PRE CONFERENCE WORKSHOP
October 19, 2025 | Toronto, Ontario
THE SHOWSTOP® PROCEDURE (1 DAY)
This course is generously sponsored by the Pink Bows Foundation, and it’s being offered at a special discounted price by Event Safety Alliance Canada.
OVERVIEW
The Showstop® Procedure is a one-day course, designed for experienced event professionals who work within a strategic, tactical or operational role at events, with responsibility for the safety of crowds.
At its core, the Showstop® Procedure enables immediate intervention to stop a live performance if there is a credible threat to life safety (e.g. crowd related, structural failure, mass public order, fire or terrorism).
The Showstop® Procedure is a proven, formalised, predefined and robust process that enables a swift response to an imminent or immediate threat to life safety during a live performance or sporting event. The Showstop® Procedure can be incorporated into the full range of events to enhance emergency preparedness.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The Professional Certificate in Showstop® Procedure demonstrations competency for roles specific to Showstop® Procedure, for those participants who successfully pass the course.
- Apply event specific Showstop® Procedure planning and preparation, with defined roles and an understanding of the need to recognise artist and audience cultures.
- Be cognizant of the need for a system wide, multi-agency approach to the planning, preparedness and implementation of Showstop®.
- Recognise the importance of the decision-making architecture, the ability to dynamically assess a threat to life safety and recognise the wide range of incidents that may lead to the implementation of a Showstop®.
- Understand the importance of decisiveness and effective communication, and the requirement for documenting decisions.
- Apply a robust protocol for restarting the performance, if safe to do so, or, coordinating a full halt to the performance.
SKILLS
On completion of the course, the successful learner will have been given the opportunity to develop their knowledge, understanding, decision making, teamworking, communication and leadership skills. From successful completion of the course, they will be able to apply these skills in practice. The key to this course is to give those taking the programme the ability to apply these skills in the Showstop® workplace to create a robust and resilient team.
AGENDA
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2025
8:30AM - 9:00AM | Registration & Coffee
9:00AM - 9:10AM | Welcome / Intro / Pink Bows Foundation
9:10AM - 10:00AM | Why do we need Showstop Procedure?
10:00AM - 10:10 AM | Break
10:10AM - 10:50AM | Risk Management
10:50AM - 11:00AM | Break
11:00AM - 12:00 PM | What is the Showstop Procedure?
12:00PM - 12:40PM | Lunch (box lunch included)
12:40PM - 1:40PM | Showstop Planning Phase - Communication
1:40PM - 1:55PM | Break
1:55PM - 2:40 PM | Showstop Workshop
2:40PM - 3:40PM | Showstop Class Presentations
3:40PM - 4:00PM | Break
4:00PM - 4:10PM | Formal Exam Briefing
4:10PM - 5:25PM | Exam
5:25 PM | End of Course
Agenda and timing are subject to change. All times are displayed in local Toronto time (EDT).
Programming and speakers are subject to change.
COURSE OPTIONS
There are two options for those wishing to attend this course. The Certificate of Attendance invites learners who may wish to gain a better understanding and awareness of the Showstop® Procedure, how it reduces life safety risks and the competence to be a Shopstop Manager. This course is suitable for event organizers, production and stage managers, venue management, local authorities and other individuals involved with public safety within Sports and Entertainment.
Those wishing to opt for the Professional Certificate in Showstop® Procedure are individuals who must provide evidence of a minimum of 3 years event experience in a supervisory or management role, within the event safety, event security, promoter, event production, stage management or venue management role.
Individuals who qualify to attend the Professional Certificate in Showstop® Procedure will attend the same course as those on the Certificate of Attendance course but will be required to sit the formal examination.
For more information, refer to the Showstop® Procedure Course Brochure.
TRAINER BIOGRAPHY
| Steve Allen, FdA MIFireE FIIRSM RSP Steve Allen is a global crowd safety and security consultant with over 30 years of experience. As the recognized pioneer of Showstop® Procedure, Steve has ensured the safety of crowds and spectators at concerts, festivals, sporting events and other major events. Steve has consulted for Royal events in the UK and MIddle East, for multinational brands and has toured with artists including, but not limited to, Oasis, Led Zeppelin, Eminem, Beastie Boys, Dixie Chicks, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kasabian and the Stereophonics. |
ABOUT THE PINK BOWS FOUNDATION
Madison Alexis Dubiski was a vibrant, kind-hearted young woman whose life was tragically taken at the age of 23 in the 2021 Astroworld concert crowd crush, a preventable tragedy that claimed nine other lives, and injured hundreds. In honor of her memory and to prevent future tragedies, her family established the Pink Bows Foundation.
The Pink Bows Foundation’s mission is to identify and mitigate foreseeable hazards and foster a positive culture of safety, care and awareness, no matter the type of event. Central to this mission is the Showstop® Procedure course— The Pink Bows Foundation first-ever standardized safety protocol is designed to better prepare event organizers and public safety personnel, as well as enhance audience safety during live performances.
Safety should not be a choice; it is a duty. We are collaborating with global safety organizations, venue management, event organizers and major insurance companies to provide awareness, training and expertise they need to ensure crowd safety. The Foundation’s mission is to improve safety standards across the event industry and reduce the occurrence of major injuries and fatalities.
REGISTRATION
Certificate of Attendance - $600.00
Professional Certificate Showstop® Procedure - $700.00 (includes the exam)
If you are registering for the Professional Certificate Showstop® Procedure, you are required to be verified by the Crowd Safety Organization in advance. Please complete the following FORM and submit it to gabie@crowdsafety.org for approval. If you are not approved, you will receive a refund of $100.00 and eligible to receive a Certificate of Attendance.
Language: Course handouts and lessons are given in English. If you need to write the exam in another language, contact gabie@crowdsafety.org to make arrangements.
Class size is limited to ensure optimal learning.
Please note that workshops may be cancelled if there is insufficient registration. If that happens, registrants will be refunded and will have the option to purchase a registration for another workshop.
Evening Social Events and Conference costs & fees are not included in any workshop registration.
Taxes (HST) will be applied during checkout.
CONFERENCE VENUE
TIFF Lightbox
350 King Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3X5
Toronto Public Transit Regional Public Transit
Click for Map
CONFERENCE HOTEL
Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel
One Blue Jays Way, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1J4
Toronto Public Transit Regional Public Transit
Click for Map Map from Hotel to VenueLimited rooms are available as part of the conference block. The discount cut-off date is Sunday, September 28, 2025.
AIRLINE DISCOUNT
Air Canada is pleased to be the preferred airline for the ESAC 2025 Conference. Attendees can use the following promotion code to receive a discount on eligible fares. To book a flight with the promotion code, access Air Canada Website and enter the promotion code in the Promotion Code Box.
Promotion Code: AX6YAN71
Applicable Rules
- The booking must be made to one of the following airports: Toronto Pearson (YYZ) or Toronto Billy Bishop (YTZ).
- The travel period begins Sunday, October 12, 2025 and ends Friday, October 31, 2025.
- For North America travel, 5% applies on standard fares and 10% on flex fares & higher. For International travel, 10% applies on standard fares and higher.
For additional terms & conditions, please reach out to info@esacanada.ca
ACCESSIBILITY
If you require any accommodations to participate in this conference, or in the event of an emergency evacuation at the venue, please indicate your requirements at the time of registration. Please email info@esacanada.ca if you have any questions about the accessibility of this conference or the venue.
EVENT FAQS
How can I contact the organizer with any questions?
If you have questions (dietary restrictions, accessibility etc.), please email info@esacanada.ca. Please submit dietary restrictions by Friday, September 26, 2025.
What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?
Transportation will be the responsibility of the attendee. There is parking at the hotel and at nearby locations.
There are also public transit options available in the city and surrounding areas.
Is my registration fee transferable?
Yes, you may send an alternate to the conference. To make a change, please email info@esacanada.ca.
Is there accommodation nearby?
Click for MapOur hotel partner is the Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel
What time does the Conference start and end?
Registration will begin at 12:00PM on Monday, October 20, 2025 and the last session will conclude by 5:00PM on Wednesday,
October 22, 2025.
Pre Conference Workshops will be held on Sunday, October 19, 2025.
Post Conference Workshops will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2025 and Friday, October 24, 2025.