Workshop Quotes
(updated 12th March 2008)
Keywords: Pedestrian Evacuation, simulating people, simulating crowds
From Gwynedd and Mid Wales Events Symposium. March 2008
Many thanks for such a delightful and effective presentation on crowd dynamics and control - the way you reinforced the key messages with the verbal, text, visual and anecdotal formats was just fab!
It will certainly stay in people's minds and ensure that they do not forget this crucial element of Health and Safety when planning their events.
People had been told how good you were, so it was good that you lived up to expectations!
From the Cabinet Office Crowd Dynamics Workshop February 2008
This has been an excellent course amongst the best i have attended at the epc. The content strikes the right balance of theory with practical experience for case studies. I would definitely recommend it to others involved in events planning.
Outstanding
Extremely focussed and enjoyable course. Really gives you the confidence to support challenges based on mathematics and modify techniques. Many thanks to you both.
The course was very interesting and i will be taking the information and models away to be used in the workplace.
An excellent course facilitated well by experts in this area of work.
Very worthwhile for my area of business.
A very informative enjoyable course. Thank you.
Excellent trainers.
An excellent understanding of subjects put in simple terms and made easy to apply practically
From the Cabinet Office Crowd Dynamics Workshop November 2007
Keith is fascinating and great to listen to.
Some of the exercises were difficult due to lack of time.
I would like more time understanding maths.
Very knowledgeable tutors.
Clear and concise lecturing.
Good interpersonal skills.
As someone who is maths averse the inclusion of a considerable amount of maths and equations would have been useful to have known and be prepared for pre course. A little more crowd psychology would have been useful
From the Cabinet Office Advanced Crowd Dynamics Workshop October 2007 (first Advanced Workshop)
Excellent
This is a must attend course for those making critical event decisions
The modelling enabled me to identify and prioritise significant management issues
Needs to be longer course and behaviour movement in venues in more detail
Expand on media modelling crowd psychology and how the various stealth techniques apply to crowd control and behaviour
Excellent course taking our knowledge of crowd dynamics to the next level. Primarily enabling us to challenge experts in the field.
I would like to have seen more time spent on the mathematical aspects of the formulas to cover them in more detail
Helped gain much greater confidence in providing constructive advice using model techniques. But more importantly challenge where necessary professional documentation of events
All goals achieved and thank you both very much
Possibility of review and update courses
Excellent presentation of course material using relevant case material and experiences. Made this course more focused on getting decision making more important
For a first course this was well constructed and scheduled. There were times that felt a little rushed but no doubt this will become smoother. Really enjoyed the course. Well done
Excellent course
Excellent progression from crowd dynamics course.
I would have liked more time to work on various case studies. However working on others gave me lots to think about and apply to my own. Others ideas were very valuable.
Number of delegates was optimum. Chance to talk to all delegates and get some learning from each case study.
From the Cabinet Office Crowd Dynamics Workshop July 2007
Being a practical person working on and understanding solutions was excellent.
Further course program will confirm and elaborate (booked on the Advanced Course)
I really enjoyed the course and found it really informative
Keith could you just slow down on your delivery a touch to allow the brain time to register the info and process as go along. Thanks! (Just want the fully absorb your wealth of experience!)
Thought course was excellent.
Struggled with the maths initially but it soon became clear
This was the most useful course I have done as it was very practical and hands on and contained some very precise methods for calculating crowd density etc.
The tutors were both very professional and interesting speakers
The Matthew St. Case study had highly complex issues and I would have benefitted from a less complicated case study to reinforce the points learnt during the course.
An excellent course with many useful options explored.
Very relevant was the crowd flow ingress/egress and the concept of modelling.
All very relevant to planning operations and events.
There is potential for introduction to APOC programme
From the Cabinet Office Crowd Dynamics Workshop Feb 2007
Excellent
I found Keith and Ron's help with mapping and tech invaluable.
Found the course both useful and informative.
Because of course time not enough time for in depth discussion and referral time, offset by the ability to contact providers for lock up info!
I would have liked time to go into things in more detail.
From the Bjertorp Workshop (Sweden) December 2006
I didn't know what to expect from the course, but I've learnt even more and got more understanding such as thinking 'outside the box' etc.
Thank you! The course has been very interesting and helpful
I found it very interesting all of it and i thought it was clear, well 'worked through' 'real' examples such as video clips, photos etc.
Lots of useful info, interesting discussing with peers from different agencies. Nice meeting an old acquaintance (from back when I read Keith's PhD thesis)
The exercises also create a good climate for new network. I am very pleased to have joined this course.
A very good course. Recommendable to all persons working in the area of emergency planning.
From the Cabinet Office Crowd Dynamics Workshop Nov 2006
My second visit to the college and each time i feel that the course raise public officers like myself to a much higher level of knowledge and understanding. Thank you. (5* facilitators - extremely height level of knowledge and information being put forward) trainers really do not come better than this. Tremendous knowledge base delivered professionally - allow participation throughout the course (5***** performance and well done)
Excellent course. Pulls higher the aspects of the courses and provides the basis to look at a situation as a whole.
Excellent trainers, excellent balance of subject matter
Excellent presentation by both trainers - best course so far of the three of the events set and would really appreciate further courses for event organisers
Thoroughly enjoyed the course learned a lot from it
The course and facilities are fantastic. Your needs well attended to. Group work well and experiences discussed in complete confidence
Excellent presentation - now understand the relationship between density and crowd flow and the importance of applying the use of (flow simulation tools) towards good planning
Excellent and very well run
Very good Keith and Ron
I still need to go away and practice the modelling an the sums till it becomes more of a natural process
From the Lincoln Crowd Dynamics Workshop October 2006
The whole course / workshop was excellent and I thoroughly enjoyed it, learnt a hell of a lot and would recommend this to anyone involved in organising an event in the county. Thank you Keith, excellent.
I would of appreciated a short debrief after each session of the workshop sessions as I was sometimes left not knowing whether the conclusions we reached were accurate.
An excellent course / workshop well presented and easy to take in.
Overall very good package, well presented and easy to digest.
A well run course, well presented, I greatly enjoyed the 2 days.
Good two days – practical appreciation in the workplace.
Very good thanks.
Let’s have more!
Really useful tools which I can use to assist the event.
More confidence in using the tools effectively.
Greatly enjoyed this workshop and found it very useful.
Keith was very informative throughout the course, took time out to answer any questions.
Course delivered excellently and in a friendly manner.
Best workshop I have ever been on!! Thanks!!
From the Cabinet Office Crowd Dynamics Workshop Feb 2006
Fascinating subject - will hopefully apply the theory to the situation when I'm back at work.
Objectives met well. The maths was fine, but could have skipped the formulas (for me) a bit confusing, but probably because I've never liked Pythagoras!
The objective were clear and precise. Additional help and assistance were available from the tutors for the more challenging sections was appreciated.
I started out wanting the answers as to how to stop overcrowding. I don't have these answers because there are no definitive answers, just processes by which to prevent, plan and manage it.
I cannot fault the facilitation of the topics presented. I failed to grasp the fine detail, because I needed a bit more time for the penny to drop in applying the mathematics. The final exercise puller it all together quite nicely for me
The course provided an excellent insight of how to plan and prepare for an event at which it is anticipated there will be large crowds. It highlighted possible problematic situations/pitfalls and explained well what measures should be implemented to either prevent these or how to deal with them.
Experience and insight from all the trainers was invaluable and helped clarify and illustrate complex issues..
This course sounds "dry" but has proved to be extremely interesting. A dynamic input by the course leaders generated a good working ethos in my group.
Very thorough and in depth knowledge all round
Facilitators very good, very approachable, very knowledgeable.
From the Cabinet Office Crowd Dynamics Workshop November 2005
Stimulating instruction - Know their Stuff!!
Exceeded my expectations and provided very useful and relevant information
Keith was excellent at breaking down complex equations and simplifying
Very useful and helpful
Excellent presentation - content and style
Very Helpful and gave attention to groups and individual that needed extra attention. Very accessible and cordial.
Both Keith and Ron did very well, helpful and on hand when needed.
A good course I enjoyed the practical aspects and the course tutors too the time to explain and resolve problem areas
Enlightening course - very useful to my job
Together they (Keith and Ron) both made this a great course to attend - I'm now much more able to undertake my responsibilities. Thank you.
Salford Events Workshop October 2005
"Thank you very much for the workshop on Monday, I have had great feed-back from my colleagues who attended, they found it very helpful and we have already made changes to our plans for this Halloween and significant improvements to the quality of our signage for Bonfire Night." Christine Howard Senior Events Officer. Salford Civic Centre, Chorley Road, Swinton, Salford,M27 5FJ.
From the Cabinet Office Crowd Dynamics Workshop July 2005
Excellent course and well run. Excellent tutors. Information learned will enable more effective risk elimination in crowd management.
An awful lot of material was covered. It thus provided an excellent introduction and overview to the subject. Some guidance in more detail may have been useful.
Overall course gives an excellent insight into crowd modelling and its operational uses. Best course I have attended at EPC.
Course has both increased my knowledge and awareness. I want to learn more.
From the Cabinet Office Crowd Dynamics Workshop 17th - 19th November 2004
"An excellent course - especially for event planners who need to calculate for safety"
"This event covered a good number of topics within this subject highlighting areas that in the past have been overlooked"
"Very clear, precise and well run."
"The course was 100% relevant"
"Modelling - How models can be used and simplified and illustrate their possible solutions"
"Calculations and case studies re-enforce the course materials"
"Crowd flow examples and modelling aspects giving me extra tools to tackle and plan an event."
"Most useful to learn how to create crowd models and not just trust instinct"
"Queueing Theory - I have noticed some solvable problems we have...."
"Keith's examples and photographs/film support - excellent communicator and Course Director."
"Network Analysis - learning different skills which will be needed to confront fire safety problems in the future."
"Working environment - couldn't be better. Excellent library and facilities."
From the Cabinet Office Crowd Dynamics Workshop 26 – 28 November 2003
"Good practical examples."
"Objectives were very well balanced."
"Found the content to be just right."
"Perhaps more time could be spent in practical experience – ‘Flow rate of persons.’ "
"Exceptional knowledge and experience in their respective fields."
"Very good mixture of delegates."
"Excellent course."
"Found the workshop very fulfilling."
"Thoroughly enjoyed the course and it has given me many new areas of thought."
"The principles covered were very relevant. Many thanks for an enjoyable course."
"Excellent course. An advanced course/follow up may be an idea."
"It was good to meet the delegates from other organisations and agencies."
"There is a lot of good information for further research."
"Facilities here are excellent."
"With some work at home I can relate the examples used to practical situations."
"A very useful workshop. My job is to assist our force Event Manager who has yet to attend this course so I have no doubt that this input will help in event planning"
"Very helpful for special event organisation, Emergency action plans, risk assessments etc."
"Very enjoyable even the maths!!"
"Lots of information to take away to incorporate into emergency action plans, particularly concerning emergency egress and risk assessments."
"Confidence in ability to incorporate diagrams showing flow etc into above documents."
"Excellent course learnt a lot."
"I would have liked some more opportunities to apply the principles with help at hand. The workshop has given me a taste of a subject and I am now keen to build on this."
"A good opportunity to meet other law enforcing agency colleagues."
From the Cabinet Office Crowd Dynamics Workshop 18th - 20th June 2003
"Very good, the networking & informal discussions were at least useful as the formal discussions."
"...the theory is very useful and we all got a lot from it. If only we could see the solutions so easily and quickly as our leader…."
"Keith clearly has the expertise and experience."
"Good balance of age/experience"
"Loved the maths, massively increased my knowledge base."
"Using diverse events from different areas helped with information & modelling."
"Wide variety, many different problems, different points of view."
"Overall view of crowd control, how a crowd moves and how to spot potential problems; and how to avoid problem."
"All real problems could happen at work at any time."
"Very good course, pitched at right level."
From the Institute of Leisure Management workshop 10th June 2003
"Most useful....give me a broad overview of a vast subject."
"Great to apply the knowledge of crowd dynamics to examples which are relevant to our working areas."
"Very useful to see how crowds flow through entrances, turnstiles and for normal and emergency egress situations."
"Good to see crowd related incidents happening - video footage very informative."
"Great quality to the presentation materials."
From the Cabinet Office Crowd Dynamics Workshop 16-18 Sept 2002
A very good workshop. One of the best." R. Parry - London Underground*
"Apprehensive for the first hour due to the maths involvements! However, this was soon overcome. Had a very enjoyable time." D. Hurley, Northumbria Police*
"Excellent course - good to share experiences and learn that no-one gets it right 100% of the time!" A. Miles, Borough Council of Wellingborough.*
"Very informative and enjoyable few days." J. Print, Coventry City Council*
"Very enjoyable course. "
"Good Environment. "
"Very good venue. "
"Very good mix of delegates, with some very ‘switched on’ people."
"The syndicate exercises relating to practical applications were very useful. "
"I now know who to go to if we need professional advice. "
"The right people with the right experience and knowledge."
" Should prove useful to me - up to my supervision to use my new skills."
"Very informative and an intense three days, I would have liked an extra two days."
"The course has given me food for though regarding contingencies beyond the event, and issues of overcrowding."
"I found the ‘funnelling’ of crowds an important issue. I will also take away the principle of planning beyond the initial safety plan."
"Well led, with the opportunity to experience other ‘disciplines’ points of view, which does not always come across in lecture room format."
"The course was quite good. I got a better understanding of crowd dynamics and the associated problems. Use of the models and case studies was very useful."
"The group discussion was well directed and controlled."