I don’t often write public commentary as the CEO of LifeRaft, but I thought it pertinent after attending the National Spectator Sports Safety & Security Conference (“NCS4”) in Arizona last week for the first time.
Apart from a few security industry service providers like LifeRaft, the NSC4 conference event draws security leaders predominantly from professional and college sports leagues and teams, large-scale event organizers, facility owners/operators (e.g., arenas, stadiums, convention centers, campuses, etc.), and law enforcement. Essentially, all those who are tasked with ensuring safety and maintaining order where typically large crowds gather to be entertained, to be educated, and, if lucky, to celebrate.
It was eye-opening to see how much energy and effort goes into the challenge of keeping us safe. The stakes are big with large crowds at high-profile events. The risk to personal safety and property damage is always present. While we’re used to walking through metal detectors at most sporting and concert venues, we generally take for granted our safety as we don’t see all that goes into protecting us. It is complex, and it is only due to the tireless work of leaders in the security industry that it runs smoothly.
I had the pleasure of speaking with several such security industry professionals at NCS4. Many are ex-law enforcement, come from 3-letter government agencies, or are ex-military. The common theme was that they all were in service to their country and now service to the safety of others. They have all sacrificed, and they all continue to sacrifice in their current roles. The job is always stressful, and it’s never finished. These are the heroes, and every time my child attends a game at the Big House or simply walks through the “diag” to get to class, I will thank you.
Many of these attendees at NCS4 are LifeRaft customers and use our product. We have the utmost respect and empathy for them, and they also have shared appreciation for our role in their ability to achieve their safety and decision-making objectives. We’re helping important people do an important job. It feels good.
I often wonder if our mission of being “in relentless pursuit of zero missed threats for a safer world” is the right mission for our team and company. There are many benefits and roles we play for our customers that could be our guiding light and many mission options with clearer outcomes. After all, no matter how much AI we develop, we’ll unfortunately never achieve zero missed threats.
The theme of the NSC4 conference this year was “Make it Matter”. While we can’t achieve zero missed threats, it’s the relentless pursuit of the goal that matters. The team at LifeRaft are not comprised of former law enforcement, and we don’t have three-letter agency experience on our LinkedIn profiles. However, for the last 10 years, our “civilian” employees and teammates have been working with caring, curiosity, and tenacity to support those who “make it matter” for the rest of us. So, for now, our mission will remain as is.
It was fitting that on the first day of the conference that LifeRaft officially turned 10. Happy 10th anniversary LifeRaft. And thank you.
Jonathan is the President & CEO of LifeRaft. In his 20+ year career, he has helped grow private and public technology companies as a founder, operator, and venture investor.