NCJ Number
60390
Journal
ASSOCIATION AND SOCIETY MANAGER Volume: 11 Issue: 3 Dated: (APRIL/MAY 1979) Pages: 77-80
Date Published
1979
Length
4 pages
Annotation
METHODS FOR PREVENTING THEFT FROM EXHIBITS AT TRADE SHOWS ARE DISCUSSED TO INFORM TRADE SHOW MANAGERS OF APPROPRIATE SECURITY MEASURES.
Abstract
SECURITY PROCEDURES SHOULD VARY ACCORDING TO THE NATURE OF THE TRADE SHOW. SMALL ITEMS LIKE JEWELRY REQUIRE MORE EXTENSIVE SECURITY MEASURES THAN DO BULKY ITEMS. EXHIBIT SECURITY INCLUDES ADVANCE PREPARATIONS, GATE CONTROL AND SHOW OPERATION, NIGHT SECURITY, AND SECURITY DURING EXHIBIT BREAKDOWN AT THE SHOW'S CONCLUSION. ADVANCE PREPARATIONS SHOULD INCLUDE ASSESSING THE HOTEL'S PHYSICAL LAYOUT AND STAFF ALERTNESS TO POTENTIAL THEFT, MEETING WITH THE HOTEL'S SECURITY STAFF, ARRANGING FOR GUARD SERVICES, TRAINING GUARDS, AND COORDINATING GUARDS' ROUTINES WITH THOSE OF HOTEL STAFF. DURING THE TRADE SHOW, AUDIBLE ALARMS USED ALONE OR IN CONJUNCTION WITH CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION ARE RECOMMENDED. PREREGISTRATION AND BADGE SYSTEMS CAN MAKE DAYTIME THEFT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. NEVERTHELESS, BADGES CAN BE STOLEN, AND SOME UNREGISTERED BUSINESS EXECUTIVES MAY PRESSURE THE SHOW'S STAFF TO ALLOW THEM TO ENTER THE SHOW. EXHIBITORS SHOULD WATCH EACH OTHER'S BOOTHS. HANDBAGS AND ATTACHE CASES SHOULD BE CLOSELY WATCHED. IF SELLING IS PERMITTED, BAGS SHOULD BE FREQUENTLY SEARCHED AT THE ENTRANCE DOORS. AT NIGHT, EXHIBITORS MAY DISMANTLE THEIR SHOWS, LOCK THEM IN CAGES, OR PLACE VALUABLES IN A NIGHT SECURITY ROOM. MANY NIGHT PROCEDURES ARE KEPT SECRET AND ARE FREQUENTLY CHANGED TO AVOID ESTABLISHING A PATTERN OF ACTIVITY. WHEN EXHIBITS ARE DISMANTLED AT THE END OF THE SHOW, THEFT CAN EASILY OCCUR UNLESS THERE IS A SEPARATE BADGE SYSTEM FOR BREAKDOWN WORKERS, AS WELL AS CONTINUED SURVEILLANCE. ALL THESE SECURITY PROCEDURES ARE EXPENSIVE BUT VITAL TO A TRADE SHOW'S SUCCESS. (CFW)