New advisory service to optimise drone use at venues and events

June 22, 2018

Safety / Security / Sport / Venues /

Paul Sergeant Events (PSE) and Secure Events and Assets (SEAA) have announced a partnership with the Institute for Drone Technology (IfDT) to provide a one-stop advisory, training and platform service about drones and counter drones for owners and operators of venues, events and crowded places.

The service will provide independent support and advice about all matters related to the operation of drones at venues, events and crowded places to those ultimately responsible for the safety and security of people and property.

Drones have grown in popularity in recent times and are being put to use in a host of different roles at events, such as for overhead cameras to offer television audiences a better view of the action.

Announcing the partnership, IfDT Chief Executive Dr Joel Spencer stated “the use of drones has increased significantly in recent years and, as drones become more technically advanced so too will be the way in which they are used.

“The growth in the use of drones is terrific but the successful integration of drone technology into existing operations needs to be done in a safe and effective way. This ensures the full value of the technology is realised.”

Paul Sergeant, Managing Director of PSE, who has managed many major venues and events in Australia and the Uunited Kingdeom, advised “the practical and commercial use of drones can have huge benefits for a business but currently many owners and operators don’t know where to turn for reliable, independent advice when drones are being operated at their venue or event.

“Additionally, there is a host of legalities in relation to airspace to consider and who has what authority and responsibility for what. Access to this group of subject matter experts is a great solution for senior executives, managers and insurers in what is a very new and emerging area of the business.”

SEAA Managing Director Jim Fidler added “from a public safety and security perspective, venue and event owners and operators really should consider having a well-prepared drone policy and strategy in place.

“It’s something else for directors and senior managers to think about but ignorance is no excuse in a court of law and this is just as essential as every other aspect of the industry.”

Unmanned aerial vehicles were used by the Austrian military as far back as 1849 and mini-drones have been used for photography for almost a decade.

As drones have come down in size and price, the number of users has dramatically increased. They have become more accessible to the public as well as a rapidly growing number of commercial organisations and used for a wide variety of applications that include gathering data, photography and even delivery. However, every positive has a negative, and there are growing concerns about the use of drones to threaten the privacy of people, protected places, large events and crowded places.

Dr Spencer concludes “counter drone technology has become a major issue and working with PSE and SEAA we will be able to provide the most up to date advice about what kind of options are available to organisations that want to get a better sense of the threats that are in their airspace and in turn what action they need to take.”

19th January 2018 - Australian lifesaving drone in world first ocean rescue

30th November 2017 - Sport Climbing Australia appoints Paul Sergeant Events as commercial and marketing partner

23rd October 2017 - PSE to manage and promote Irish hurling event in Australia

3rd October 2017 - Former Etihad Stadium Chief Executive announces new venture

5th September 2016 - Drones banned in South Australian national parks to protect animals

23rd February 2016 - Paul Sergeant steps down from Etihad Stadium Chief Executive role

1st December 2015 - Safety fears see Leichhardt Council ban drones in parks and public spaces

10th May 2016 - Paul Sergeant joins digital venue experts PMY Group

2nd July 2012 - Sergeant leaves Allphones Arena for Etihad Stadium

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.