For the last 31 years, Showsec has provided the AO Arena with crowd management services, event security, and professional security training services.
Since the venue first opened its doors in July 1995 as the Nynex Arena, we have managed security protocols for thousands of events, welcoming over 30 million visitors through its doors. From global music icons and major sporting fixtures to comedy, family shows, and landmark public events, Showsec has been at the heart of the AO Arena’s operations for three decades.

The relationship with the AO Arena has remained strong throughout the venue’s transformation, including changes in naming rights, ownership, and a recent £70 million redevelopment that has modernised the venue and significantly enhanced the fan experience.

Showsec has partnered with what is now ASM Global since 1995. The current contract covers many of the UK’s main arena venues, with some theatre venues also included.

The contract includes the following venues:

• Wembley Arena
• AO Arena, Manchester
• Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
• First Direct Arena, Leeds
• York Barbican
• Utilita Arena, Newcastle
• Connexin Live, Hull
• P&J Live, Aberdeen

This contract requires us to work in many different areas including:

• Entrances
• Search systems
• Vomitories and aisleways
• Seating areas
• Hospitality areas
• Backstage areas
• Control room and CCTV operations
• Asset protection across the suite of venues.

These positions are standard across all formats of entertainment hosted at the venues, including music concerts, sporting events, diverse cultural events, and conferences and exhibitions. Due to the variety of functions across each venue, it is recognised that there is an important need to have a correctly trained workforce in all areas. This has been a purposeful strategy across the ASM suite to ensure added value through efficient deployment and resourcing strategies.

All staff working in these areas are trained, as a minimum, in the following areas before being allowed to work their first shift for Showsec:

•  Working for Showsec
• Customer Service & Communication Skills
• Health and Safety – Level 2
• Radio Familiarisation & Emergency Button Use
• Ingress and Egress of the Public at Events
• First Response at Events
• Counter Terrorism ACT Awareness
• ACT Security

Further to these, once onboarded, and ahead of working in the ASM venues, all staff will undergo familiarisations at the respective venues to ensure understanding and ability to provide the best service. In addition, we have a specific eLearning module called “Working in an ASM venue” that staff can complete to gain a greater understanding of the specific policies and procedures implemented by this client.

Our collaboration with the AO Arena has remained strong through various initiatives that ensure new staff members working at the venue complete a training module to enhance their familiarisation with the Arena and strengthen their knowledge of working within the venue.