End Users '20 under 40' 2017—Billy Langenstein

Billy Langenstein, 29

Director of event services, U.S. Bank Stadium

Minneapolis

Billy Langenstein, now the director of event services for U.S. Bank Stadium, has exprience working in public venues and sports arenas.

“I started out as a water boy at 15 years of age for an event security company in Philadelphia,” Langenstein said. “From there I just continued to grow and learn the industry … and absorb as much information as I could.” He continued this experience working in music venues in Philadelphia.

Langenstein attended the University of Maryland for his undergraduate, and went to Georgetown University for a graduate degree in sports business. “Out of school, I had an opportunity to work with the Washington Nationals in Major League Baseball, out in [Washington] D.C. I started there as a coordinator of guest services and … ascended to the director of event operations for the ballpark,” he said.

“From there, I received a phone call with an opportunity to open U.S. Bank Stadium and be their director of event services,” he said. “It was the right fit for me in my career, and a phenomenal opportunity, and that's where I am today.”

He outlined some of his responsibilities: “I am overall responsible for event security, building security—everything from public safety as far as law enforcement, working with homeland security, the FBI, the National Guard,” said Langenstein. He is also responsible for guest experience, emergency response, the stadium's rewards and recognition program, transportation logistics, medical operations, and event oversight.

Langenstein commented on how people will be involved in security moving forward. “We're never going to get rid of the human element in security; there's always going to be a human involved, and that's really important.” he noted. “But, technology is here to support that person.”

Langenstein highlighted drones as an upcoming threat within physical security.