Every event planner knows that dealing with crowds can be one of the most difficult aspects of a special event. The most effective way to handle large crowds at any public or private event is to create clear visual cues for where your patrons should and shouldn’t go. Visual cues simply work better than any other type of cue. They instantly communicate information across any language, they don’t need to be announced loudly and repeatedly as do auditory cues, and they don’t need to be communicated ahead of time to those attending the event. A good visual cue is simply apparent to all those upon arrival. The most versatile and universally understood visual cue for crowd control is a physical barrier. Barriers clearly communicate where one may walk, and where one may not walk. People are used to seeing all manner of physical barriers, from immense and permanent steel barricades, to unique moveable vinyl or plastic barricades, branded partitions or sidewalk dividers to even the most basic of rope barriers or orange safety cones. But when it comes to crowd control at special events, the most effective choice is a unique, moveable barrier that can be quickly configured to your changing location needs and crowd sizes. These sidewalk partitions or barricades are taken seriously by patrons, unlike the less permanent options of a rope barricade or cones which people may choose to ignore, duck under, or step over. A metal barricade with a solid vinyl side is a much more substantial option that will be far more effective for your crowd control needs. We’ve put together a must read informative post on these barriers including what search terms to use when looking for them, who/ or what venues might need them, the main uses, and what qualities to look for when purchasing. Read on for the most important information you may need to know about special event and crowd control barricades.
These barriers go by many different names so it may be difficult to search for them. Here is a list of the most common names for these barricades:
Names for Crowd Control Barriers
- Steel barricades
- Metal bike rack barricades
- French style barricades
- Temporary fence
- Stationary or wheeled barriers
- Sidewalk Partitions
- Sidewalk Dividers
- Sidewalk barriers
- Sidewalk barricades
- Event barriers
- Event barricades
- Crowd control barriers
- Crowd control barricades
- Cafe barriers
- Cafe barricades
Venues or Places that may Require Special Event Barricades or Crowd Control Barriers
- Stadiums
- Airports
- Police departments
- Fire Departments
- Construction sites
- Job sites
- Parades
- Festivals
- Concerts
- Private Clubs
- Restaurants
- Resorts
- Theaters
- Other entertainment venues
Uses for Crowd Control Barricades
- Temporarily close or block access to restricted areas/ streets
- Clearly communicate where to go/ not to go with all patrons through visual barriers regardless of language
- Handle heavy traffic flow by providing a guide along a route
- Preserve environmental resources such as vegetation from foot traffic during a crowded outdoor event
- Secure a perimeter around a construction site
- Increase jobsite safety by keeping pedestrians out, and making workers aware of when they need to don appropriate safety attire
- Advertise sponsors, products and local businesses at an event or concert
- Advertise a coming store or business location at a construction site.
So, now you can see why you might need to order crowd control barriers. But why spend more on custom barriers when you can just order cheap ones from an online site? The answer is just that: a cheap price equals a cheap product. Those barriers will not only appear to be cheaply made, but they will be flimsy, not durable, and barely able to withstand the crowds, winds, rain or other elements. Cheap and flimsy is not a quality you want in a barricade.
So, what qualities should one look for in a crowd control sidewalk barricade? Below are just are a few.
Qualities to look for in your Special Event Barricades/ Crowd Control Barriers
- Base made of durable, long-lasting materials such as aluminum, galvanized steel or stainless steel.
- Logo area made of strong PVC or polycarbonate, steel or a high-quality fabric such as Sunbrella.
- Reconfigurable arrangements with bases and logo area able to attach or detach as needed for your changing venue demands
- Various finish options including mill, metal or powder coat.
Take Advantage of Plentiful Advertising Space with Branded Barriers
Many of the generic crowd control or special event barricades are visually dull and plain, in some cases can be an eyesore, and just take up space. You can take advantage of this wasted space and create something that is eye-catching and beautiful by using custom branded barriers. Barriers not only do the job of keeping crowds in check or people in queue, but they provide valuable advertising space for your business, event or products, as well as offer space that you can sell to other businesses. One of the great things about custom barriers is that you can have any logo or graphics placed on the fabric or PVC logo area. These barriers can be designed in any color or in multiple colors. You can easily sell advertising space to your event’s sponsors or advertise your own venue, event, business, or location such as town or city. For example, an annual parade may require barriers throughout the route. This could be a great opportunity to involve local business by letting them advertise or to put the city or town name on the barricades. A concert venue may require sidewalk barricades in various configurations that could advertise upcoming shows or provide information on restroom location or other directory info. With reconfigurable barriers, you can change the advertising as needed to accommodate changing sponsors, seasonal menus or any other changes you might require.
New York City Signs and Awnings makes Custom Branded Crowd Control and Special Event Barricades
Call us today at 212-461-1625 or 1-800-561-6522 or fill out our form to request an estimate for your custom event barricades. If you’d like to read more information about our barricades including schematics of dimensions and styles, you may visit our featured product website at www.sidewalkbarriers.com.
