--- title: "A Double Dose of Meeting Security" id: "61381" type: "post" slug: "a-double-dose-of-meeting-security" published_at: "2022-09-20T14:00:18+00:00" modified_at: "2026-07-11T18:08:01+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2022/09/20/a-double-dose-of-meeting-security/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2022/09/20/a-double-dose-of-meeting-security.md" excerpt: "Whether meeting online, in person, or both, associations need to keep security concerns top of mind. Envisioning and preparing for worst-case scenarios in every venue and platform is now an essential part of meeting planning." taxonomy_category: - "Meetings / Events" taxonomy_post_tag: - "Associations Now" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Director" - "Manager" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » A Double Dose of Meeting Security Part of the Deep Dive[Renewal](https://associationsnow.com/deep-dives/renewal-meetings-in-the-post-pandemic-era/) The current hybrid meeting environment means that association leaders need to think about meeting security in two ways now. A wider variety of online meeting formats and tools introduces new opportunities for attendee data to be stolen and exploited. And a fresh round of prominent stories about mass shootings in recent months has attendees and meeting planners understandably concerned about how to keep their events safe. Len Murphy, vice president and general counsel at the Property and Liability Resource Bureau, an insurance industry trade association, has been exploring the physical security question over the past year as PLRB has returned to in-person meetings. He’s asked venues to discuss their plans for active-shooter scenarios and to detail the vetting that security firms undergo. “You have to work with the venue and find out: How prepared are they?” he said. “Are they getting more prepared?” ### Working With Venues In Murphy’s experience, venues have been accommodating and open about discussing their preparations. For PLRB’s spring 2022 conference in San Antonio, Texas, for instance, the convention center shared its nine-page “emergency action plan,” which details guidance around dangerous scenarios—terrorist incidents, suspicious packages, active shooters, and more. (The active-shooter response reiterates the FBI’s “[Run, Hide, Fight (opens in a new tab)](https://www.fbi.gov/resources/active-shooter-safety-resources) ” protocol.) But a lengthy PDF document shared on a conference app is only so helpful, especially in the middle of an unfolding crisis. Murphy recommends that presenters and volunteers be trained on safety procedures before the meeting. “You should at least get them thinking about escape routes,” he said. “In hotels and convention centers, there are staff-only exits and entrances, and we wanted to make sure that people were aware that there’s more than one way to get out and that you’re free to use those staff access points” during an incident. PLRB has also asked for more clarity from the security firms at its venues regarding how attendees are treated by security personnel to avoid escalating any confrontations. The association has asked venues to include language in its contracts barring security staff from “unwanted touching, restraint, or intimidation of others” and indemnifying PLRB from any such conduct. “We haven’t gotten pushback on it,” Murphy said. [Mark Athitakis](https://associationsnow.com/author/mark-athitakis/) Mark Athitakis, a contributing editor for Associations Now, has written on nonprofits, the arts, and leadership for a variety of publications. He is a coauthor of The Dumbest Moments in Business History and hopes you never qualify for the sequel. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/mark-athitakis/) Tags: [#Associations Now](https://associationsnow.com/tag/associations-now/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## More in this Deep Dive - [New Pricing Models for Meetings](https://associationsnow.com/2022/09/20/new-pricing-models-for-meetings/) - [Sponsorship Options With Value for Everyone](https://associationsnow.com/2022/09/20/sponsorship-options-with-value-for-everyone/) - [Tips for Budget-Conscious Meeting Planners](https://associationsnow.com/2022/09/20/tips-for-budget-conscious-meeting-planners/) - [Three Reasons to Host Your Next Meeting in a Smaller City](https://associationsnow.com/2022/09/20/three-reasons-to-host-your-next-meeting-in-a-smaller-city/) - [Clear Your Conference-Design Blind Spots](https://associationsnow.com/2022/09/20/clear-your-conference-design-blind-spots/) - [Keys to Creating Inclusive Meeting Content](https://associationsnow.com/2022/09/20/keys-to-creating-inclusive-meeting-content/) [View the full Deep Dive →](https://associationsnow.com/deep-dives/renewal-meetings-in-the-post-pandemic-era/) ## You Might Like - [PodcastAssociations Now Presents: Beyond the Contract: Building Stronger Destination PartnershipsSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/associations-now-presents-beyond-the-contract-building-stronger-destination-partnerships/) - [VideoMelvin Tennant, CAE, President & CEO of Meet Minneapolis, Welcomes You to Great Ideas 2026September 2, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/02/melvin-tennant-cae-president-ceo-of-meet-minneapolis-welcomes-you-to-great-ideas-2026/) - [VideoASAE TV Daily Recap: Final Day at the 2026 ASAE Annual Meeting & ExpositionAugust 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/08/24/asae-tv-daily-recap-final-day-at-the-2026-asae-annual-meeting-exposition/) - [VideoTerin Bates, MBA, CAE, CX-PRO, Shares Her Experience at the 2026 ASAE Annual Meeting & ExpositionAugust 18, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/08/18/terin-bates-mba-cae-cx-pro-shares-her-experience-at-the-2026-asae-annual-meeting-exposition/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2022%2F09%2F20%2Fa-double-dose-of-meeting-security%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !