Event security: conflict control is the name of the game by Kim Alderden
Just recently we interviewed Bertus Holkema for an article in the e-magazine of Share Today. The man is an all-round professional on Event security. At the doorstep of the Olympics I like to share some of his insights.
Who is in charge of event security? Does the project manager of the agency have full responsibility or are the various local suppliers each responsible for their own part? About public transportation in London, which is sometimes referred to as a risk due to historical facts. Why separate a group between two airplanes, and the put them the next moment on scooters through the buzzing city centre of, say, Bangkok? Event security is a subjective issue. We tried to find some answers though and had a chat with Bertus Holkema, a no-nonsense Dutchman with 20 years of experience in all sorts of global events.
A little bit of background on the man. From being pain-in-the-ass to his mom at age 13, to fighting with friends on the street a year later, to lessons in karate to create more balance to a career as a professional football player in the Netherlands, Bertus Holkema served the Commando’s in the army and was a doorman at several bars and discotheques. Without really knowing it, he created a certain image: a hospitable security guy with good manners and no fear. Then there came the phone call: the multinational Philips, as sponsor of the Fats Domino event in the Netherlands, was looking for a security expert. There and then his security career began. Touring the world with major bands such as the Dire Straits and The Rolling Stones was a boy’s dream came true. But there was more. Public festival events, bodyguard security to famous football players and eventually he was in charge of security for major sports events worldwide. Hey, what else do you need to become a real pro on the subject? Continue reading
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