larger crowds are what give the show energy. It is that energy, as well as the performer, that really makes a concert great.

6.      Rallies – In the spirit of the presidential election, we’ve included this item on the list. Much like concerts, a rally gathers energy with a crowd. It is also a great way to get more politically involved and learn more about where the candidates stand on the issues.

7.      Sporting Events – A sporting event that has low attendance has much less enthusiasm. A crowd really feeds off each other, and this is the perfect thing to happen at a sporting event. It gets the crowd riled up and excited for the game.

8.      Conventions – There’s tons of conventions out there. The types that typically come to mind are conventions centered around video games and anime. That’s not the only type of convention, though! No matter what type you attend, the crowds create an energy that can make or break the event.

There are two types of situations where you should brave the crowds; situations you enjoy in spite of the crowds, and situations you enjoy because of the crowds. Don’t be too quick to dismiss something due only to the crowds. There’s nothing quite like observing something special surrounded by others appreciating the same thing. So get out there, join the crowds, and enjoy! 

Theme Parks and Crowd Strategy

There are many places across the planet that is filled with crowds. Popular cultural sites such as Big Ben and the Eiffel Tower are almost always busy. If you’re heading to a big festival you can be sure there will be many other people in attendance. It is also seasonal based; cozy cafes are more likely to fill up in winter while ice cream shops and parks tend to see increased attendance in summer. For many of these places, there is little that can be done to limit crowds. This can also hold true with other popular locations, such as theme parks. But some theme parks are taking a swing at limiting overcrowding while still maximizing profits.

For example, Disney recently announced the rollout of seasonal prices. This means that a single, day pass will change in price depending on if it is a “peak” “regular” or “value” day. Visitors are able to look at a calendar in advance of a trip to see what type of price they will have to pay to get in. The goal of this is to spread out visitors to the park more equally. This has been met with both praise and criticism. Some welcome the chance to spread out the visitors, while some call the decision price discrimination, stating that it’s just another way for Disney to raise its prices. A few months prior to this, Disneyland announced an increase in their prices and the elimination of some annual passes. This was another attempt to control crowds. By changing the seasonal passes, it allows pass holders to visit less often, or to visit as often as they want at a higher price.

When the crowds are already in the park, theme parks often have strategies to try and manage them. Universal, for example, keeps posted signs up alerting attendees of line wait times. This can encourage guests away from busy zones until the lines become more manageable. Parks may notice certain areas becoming overcrowded. If a line gets too long, costumed characters may be sent over to act as a distraction. If a restaurant is too busy, additional registers may be opened.  For some lines games are set up along the way to distract people as they wait.

Crowd management is all about keeping crowds happy. If the crowds can’t be lowered, theme parks are doing all they can to spread those crowds out and keep their customers happy.  

Vote "No" for Poor Crowd Control

With the presidential election coming up this year, primaries and caucuses are in full swing. Voter turnout can be challenging to predict. Some states see small numbers at the polls while other states are overwhelmed. Take the Democratic caucus in Colorado for example. Buildings were at max capacity, forcing hundreds of voters to wait outside to be let in one-by-one. Some didn’t feel safe in the large overwhelming crowds and left. Some were even turned away.

When it comes to elections, crowd control needs to be a priority. Every eligible citizen should have the opportunity to voice their opinion in the elections, but that becomes difficult when crowd control is lacking and citizens are unable to cast their vote.

Predicting crowd size is the largest flaw in terms of crowd control. Unfortunately, there is not much that can be done about it. There are other steps that polling locations can take to decrease wait times for citizens, though.

The first step is to set up as many machines as a site can hold. This allows the entire process to move much more quickly, even if voter turnout is lower than expected. Another step that can be taken is to bring in more workers and volunteers to voting sites to help citizens. Individuals often will arrive to vote who are not registered, or arrive at the wrong polling location. More staff allows these people to be helped more efficiently. Of course, keeping crowd control barriers up and visible is incredibly important. Having the proper signage also lessens confusion and makes the process smoother.

To avoid extra work on election night, counties should do their part in educating voters far in 

advanced. Information can be made available in print formats, online, and through media such as radio or the news. Encouraging residents to register in advanced and find their correct voting station will make the process much smoother.

Voters themselves can attempt to take steps to beat the crowds on election days. Voting during an off-peak time can go a long way; however some polls have a very limited timeframe that voters can work with.

Voting is an American right. Don’t impede on citizen’s ability to vote. Have a crowd control plan in place to allow everyone’s voices to be heard.

Hosting Outdoor Events in Winter

Hosting an outdoor event during the winter months can be very complicated. Outdoor winter events are often fun, memorable, and exciting. Of course, with the temperatures falling and the chance for snow imminent in much of the country, outdoor events must be approached the correct way. We’ve got some tips for how to handle the crowds and the festivities.

1.      Bonfires are a great focal point for any outdoor winter event. They’re cheery and above all, warm. If you plan to have bonfires at an event, make sure you take the proper precautions. The fire must be kept at a safe level, and you should have a barrier between the flames and the attendees. If you choose not to do this, make sure someone is monitoring the fire at all times, especially with children around.

2.      Serve warm food for crowds. No one wants ice cream when it’s below freezing outside. Plus, many warm foods that are common in winter are easy to store and keep warm with the right equipment. Soups, stews, and chili are all popular in the colder months and can be made in large quantities before the event even begins.

3.      Don’t stop at hot foods. Hot drinks are a great way to warm a guest to their core. Hot chocolate, apple cider, and hot tea are all great hot drinks you can make for an event.

4.      To keep your guests even warmer, invest in a tent along with tent heaters. A tent will provide some extra shelter from the cold and wind (and sometimes snow). Tent heaters allow you to have a warm area that guests can take refuge in.

5.      Be sure you have enough warm areas to accommodate the crowds at your events. Having one bonfire when you expect hundreds of guests is not sufficient. Pay attention to the projected attendance and plan accordingly.

6.      Make sure to make the venue safe before the event begins. In winter it is common for there to be snow and ice on the ground. This should be cleared as much as possible before the event so your guests will be safe.

7.      Keep a close eye on the weather reports. Winter weather is very unpredictable. Snow, ice, sleet, and freezing temperatures can make your event unsafe. Keep the lines of communication open with your guests.

8.      Make sure your event is well lit. This seems fairly basic, but you must keep in mind that in winter it gets dark sooner than you might expect. There’s many creative ways you can light an event. Try candles, fairy lights, and more!

9.      Have an accessory stand for guests that did not come prepared for cold temperatures. It’s easy to forget a scarf or gloves when you are in a rush. Having a small stock of emergency supplies for your guests goes a long way. Great selections include gloves, scarves, hats, and hand/toe warmers. Anything not used can be saved or donated to a homeless shelter after the event.

10.   Embrace it! Chances are if you’re having an event outdoors in winter, it’s for a reason. Have fun with the theme and the planning!

It’s important to keep the crowds happy at your event. Follow these tips and you’ll be closer to doing so! 

Retail Crowd Safety

When a person considers a dangerous environment, a retail location is not usually at the top of the list. Unfortunately the busy holiday shopping season has led to heated arguments, injuries, and even death. Employers have a responsibility to do everything in their power to keep their employees and customers safe. While there should always be a crowd management plan, there must also be special considerations for the holiday season. Read on for some tips from us when it comes to crowd control.

·         Hire extra staff for the holiday season. This is something that many retailers already do to keep up with the increase in sales. In addition, be sure there is enough staff for each specific department. This includes staff that works the registers, fitting rooms, stocking, and much more.

·         Make sure to have an emergency plan in place for your workers to follow. This applies to any dangers your workers may face including fire, crowd crushing, violent store acts, and overcrowding. Make sure each employee understands what to do in each situation.

·         When your store is having a major sale be sure to have crowd control barriers in place. This may include barricades for forming store lines and barricades in certain store aisles to prevent overcrowding. This includes having the proper signage. Signs should clearly indicate information to customers in line, provide a clear path to exits, and explain sales.

·         Have plans in place for winter safety. This includes many different things. Have an inclement weather plan in place in case a store location must be shut down. Even if your location stays open it is likely many employees will call in. You must also be sure to keep parking lots plowed and sidewalks shoveled and salted. Eliminate any hazard to your employees and customers.

·         Focus extra attention on the days that are projected to be the busiest. This allows you to add extra staff and security. The projected busiest shopping days this month according to Shoppertrak are as follows: December 5^th, 12^th, 13^th, 19^th, 20^th, 21^st, and 26^th.

·         Spend extra time on the normal safety precautions that go into managing a store and train your employees to do so as well. Remind employees to always pick up items off the floor to avoid tripping hazards. Clothing racks must be watched, as customers can easily ram into racks that are bare of merchandise and injure themselves. Spills should be cleaned up promptly.

These tips can help you avoid making headlines this holiday season for all the wrong reasons. In a retail environment it is of course a priority to make sales, but keeping employees and customers safe must be your highest priority. 

Black Friday Tips

Black Friday is just over a week away. Are you planning on braving the crowds to get some holiday deals? Well there’s a few things you should keep in mind before you go.

One:  Check out the ads before you shop. You can find some of them online already. Now is the time to compare prices and find out where the best deals are. Once you’ve found them, have a list of the stores you want to hit and the items you want to buy.

Two: Have a plan in place before you want to leave to shop. Know which stores you want to check out, and place them in an order. Some stores open Thanksgiving for a limited time before closing, some open Thanksgiving and stay open overnight, and some don’t open until Black Friday. Knowing store hours and doorbuster schedules is important to scoring the best deals.

Three: Check online sales before you go shopping. It’s possible that retail locations are offering the same deals, or even better, online. If the items you want are a better price online you can do all your shopping from home and avoid the crowds.

Four: If possible, avoid waiting in line for a store to open. Store openings have cause injuries and even deaths on Black Friday due to unruly customers trying to get to their sales. An easy way to avoid this is to start shopping several hours after stores have already opened. Besides, this means you can relax at home and finish up dinner instead of standing in a long line!  

Five: When you are physically in the store, be aware of your surroundings. It is often possible to notice if a situation is going to escalate. Watch for individual shoppers that are particularly loud, disruptive, angry, and rushed. One of these shoppers can spur on others. If you notice a disturbance in an area of a store starting, remove yourself from the situation and alert store staff or security.

Six: Practice car safety while driving and parking. It’s not worth the risk to race another car for a parking spot or to get through a yellow light. Actions like these are what lead to accidents. Keep in mind that while you are in parking lots, there will be a great deal of vehicle and pedestrian traffic. If you are driving always yield to pedestrians and vehicles. If you are a pedestrian do not trust cars to stop for you. Always be aware of what is happening around you.

Seven: Keep a close eye on your possessions while you shop. Black Friday is very crowded, and it makes it a prime time for thieves to try and steal your money, purchases, and even your identity. Carry a purse that zips to keep hands away from your wallet. Always keep your items you’ve purchased out of sight in your car. At the register, make sure no one near you is in a position to view your credit or debit card details.

Black Friday has become a tradition here in America, but never forget the risks involved when there are large crowds in small areas. Keep safe out there! 

Managing Crowds with Prices

It is common to control crowds with crowd control barriers, security, and signage, but one method that is often forgotten about is crowd control due to pricing.

It’s a method that is often only implemented by large companies that have already found a loyal audience. This strategy for crowd control is usually only used for one reason, which is that the venue or event is already overcrowded.

Overcrowding causes serious problems for venues and events. First off, it is a safety concern. Too many people can lead to injuries because of jostling, overheating, and more. Secondly, if the crowding is too bad it makes it difficult for emergency responders to get to the people who do need aid. Overcrowding also makes the event or venue unpleasant for customers. It leads to long wait times and difficulty navigating from place to place.

This is why some companies and events attempt to control the crowds with prices, and in some cases it can be very effective. Take a look at Disney as an example. Disneyland recently announced that there will be price increases at their park, along with the elimination of some annual passes with the addition of new ones. The most expensive pass available is the Signature Plus pass, which will cost individuals $1,049 and is valid every day of the year. This is $270 more than the Premium pass cost, which had the same perks before it was eliminated.  Annual passes are often a big contribution to overcrowding. Disney has been forced to take action due to a large overcrowding problem that leads to them closing the gates to new visitors on days when the park reaches capacity, leaving customers unhappy and Disney losing money.

A strategy such as this is not limited only to very large companies such as Disney. This is implemented by all sorts of organizations and events. For example, Anime Central, an anime convention in North America, has started to raise prices as the crowds grow every year. This three day convention is the third largest anime convention in North America, with a reported attendance of over 29,000 in 2014. Years ago, when attendance was between 10,000 and 18,000, badges to the event could be obtained for under $40 if attendees bought early. For the 2016 event the cheapest option is $48, increasing up to $70 the closer to the convention you get. In addition, hotel prices have gone up for the next year as well. It is widely speculated that this is an attempt to keep attendance level instead of increasing further. Anime Central sells out an average of four or more hotels in the area, and with that many people in one place crowds get difficult to manage. For the 2016 convention when the room block for two of the hotels was opened they both sold out in under 12 hours, with one hotel selling out in less than one hour. Unless the convention wishes to put a cap on attendance like Comic Con, the only thing they can do is raise prices to try and keep crowds down.

However, using price increases as a form of crowd control is a delicate balance. There will always be people who are willing to pay the price for a popular event or attraction, but if you raise prices too much at one time you may turn away a lot of other people. If you plan to employ this type of crowd control do so with caution.