Vertical Insights: Stadium Security Symposium
About the Event
Vertical Insights is a series of virtual events presented by the Security Industry Association (SIA) and focused on top vertical markets. This series is designed to bring together practitioners, security integrators, solution providers, consultants and others involved in protecting key sectors.
As stadiums across the United States prepare to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics, venue security planning is entering a new era of complexity and visibility. Large-scale sporting events like these amplify existing challenges ranging from credentialing and access control to counterterrorism planning, cybersecurity risk and integration of real-time threat intelligence.
This symposium will examine how stadium operators and security industry partners are preparing for large-scale events, showcasing proven strategies that safeguard fans, teams, and staff, as well as innovative technologies that enhance security capabilities and operational resilience.
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Sponsored By:
Symposium Partner:
Speakers
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Phil CoppolaBusiness Development Director, Mobile Solutions, PACS North America, HIDPhil Coppola, PSP, is an accomplished professional with a proven track record in the fields of business development, sales and marketing. With a focus on video surveillance, mobile credentials and physical access control systems (PACS), he has made significant contributions to the industry throughout his career.
Currently serving as the business development director for mobile solutions, PACS North America, at HID, Coppola plays a crucial role in driving growth and expanding market presence. With a strong emphasis on innovation and client-centric solutions, he is instrumental in shaping the future of mobile credential technologies in the security industry.
As an active content creator, Coppola has amassed a substantial following on LinkedIn with over 10,000 followers. His daily contributions on LinkedIn provide valuable insights, industry updates and thought leadership to his engaged audience. Additionally, Coppola shares his expertise and experiences with a growing community of over 3,400 subscribers on YouTube, where he publishes weekly videos offering valuable content and insights.
Coppola is also the author of “The Inside Track Newsletter,” a publication on LinkedIn that covers the latest trends, industry news and best practices in the field of mobile credentials and physical access control systems.
With a passion for delivering exceptional results and a proven ability to drive business growth, Phil Coppola is a highly respected professional in the security industry. His dedication, expertise and strong leadership have positioned him as a trusted advisor and a valuable asset to his partners.
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Bill SquiresChief Venues Officer, FIFA 2026 Men's World Cup New York New Jersey Host CommitteeBill Squires began his career in the sports and entertainment facilities and events management industry in 1987 and has managed several large professional sports venues. He was responsible for all aspects of events and operations of these venues.
Squires is the chief venues officer for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup New York New Jersey Host Committee. He is a past president of the Stadium Managers Association and sits on several boards supporting sports and entertainment facilities and events.
Squires has taught Sports Facilities and Events Management (2007) and co-teaches Sustainability in Sports: Theory and Practice (2024) in Columbia University’s Master of Science in Sports Management program.
Squires is a United States Naval Academy graduate and was an active-duty naval aviator for 12 years before joining the New York Yankees. He served an additional 12 years in the Naval Reserves and retired as a commander.
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Kristyn Kelly ShapiroDirector, Defense and Security, GuidehouseKristyn Kelly Shapiro is a director at Guidehouse and a nationally recognized expert in counterterrorism, intelligence integration and homeland security strategy. Named one of GTSC’s Homeland Security “50 Trailblazers,” she leads Guidehouse’s cross-segment intelligence analysis and investigatory support solution, supporting critical missions across the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice and Intelligence Community.
Shapiro’s career is rooted in nearly two decades of federal service focused on counterterrorism and prevention. As a senior executive in the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division, she supported mission‑critical national security operations, resource allocation, and strategic modernization efforts designed to detect, disrupt and prevent threats against the United States including those targeting vulnerable soft‑target environments. She led the FBI’s enterprise strategy refresh, strengthened public-private intelligence-sharing frameworks, and built the Bureau’s first National Recruiting Plan to ensure access to critical skillsets needed for today’s evolving threat landscape.
At Guidehouse, Shapiro advances intelligence and law enforcement missions by integrating data-driven analysis, strategic planning, and technology modernization to improve threat detection, strengthen prevention, and enhance the resilience of high‑risk public spaces. Her thought leadership on counterterrorism and terrorism prevention has been published through GTSC and Homeland Security Today.
Shapiro serves on the AFCEA Bethesda Board and as co-vice president of the Law Enforcement and Public Safety Technology (LEAPS) Forum. She holds a B.A. from Boston College and an M.B.A. from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business and has been recognized with multiple awards including the SES Special Act Award, the FBI Knowledge Award, and ONI Junior Professional of the Year.
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Melissa D. Lesperance, MLD, CSSPCorporate Security, Director of the District Command Center, Olympia Development of Michigan
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