How Much Security Do You Need for an Event?

One of the questions we receive most frequently about event security is, “How much security do I need to hire for an event?”. And for good reason. Providing enough event security is necessary to protect your guests and ensure everyone’s safety. Below are our top recommendations to consider during the event planning process to determine how much security you’ll need for your upcoming event. 

Factors That Impact How Much Security Your Event Requires

Existing Security Measures

Before you begin, assess the security measures that are already in place at your event venue. Does the venue have security cameras or medical personnel on-site? Is there a concierge to greet guests? Any measures that are already in place can impact the type of security you need to hire, as well as how much security will be required.

Venue Layout & Location

Next, you will need to consider the layout of the event space and the location of the event venue. If the venue is large, with multiple points of interest for attendees, it's likely that more security will be needed to help control the flow of traffic, greet guests, secure entrances, and act as a visible deterrent to disorderly behaviour throughout the space. 

You should also consider the area your event venue is located in, as venues in high-crime or downtown areas are at a greater risk and require more security. 

VIP Attendees

Determine how many, if any, VIP guests will be in attendance. If VIP guests will be present, it will likely be necessary to up the number of event security and/or the type of security personnel present at the event.

Some guests, such as government officials, well-known performers, or those required to handle high-ticket items, typically require that events be adequately staffed before they commit to attending. In fact, it’s often written into service contracts or requested by their representatives when they are scouting an event location.

Duration & Capacity

An event that lasts two hours will have different security needs than an event lasting two days, just as an event with a venue capacity of 50 guests versus 1,000 or more will have different security needs. It’s important to consider how long an event will run to account for breaks and shift changes of security personnel. 

Additionally, having firm numbers for the event with an understanding of the venue’s capacity will impact the number of security guards. The industry-standard recommendation for events is to have one security guard per 100 attendees. That being said, professional security companies will work with you on this number based on the specifications of your event.

Alcohol

An event that serves alcohol, such as a holiday party or a sports game, usually requires a different level of crowd control than a dry event, like a conference or trade show. If your event serves alcohol, it’s important to consider how this will impact the level of security required to support your event to ensure guests and staff remain safe. 

How Much Should You Budget for Event Security?

Now that you understand the various factors involved in deciding how much event security you need at your event, the next question is budget. There are several components to consider when planning your event security needs:

Type of Event

The type of event will determine the level of security service required and, in turn, the costs. If the type of event you are planning inherently has more risk associated with it, it will typically require more security personnel or more specialized guards, thus increasing the budget. 

For example, private corporate events that require security guards stationed at the venue’s entrance have different requirements compared to trade shows, where guards are needed to check tickets and perform bag checks. 

Time

Ensure you are clear on the start time and end times of your event to account for all the labour hours you will need to fulfill. This includes determining whether event security will be required on-site to support before attendees arrive, or when it has ended, to support equipment transport.

We highly recommend building out an event schedule that will maximize the use of security services during your event window, without hiring more guards. For example, our team may suggest combining the roles of guards who greet guests, open doors, and track capacity with a clicker. This allows you to hire a single security team member for a part of your event venue, versus two or three.

Venue

The layout of the venue can have a huge impact on the size of your budget. A larger venue with multiple points of entry or areas of interest for event attendees is generally considered a higher risk and may require more crowd control. As a result, it will often require more security staff and, in turn, a larger budget. However, a small venue with a limited flow of traffic will require fewer personnel and usually a smaller budget. 

The experts at Blackbird will familiarize themselves with your venue and determine the number of security personnel needed to minimize potential risks during your event while keeping your budget top of mind. 

Location

As with any service you hire out, location can affect the cost and sometimes your ability to hire event security. Some companies are not equipped to support in more rural locations, and others may be too costly for your chosen venue location. 

Blackbird Security provides professional event security services across Canada in Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba, and our experts are ready and able to support at most event locations. 

Other Budget Considerations

More often than not, events with larger budgets will have more bells and whistles that require enhanced security. For example, events that have budgeted for fireworks, professional performances, or luxurious swag bags will require more security to protect people and prevent losses than those that don’t. It’s important to consider your budget and how it will impact the details of your event. A professional security company will work with you to find a coverage solution that will fit the event's needs, as well as your budget. 

Partner With Canada’s Top Event Security Company

When you partner with Blackbird Security for event security coverage, our team will conduct a security site assessment or physical risk assessment, with actionable recommendations on how to safeguard your event and mitigate potential risks. Our event security experts are well-versed in helping clients plan events that optimize their security services. We’ll work with you to determine the type of security that best fits your event while minimizing risk and remaining within budget.