After the overwhelming success of The Tech Briefing, we’re back - this time with a sharper focus on risk, responsibility and readiness.
The Safety Briefing is an intimate education event for event planners who want to level up their understanding of WHS, risk mitigation and what really goes on behind the scenes at events.
Returning to the stage is Kealan Coleman, who will lead the program with a fresh and focused take on WHS responsibilities through content, discussion and hands-on activities.
We’ll also be joined by two of the country’s most experienced operators in venue risk and major event safety:
Tim Cramsie, City Recital Hall: A venue and production veteran, Tim will unpack the safety mindset from a venue perspective, covering high-level issues like international productions, terror threats, lone-wolf scenarios, and compliance challenges across complex event landscapes.
Tim Gray, Foti Fireworks: From Sydney NYE fireworks to major civic events, Tim will lift the curtain on what goes into ensuring public safety at scale. Expect behind-the-scenes stories and real-world lessons.
With only 30 seats available, this half-day experience is intentionally small, to allow deep learning, meaningful interaction and practical takeaways you can bring back to your next event. You’ll also enjoy:
Detailed content delving deep into risk and safety for events
Conversation with some of the most experienced minds in the industry
A welcoming, stylish venue with breakfast, morning tea and lunch hosted by Ace Hotel Sydney
Tuesday, 23 September 2025
8am - 2pm
AV1
Kealan Coleman is an experienced event safety and risk management professional with a background in major live productions and venue operations. Known for his practical, no-nonsense approach, Kealan specialises in bridging compliance requirements with real-world event delivery, ensuring every production runs smoothly, safely, and without compromise.
City Recital Hall
Tim Cramsie is a seasoned event professional with a passion for industry training and the safe delivery of events. His career spans technical production, WHS leadership, and venue operations, including 13 years at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, where he worked on landmark events such as the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Tim has also held key roles at City Recital Hall and AV1, blending hands-on production expertise with national-standard safety processes. An accredited trainer and assessor, he chairs WHS committees, develops risk frameworks, and champions safety as an enabling tool for creative industries.
Foti Fireworks
Tim Gray is WH&S and Production Manager at Foti International Fireworks, where he has overseen the safe delivery of Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks since 2004. With over two decades of experience managing large-scale pyrotechnic displays across Australia and internationally, Tim combines deep technical expertise with a passion for safety systems that keep crews and audiences safe in high-stakes environments.
8:00am | Arrival, breakfast and networking |
9:00am | Risk & Safety Essentials: From Paperwork to Practice Kick off the session with Kealan as he takes you through the core elements of event safety. From understanding and completing SWMS, to incident reporting, running an effective toolbox talk, and recapping key points. This practical introduction sets the tone for safe, seamless delivery on every site. |
10:30am | On the Ground: Risk & Safety Walkthrough Join us for a guided walkthrough of the venue’s loading dock and back-of-house areas for a practical look at risk and safety in action. We’ll explore site-specific considerations, hazard identification, traffic management, and access protocols, plus the essential safety factors to plan for at any event. This hands-on session will help you see the venue through a risk manager’s eyes and take away insights you can apply across all your projects. |
11:00am | Morning tea |
11:15am | From the Venue’s View: Risk & Safety in a Global Context With experience spanning local venues and large-scale international productions, Tim Cramsie offers a unique perspective on risk and safety from the venue’s standpoint. Drawing on his time at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, work at City Recital Hall, and encounters with everything from lone-wolf threats to high-profile security considerations, Tim will unpack the unique challenges and protocols that keep venues, and everyone in them, safe. Expect real-world examples, critical considerations for every event, and lessons you can take into any production environment. |
11:45am | Behind the Scenes of Spectacle: The NYE Fireworks Case Study Tim Gray takes you behind the curtain of some of the world’s most breathtaking live spectacles, including Sydney’s iconic New Year’s Eve fireworks. In this case study, he’ll reveal the planning, coordination, and technical wizardry required to make the magic happen. Learn how teams manage risk, timelines, and creative ambition to deliver world-class events that leave audiences speechless. |
12:15pm | Panel Q&A Bring your questions and join Tim Cramsie, Tim Gray, and Kealan Coleman for an open and insightful panel discussion on risk and safety in events. From venue perspectives and large-scale production challenges to practical on-site safety measures, this is your chance to hear candid stories, compare approaches, and get expert answers to the questions that matter most. |
12:45pm | Styled Lunch, hosted by Ace Hotel Sydney Settle in for a vibrant close to the program, where great food meets great company in one of Sydney’s most creative spaces. Enjoy a menu that celebrates seasonal flavours, thoughtful styling that reflects Ace’s signature aesthetic, and the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow attendees before we say goodbye. |
2:00pm | Event ends |
AV1 acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation as the traditional owners of the land we work and create upon. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the Nation.
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