POST CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS
October 23-24, 2025 | Toronto, Ontario
CROWD SAFETY MANAGEMENT (2 DAYS)
This course is generously sponsored by Crowd Safety Training and Consultancy Worldwide Ltd., and it's being offered at a special discounted price by Event Safety Alliance Canada.OVERVIEW
Understand the movement and behaviours of crowds through six phases of events. This session will identify best practices in Crowd Safety Management using our experience gained working across the globe at the world's largest events.
This course is suitable for people who design for, plan or manage the movement of people in sport, entertainment, or similar environments. It will benefit site or venue operational managers, security organizations, emergency services, police officers with crowd management responsibilities, and local authorities with licensing, planning, building control or live event responsibilities.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Understanding the basics of Crowd Psychology.
- Discuss density vs. capacity and why they are not the same.
- Identify critical stages of events and model using crowd science theory.
- Examine and understand queuing theory and how tactics may change depending on the event.
- Understanding Ingress Flow Rates.
- Identify best practice Front of Stage Barrier design for differing types of events.
- Understand how to review new event sites and assess for suitability.
- Identify effective show pause, show stop and show restart procedures.
AGENDA
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2025
8:00AM - 8:30AM | Registration
8:30AM - 12:00PM | Workshop
12:00PM - 1:00PM | Lunch (box lunch included)
1:00PM - 5:00PM | Continue Workshop
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2025
8:00AM - 8:30AM | Coffee
8:30AM - 12:00PM | Continue Workshop
12:00PM - 1:00PM | Lunch (box lunch included)
1:00PM - 5:00PM | Continue Workshop
Agenda and timing are subject to change. All times are displayed in local Toronto time (EDT).
Programming and speakers are subject to change.
COURSE OPTIONS
There are two options for those wishing to attend this course. Upon completion, a Certificate of Attendance will be provided. Those wishing to opt for the Professional Certificate in Crowd Safety Management will be required to sit the formal examination.
Participants who complete this two-day course will have the opportunity to upgrade to the Level 5 Award in Crowd Safety Management. Those who would like to continue with the Level 5 Award will be offered an online option through Crowd Safety Training (part of The Square Metre group) at their regular price. Contact Jason Byrne at Jason.Byrne@thesquaremetregroup.com for details.
TRAINER BIOGRAPHY
| Andy Hollinson, FdA, BA(Hons), F.ISRM Andy Hollinson is a renowned Crowd Safety Consultant and Trainer, distinguished for his extensive expertise in managing crowd safety at some of the world’s largest and most prestigious events. With a foundation degree FdA and a First Class BA (Hons) in Crowd Safety Management, Andy possesses a deep understanding of the complexities involved in crowd dynamics and crowd safety planning. His comprehensive background enables him to provide top-tier training and consultation, ensuring that large-scale gatherings are not only compliant with safety regulations but also conducive to a positive attendee experience. His credentials and experience make him a sought-after specialist in the field of crowd safety. Andy is a Fellow of The Institute of Strategic Risk Management (ISRM). |
ABOUT THE CROWD SAFETY TRAINING AND CONSULTANCY WORLDWIDE INC.
Crowd Safety Training, part of The Square Metre Group, is the world’s leading provider of crowd safety training. Our company, which was formed in 2014 to address a skills shortage in the market, has developed a global reputation for quality training services. We’re proud to have a highly experienced team with world-class expertise in this field, having led crowd safety at some of the planet’s biggest events.
PROTECTIVE SPACES WITH GOOD NIGHT OUT (3 HOURS)
This course is generously sponsored by Good Night Out Vancouver and Canadian Live Music Association, and it’s being offered at a special discounted price by Event Safety Alliance Canada.OVERVIEW
You may have heard the term “safer spaces” in relation to the music industry, but what are ‘Protective” Spaces? Protective Spaces are physical establishments, but also teams within the industry that recognize that safety requires ongoing action. Spaces and events that work to protect the people inside them - patrons, artists, and others working in music - don’t happen by accident!
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Define important terms related to this conversation
- Explore how to use a Risk Assessment Approach to sexual violence at live events
- Review tools to bring down that level of risk
- Learn important Bystander Intervention skills
AGENDA
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2025
9:00AM - 9:30AM | Registration
9:30AM - 11:00AM | Protective Spaces
11:00AM - 11:15AM | Break
11:15AM - 12:30PM | Protective Spaces
Agenda and timing are subject to change. All times are displayed in local Toronto time (EDT).
Programming and speakers are subject to change.
LOCATION
TIFF Lightbox, RBC Learning Studio
350 King Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3X5
Toronto Public Transit Regional Public Transit
Click for MapTRAINER BIOGRAPHY
| Stacey Forrester (she/her) Stacey Forrester is the education director of Good Night Out Vancouver. Stacey is a former community health nurse with a passion for creating safer, more equitable arts and culture communities. Stacey is the co-founder and Education Director of Good Night Out Vancouver facilitating interactive and engaging workshops about sexual violence prevention and response for the nightlife, hospitality and live music sectors. She is also the Harm Reduction Manager for Bass Coast Music and Arts Festival, a position she has held for 13 years. Stacey was recently nominated for a Live Music Industry Award in the area of Community Impact. |
ABOUT GOOD NIGHT OUT VANCOUVER
Good Night Out Vancouver wants safer nights out for all. As a BC-based Non-Profit society, governed by a board of directors and powered by a team of amazing volunteers, they offer workshops on sexual violence prevention for restaurants, bars, pubs, festivals, art spaces and more. Primary activities are focused on supporting partners to build and improve their own prevention and response capacities. Good Night Out was founded out of an awareness of the links between alcohol consumption and sexual aggression and initiated from community concerns that staff and patrons in the nightlife, music and hospitality sectors could benefit from education around how to recognize, interrupt, and prevent sexual harassment and assault.
ABOUT CANADIAN LIVE MUSIC ASSOCIATION
Canadian Live Music Association is the voice of Canada's vibrant live music industry. CLMA works to entrench live music’s economic, cultural, and social value and to create the conditions for concerts to thrive. Our advocacy efforts focus on policy advancement, funding, public awareness, research, and activities that unite, highlight, and galvanize the work of the live music sector - because a united voice is a strong voice. Among our members are concert promoters, festivals, talent agencies, venues, clubs, arenas, performing arts centres, industry associations, networks, and suppliers.
CRISIS LEADERSHIP FOR EVENT PLANNING (3 HOURS)
This course is generously sponsored by RCAS, and it’s being offered at a special discounted price by Event Safety Alliance Canada.OVERVIEW
Is your organization ready for the next crisis? If you are lucky, maybe crisis hasn't landed on your doorstep. Statistics show most companies will experience some form of crisis at least every 5 years. Covid taught us many lessons with the most important being we don't get to decide when crisis can bring our business operations to a grinding halt.
The good news is our response to crisis is entirely under our control. But where do we start? This interactive session consists of 3 modules that will arm leaders with a strong crisis management foundation to build resilience in their organisations. There will be an overarching theme highlighting the desired human behaviours that are required for success in execution. Winning is a team sport.
Module 1: Foundational Concept
Crisis management is a process. Participants will be exposed to the crisis lifecycle, terminology, crisis management team (CMT) composition, hierarchical response and initial CMT priorities. This will evolve into the actual roll up the sleeves processes that are required for successful crisis navigation.
Module 2: Case Studies
Case studies and real crisis scenarios from the speaker's past will be reviewed to highlight common pitfalls in crisis management execution. Additionally, the importance of the after-action process to drive continual learning will be discussed.
Module 3: Practical Exercise
Participants will be broken into groups and will collaboratively work through a guided crisis scenario. This immersive process leverages the learnings of the first two modules and culminates with a group discussion.
AGENDA
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2025
1:00PM - 1:30PM | Registration
1:30PM - 3:00PM | Crisis Leadership
3:00PM - 3:15PM | Break
3:15PM - 4:30PM | Crisis Leadership
Agenda and timing are subject to change. All times are displayed in local Toronto time (EDT).
Programming and speakers are subject to change.
LOCATION
TIFF Lightbox, RBC Learning Studio
350 King Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3X5
Toronto Public Transit Regional Public Transit
Click for MapTRAINER BIOGRAPHIES
| Rob Currie Rob Currie has over 35 years working in public and private sector security, anchored by extensive international experience in federal policing operations, domestic counter-terrorism response, intelligence management & operations, crisis management, cyber investigations, and tactical command. Rob currently designs and delivers corporate security & crisis management programs across a variety of industries in the private sector. Rob is a retired Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer having served in a variety of roles (Incident Commander (ICS400), drug enforcement, technological crime, national security & tactical unit command). During his law enforcement career, he had the privilege of serving with the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) from 2006-2010, managing responses to domestic counter terrorism events as well as support for the war in Afghanistan. After policing, Rob leveraged his policing incident command and military experience in the following private sector roles: Manager of Physical Security at the Bank of Canada (2015), the Chief Security Officer at Scotiabank (2015-2018), and the VP Security at Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts (2018-2019). Rob’s career choices provided him a wide array of “battle tested” crisis management experiences such as: barricaded persons with hostages, terrorist attacks (Ottawa 2014), high risk executive protection (Somalia), major cyber attack (Mafiaboy 2000), warzone digital forensics (Afghanistan), civil unrest, labour disputes, high risk asset transport and multiple hurricane responses. Rob is currently the Institute of Strategic Risk Management (ISRM) Canadian Chapter Chairman and named Fellow in 2024. Originally from Canada, Rob holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinanthropology from the University of Ottawa and has also completed numerous courses in Computer Science at the University of Concordia and Université de Laval. He is fluent in English and French with intermediate Spanish. Rob is an avid Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner and 2023 IBJJF middle-weight World Champion. |
| James Strickland, MSc, BSc, rmc James Strickland brings over 30 years of crisis leadership experience from the Canadian Special Operations Forces, law enforcement, and the corporate sector. He has planned and commanded complex, politically sensitive military and civilian operations both domestically and internationally. As Director General Public Safety and Security for the Ottawa International Airshow, he oversaw the comprehensive safety, security, and crisis response framework for one of Canada’s largest public events, integrating multi-agency coordination and contingency planning. In the corporate arena, James built and led Global Security and Crisis Operations for Canopy Growth Corporation, developing and implementing crisis management mechanisms across five continents. His expertise includes risk assessment, contingency planning, security operations, and leading through disruption. Today, he coaches and mentors leaders in crisis readiness, helping organizations anticipate, prepare, and respond effectively to critical incidents, with a focus on high-profile, high-stakes decision scenarios. |
ABOUT RCAS
RCAS can help you turn the chaos of a crisis into an event that can and will be managed appropriately without panic. The world may be unpredictable, but you can control how you prepare and respond. Your organisation needs leaders that are ready to adapt, respond, and take charge when the moment calls for it. We have the tools and experience to help prepare them. Your organisation’s agility and strength are our priorities. Crisis management has a ripple effect, creating a stronger foundation both in and out of crisis mode.
Crowd Safety Management Workshop
Member Price - $950.00
Non-Member Price - $1150.00
This course sold out quickly in 2024, so don't delay!
Protective Spaces with Good Night Out Workshop
Regular Price - $85.00
Crisis Leadership for Event Planning Workshop
Regular Price - $125.00
Please note that workshops may be cancelled if there is insufficient registration. If that happens, registrants will be refunded and will have the option to purchase a registration for another workshop.
Evening Social Events and Conference costs & fees are not included in any workshop registration.
Taxes (HST) will be applied during checkout.
Except for compassionate reasons or genuine mistakes made during purchasing, all registration sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.
TIFF Lightbox
350 King Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3X5
Toronto Public Transit Regional Public Transit
Click for Map
CONFERENCE HOTEL
Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel
One Blue Jays Way, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1J4
Toronto Public Transit Regional Public Transit
Click for Map Map from Hotel to VenueLimited rooms are available as part of the conference block. The discount cut-off date is Sunday, September 28, 2025.
AIRLINE DISCOUNT
Air Canada is pleased to be the preferred airline for the ESAC 2024 Conference. Attendees can use the following promotion code to receive a discount on eligible fares. To book a flight with the promotion code, access Air Canada Website and enter the promotion code in the Promotion Code Box.
Promotion Code: AX6YAN71
Applicable Rules
- The booking must be made to one of the following airports: Toronto Pearson (YYZ) or Toronto Billy Bishop (YTZ).
- The travel period begins Sunday, October 12, 2025 and ends Friday, October 31, 2025.
- For North America travel, 5% applies on standard fares and 10% on flex fares & higher. For International travel, 10% applies on standard fares and higher.
For additional terms & conditions, please reach out to info@esacanada.ca
ACCESSIBILITY
If you require any accommodations to participate in this conference, or in the event of an emergency evacuation at the venue, please indicate your requirements at the time of registration. Please email info@esacanada.ca if you have any questions about the accessibility of this conference or the venue.
EVENT FAQS
How can I contact the organizer with any questions?
If you have questions (dietary restrictions, accessibility etc.), please email info@esacanada.ca. Please submit dietary restrictions by Friday, September 26, 2025.
What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?
Transportation will be the responsibility of the attendee. There is parking at the hotel and at nearby locations.
There are also public transit options available in the city and surrounding areas.
Toronto Public Transit Regional Public Transit
What is your policy for refunds and exchanges?
Except for compassionate reasons or genuine mistakes made during purchasing, all registration sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.
Is my registration fee transferable?
Yes, you may send an alternate to the conference. To make a change, please email info@esacanada.ca.
Is there accommodation nearby?
Our hotel partner is the Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel
Room Booking Link Click for Map
What time does the Conference start and end?
Free venue tours will be offered in the morning of Monday, October 20, 2025.
Registration will begin at 12:00PM on Monday, October 20, 2025 and the last session will conclude by 5:00PM on Wednesday,
October 22, 2025.Pre Conference Workshops will be held on Sunday, October 19, 2025.
Post Conference Workshops will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2025 and Friday, October 24, 2025.