Disasters, terrorism and security.
With the travel industry grappling with these issues, it’s no surprise that the Southern California Tourism Safety & Security Conference has turned into a big draw.
The conference was created by tourism and law enforcement groups long before the 2001 terrorist attacks.
But in the wake of the terrorist attacks and last year’s hurricanes, the conference is attracting more interest.
Some 325 people attended the 2005 conference.
The goal is to help local tourism officials prepare for the unknown and make police aware of tourism-related security issues.
Convention groups often want to know about security measures before they book space, said Charles Ahlers, president of the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau.
Some 55% of respondents ranked safety and security a “10” on a scale of 1 to 10 when asked whether it was a factor in choosing a vacation destination, according to a 2004 survey in Orange County.
In the wake of last year’s hurricane season, more travelers are asking about disaster plans. In California, earthquakes have made disaster preparation a key part of industry planning.
“Business and industry have a big stake in what cities and tourism professionals do in terms of disaster planning, response and recovery,” said Dave Wiggins, past president of the Southern California Tourism Safety & Security Association and a co-chair of the conference.
The seventh annual safety and security conference is set for April 26 at the Hilton Anaheim.
The opening remarks will be given by John Marks, retiring chief executive of the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Other presenters include Paul Fredrick, Hilton Hotels Corp.’s New Orleans-based southeast regional director of security, and Kathleen McChesney, vice president for threat assessment and crisis management for the Walt Disney Co.
Joan Gladstone, president of Laguna Beach-based Gladstone International, will head a panel on crisis communications and media relations. The panel is set to include Rick Martinez, public information officer for the Anaheim Police Department.
Training sessions include presentations on sex crimes in tourism venues, investigation of tourism-related crimes, thefts and terrorism.
The conference is sponsored by Signal Hill-based Walters Wholesale Electric Co. It is hosted by the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau, Anaheim Police Department, Hilton Anaheim, Anaheim/Orange County Hotel and Lodging Association and the Southern California Tourism Safety & Security Association.
The conference fee is $99. The deadline for registration is April 11. Register on the Web at www.anaheimoc.org/security/conference2006.cfm.
