OVERVIEW
This workshop outlines a practical, scalable approach to Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM), emphasizing how cities can protect public spaces and events from vehicle-related threats (both accidental and intentional) through structured planning, risk assessment, and layered design strategies.
The workshop explains the commonality of vehicle attacks, illustrated by real-world incidents, and defines HVM as a mix of temporary and permanent measures tailored to specific sites. The core framework involves a design cycle starting with site feasibility, followed by physical and information-based risk analyses (e.g., vehicle access points, crowd density, media attention, or vulnerable groups), and culminating in iterative planning with stakeholders like police, emergency services, and municipal departments.
A key concept is the “layering” of mitigation tools (such as barriers, vehicles, signage, and existing infrastructure) combined with the use of softer design principles like deterrence, delay, and deflection when ideal measures are not feasible. This approach ensures threats are mitigated while maintaining accessibility and community usability, particularly under budget constraints.
The workshop emphasizes the need for adaptable, community-conscious solutions, especially for smaller events and spaces, and uses case studies to illustrate how varying risk levels and operational requirements shape mitigation strategies. Ultimately, it reinforces that effective HVM requires a careful balance between safety, practicality, and inclusivity.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Identify key considerations when assisting community partners and organizers with public space or event-related Hostile Vehicle Mitigation designs.
- Understand how to scale best practices and guidelines to support marginalized groups and smaller budgets, establishing practicality as a critical design element.
- Increased comprehension and justification for planning decisions related to risk mitigation in scalable design models.
AGENDA
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2026
9:00am - 9:30am - Registration & Networking
9:30am - 12:30pm - Workshop
Agenda and timing are subject to change. All times are displayed in local Halifax time (ADT).
Programming and speakers are subject to change.
LOCATION
Conference Venue and Hotel
The Westin Nova Scotian, Lunenburg Room
1181 Hollis Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 2P6
Click for Map
TRAINER BIOGRAPHY
Michelle McElligott
Senior Specialist, Traffic Management, City of Ottawa
| Michelle McElligott is a Civil Engineer with 15 years of experience in traffic management, event safety planning and emergency management. Michelle began exploring and implementing Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) solutions in 2017 while planning for a series of major public events, including La Machine—one of the largest and most complex events held in Ottawa in recent decades. This early work helped establish a foundation for integrating HVM principles into large-scale event planning, balancing public safety, operational requirements, and community accessibility. Building on this experience, Michelle collaborated with the Ontario Traffic Council to support the development of Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) guidelines designed to enhance safety and security at public events across Ontario. Her work has focused on creating practical, scalable HVM solutions that can be implemented by smaller municipalities and local communities with limited operational resources. Michelle is currently collaborating other cities across Canada to advance HVM principles, best practices, and implementation strategies. A sought-after industry speaker, she has presented on Hostile Vehicle Mitigation at numerous professional forums, including the Ontario Traffic Conference (OTC), Ontario Technical Traffic Course & Policing Course (OTTC), Canadian Institute of Transportation Engineers (CITE), and Event Safety Alliance Canada (ESAC). |
OVERVIEW
Do you work in the live music event world? Want to know more about what happens in the pit?
Bands and performers (and their Tour Management) from around the world can have quite different expectations from a security/ crowd management team. Having been managing stage security and delivering pit training for over 14 years, we've realised that this little-understood space sometimes appears mysterious and unimportant for those that don't directly work there. However if this space is overlooked it can end in tragedy.
Some of the topics covered in this interactive workshop are:
- What initial and ongoing safety checks should be carried out of the barrier system to ensure it stays the way it should until the end of the event?
- What exactly do spotters do?
- What does good look like? Pros and cons of different lifting techniques to keep your audience (and workers) safe.
- How do crowds differ with different genres? From fairly static mature crowds, through to the sometimes complex movement of a metal crowd. It's not just about crowd surfers and mosh pits!
- What impact does event specifics and barrier design have on a pit layout? Considerations from number and age of attendees, topography of the site, through to anticipated weather.
- Integrating Show Stop protocols - planning for interruptions small and large
- And more!
Designed for medical, safety, welfare, Police, licensing, and production teams, or anyone who works in and around the front of stage barrier (or who just wants to know it’s being done right!).
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Understand the importance of the Front of Stage barrier on all aspects of an event
- Be able to identify good management and working practice in this area
- Anticipate the impact of different variables (such as crowd demographics, or weather conditions) on the safety of both the barrier and the audience/workforce
AGENDA
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2026
1:00pm - 1:30pm - Registration & Networking
1:30pm - 4:30pm - Workshop
Agenda and timing are subject to change. All times are displayed in local Halifax time (ADT).
Programming and speakers are subject to change.
LOCATION
Conference Venue and Hotel
The Westin Nova Scotian, Lunenburg Room
1181 Hollis Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 2P6
Click for Map
TRAINER BIOGRAPHIES
Carl Sonnen
Managing Director, Invictus Professional Training Ltd
| Carl is Managing Director of Invictus Professional Training Ltd which he runs with his wife KT. Their expertise covers conflict reduction, advanced security practices, incident response, mechanical restraint, and Front‑of‑Stage operations, delivering training, consultancy and operational support wherever their clients need – training room or greenfield throughout the UK and overseas. He personally specializes in Crowd Management and Security training. Based in the south coast of England, he has been teaching forms of protection training for over 30 years and, Pit (barricade training) for over 15 years. Carl continues to work operationally in the events industry alongside training, from small venues with a capacity of 1,200+ through to festivals of 80,000+ Roles vary from crowd manager, specialist security manager and safety advisor. Taking his interest in front of stage safety further Carl and the Invictus team are undertaking research into improving safety for all and reducing liability for those running events. |
KT Sonnen
PhD Researcher, Coventry University
| KT Sonnen is a multidisciplinary safety and security specialist whose operational career spans crowd management, event medical provision, traffic operations, health and safety, and control rooms across the UK and internationally. Currently completing her doctorate, she coruns Invictus Pro Training Ltd with her husband Carl, delivering immersive exercising, consultancy, and high engagement training renowned for its realism and impact. Through Coventry University’s Centre for Peace and Security, KT’s PhD research uses innovative methods to examine crime, unwanted behaviour, and the psychological effects of security measures, aiming to strengthen operational decision making and help events maximise both safety and profitability. |
Protecting Public Spaces: A Practical Approach to Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM)
Member Price - $125.00
Non-Member Price - $175.00
Behind the Barricade: What You Need to Know, Even If You Don't Work There
Member Price - $125.00
Non-Member Price - $175.00
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.
The Workshops will be presented in English.
Evening Social Events and Conference costs & fees are not included in any workshop registration.
Taxes (HST) will be applied during checkout.
The Westin Nova Scotian |
Limited rooms are available as part of the conference block between
Sunday, October 18 to Friday, October 23, 2026. The discount cut-off date is Friday, September 18, 2026.
AIRLINE DISCOUNT
Air Canada is pleased to be the preferred airline for the ESAC 2026 Annual 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: KK3VFRX1
Applicable Rules:
- The booking must be made to the following airport: Halifax (YHZ)
- The travel period begins Saturday, October 10, 2026 and ends Friday, October 30, 2026.
- 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. 12% on business class fares (exception: 5% on lowest business class fares).
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 28, 2026.
What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?
The Conference Venue is located at the Conference Hotel. If you are not staying at the Conference Hotel, transportation will be the responsibility of the attendee. There is parking at the Conference Venue/Hotel and at nearby locations.
There are also public transit options available in the city and surrounding areas. Halifax Public Transit
What is your policy for refunds and exchanges?
Except for compassionate reasons or genuine mistakes made during purchasing, all registration sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.
Is my registration fee transferable?
Yes, you may send an alternate to the conference. To make a change, please email info@esacanada.ca.
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