If you’ve tried to book security staff for an event in the last twelve months, you already know the problem. There aren’t enough qualified crowd controllers and security personnel to meet demand, and the ones available are commanding higher rates than ever. This isn’t a temporary blip — it’s a structural problem that’s been building for years.

How we got here

The security industry was hit hard during the pandemic lockdowns. When events stopped, security operators let staff go or folded entirely. Many of those workers moved into other industries — warehousing, logistics, construction — and haven’t come back.

At the same time, the licensing requirements for crowd controllers in most states have become more rigorous. Training takes longer, costs more, and involves ongoing professional development. All of which is entirely appropriate — we want qualified people managing crowds — but it’s slowed the pipeline of new entrants.

The result is a market where experienced security providers are turning down bookings because they simply don’t have enough personnel, and the providers who do have availability are often newer, less experienced, and commanding rates that reflect the tight market.

What this means for event operators

For promoters and venue operators, the practical impact is significant. Security costs have risen 25-40% over the past two years, depending on the state and the type of event. For festivals, where security can be one of the largest single line items in the budget, this is squeezing already tight margins.

But cost isn’t the only issue. The bigger risk is quality. When the market is this tight, some operators cut corners — using staff who are technically licensed but lack the experience and judgment that crowd management in live events requires. An inexperienced security guard at a corporate event is an inconvenience. An inexperienced crowd controller at a sold-out music festival is a safety risk.

Practical solutions

Book early. If you know your event dates, secure your security provider as early as possible. The good operators are being booked six to twelve months in advance for major events. If you’re leaving it to three months out, you’re likely getting whoever’s left.

Build relationships. The promoters who are having the least trouble are the ones with longstanding relationships with quality security providers. If you work with the same company consistently, you’re a priority client when resources are scarce.

Consider your layout. Smart venue and site design can reduce your security requirements. Better sightlines, fewer blind spots, well-designed barriers and fencing, and clear pedestrian flow paths all mean you need fewer bodies to manage the same crowd. Invest in infrastructure to reduce your staffing dependency.

Invest in training. Some larger festival operators are now investing in training their own crowd management teams, hiring people with hospitality or customer service backgrounds and putting them through security licensing. It’s a longer-term investment but it builds a reliable talent pool you control.

The regulatory response

Some state governments are exploring ways to address the shortage, including accelerated training pathways and incentives for new entrants to the security industry. But these measures will take time to have an effect, and the demand for events is growing faster than the workforce is expanding.

In the meantime, event operators need to plan for a market where qualified security staff are expensive and scarce. Build the real cost into your budgets, engage with quality providers early, and don’t compromise on qualifications. The safety of your audience depends on it.