Showsec at Camp Bestival Party Weekend

Steve Reynolds, Dave Grindle from Loud Sound Productions and Tracey McCarthy

Showsec implemented a delicate balance of maintaining safety and security with a very customer focused operation for festival organisers Rob da Bank and John Hughes along with the Loud Sound production team to deliver a successful, family friendly, Camp Bestival, 28^th July-31^st July 2010.

Southern Regional Manager Steve Reynolds explains;

“Customer care was a high priority for everyone. We worked with all stakeholders to create a plan and briefed staff very thoroughly in that area. It was imperative we create a relaxed and safe environment for the 25,000 capacity crowd from the moment they arrived on site. Parents with small children had travelled for hours in warm cars, so all staff were encouraged to welcome guests courteously, familiarise themselves with all key locations for giving directions and to be patient at all times.”

The team of 280 event security professionals from Showsec offices across the UK, including 80 from the new South Coast area, ensured that all visitors were greeted in friendly fashion by staff knowledgeable and friendly staff.

Showsec’s Festival Security Manager Tracey McCarthey co-ordinated operations with local agencies and implemented a seamless family oriented security operation. Tracey comments:

“We carefully selected staff for the specialist audience profile comprised of 10,000 children and 15,000 adults. Andy Edwards supervised the Kids Field, and with so many attractions staff kept a constant vigilance for lost children, with clear communication through radio communication and the event control room, resulting in all families being quickly reunited.  

Mr Tumble was the star attraction of the dynamic Kids Field, with interactive circus, art and kiddies catwalks keeping children amused. Adults were entertained with bands such as The Fall, Madness and Tinchy Stryder on the main stage.  This audience went from the old experienced gig-goers to the younger, smaller and inexperienced members of the audience, with some boisterous teenagers also ‘in the mix’, which required attentive monitoring by the pit team, as crowds got excited at the front of the stage.

Tags: Event Magazine, Event Security, Showsec Security

Category: Event Security