What look and feel do I want for my event?

In my view, this question is a key consideration as a theme or golden thread running through all operational planning. My basic rule of thumb for the strategic intentions for events are the 4s - Safe, Secure, Safeguarded and Spectacular! If you get the balance right between these 4 areas then you have an event where the public are not talking about security but about their what they have been privileged to witness and enjoy. Too many leaders end up with a security event where there is a bit of sport or entertainment going on in the background due to their own misunderstanding of risk or an innate conservatism to ‘prevent anything going wrong’, rather than a festival of culture staged within a discrete but effective safety overlay. I have used an  overt security and law enforcement posture as a tactic at an event to send out a message of deterrence and equally at other operations planned a discrete presence to reassure - it is an art not a science to get the balance right. Too much and people are not reassured and are frankly scared; too little and you can provoke violence and disorder. 

My key point is that when planning any operation or event, how the public and stakeholders perceive and ‘consume’ the effect and impact of your plan is an amalgam of a series of choices that you have made. Your safety and security stance is a statement of your intent - considering ‘the how’ you deliver safety and security is a critical element of your strategic thinking. In essence, it can be easily summarised as a ‘three bear’s problem’ - not too hot, not too cold, but just right! 

In summary, a good day at the office for me is that the safety and security, operational planning and delivery is NOT the news story  the next day!