Suppliers of goods and services to the business events industry should protect the events and organisers’ brands through the quality of goods and services they provide.
This was said by Milona Security Chief Executive Officer, Tinashe Mutembwa in an interview with Business Events this week.
Milona Security is one of the entities which provides security services to the business events niche market in addition to other socio-economic areas.
Mutembwa explained that security companies which provide services to business events need to appreciate the fact that they are not mere service providers to event organisers but partners as well. He stressed that the companies had a duty to protect the reputation, images and brands of both the events and event organisers using the quality of their goods and services.
“Security companies should also understand that they have the responsibility to control crowds, control traffic and portray a good image through interaction with both event organisers’ staff and attendees. The security companies’ staff will be representing the client to the visitors.
“The only way you can keep the good image of the client is if you provide good services because that’s the only way that one’s company can avoid being associated with negative stories like theft, hooliganism and drunkenness at an event. So the security usually helps to minimise the likelihood of events being exposed to such risks. Security protects the event brand,” Mtembwa said.
Commenting on the importance of security services in the events sector, the Milona Security boss highlighted that security personnel enabled attendees to enjoy events knowing that they and their belongings are secured. This enhances their experiences with the event brand.
“Whenever people attend events they get so carried away and forget that they still have to ensure that their belongings are secured. So we are there to provide that service. When people are busy with the goings-on at the event they need to make sure that their property is protected,” said Mutembwa.
Asked about how his company handled business and other events when hired, Mutembwa explained that each event was unique and, therefore, should be dealt with in line with its unique demands and requirements.
“Every event has different (security) requirements. We tailor-make our services to suit the kind of security that is needed for each event.
“When one comes to ask for security services, they give us details of the event that they are hosting explaining why they needed our services then we usually send our teams to do a security survey. We then get a report that provides an indication of the kind of service that we should provide for that particular event. It’s not a one size fits all kind of approach,” Mutembwa said.
Mutembwa gave a detailed explanation of the unique needs of various event security situations.
“Usually events require VIP security and it’s not at every event that our staff turns out dressed in Milona Security uniform. There are some events where we send someone dressed in a suit such as in the case of an escort or it’s an undercover service where the client just doesn’t want it to be known that there are security officers around him,” he said.
Asked what criteria organisers of business and other events should use to select security services providers to work with for their events, Mutembwa singled out capability, equipment and visibility among others.
“If organisers are considering security companies for services for planned events, they need to look at the credibility of the security companies. Are they smart enough to match your image or brand? Are they well equipped for the unique needs of the event? There are events where security service providers need to have firearms and dogs. For example, for concerts, we usually need dog services because there are usually people who come to enjoy the event but are not prepared to pay the entry fees. This causes commotion and the security staff needs to be in control.
“Additionally, the security services company minding the security at an event needs to maintain visibility at events. To achieve this they need to be dressed in branded attire such as shirts and caps which distinguish them from the crowds of concertgoers or exhibition visitors,” Mutembwa said.
Mutembwa also pointed out that security personnel’s conduct and discipline are also very important when event organisers and managers are considering security services for their events.
“How security personnel carries and conduct themselves in the way they interact with people is a very critical selection factor. A reputation of security officers who insult people is a liability in that no event organiser or any other customer would want to hire the services of such a company. Discipline is, therefore, a very key criterion. Reaction to unforeseen incidents at events counts quite a lot when event organisers are considering hiring the services of security companies,” Mutembwa said.
Apart from providing security services to the events sector, Milona Security which commenced operations mid-last year, also offers a comprehensive range of tailor-made security service solutions to residential, commercial and industrial sectors.
