Changes in public safety and risk management for events in public spaces

By wdo, 13 November, 2025

Holger Gerdes, Deputy Chairman of the German Expert Council for Visitor Safety e. V.

Since the 2014 amendment of the MVStättVO, open-air events have been operating in a regulatory grey zone. Responsibilities shifted, expertise was lost, and today this leads to major uncertainty for authorities and organisers—especially when it comes to terrorism protection.
Holger Gerdes explains why older standards suddenly matter again, where the biggest gaps lie, and how safe, reliable decision-making in public spaces can still be achieved.

Datum
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Sprecher

Holger Gerdes

By wdo, 13 November, 2025

Stellvertretender Vorsitzender Deutscher Expertenrat Besuchersicherheit e. V.

Holger Gerdes war fast zwei Jahrzehnte in der Staatskanzlei Nordrhein-Westfalens für die Durchführung und Leitung von verschiedenen protokollarischen Veranstaltungen, Großveranstaltungen und anderen Events verantwortlich. Derzeit ist Holger Gerdes als Verwaltungsleiter und Beauftragter für den Haushalt bei der Fortbildungsakademie des Ministeriums des Innern NRW Herne tätig.

SAFETY & SECURITY STAGE Halle 4

Holger Gerdes
Dt. Expertenrat Besuchersicherheit
Beschreibung_en

Deputy Chairman of the German Expert Council for Visitor Safety e. V.

Holger Gerdes spent almost two decades at the State Chancellery of North Rhine-Westphalia, where he was responsible for organizing and managing various protocol events, large-scale events, and other functions. Holger Gerdes currently works as administrative manager and budget officer at the Training Academy of the Ministry of the Interior of North Rhine-Westphalia in Herne.

SAFETY & SECURITY STAGE Hall 4

Session
safety & security stage