United Kingdom Crowd Management Association
| TIME | SPEAKERS | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 | Registration and Coffee | |
| 10:00 | UKCMA Patron: Philip Kolvin, QC | WELCOME |
| 10:15 | Panellists: Brian Dubiski | Figen Murray | Ken Johnson Co-chairs: Anne Marie Chebib, UKCMA Chair | Eric Stuart, UKCMA Fellow | Keynote PanelOur 2026 conference will open with a defining panel for the industry. We are deeply honoured to welcome three parents who have dedicated themselves to campaigning for safer crowds and venues worldwide after the loss of a child on event sites. |
| 11:45 | BREAK | |
| 12:15 | Ian Baird, Brighton & Hove Council | Ben Crabb, SERCO Resilience | Tom Devine, TMS Protect (Chair) | James Fitzgerald | Helen Thackeray, LAEOG | The Role of Local Authorities and SAGs in the Events Industry This panel explores how councils and Safety Advisory Groups (SAGs) should work with event organisers to ensure safe, compliant, and successful events. Through practical insights and real-world examples, the discussion will highlight good practice in collaboration, regulation, and risk management, and examine how early engagement can streamline planning and improve outcomes. |
| 13:00 | Linev Systems UK | Meet the Supplier |
| 13:10 | LUNCH | |
| 14:15 | Prof. Aoife Hunt, University of Greenwich (Chair) | Cathy Long, Aposto | Lloyd Major, Halo Solutions | Nic Wilson, DTN | Martha Harrison, Calico | Sensors, Screens, and Seamless Experiences: How Smart Tech is Redefining the Event Journey This panel explores how cutting-edge technologies are transforming every touchpoint of live events. From crowd flow and safety monitoring to immersive screens and personalised attendee experiences, this panel examines how data-driven, connected solutions are shaping smarter, more engaging, and safer events. |
| 15:20 | Anne Marie Chebib, Select Security | Eric Stuart, Gentian Events | Russ Philips, Island Site Protective | Prepared, Not Scared: A Practical Guide to Martyn’s Law Readiness An interactive panel to help everyone understand what Martyn’s Law means in practice. Drawing on scenarios provided by the audience, speakers will explore proportionate security planning, risk assessment, and preparedness strategies empowering organisers to meet their responsibilities with confidence, not fear. |
| 16:20 | Crowdguard | Meet the Supplier |
| 16:30 | BREAK | |
| 17:05 | Gary Simpson, Legends Global (Chair) | Tim Chambers, Legends Global | Stuart Doyle, Stadium Safety Officer | Wembley Stadium | Mike Chalmers, Sport and live events operations professional | From Kick-off to Curtain Call: Maximising Events in Modern Venues The panellists will explore how today’s venues are evolving, with multi-purpose usage and the challenges this presents. The discussion will examine how operators and organisers can unlock new opportunities, balance sporting and non-sporting events, and optimise infrastructure, technology, and operations to deliver memorable and safe experiences at every stage of the event calendar. |
| 17:50 | Controlled Events | Meet the Supplier |
| 18:00 | Setting the Scene for Day Two | |
| 18:10 | The Safety Cup – Pub Quiz | |
| 19:10 | Conference Social and Food | |
| 21:00 | CLOSE |
| TIME | SPEAKERS | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 | Registration and Coffee | |
| 09:30 | Welcome to Day Two | |
| 09:40 | Mark Hamilton | Simon James, TESS | Philip Kolvin, KC (Chair) | Miriam Stone | When Things Go Wrong A candid panel discussion focused on lessons learned from incidents and near-misses in live events. Drawing on real experiences from across the industry, speakers will explore decision-making under pressure, effective incident response, and how learning from challenges can strengthen planning, resilience, and safety outcomes for future events. |
| 10:40 | Michael Kill, NTIA | Philip Kolvin, KC (Chair) | Sue Nelson, The Institute of Licensing | Satia Rai, Leverage Security and IPSA | Steve Heap | When Things Go Right This panel shifts the focus to success stories in event safety, highlighting the planning, teamwork, and decision-making that prevent incidents before they happen. The panellists will share examples of good practice, and the new initiatives having positive impacts on the industry. |
| 11:30 | Halo Solutions | Meet the Supplier |
| 11:40 | BREAK | |
| 12:10 | Susan Gibson, Liverpool Culture | Nick Malyan, Sunderland Culture | Steve Pascal, Luton Carnival | Becky Stevens, Hybred Events (Chair) | Inclusive by Design: Embedding Cultural Awareness in Event Safety This session addresses how cultural differences and mistrust of authority figures can shape, challenge, and sometimes strain the relationship between audiences and those responsible for safety. Panellists will discuss how inclusive planning, communication, and operational strategies can address these tensions, ensuring audiences are kept safe while fostering trust and respect. |
| 13:15 | Emma Parkinson, Coventry University | Words Matter Language around crowds and crowd-related incidents is often inconsistent and misleading. Terms describing crowd density, risk, and safety are frequently misused, leading to confusion and inaccurate reporting. This interactive session will equip delegates with a clear, standardised lexicon of crowd safety terminology and the skills to apply it accurately in practice. By the end of the session, participants will be able to describe crowd density, risks, and incidents with precision, communicate more effectively with colleagues and stakeholders, and reduce the likelihood of misunderstandings that could compromise safety or decision-making. |
| 14:15 | Thanks and Close |
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Place Sponsor |
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