Page 264 - DMGT304_EVENT_MANAGEMENT

Unit 12: Crowd Management and Evacuation

Notes

Notes The promoter is the broker between the entertainer and the facility and plays a
critical role in preparation of contracts. The promoter obtains the use of the desired facility,
prepares appropriate contracts between facility and entertainer, arranges for event
promotion and ticket sales, and pays for security requirements. The promoter is also
likely to pay the taxes on the entertainers’ profits and may even arrange to provide the
entertainers’ meals and snacks. Promoters are paid by the performers to organize the
event and most often work independently of facilities.

The promoter’s responsibilities are to coordinate all aspects of an event with facility and
government officials to assure that an event complies with local safety laws. Promoters
often prepare their own event management plan for an event, listing personnel
responsibilities and an event timetable, and usually share this material with the other
parties in an event.

Task What are the various responsibilities of a promoter?
Entertainers have varying degrees of influence over the promotion and execution of their
performances. The most popular can often demand a certain type of seating, determine the
audience size, within the legal capacity of a facility, set ticket prices and promotional
arrangements, and stipulate when the doors will be open prior to their show.

Most entertainers realize the influence they maintain over their audiences and do not
exploit it. With their support, a facility is better able to discourage open flames, blocking
aisles, use of fireworks, drug and alcohol abuse, etc. There are, however, those who will
intentionally and irresponsibility incite their audiences to a level of behavior where
fighting, vandalism, or rowdyism may occur. If this happens the performers must be held
fully accountable for their actions.
Some private police are commissioned by the Police Chief and employed by private
businesses or individuals. Some private police are hired to perform security functions but
are not commissioned. Whether commissioned or not, their authority is limited to the
premises of their employer. Although there are similarities between public law
enforcement officers and private police, there is a fundamental difference: the law
enforcement officer has more extensive authority, responsibility and training.
In additional to seating patrons, an usher’s duties include enforcing of house rules,
maintaining order, reporting security problems to private police or others, keeping people
out of the aisles, and enforcing open flame and smoking regulations.

!

Caution The law enforcement officer has more extensive authority, responsibility and
training.
Ushers should remain at their posts until and event is completed.

Peer, or Tee-Shirt security is a product of rock concerts. Hired by promoters to protect the
stage area, screen patrons for contraband and to do other special assignments, peer security
personnel are people of similar age and background to the patrons and, therefore,
presumably have good rapport with them. Peer security can also serve as an effective
buffer or mediator between uniformed security and patrons in tense situations. They are
usually recognizable by the specially designed tee-shirts that they wear. The Spectrum, in

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