Argus Corporate Security & Event Staffing will station about 300 employees as peacekeepers at this weekend’s Centrix Financial Grand Prix of Denver.
But instead of taking a strong-arm approach, the buzz word now in event security is “customer-friendly,” according to Argus owner Tom Smith.
“It was a totally different mentality back in the ’70s and ’80s. You used a lot more goons; it was very heavy-handed,” he said. “It’s changed dramatically. My staff is more involved in guest services and public safety.”
Organizers expect more than 150,000 attendees at the grand prix, which is being presented by PacifiCare, and its related events at the Pepsi Center this weekend. Daily ticket prices range from $20 to $84.
The Argus employees staffing the event will be armed only with venue maps and a smile, Smith said.
“More than anything else, our job this weekend will be to help people find their seats, where concession stands are,” he said. “But we’re also in charge of keeping people away from the hot track, that kind of thing.”
The 2-year-old Englewood company handles event security at the Colorado Convention Center, the Pepsi Center and Coors Amphitheatre. It also covered February’s NBA All-Star Game.
All 1,500 employees are required to undergo training in alcohol awareness, safety and customer service. Most are employed on a part-time basis, with an average hourly wage of $8.
“The goal is to have the security be invisible to our patrons because 99 percent of people who come to our events are not a security problem,” said Dave Jolette, vice president of arena operations at the Pepsi Center. “Argus understands that. They don’t just do the event and walk away, they care about our patrons. They’re invested in making this a relaxed environment.”
Smith, who has spent almost 25 years in the security industry, said Argus spent almost a year preparing for the grand prix.
“People are paying more and more for tickets these days,” he said. “They expect more.”
Staff writer Julie Dunn can be reached at 303-820-1592 or jdunn@denverpost.com.
