Organisers of South by Southwest Festival (SXSW), a music, film and technology festival in Austin, Texas have hired crowd management Professor Keith Still, pictured. He’s to assist with crowd safety at next year’s event in Austin between March 9 and 18, 2012.
He’s Professor of Crowd Dynamics and Crowd Management at the International Centre for Crowd Management & Security Studies at Bucks New University.<br><br>He modelled crowd safety for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s Royal Wedding this year, where he was involved in advising The Royal Parks in evaluating crowd risks, density and ‘park full’ elements for the areas from Horse Guards Parade to Buckingham Palace. Prof Still also works for G4S Events, one of the world’s leading security management companies.<br><br>Prof Still and Nick Eade, Senior Lecturer, Tourism & Event Management at Bucks New University, have already led an evening seminar for more than 50 people and a three-day workshop with SXSW staff and local city officials including the Austin Police Department, emergency medical personnel, transportation, permitting, and other first responders. This included site visits, scenario planning and desktop exercises. Prof Still and Mr Eade plan to return for further work in September.<br><br>SXSW Music is one of the largest music festivals in the United States, with more than 2,000 performers playing in more than 90 venues around downtown Austin over four days, in March.<br><br>Prof Still said: "My role is basically defining safe capacity on approach routes and developing contingency planning, coupled with some scheduling, with the ultimate aim of ensuring crowd safety in the multiple locations throughout downtown Austin where SXSW’s events take place.<br><br>"It is anticipating ahead, rather than looking at any problems that currently exist."<br><br>Roland Swenson, of SXSW, said: "We want people in Austin to know that we’re taking crowd safety issues very seriously and we’re taking very concrete steps to get ahead of any problems that may occur."<br><br>Mr Swenson said changes for the 2012 event could include allowing people in to the venues earlier, improving signage and disseminating information to festival-goers earlier.
