EMEA SafeZone Conference 2024

The 2024 EMEA SafeZone Conference, hosted at the picturesque Burleigh Court Hotel in Loughborough, was a tremendous success, with outstanding participation and attendance from both sides of the pond. This two-day event brought together industry leaders, security experts, and SafeZone champions to explore, learn, and innovate the field of safety and security.

Day One: Establishing a Foundation for Safety

The conference commenced with an introduction to SafeZone by Andy Rowe, CriticalArc’s Customer Success Manager, offering both new and experienced attendees a thorough overview of the platform’s capabilities. This session set the tone for a day brimming with insightful presentations and discussions.

Nick Aldworth, a veteran in protective security and counter-terrorism, delivered the keynote speech on managing critical incidents and the forthcoming Protect legislation. His extensive experience, including roles in NATO and UK counter-terrorism operations, provided attendees with invaluable insights into current security challenges and the role of modern communication systems in mitigating threats.

The day continued with engaging masterclasses and case studies. Danny Malone, Global Customer Success Director at CriticalArc, showcased critical incident response tools within SafeZone, while Steve Gahagans, Chief of Police at the University of Arkansas, and Mike Johnson, Chief of Police at Texas A&M University, shared their expertise in managing major events, from athletics to graduations. These sessions highlighted the practical applications of SafeZone’s capabilities in diverse scenarios.

Workshops were a significant feature on day one, with themes ranging from strategic to operational and technical. Attendees explored securing executive backing for SafeZone’s expansion, building alliances, and enhancing real-time response coordination. These workshops offered hands-on experiences and encouraged collaboration among participants.

The evening event, a Casino & Curry Night, provided a lively setting for attendees to network and unwind, blending entertainment with the opportunity to form valuable connections.

Day Two: Expanding the Dialogue

The second day began with a compelling keynote by Chief of Police at the University of Kentucky, Joe Monroe, on reducing workplace violence through collaboration between educational and healthcare institutions. This was followed by a panel discussion on strategic collaboration via the SafeZone Alliance, offering diverse perspectives from leaders such as Alan Cain and Gary Stephen.

Workshops continued to be a highlight, with sessions on building a lasting safety culture, boosting mental health support, and mastering event management. These operationally focused workshops empowered attendees to implement SafeZone’s solutions effectively within their own institutions.

Technical masterclasses provided deeper dives into transformative security processes, permissions and access segmentation, and product roadmap overviews, led by experts including Dominic Barnsley, Chief Information Officer at CriticalArc, and Denise Cornish, Senior Vice President of Institutional Shared Services & Chief Operating Officer at Western University of Heath Sciences. These sessions emphasised the importance of technical expertise in enhancing security strategies.

Case studies from institutions such as Heriot-Watt University and Edinburgh Napier University offered real-world examples of successful SafeZone implementations, fostering an exchange of ideas and best practices.

Celebrating Excellence: Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony

After the informative sessions of day two, the conference culminated in a gala dinner that was the highlight of the event. With a live band setting the mood, attendees enjoyed an evening filled with dancing and celebration. The gala provided the perfect backdrop for SafeZone’s annual award ceremony, honouring outstanding achievements within the community.

The award winners were celebrated for their exceptional contributions:

Integrated Safety and Collaboration: Durham University

Best Real-Time Coordination and Response: Trinity College Dublin

Advancing Safety Everywhere: Heriot-Watt University

Outstanding Community Engagement: University of Liverpool

Star Performer Award: The University of Manchester

Strategic Safety Excellence Award: Western University of Health Sciences

SafeZone Customer of Distinction Award: Les Allan, Heriot-Watt University

Each award underscored the recipient’s commitment to advancing safety and collaboration, reflecting the spirit of innovation that defines the SafeZone community. This year, there was no shortage of award-worthy submissions, making the selection process tough. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who submitted; CriticalArc deeply appreciates everyone in the SafeZone community who is dedicated to advancing safety and security everywhere.

The conference concluded on a high note, leaving attendees with a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. The strategic, operational, and technical dimensions of SafeZone’s solutions were thoroughly explored, equipping participants with the tools to transform safety practices at their institutions.

Conclusion

The 2024 EMEA SafeZone Conference was not just an event, but a celebration of innovation and collaboration. As participants departed, there was a shared excitement about the future of SafeZone and its role in creating safer, more secure environments worldwide. We look forward to seeing how these insights will be implemented and are eager to gather again next year for another round of inspiration and learning.

 

 

 

 

Spread the Word