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The University of Wisconsin–Madison has announced a new partnership with Best Crowd Management to bolster safety and customer service at sporting events and campus gatherings. The collaboration aims to enhance staffing, training, and guest experience for all event attendees.
Strengthening Campus Event Security and Hospitality
Best Crowd Management specializes in large-scale event staffing, offering services ranging from crowd flow coordination to guest assistance. Under the new partnership, the firm will deploy trained personnel for specific events held at Camp Randall Stadium and other high-traffic locations throughout campus.
Services will include guest greeting, wayfinding support, situational monitoring, and liaising with campus police to prevent and manage emergencies. The initiative aims to provide proactive care and ensure attendees feel both welcome and secure.
Staff Selection and Specialized Training
Candidates chosen by Best Crowd Management undergo a thorough screening process before assignment. Selected staff will receive UW-specific training (including emergency protocols, access control, and de-escalation techniques) to align with university policies.
This event staffing workforce will complement existing campus safety personnel, offering visible support and conducting routine checks to uphold event standards.
Building a Culture of Care and Preparedness
UW–Madison Director of Athletics expressed excitement about the partnership, noting it brings consistency and professionalism to event staffing. He emphasized that the approach balances accessibility with preparedness, helping guests feel comfortable while maintaining safety protocols.
Event staff will also play a key role in community engagement: answering questions, distributing event information, and connecting attendees with campus services like mobility assistance or lost-and-found support.
Broader Impact Beyond Game Day
The partnership isn’t limited to athletic events. Best Crowd Management will also support welcoming programs, graduation ceremonies, career fairs, and other on-campus functions. Adding trained, professional staff in diverse event settings ensures that safety and service standards remain high.
A Model for Collaborative Event Management
This collaboration is an example of public–private partnership that improves operational capabilities without creating redundancy. Best Crowd Management brings specialized expertise, while UW provides infrastructure and oversight, resulting in a coordinated, efficient system.
The university may use this framework as a model for future collaborations in health, cultural, and student-focused services requiring event staffing.
Anticipated Outcomes and Looking Forward
With the partnership now active, UW–Madison expects improvements in crowd handling, faster incident response, and a more engaging guest experience across events of all sizes. It demonstrates the university’s commitment to safety, inclusivity, and operational excellence.
The success of the partnership will be evaluated after the upcoming sporting season, with feedback informing planning and potential scaling. If outcomes meet expectations, the model could be expanded into broader campus or regional event partnerships.
For universities juggling complex event environments, UW–Madison’s collaboration with Best Crowd Management could serve as a benchmark, blending safety with hospitality while reinforcing community trust.
