Vienna – Austria, May 16, 2013: Leading figures in sport from around the world gathered in Vienna today for the start of the 2013 ICSS Security Expert Summit, staged by the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), with the support of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Austria.
The event, taking place at Bundesministerium für Inneres on the 16th – 17th May 2013, will see sport security experts – including organising committees, government bodies, event and stadia owners, football clubs, security practitioners and academics – explore issues and challenges in sport security, safety and integrity.
Mohammed Hanzab (President, ICSS) said; “As recent events have shown, the challenges facing sporting event organisers are real, diverse and evolving. With many of the world’s leading security experts attending, the 2013 Security Summit will feature open and honest discussion, advance thinking and provide an opportunity for leading international practitioners to develop tangible solutions in sport security. As part of our commitment to sharing knowledge and best practice, we will be combining the results and recommendations in a report to share with experts around the globe.”
Sebastian Kurz (State Secretary for Integration, Federal Ministry of Interior, Austria) said; “Major sporting events such as the UEFA EURO 2008 or the annual Vienna City Marathon pose a challenge to many stakeholders when it comes to ensuring the security of participants and visitors. However, these major sporting events are also joyous encounters of intercultural exchange. Through organising such events, integration of best practice must become visible and palpable. With events of this kind, security must take top priority.”
Helmut Spahn (Executive Director, ICSS) said; “Every sporting event is different and has its own unique set of security challenges. At the 2013 ICSS Security Expert Summit, we will explore a range of issues and challenges currently facing major event organisers in sport, including live sites, crowd management and stadia design, as well developing real solutions and frameworks, like the ICSS’s Security, Safety, Integrity (SSI) model, that can be applied to events in the future.”
The discussions are being conducted under Chatham House rules to enable attendees to meet and exchange views in an atmosphere of trust and confidentiality. The sessions will feature the following key topics:
• Safety & Security Considerations for Stadia and Infrastructure Design
• A Model for Security & Safety Planning for Major International Sporting Events (MISE)
• Best Practices for Fan Management
• The Role of Sport Security and Integrity in Economic Development
• Defining Critical Challenges in Securing Live Sites
Speaking on his attendance at the Summit, Horst Schmidt (Former General Secretary, German Football Association (DFB) and Deputy President of LOC Germany for the 2006 FIFA World CupTM), said; “The 2013 ICSS Security Expert Summit provides an invaluable opportunity for security practitioners to come together and discuss emerging topics currently facing organising committees around the world.
This year’s Summit will bring together a distinctive blend of expertise that I am sure will contribute to a lively debate around some critical issues currently facing the industry. I congratulate the ICSS for putting together this unique and thought-leading forum which I am sure will provide delegates and major event organisers around the world with real learnings and solutions to key issues in the world of sport.” —- By: Will Shand
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