American Security Today sat down with Thushan Rajapska, Senior Vice President at Allied Universal® Event Services to learn more about their offerings.
Allied Universal® Event Services is nationally recognized as an industry leading crowd management, event staffing, and consulting company.
Given the turmoil in Iran, security for large events is heightened now more than ever.
We met at the 2020 NAMM show in Anaheim, where the safety and security of the music industry attendees was the primary goal, to learn more about how his company handles safety and security services at major events.
Is there a correlation between world events, like what is happening in Iran, and the need for ‘amped’ up security at major events like the NAMM Show?
Given the world stage we all live on which includes volatile times and acts of terrorism, people want to know they are going to events and venues that are safe and secure.
Guests want to see security at these shows.
Guests are OK with waiting in line for bag checks or pat-downs because they understand our overall purpose for mandating these initiatives.
We have the power to create magical moments and memorable experiences for live audiences with safety and security as a first mindset.
How is ‘event security’ different than the traditional manned guarding?
Event security is fluid and ever changing with crowd movement and dynamics.
In my 23+ years, I have never worked a concert that has the same crowd management plan.
During these turbulent times, ensuring the safety and security of event participants at NAMM or other high-profile events demands the use of cutting-edge technology paired with the best security professionals in the business.
Through the combined capabilities of Allied Universal®, the event services division is now a single-source solution for everything from temporary staffing, consulting and security for all events.
I am proud to say that Allied Universal® Event Services is the leader within the entertainment industry providing innovative and expert guest management solutions.
In addition, the event services team has a successful formula for addressing convention and trade show’s complex challenges from a security and staffing perspective.
The Allied Universal® Event Security event security team plays a multi-faceted role that includes alcohol enforcement, audience management, bike patrol, crowd control, ID checkers, 24-hour event security, access control, parking services, red carpet staff, ticket takers, ushers and VIP/talent escort.
We assist from pre-planning stages through post-show wrap-up; working with the client from start to finish.
What is your most valuable asset at Allied Universal® Event Services?
Hands-down, our employees are our most valuable assets.
We are proud to employ the best and brightest of today’s diverse workforce. We ensure this by our strict guidelines for hiring and training.
In addition, our management team is coaches and mentors our front-line employees.
(Security professionals play the most important role, securing and caring for the people and businesses in our communities. Learn more about the standards we set for over 200,000 Allied Universal security professionals. Courtesy of Allied Universal and YouTube.)
I hear that you rose within the Allied Universal® company. Can you share details on what position you started at and your rise to Senior Vice President at Allied Universal® Event Services?
I love live entertainment and live music. I feel like I have the best job in the world.
I get to create magical moments and memorable experiences for live audiences.
I started when I was 18 years old as a ticket taker for concerts & sporting events making $5.25 per hour at the LA Forum working Lakers games in 1996.
I held every position Allied Universal® Event services had from guest services, security guard, cashier, box office, parking, access control, bike patrol, ID checking, red carpet staff, usher, talent escort, supervisor, recruiter, scheduler, event manager, account manager, director, executive director, general manager, VP to SVP.
I went to business school at Long Beach State and when I graduated in 2000, I wanted to be an entrepreneur.
It is year 2020 and I am still at Allied Universal® Event Services because I love the culture here, love our team and love live music.
About our guest: Thushan Rajapska
Thushan has over twenty-two years of hands-on experience in event staffing, event management, consulting, and field operations, having worked his way up the ranks at AUES, and holds a flawless record within the company.
With his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing, he has been a key team player in generating and maintaining key relationships, quality control, sales, and new business.
He has been instrumental in budgeting, strategic planning, staffing, and managing hundreds of diverse events from concerts, conventions, trade shows, sporting events, and special events.
His role as Senior Vice President allows him to be hands-on with all AUES offices and clients, as well as new clients, to make sure all their needs and expectations are met.
Allied Universal Takes Platinum in 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program
Allied Universal
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Best Maritime/Seaport Security Program
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Valero Port Arthur Refinery
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The Valero Port Arthur Refinery (VPAR) is a large waterfront facility that is a part of infrastructure that is critical to the national defense and economy of the United States.
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It is also the fastest growing port complex in the nation and almost all of the vessel traffic on this waterway passes in front of the VAPR dock facilities, a characteristic known by adversaries (both domestic and foreign based) and represents security challenges that are unique to this area.
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Allied Universal is the largest provider of security services in North America, and in the Beaumont-Port Arthur area. It is recognized locally as the premier service provider in this market.
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The regulations that Allied Universal staff need to understand, and possess a working knowledge of, include the Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Coast Guard Marine Transportation Security Act requirements for port facilities and the Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials Transportation regulations.
(See an overview of Allied Universal’s integrated security services and systems solutions. Courtesy of Allied Universal and YouTube.)
The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is specifically designed to honor distinguished government and vendor solutions that deliver enhanced value, benefit and intelligence to end users in a variety of government, homeland security and public safety vertical markets.
The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program highlighting the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition, and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.
American Security Today is pleased to announce that Deann Criswell, the NYC Emergency Management Commissioner will deliver the keynote address at the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon Banquet in New York City.
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.
Comprehensive List of Categories Include:
| Access Control/ Identification | Personal/Protective Equipment | Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism |
| Perimeter Barrier/ Deterrent System | Interagency Interdiction Operation | Cloud Computing/Storage Solution |
| Facial/IRIS Recognition | Body Worn Video Product | Cyber Security |
| Video Surveillance/VMS | Mobile Technology | Anti-Malware |
| Audio Analytics | Disaster Preparedness | ID Management |
| Thermal/Infrared Camera | Mass Notification System | Fire & Safety |
| Metal/Weapon Detection | Rescue Operations | Critical Infrastructure |
| License Plate Recognition | Detection Products | And Many Others! |
Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?
With the unprecedented occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus of the safety and security industries has realized the need to increase innovations to address the daily growing challenges.
As such AST aims to make sure these firms and professionals are reflected in the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, so we’d like to encourage you to submit appropriate categories recommendations and include COVID-19 Frontline Professionals in your Nominations to see that these Professionals, Facilities, and Vendors receive the Recognition they Deserve!
Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
The 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program surpassed expectations with a record number of nominations received from industry leaders and government agencies, and drew over 200 attendees to the ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Banquet – an exclusive gourmet luncheon and networking opportunity which filled to capacity, before having to turn away late registrants.
The event featured an impassioned and compelling keynote address by William J. Bratton, former police commissioner of the New York Police Department (NYPD) twice, the Boston Police Department (BPD), and former chief of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), as he walked attendees through 50 years of American policing history, the impacts on the communities, and the evolution of critical communication capabilities in our post 9/11 landscape.
Commissioner Bratton, one of the world’s most respected and trusted experts on risk and security issues and Executive Chairman of Teneo Risk a global advisory firm, was recognized as the ‘2019 ‘ASTORS’ Person of the Year’ for his Lifetime of Dedication and Extraordinary Leadership in Homeland Security and Public Safety.
Why the ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program?
American Security Today’s comprehensive Annual Homeland Security Awards Program is organized to recognize the most distinguished vendors of physical, IT, port security, law enforcement, and first responders, in acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to ‘Keep our Nation Secure, One City at a Time.’
Over 200 distinguished guests representing Federal, State and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms, gathered from across North America, Europe and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields which included:
- The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)
- United States Marine Corps
- The Federal Protective Service (FPS)
- Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
- United States Postal Inspection Service
- DHS S&T
- United States Marshals Service (USMS)
- The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Police (PAPD)
- The Department of Justice (DOJ)
- The New York State Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services (NYS DHSES)
- United States Border Patrol
- AlertMedia, Ameristar Perimeter Security, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, Bellevue University, BriefCam, Canon U.S.A., CornellCookson, Drone Aviation, FLIR Systems, Hanwha Techwin, HID Global, IPVideo Corp., Konica Minolta Business Solutions, LenelS2, ManTech, Regroup Mass Notifications, SafeLogic, SolarWinds, Senstar, ShotSpotter, Smiths Detection, TCOM LP, Trackforce, Verint, and More!
From innovative Military Cyber Programs, to Local, State and Federal Public Safety and Emergency Management Initiatives, New Physical and IT Products and Services, and Security Professional, Threat Assessment, Emergency Preparedness, Law Enforcement and Homeland Security Education and Training Opportunities – Join your ‘ASTORS’ Award-Winning Peers and Receive the Recognition You Deserve!
Excellence in Public Safety and Government Security Award Nominations are also encouraged, such as those 2019 Honored Winners which includes the DEA, U.S. Marine Corps, DHS S&T, Federal Protective Service, DHS S&T NUSTL, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Border Patrol, The Port Authority of NY/NJ, and the NYS Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services.
Individuals are also encouraged to be nominated for Government Excellence in Public Safety and Homeland Security such as last years widely respected recipients.
Why American Security Today?
The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast changing security landscape.
The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast changing security landscape.
American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State and local levels of government as well as firms allied to government.
American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers eyes throughout the story with cutting edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.
Harness the Power of the Web – with our 100% Mobile Friendly Publications
The AST Digital Publications is distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals in federal, state and local levels.
‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’
AST Reaches both Private & Public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.
Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.
These experts are from Government at the federal, state and local level as well as from private firms allied to government.
AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.
AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.
Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.
To learn more about the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, please go to the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Championship Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2019 ‘A Year in Review’.
The ‘ASTORS’ Champion Edition is published annually and includes a review of the ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firms products and services, includes video interviews and more.
It is your Go-To source throughout the year for ‘The Best of 2019 Products and Services‘ endorsed by American Security Today, and can satisfy your agency’s and organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.
From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware and Networking Security – Just to name a few), the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION will have what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitgate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.
It also includes featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders, and recognized firms in the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.
Allied Universal® is a leading security and facility services company in North America with more than 230,000 employees and revenues of over $8.4 billion,
The company provides unparalleled security services and technology solutions, with offices located throughout the United States as well as Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.
Allied Universal provides proactive security services and cutting-edge smart technology to client sites covering multiple specialty sectors such as higher education, healthcare, retail, commercial real estate, government and corporate campuses, etc.
To Learn More, please visit www.aus.com.
For information about Sponsorship and advertising opportunities with American Security Today, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
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