Indoor venues designed for business events like convention and expo centers or meeting facilities are used to host standard conferences and tradeshows. As someone who works with a tradeshow that deals with hot melt items, specifically metal, myself and my team get to be some of the event producers that spring the “fire and high heat” discussion with these venues.

Last month, we discussed the ever-increasing use of drones and autonomous vehicles, especially in the live entertainment industry. You can read the first part of this article here.

Drones have become an integral tool for live events, offering dynamic video content, providing entertainment, and even enhancing safety monitoring. But with this innovation comes responsibility, especially for event organizers. While drone operators must fly legally and safely, the overall accountability for ensuring proper drone use at an event begins with the organizers.

The term "Safe" or "Safer Space" has been a part of our dance scene for years, representing a commitment to creating environments where every dancer, regardless of experience, identity, or background, feels welcome, respected, and protected from harm. While absolute safety is unattainable, our goal is to cultivate safer spaces by minimizing risks and fostering a culture of inclusion and respect. No matter the type of dance event you are organizing, implementing Safer Spaces best practices is essential for promoting a welcoming and secure environment. Many events already emphasize physical safety, including proper lighting, clear exits, fire safety, and accessibility. However, emotional and psychological safety is just as important. There are several key strategies to ensure a holistically safer space at your event.

Drones, or small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), have become a noticeable part of the entertainment industry. They are transforming how content is created, performances are delivered, and the safety of crew and audiences is ensured.  Gone are the days of niche groups of Remote Control (RC) enthusiasts as the only hobbyists taking miniature aircraft to the sky; drones have evolved into essential equipment for content creators, entertainment, and even public safety applications. 

Sometimes it takes a catastrophe to remind us how fragile life truly is. We’ve all seen the heartbreaking images and heard the stories of homes engulfed in flames, entire neighborhoods under evacuation orders, and people scrambling to find basic shelter and safety. Regardless of whether you were evacuated, lost belongings, or simply watched it unfold from afar, events like the recent LA fires can leave us all feeling unmoored and unsafe.

When I first heard about the California wildfires this past January, I knew Overdrive Energy Solutions had to act immediately. By January 8th—barely a day after the fires grew serious—we were on the ground, helping to deliver energy where it was needed most. We’ve spent years in live events demonstrating that renewable power can be cleaner, quieter, more cost-effective, and flat-out more reliable than diesel generators. This crisis proved it again—only this time, we were deploying for first responders and impacted communities rather than for concerts and festivals.

As someone with a diverse background as a musician, lawyer, and educator, I’ve experienced firsthand the challenges and safety concerns that women face in the music industry. As a young musician in the Liverpool music scene of the early 2000s, I witnessed how issues surrounding women’s safety were rarely addressed.

From a safety standpoint, moving to LEDs makes sense. The external temperature of an LED fixture is substantially lower eliminating the danger of burns. Lower temperatures also mean a substantial saving on building cooling costs. Because there are no more lamps or gel to change, maintenance costs lower, as well the risks incurred by sending staff up on ladders or in man lifts to service incandescent fixtures.

The entertainment industry, known for its creativity and dynamic energy, also faces unique challenges when it comes to mental health and well-being. In response to high demand from the community, the ESTA Technical Standards Program (TSP) has launched a vital new initiative: a working group dedicated to developing comprehensive guidelines for mental health in the entertainment workplace.

The U.S. Department of Labor has released a proposed rule with the goal of protecting millions of workers from the significant health risks of extreme heat. If finalized, the proposed rule would help protect approximately 36 million workers in indoor and outdoor work settings and substantially reduce heat injuries, illnesses, and deaths in the workplace.

After over four years, most of the severe impacts of COVID-19 are behind us. However, that doesn’t mean there won’t be another pandemic or crisis in the future. Statistically speaking, it’s almost certain. When the next one hits, will your organization be prepared?