- 1). Determine the expected number of people and plan the event at a facility of sufficient size. Alternately, limit the number of people allowed to participate according to the size of the available facility.
- 2). Analyze similar events at the venue to find if there were any significant problems that still need to be overcome. Examples are poorly planned walkways that lead people into dead ends and cul-de-sacs, or areas that provide poor viewing for the participants.
- 3). Develop a team with specific duties under an assigned manager. Team members might include parking lot attendants, ushers, ticket takers and security. Familiarize them with all aspects of the event, including emergency instructions.
- 4). Provide sufficient access points to avoid jamming people into crowded areas waiting to get in or out. Work with the natural flow to avoid having participants come in and out of the same doors.
- 5). Have signs pointing to the important places such as entrances, rest rooms and eating places.
- 6). Open the doors early to encourage people to come while the crowd is smaller.
- 7). Train the ushers to answer questions, show people to their seats and help direct the flow of foot traffic into less crowded areas.
- 8). Have security standing by to quell potential trouble and keep that trouble confined to a small area instead of allowing it to spread.
- 9). Encourage the participants at the end of the event to stick around and enjoy themselves so you avoid the problem of everyone heading for the doors at once. Provide a reason for them to stay for at least a few minutes.
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