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When Executives Travel

by Andrew Jones

Last week one of my colleagues, Ron Coleman, attended the monthly meeting of the Western Mass Chapter of ASIS International (formerly the American Society for Industrial Security). The speaker was Ray Muise, Assistant Vice President of Corporate Security at MassMutual Financial Group.

“Ray spoke about many of the unique challenges faced by security professionals in preparing for executive protection at off-site conferences,” Ron said. “As part of his talk, he provided a handy checklist to help in the planning process. As Ray was quick to point out, this is just a general guide.”

The checklist comprises more than 40 items requiring information and comments, sorted into four categories:

Hotel

• Telephone Number
• Fax Number
• Security Director
• Manager's name
• CEO Floor
• General security conditions of the area
• Security Staff (CPR- and AED-Trained)
• Nearest police and fire dept.
• Nearest hospital, type of hospital, life star
• Type of fire alarm (speaker and or flashing light)
• Type of fire extinguishers and location
• Sprinkler system
• Fire exits, clear stairwells
• Ability of fire dept. to reach all floors with ladders
• Congregation point
• Meeting spaces
• Other VIP's in hotel at the same time
• Elevator (location and issues)
• Head Doorman
• Bell Captain

Airport

• Commercial or private
• Security for the aircraft
• Access to the tarmac
• Access to drop off / pick up area
• Time to hotel by car
• Mileage to hotel

Chauffer Responsibilities

• Two sets of keys
• Full tank
• Radio off
• No conversation with occupants unless client initiated
• No personal calls
• Vehicle free of personal items, including trunk
• Traffic flow

Restaurants

• Fire exits
• Private rooms
• Bathrooms
• Nearest hospital, police, fire depts.

As the United States is in a period of Presidential transition, I couldn’t help but wonder how Mr. Muise’s advice compares to how the U.S. Secret Service plans for the travel of our nation’s highest elected leaders and visiting foreign dignitaries.

A quick search uncovered an article in The Oregonian about a May 2015 visit by President Obama to Portland. The reporter consulted with two authors of books about the Secret Service and shared a general 13-point list in her story.

Not surprisingly, the two lists share similar areas of concern.

For more information about Mr. Muise’s speech, you may email Ron Coleman at rcoleman@ThresholdSecurity.com.

How do you protect the people in your organization? Feel free to comment below.

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Posted on 11/22/2016