Kevin Kennedy - Two Sessions

Tuesday, February 24, 2026 from 11:20am - 12:05pm

Session Title: Crowd Planning Considerations for Extreme Weather Events.

Extreme weather is a new normal that needs to be considered in event planning. This presentation will identify different events that have experience extreme weather impacts.

Outcomes:

The presentation will provide a basis for thought for each event organizer on how they approach their severe weather planning. The presentation will outline some planning elements that need to be considered for crowd safety.

BIO:

Kevin Kennedy, founder and owner of Kennedy Crowd Safety Solutions, is dedicated to event safety. In 2023, he retired from policing after 39 years of dedicated service. The last 15 years were spent in the Ottawa Police Service's Event Planning Section, serving as the Staff Sergeant section supervisor since 2014. ​

Kevin has worked on a variety of events establishing collaborative relationships with many stakeholders. His dedication to safety has become a cornerstone of all his planning efforts.

Tuesday, February 24, 2026 from 2:00pm - 2:45pm

Session Title: Basic Crowd Management.

This presentation is a condensed version of a full-day Level 3 Introduction to Crowd Safety course that I normally present. This will provide participants an exposure to crowd management considerations for their event, including an exposure to crowd management planning tools that I use to plan events.

Outcomes:

• The audience will garner an understanding of how design, information and management impact crowds

• They will also become more aware that regular and emergency crowd situations are different and require different approaches

Experience:

As a former Ottawa Police Staff Sergeant (in charge of the OPS Event Planning Section) - 15 years Post police retirement, as a professional crowd safety consultant - 2+ years

BIO:

Kevin Kennedy, founder and owner of Kennedy Crowd Safety Solutions, is dedicated to event safety. In 2023, he retired from policing after 39 years of dedicated service. The last 15 years were spent in the Ottawa Police Service's Event Planning Section, serving as the Staff Sergeant section supervisor since 2014.

Kevin has worked on a variety of events establishing collaborative relationships with many stakeholders. His dedication to safety has become a cornerstone of all his planning efforts.