Event Security Seminar
Event Security by Design June 18, 2025, 1:00-5:00
The Event Security by Design seminar puts a spotlight on the safety and security planning elements often kept in
the shadows. Corporate conferences, community crawls, concerts and celebrations warrant thoughtful
preparation. This four-hour program includes critical risk-related and operational considerations that will make a
di erence for the clients and the communities you serve. Meet at Willow Brooke Farm, a premier event venue, and
learn from nationally recognized security experts whose experience includes corporate and public gatherings, and
big gigs from the Republican National Convention to the Ryder Cup and Super Bowl LII. Wrap up the day with Wine
Down Wednesday and social time to enhance your professional network and community connections.
Who should come? People who support and plan events and gatherings - from curated C-level clients to
large-scale public community activities. Protecting people, intellectual property, and places is most e ective
when planning involves a team approach and an eye for preparedness. Learn what works, who to work with, and
helpful how-to tactics from expert law enforcement, private sector safety and security leaders. Take away valuable
connections and a toolkit of resources from this top-tier training.
There is no charge to attend. Hosted by the Red Wing Area Chamber, Lake City Chamber of Commerce, Red
Wing Area Manufacturers Association, ASIS Minnesota Chapter and InfraGard Minnesota Members Alliance,
we’ll gather at Willow Brooke Farm, just a 60-minute drive from the Twin Cities. With eighty acres of gorgeous
views and historic roots, this is a special space.
Venue: Willow Brooke Farm, 29212 Orchard Road, Red Wing, MN 55066
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Event Security by Design 1 – 5 pm
Wine Down Wednesday 5 – 8 pm
_____________________________________________________________________________________
1:00 – 1:15 Event Security by Design - Welcome and Introductions
Eileen Manning CEO, The Event Group, Incorporated
1:15 – 2:00 Proactive Planning and Risk Considerations
John Kirkwood Director Global Security, Land O’ Lakes
2:00 – 2:20 Security Assessment Sizeup: Visibility, Capability, and Coordination
Dave Skinner CEO, National Tactical Security
2:20-2:30 Break
2:30 – 3:30 FBI Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management
3:30 – 4:30 The Run, Hide, Fight Active Shooter Response
4:30 – 5:00 Q&A Panel
Elizabeth Stevens Director of Communications, The Event Group, Incorporated
5:00-8:00 Wine Down Wednesday Stay to network! Attendees receive drink and food tickets – choose
from Chef Shack fare or Firebrick Bread - Wood Fired Pizza – with live music featuring Sam Saccoman.
Register by noon June 16 at https://EventSecuritybyDesign.eventbrite.com
Pre-registration is required. The Event Group, Incorporated, reserves the right to review and cancel registrations.
___________________________________________________________________________________
1:00 -1:15 Event Security by Design - Welcome & Introductions
Eileen Manning is CEO of The Event Group, Incorporated and an industry expert with 35 years of strategic planning, marketing,
and global event production success. From concept to closure, with safety and security as cornerstones, her portfolio
includes conferences, galas, conventions, and competitions that support client goals and make lasting memories. Eileen is an
FBI Citizens Academy graduate and past board member of the FBI Minneapolis Citizens Academy Alumni Association.
1:15-2:00 Proactive Planning and Risk Considerations
Meeting and event planners have well-honed organizational skills and multi-tasking capabilities. Safety and security personnel
are tactical and practical. These professionals often meet at the crossroads for large gatherings – whether a county fair, or a
corporate conference – on the day of the event. Learn how and why earlier planning can not only minimize risk but reduce
costs, elevate client experience and – should something happen to go wrong despite security e orts – save lives.
John Kirkwood will retire June 1 from his role as Land O’ Lakes Director of Global Security, where he spent ten years after a full
law enforcement career. Past positions include United States Secret Service Special Agent in Charge - Minneapolis, Ramsey
County Sheri ’s O ice Chief Deputy, and Lincoln, Nebraska Police O icer. John continues to lead and serve others as a senior
advisor for the Axtell Group and through his company, Kirkwood Consultants, LLC.
2:00 – 2:20 Security Assessment Sizeup: Visibility, Capability, and Coordination
Planning for any large-scale indoor or outdoor event should include security coordination. This fast-focus briefing will address
the importance of a security assessment, the main components of the evaluation, and how it will inform key considerations
for your Emergency Action Plan.
Dave Skinner, CEO of NTS Security Services, has 37 years of law enforcement, military, and security experience. Dave
followed early U.S. Air Force service with roles at the Great Falls Montana Police Department, United Nations in Kosovo,
Montana Department of Justice, U.S. Federal Air Marshal Service, and as private sector Security Director in Minneapolis. NTS
operates nationally, serving businesses, schools, churches, and residential communities to reach safety and security goals.
2:20-2:30 Break
2:30 – 3:30 FBI Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management
After years of careful research related to violent threats, active shooters, and other mass-casualty events, the FBI Behavioral
Analysis Unit used the lessons learned to create a robust team-focused process designed to identify threats early and prevent
mass casualty events. Hear about the ‘pathway to violence’ and the indicators to look for and how to report them to identify
potential threats. Learn how to develop local law enforcement relationships so that you can build trust, share information,
coordinate e orts, and communicate to support holistic security.
3:30 – 4:30 The Run, Hide, Fight Active Shooter Response
For more than two decades, schools have taught the “run, hide, fight” protocol in addition to the “stop, drop and roll” fire
safety standard. Learn how these three actions can keep you and others safe during a violent incident and put them into
practice to survive—should the unthinkable occur. Additionally, learn what to expect from law enforcement responders.
4:30 – 5:00 Event Security by Design Q&A Panel
Elizabeth Stevens is Communications Director for The Event Group, Incorporated and will moderate a Question & Answer
speaker panel. Her broad safety and security experience includes roles at the FBI, City of Minneapolis Emergency
Management, United Health Group, Ameriprise Financial, Target, and Northwest Airlines. Elizabeth is a past president to the
InfraGard Minnesota Members Alliance.
