An absorbing 80-minute discussion on event safety, security and Protect Duty captivated audiences at The Showman’s Show, as the National Outdoor Events Association (NOEA) brought its innovative SAG Live session to the event.
Rather than a traditional panel discussion, SAG Live recreated a Safety Advisory Group (SAG) meeting, examining the challenges of planning and delivering an imaginary outdoor event through the eyes of those responsible for its safety and security.
Expertly chaired by Rob Walley of Controlled Events, the session took place in the packed Meeting Room tent at the show, and brought together Alysha Sargent, Philip Day, Adrian Hodgson, Steve Fosher, Oli Gardiner and Katie Miller, representing event organisation, legal, local authority, counter-terrorism, security and medical perspectives.
Using the fictional event as a common reference point, contributors explored the implications of Protect Duty, the boundaries between advice and legal responsibility, and the importance of proportionate, joined-up planning.
Discussions moved between crowd management, security measures, medical provision and emergency preparedness, exposing the complexities and occasional contradictions involved in keeping events safe. From managing access routes to understanding who has the authority to make critical decisions, the session brought practical challenges into focus.
A live incident scenario then put the group under pressure, challenging contributors to consider how they would respond to an emerging threat, communicate with colleagues and protect visitors when information was incomplete. The result was an intelligent, articulate and occasionally controversial exchange, with contributors offering candid perspectives, challenging assumptions and sharing valuable practical experience.
Beyond the session, NOEA also hosted representatives from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's (DCMS) major events team, who attended SAG Live before being shown around The Showman’s Show and introduced to key exhibitors. A number of representatives from the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) were also in attendance, alongside panel contributor Steve Fosher.
The visits reinforced the importance of The Showman’s Show as a place for government and industry stakeholders to engage directly with the businesses, people and expertise behind outdoor events. They also demonstrated NOEA's role in facilitating those conversations, connecting policymakers and specialists with the sector and ensuring the industry's voice is heard.
Susan Tanner, CEO of NOEA, commented, “This was exactly what we wanted to bring to The Showman’s Show: intelligent, challenging discussion that adds real value for visitors. It was equally valuable to welcome colleagues from DCMS and NaCTSO and connect them directly with our industry. Our thanks to the show, GL events and Qdos for their support, to our outstanding contributors, and particularly to Rob for chairing so brilliantly.”
The session provided a compelling taster for NOEA’s main Training Day, which will take place in early 2027, where the industry will have another opportunity to explore this and many other subjects in greater depth.