VMA announces Chris Phillips as keynote speaker for 2019 Asia-Pacific Venue Industry Congress – terrorism, organised crime & crisis management.
The Venue Management Association (VMA), the number 1 venue industry network in the Asia and Pacific region, is delighted to announce the latest keynote speaker addition, Chris Phillips, Founder and Managing Director of the International Protect and Prepare Security Office and former Head of Counter Terrorism of the Metropolitan Police Force London, to the 2019 Asia-Pacific Venue Industry Congress held this year at the Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre, 26 – 28 May 2019.
As the threat of terrorism remains constant the effects of this are being felt by owners and operators of the venues across the Asia-Pacific Region, and Australia is not immune. Attacks on crowded places, including the Christchurch mosque shootings in March 2019, London Bridge and Borough Market in June 2017, Manchester Arena in May 2017, the Berlin Christmas market in December 2016, and the Lindt Cafe in Sydney’s Martin Place on December 15, 2014, demonstrate how basic weapons including vehicles, knives, and firearm can be used by terrorists to devastating effect.
At the forefront of this global issue, the VMA has invited premier expert Chris Phillips to lead an informative series of case studies that address the evolution of terrorism and how it is likely to change in the future.
In his opening plenary session Chris will discuss the changing global landscape of international terrorism and the susceptibility of public venues, what has happened to transform the venue security landscape in London and the UK, how has and does the venue industry need to change to adapt to these threats and what are we likely to encounter over the coming years. In addition, Chris will be sitting in on a number of panel sessions including, drone technology in venues and managing a major incident over the course of the event.
VMA President, Steve Harper CVE said “Owners and operators of crowded places have the primary responsibility for protecting their sites, including a duty of care to ensure the protection of people that work, use, or visit their site from a range of foreseeable threats, including terrorism. Due to this, we are absolutely delighted to have Chris attend this year’s congress to deliver a wealth of experience on terrorism, organised crime and crisis management within the venue space”.
Click here for the Asia-Pacific Venue Industry Congress program schedule