54% of people in an event safety study agreed that event managers should pay more attention to health and safety at events. This study was performed after the 2015 terrorist attacks at a live event in Paris.
Since then, there have been many more event incidents, such as the tragedies at the Travis Scott concert in 2021.
Event managers must use all tools at their disposal to keep their guests safe. Read on to learn how you can use the internet of things (IoT) to make your events safer and encourage guests to feel safe at your events.
7 Tips For Using IoT Technology To Make Your Events Safer
Access Control
Using access control at events can help you make check-ins safer and prevent overcrowding at entrances and exits during your event. Access control technology uses RFID barcodes to allow authorized guests to gain quick and easy access.
Access control can be implemented using scanners held by staff, or you can use barriers to automate the process and free up staff for more critical tasks like crowd management. Having a quick and straightforward way to verify your guests at check-in will make your event run smoothly.
Access control allows for easier management of access logs for your staff and event managers to know exactly how many people are attending the event. You can use access control internally at your event to restrict user access to certain areas, such as VIP areas or areas designated for staff operations.
Automatic Registration And Wellness Verification
Using mobile credentials for check-ins also allows for automatic registration processes. This technology makes it easier to log attendee details and check-in before entry.
Automatic registration can work well with the implementation of wellness verification systems. You can add forms to the registration process that include questions regarding their symptoms. Questions like:
- Have you experienced a new cough in the last 14 days?
- Have you experienced any loss or change in your sense of taste and smell?
- Have you had a high fever or temperature over the previous 14 days?
By asking these questions, you can ensure that guests displaying symptoms of coronavirus are flagged and excluded from the event.
Since the pandemic began, events and establishments that host large crowds must be more aware of the potential spread of germs. A large event could cause significant coronavirus cases, and it is your responsibility to ensure that guests are screened for coronavirus symptoms before they gain entry to your event. This could protect you against potential liability in the future.
Smart Catering
Since it is nearly impossible to track what guests would like to eat at a significant event, you must use solutions to prevent wastage and cut costs. With innovative catering solutions, you can know how many supplies you will need for your event.
The internet of things can connect with your catering appliances and serving equipment to collect guests’ food and beverage preferences. For instance, you can connect coffee machines to the internet of things to gauge how many cups of coffee were drunk at the event, thus indicating how much coffee it would be prudent to provide at your next event.
Smart catering will prevent food waste, give you an indication of your guests’ food preferences, and allow you to better prepare for future events.
Smart Building Technology
Smart building technology can improve the safety and comfort of your guests while at your event. Security cameras can trigger alerts to notify your staff of potential security incidents and allow for a faster response.
You can manage the temperature at your event remotely by connecting air conditioning units to the internet of things, allowing you to provide a comfortable temperature for your guests at all times.
Occupancy Management
Occupancy management is essential at events with more than one function room. Occupancy management solutions can keep track of the occupancy levels in each room at your event and trigger alerts when a room is at capacity so that your staff can prevent more guests from entering that area.
Since overcrowding is one of the biggest hazards at events, this technology is invaluable and could save lives.
Heat Maps
Another way to manage guest activity at your events and view the most popular areas for attendees is to use heat maps. Using BLE chips attached to lanyards or allowing guests to connect to your wifi network, you can view heat maps of the hotspots for guests at your event. This will enable you to gauge which elements of your event were the most popular and need to be reconsidered when planning your next event.
Stanchions and Crowd Control Tools
You can use stanchions and other crowd control tools at events to help you to direct guests without the need for staff intervention. Guest safety is a priority, and when it comes to crowd control, company budgets are not something you want to skimp on.
Summary
The internet of things provides event managers with more tools to ensure guest safety at their events. Consider which of these technologies would address hazards at your event, prevent risks of overcrowding, guests overheating, and alert you to potential security threats. Safety should be the top priority for event managers, without exception.
At IQVIS, we have helped enterprises implement IoT Technology to plan safe events. Get your projects done by the best minds in your industry and find out about our staffing solutions.
