To Our IFEA Industry Friends:
It is with great sadness and sympathies that we let you all know of yesterday's mass shooting during the final day of the Gilroy Garlic Festival in Gilroy, California. At this time there are an estimated 12 people injured and 4 fatalities (including the suspect) after a gunman randomly opened fire on those attending the event. A second suspect is still being investigated. As has become unacceptably too common in our country and around the world, we send our deepest sympathies, prayers and support to all those affected - directly and indirectly - by this horrific incident, through friends, families and loved ones.
While no different in terms of the tragedy and loss, this scenario is the first at what we would categorize as a 'typical' small(er) town festival/celebration, that a large majority of our industry fits into. It is a category that we would all like to believe is a bit safer and at less risk than the potential larger target events, in bigger cities, with higher media focus surrounding them. It opens up many new and very real considerations that we must now work with our global risk management experts to re-examine and re-address, so that we may maintain the safe havens that we hope all of our events will be for our attendees, volunteers and all stakeholders.
The IFEA has offered the full support of our network and resources to the Gilroy Garlic Festival staff and team and I hope that all of you will stand with us as they may reach out for our support.
In the interim, we ask that everyone please take this moment to revisit your own events and work closely with your local law enforcement officials to ensure that you have thought through any possible (even if unimaginable) scenarios and appropriate responses, that may help to stop and/or limit any further such incidences in the future. As part of those considerations, we encourage you to use and access the IFEA Risk Management Resources page on our website at
www.ifea.com
. The IFEA will work with all of our global contacts and resources to follow this tragedy, and to address and share any new and pertinent information/actions that may help us all to build the safe havens that we strive for.
Wishing you all safe and successful events,
Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE
President & CEO
International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) World Headquarters
