Controlling Inauguration Crowds

Inauguration day is coming up, which means added security and crowd control. This is even truer this year with the many protests planned during and following the inauguration. It is likely you have already heard of the Women’s March on Washington, scheduled for Saturday January 21^st. This march alone is predicted to attract 200,000 protesters, and there’s more groups beyond that.

That makes crowd control for this year’s inauguration particularly difficult. Washington DC is no stranger to protests of course, but the sheer mass of them is going to make crowd control a bit challenging. In addition to the planned peaceful protests, anarchist groups are threatening to disrupt the inauguration as well.

However, police do not seem to foresee much of a problem. There will be thousands of officers working the event to prevent major disruptions and stop any demonstrations from getting out of control. Officers are prepared for mass arrests, despite not believing they will be likely.

Over two dozen protest groups have filed for permits before, after, and during the inauguration. Crowd control barriers will be in place as well as backpack checks. Barriers are also going to be set up to prevent a truck attack. These truck attacks, in which trucks drive into large crowds, have happened across Europe recently and pose a real threat. Barriers could include trucks, buses, and more.

Transportation is also being limited. A fair amount of subway stations as well as roads and bridges will be closed. Not only is this important in terms of safe traffic flow, but it keeps demonstrators safe as well. Members of the National Guard will also be on hand.

To keep crowds contained, protesters are limited to specific locations. With the amount of protest requests coming in, there has been trouble finding enough space to accommodate all of the protesters. Luckily Washington DC is used to dealing with protests, so they have a clear strategy when it comes to this type of event.

Of course the biggest challenge will be managing the Women’s March on Washington. Demonstrators have been organized across many states to travel to Washington for the event. There are expected to be officers and marshals on hand to protect the demonstrators and keep things peaceful. The march is prohibiting any form of weapon, including sticks on signs. There are also no backpacks or other large bags allowed. Planned Parenthood is now also associated with the march, bringing their event planning and security advice in.

With all these forces at play, we are hopeful that inauguration weekend will go smoothly without any major problems, save for the general disruption of the city.

Christmas Party Crowds

Christmas parties aren’t essential events, but they are great for many reasons. If you’re holding a company party, it’s great for employee morale. If you’re holding a friend or family get-together, it’s a great way to connect and remember that Christmas is about loved ones, not presents. No matter what type of party you are hosting, you have to consider how you are going to manage your crowds.

You strategy will have to differ depending on the type of party you are holding. We’re going to break it down into three categories; company party, friends/family party, and party with children.

Company Party

A company party is generally a larger affair, which may be held on the premises or in a space that has been rented for the occasion. If you are holding your party at a venue other than your workplace, there are some extra steps you must consider such as how far the venue is from work and what the parking situation is. It’s a good idea to give directions and parking options to all your employees to avoid traffic congestion and confusion.

No matter where your party is, be sure to provide adequate signage so employees can find the party. Many workers stick to familiar areas in a building and may need help finding the party location, especially in a large building. And of course, it goes without saying that you must provide directions if your party is held in a hotel banquet hall, for example. Again, signage helps prevent confusion and stops employees from wandering into the wrong area of your venue.

Now, onto the party itself. Company parties fairly traditionally count on food, alcohol, and sometimes dancing. It is likely you will have a catered meal, and dancing is fairly straightforward. Where you do have to be careful is with alcohol. Alcohol lowers inhibitions and can lead to some awkward situations. Plus people have to be able to get home. If you’re worried about serving alcohol, just skip it. Serve juice, coffee, tea, soda…there’s tons of other beverage possibilities!

Company parties can be quite crowded, especially if family members and significant others are invited. For this reason you must pay close attention to the capacity of your space. Have enough seating and crowd control items such as rope posts to direct any lines that may form. Spread out your food and drinking stations so no area of the party is getting congested, leading to uncomfortable and unsafe conditions.

Friend/Family Party

While it is certainly possible to rent out a venue for a friends and family party, these events are usually held in someone’s home, which presents its own challenges. First off, be sure you do not invite more guests than your home can handle. While you don’t necessarily need seating available for everyone, you should have enough for the majority of your guests. You also don’t want overcrowding in your home, in case of some sort of emergency.

One way to reduce overcrowding is to keep everything spread out. This will work differently depending on the layout of your home. You may choose to have plasters of food spread across your home. For example, leave the warm food in your kitchen, but spread trays of cookies, candy, and cold appetizers across the entire party area. Have seating available in multiple rooms, so guests can spread out and create their own pockets.

Mess can create extra clutter, which can lead to accidents and safety issues. Strategically place garbage cans near food areas to subtly encourage guests to throw away garbage right away, to avoid stacks of plates.

Party with Children

Many parties that do include children are often hosted at home, so make sure to read the friend/family section above. But, in addition to all of those tips, you must add the high energy of children to the equation.

It’s a good idea to have an area of the house dedicated to the kids. Here you can set up toys, craft stations, and games. If you do this make sure there’s some sort of supervision in the room at all times. Alternatively, you could set up this area in one of the main party areas, so there will always be adult eyes on those nearby children.

With sugary treats likely available, children will likely have a lot of energy which can manifest in behaviors that can cause damage. If you’re planning to have children over for this party, we recommend being strategic about where you place items. You don’t want to set a drink station next to where the children are dancing, for example.

No matter what type of party you’re hosting, it’s sure to be a little chaotic. Stay organized, spread out the party, and be clear about where everything is, and make the crowding at your party a little less stressful.

Thanksgiving Crowds Projected to Grow

Planning to head out this coming weekend to visit friends or family for Thanksgiving? Be warned,

travel for the holiday weekend is projected to be up 1.9 percent. It is estimated that approximately 48.7 million people will be hopping on planes or getting in their cars over the next few days.

With low gas prices and lower than average airline fares, it’s no surprise that people are taking advantage. Unfortunately that does mean you will likely run into crowds wherever you go; the airport, taxi services, gas stations, roadside restaurants, and more. Does the idea of being surrounded by crowds make you feel panicked? Here’s our top tips for avoiding the crowds as much as possible.

1.      Pick the least busy days to travel. If you already have plane tickets you’re likely out of luck, but for those of you driving, changing your departure times can make a big difference. The two busiest days to be on the road are the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and the Sunday after Thanksgiving. If you can leave on Thanksgiving Day, or head home the Saturday or even Monday after, you should encounter less traffic.

2.      Leave early. Maybe you have a flight, or maybe with your work schedule you are limited with the days you can go out of town. If that’s the case, always try to get an early start. If you’re flying get to the airport early. Lines will be long and navigating the crowded airport will be a nightmare. Traveling is stressful enough without adding the stress of trying to be on time. Driving? Avoiding the traffic is all about timing. If you have to leave Wednesday, leave earlier in the day. The same goes for Sunday. Getting an early start is almost always better.

3.      Less luggage is more. More time, that is. If you’re driving this isn’t such an issue, but if you’re flying, listen up. Checking baggage takes up a lot of time. You have to check your bags, hope they arrive to your final destination, and wait in baggage claim to collect them. With most flights each passenger is allowed carry-on luggage, and for a long weekend trip that will usually suffice. Pack smart and avoid long waits by not checking bags at the airport.

4.      Give yourself plenty of extra time. Let’s say, for example, you’re supposed to arrive at your in-law’s house at six in the evening on Wednesday, with dinner plans for seven. What if your flight is delayed? What if you hit traffic? What if your child gets car sick and you have to make a stop? Things like this happen, and if you’re only giving yourself an hour-long window you’re going to be stressed out. Keep plans casual for your arrival day, or give yourself a few hours as a buffer.

5.      Be patient. No matter what you do, you are likely to run into some crowds if you plan to travel during the holidays. Remember that you do not own the roads, the airports, or the sky. Everyone else who is traveling is just as deserving as you are. Bring something to entertain yourself with for long waits. Going to the airport? Bring a book, portable game system, or a laptop. Driving? Get some books on tape or a bunch of CDs. Try to have fun with the crowds. It will make you much less miserable.

Those are our top tips for traveling during the holiday weekend. Drive safe, and have a great Thanksgiving!

Crowd Control Supplies For Halloween

Halloween is almost here, which means many venues will be hosting costume parties over the next couple of weeks. But are you prepared for the crowds? Today we’re going to give you a quick rundown of which crowd supplies will best help you control the crowds at your party, plus show you how they can actually be part of your party décor.

Tape Posts

Tape posts are both economic and easy to use. The tape smoothly guides from one post to the next, making it easy to form barriers to keep guests out of specified areas, in an orderly line, and more. Tape posts can be easily adjusted as the party progresses, which is ideal for line formation. Tape comes in multiple colors, so you can customize the tape to your party.

Wall Mounted Units

Have limited space at your party? Wall mounted units are perfect for you. They can be attached to any wall or vertical flat surface. A wall receiver is attached to the opposite wall, creating a visual and effective barrier. Use this to block off specific areas. Have some fun with it! Make the tape intersect in odd patterns and add “Keep Out” signs so your crowd control items become part of the atmosphere of the party.

Rope Posts & Ropes

Have a theme to your party and want a particular look for your crowd control? Rope posts and ropes give you more options for crowd control. Use plastic chains for a creepy, prison sort of feel, or try twisted polypropylene ropes to give a cautious feeling. Of course if you want more glamorous, velour ropes are the way to go. These crowd control items can really add to the atmosphere of your event.

Who knew you could incorporate crowd control into your party so seamlessly? Shop now to get the items you need before the party day!

Top Stadium Considerations

Football season is here, and if you’re like the majority of the population, you are likely celebrating. Whether we’re talking about professional football or high school games, crowd control is paramount when it comes to directing people around the stadium.

While many professional stadiums likely have their crowd control strategy down, what about college and high school stadiums? Having a crowd strategy is still extremely important, even when the games are not professional. Football draws large crowds, and these crowds are extremely passionate. We’re going to help you with some tips for before, during, and after the next big game.

•         Have staff or volunteers onsite to direct parking.
•         Have clear entrances and exits so you can easily direct foot traffic.
•         Hire security to keep order during and after the game.
•         If the game requires tickets to be purchased, have clear signage available.
•         Check bags before patrons come in to ensure no weapons or illegal materials are making it inside the stadium.
•         If games have assigned seats, have ushers to direct patrons to where they are to sit.
•         Alcohol comes with a high liability risk, so consider not selling it at games.
•         Train all staff before the start of the season, even if they have worked games before. Proper training is extremely important.
•         Keep a close eye on weather reports. Inclement weather can lead to serious injury or death, and it is unlikely your patrons will be paying attention to the weather. They’re there to watch the game.
•         Monitor the parking lot throughout the game. Glass and other items may have been left behind from tailgating. Clean this up to avoid injuries.
•         Make rules in the parking lot and in the stadium very clear. These should be posted so they are easy to spot.

These small tips can save you big headaches on game day. 

Managing Marathons

Marathons and fundraising walks/runs are a wonderful new trend. Marathons are a chance for competition, while walks/runs raise awareness and money. Both of these activities require a great deal of crowd management and safety to be done correctly.

So, how do you manage large crowds of runners, staff, and onlookers? It’s not easy and requires a lot of planning. Marathon runners are going to be physically fit, but this strenuous event can be dangerous if the right procedures aren’t in place. For a fundraising walk, it is likely all your participants won’t be in perfect physical condition and may push themselves too far. Not to mention re-routing traffic and having a location for onlookers.

The first step you have to consider is the disruption that will occur in the community. Ensure that proper detours are in place to re-route traffic on the day of your event. It’s also nice to alert local residents of the event with some sort of flyer. Trust us, this will cause significantly less confusion the day of your event, which means less headaches for you.

With roads blocked off though, how do you get participants to the event site? You’ll need a designated route and parking zone, or some sort of shuttle service. You need to close not only the roads of the event, but the roads nearby to ensure there are no accidents. This can make travel to the event difficult, so make sure you have clear instructions and accommodations.  

The biggest challenge is handling the crowds on the day of the event, and keeping everyone safe. A great way to do this is to break down each area into different zones. These zones can be as big or small as you want; a new one every block, every five blocks, every ten…whatever you need. This way you can have staff dedicated to each zone to watch for issues with the participants, keep onlookers in their designated areas, and make sure no non-event traffic is making it through.

And make sure you have enough water and cooling stations! It will be a logistical nightmare if you choose to have only several throughout the course, as it will cause backups and make it unsafe for other participants.

Proper planning will make your next event a huge success. Follow these guidelines, and people will be talking about your event for all the right reasons. 

Think Like Your Attendees

Summer is still going strong, which means there’s tons of outdoor events going on. Outdoor events can come with their own headaches, and outdoor events in summer come with even more.

So how do you deal with these problems? No matter what the problem may be, they key is to be prepared. Issues always surface during an event, but preparing can significantly cut down on the issues.

When planning an outdoor summer event, it is important to think about what issues you may run into months before the event even happens. Consider, for example, if lines are going to be long. This could be due to ticket sales or security. How do you prepare for this? You keep lines organized. You promote advanced ticket sales to cut back on lines. You have multiple entrance points so security doesn’t take too long to get through. This way people will get into your event quickly and not be irritated before the event has even begun.

So, once people get into your event, what issues might they run into? Most commonly this will be finding their way your event. Putting an information booth right by the entrance can direct visitors to where they want to go, provide maps, and promote event schedules. The next step is signage. It is extremely important that you have helpful signage at your event. Label different stages and buildings, list events happening in particular areas, and direct people with easy-to-spot signage.

The next problem they may run into? Long lines for shows, food booths, and services. This can happen for many reasons. Sometimes a particular booth or show is just very popular. There is not much you can do about this. What you can do, however, is arrange booths in a way that allows for easy line formation. You should also be sure to have a lot of options when it comes to food and entertainment.

The crowds are in, they are enjoying the festivities, but it’s summer. It’s hot. People are feeling sick and leaving early. How do you stop this? Make sure you have cooling stations throughout the event area. You may also choose to have a centrally located area where guests can purchase water and request first aid. If possible, an air conditioned building within the event area is perfect for providing some temporary relief from the heat.

As the event comes to an end, don’t think your job is over. A large group of people leaving at once is a logistical nightmare. Have volunteers directing the flow of traffic out of the correct areas. Be sure there are others directing actual, vehicle traffic, which is often the most frustrating part of an event. You want attendees to leave with a good impression, not with a sour taste in their mouths.

As you can see, thinking about your event as if you are attending it can be very beneficial. When considering your event specifically, you can also come up with more specific solutions that cater to your event and location. Summer and outdoor events are great, but with people’s high expectations make sure you are up to the challenge!