Okay, so I had this gig where I needed to figure out a new bag policy for a bunch of outdoor events. We’re talking festivals, concerts, that kind of thing. The old policy was, well, a mess. People were bringing in everything but the kitchen sink, security lines were miles long, and it was just generally a headache. So, I got tasked with coming up with something “innovative.”
Step 1: Figuring Out the Problems
First, I spent a few days just watching. I mean, really watching. I hung out at a couple of events, taking notes on what people were bringing, what was causing hold-ups at security, and what security staff were actually paying attention to. I made lists. Lots of lists.
- Big Bags: People were showing up with backpacks the size of small children.
- Coolers: Full-sized coolers, like they were tailgating for a week.
- Prohibited Items: The usual suspects – weapons (duh), outside alcohol, glass containers.
- Line Bottlenecks: Bag checks were taking forever, and people were getting grumpy.
Step 2: Brainstorming (and Stealing) Ideas
Next, I started brainstorming. I’m not gonna lie; I did a lot of “research,” which is a fancy way of saying I looked at what other venues were doing. I checked out stadium policies, airport rules (TSA, I’m looking at you), and even some theme park guidelines. I took the best bits from each and started mashing them together.
Step 3: The Clear Bag Solution
This is where the “innovative” part came in (though, honestly, it’s not that new). I decided to push for a clear bag policy. Basically, you can only bring in a clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag, and it has to be a certain size (we went with 12″ x 6″ x 12″). You could also bring in a small clutch bag, about the size of your hand, for personal items.
Why clear bags? Simple. Security can see what’s inside without having to rummage through everything. It speeds up the lines a lot. Plus, it subtly discourages people from trying to sneak in prohibited stuff.
Step 4: Getting Everyone On Board
This was the tricky part. I had to convince the event organizers, security, and even the marketing team that this was a good idea. There was some pushback, of course. People worried about privacy, fashion (seriously), and the general hassle of having to buy a new bag.
I put together a presentation (with pictures! Very important) showing the benefits: faster entry, improved safety, and a better overall experience for attendees. I also pointed out that other major events were doing the same thing, so we wouldn’t be the weird ones.
Step 5: Rollout and Refinement
We rolled it out slowly, starting with smaller events and working our way up. We put up signs everywhere, sent out emails, and blasted it all over social media. There were definitely some grumbles at first, but people got used to it surprisingly quickly. We also made sure to have cheap clear bags available for sale at the entrance, for those who “forgot.”
We also tweaked the policy as we went. For example, we initially didn’t allow any opaque bags, but we realized that people needed a place to put, um, personal items. So we added the small clutch bag exception.
The Result
It worked! Entry lines are way shorter, security is happier, and the overall vibe is more relaxed. We still get the occasional person trying to sneak in a giant bottle of something, but it’s much easier to spot. Is it perfect? No. But it’s a heck of a lot better than what we had before. And that, my friends, is my story of “innovating” a field bag policy.
