3hree Things: Inauguration Security, CES Innovation & Live Music at Home

Three interesting tidbits from the experiential space.

The Harbin International Ice and SnowFestival on display in Harbin, China

• The Presidential Inauguration Committee has a full program planned for next week’s event. The star-studded event includes Lady Gaga singing the National Anthem and Jennifer Lopez performing a musical act, along with Joe Biden and Kamala Harris taking the Oath of Office. The ceremony will be held on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol, the same location we saw unceremoniously mobbed during the electoral process. This is a blog about events and experiences though, so let’s put politics aside for a moment and talk about event security. Objectively looking at the incidents around and inside the Capitol Building on January 6th can teach us a lot about security for large events. The two points I will focus on are the importance of scenario planning and structuring communications. The response we saw in real time and as more videos surface seemed to lack both. Whenever I lead a large event there are always procedures in place for our production and security teams to follow in the event of an emergency. There are procedures that go into effect for every imaginable scenario. And here is the best part, there is even a protocol for any scenario that is not planned for. That means there is a written procedure in place for every individual to follow so they know if this happens, then their action should be that, “if this, then that”. Scenario planning ahead for trouble allows your team to remain calm and focus on what matters most, even in the midst of chaos. The second point is about communication. Amid the reports coming out of that day, there were security officers from numerous agencies, locations and forces, but it wasn’t clear who was in charge until the incident was debriefed. A clear hierarchy of communication could have led to better coordination and a unified response to the initial outburst. There were also many other factors at play during the unrest on January 6th, but a set of scenario protocols and a clear communication structure could have minimized the length and damage of the incidents. There will be a lot of moving pieces for the inauguration next week and I’m sure the production and security force will be prepared for absolutely anything and nothing at all on January 20th. I’m looking forward to a peaceful day without incident and I’ll be keeping my eye out for a better response if there is.
• On to a brighter note this week, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) debuted a number of incredible innovations and exciting announcements about new products coming to market in 2021 and beyond! Covid may have changed their plans to unveil the $980 million state of the art renovation of the Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall, but it didn’t change the attitude or panash of the presenters who graced the virtual stage. Here are some of the themes that emerged from CES this year.

*Sleep is the new fitness and there were a ton of related products. I was impressed by the Sunrise Sleep, a tiny device to detect if you have sleep apnea, which knowing could save your life, and the Somnox Sleep Robot, which looks like a giant gray peanut, but claims it will help you feel calmer and sleep faster and longer. ZZZzzzzzz

*No surprise that Health and Safety products like virtual/remote telemedicine and cleanliness products dominated based on the state the world is currently in.

*Autonomous Vehicles are a rollover from last year so not new, but they’re closer to the road than ever.

*Spending more time at home led to more home innovation as Smart Homes and Connected Everything were everywhere.

*Out of screen, out of mind. Many exhibitors with physical products found it more challenging to deliver as impactful an experience without the tangible benefits of in-person traffic CES is known for.

• I miss going out and seeing live music so much! Bandsintown is trying to fill that sense of yearning with a new offering. They announced a live music streaming service subscription this week. For $9.99 a month fans will gain access to more than 25 exclusive live shows every month. I’m giving them a standing ovation for recognizing a need for live shows and delivering a unique offering so quickly. They’re not the first site to offer live shows online, but the format is interesting with a fantastic lineup and an attractive price point. In the long run, I don’t know if a live music subscription will rock on with other subscription entertainment properties like NetFlix or Spotify, but I’m glad the curtain is opening up because the idea of attending a few live concerts right now sounds great, even if the venue is my couch.

3hree More Things

• Tour 10 magnificent museums from around the world with just a few clicks.
• Roll your phone up and stick it in your pocket? Looks even stranger than it sounds.
• The Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival took place this week in China. The images are breathtaking. Organizers say the event was pared down with Covid precautions in place.