Attending conferences and events is an exciting opportunity to connect, learn, and grow — but navigating unfamiliar venues, hotels, and cities comes with its own set of safety challenges. That’s why we sat down with James Hamilton, a former FBI Special Agent and personal safety expert, to share practical tips that help conference attendees stay safe from arrival to departure. Whether you’re using ride-shares, exploring a new city after a networking event, or simply checking into your hotel, James provides invaluable insights to help you stay aware and prepared.
INAS: What prompted you to become an expert in personal safety, particularly for travelers?
JH: I have been involved in personal safety for as long as I can remember. Though I was a police officer and an FBI Special Agent for more than 23 years, I have always had a passion for helping others be more prepared and really understand an area that is very personal to me. I was chosen to train FBI travelers because I safely worked in more than 38 countries. I understand the importance of situational awareness and using practical tips to keep myself and other travelers safe.
INAS: What are the most common safety mistakes people make when using ride-sharing services?
JH: They make too many assumptions. They assume the driver is “safe.” They let their guard down and focus way too much on their phone during the ride. When things go bad, like the driver not going where he is supposed to go, they choose the wrong technique. They usually call people who cannot really help them in the moment. They try to formulate a plan for an emergency in the emergency. In my presentations I discuss the importance of verifying the vehicle, where to sit, checking the child locks, and having a real plan for the driver intentionally going the wrong way.
INAS: Many conference attendees stay in unfamiliar hotels. What are your top three safety recommendations during hotel check-in and throughout a hotel stay?
- Check the reviews online. Any mention of safety concerns, rooms being broken into, or violent vagrants around hotel – choose another one.
- On arrival at the hotel, put your phone away and start assessing. Is the area clean, are there guards – if so do they seem competent? Is the lobby clean and free of suspicious people?
- Choose a room between floors 2-7 so you can get out in case of a fire. Set your locks consider traveling with a door wedge for extra security on your door.
INAS: Parking garages are often cited as places where people feel vulnerable. What specific strategies can travelers use to stay safe in these environments?
JH: Put your phone away and start looking for people just hanging around, either on foot or in cars. People don’t just hang out in parking garages. If you see it – avoid it. Use a flashlight to illuminate dark areas, especially around and underneath your car. If you see anyone in these areas, move quickly back into the building you just came from. Your phone is NOT a flashlight – it is a phone.
INAS: How should someone respond if they believe they’re being followed in an airport or subway station?
JH: Listen to their intuition and if they really believe they are being followed – get away and move to a Safe Haven. A Safe Haven is anywhere you could reasonably expect to receive some assistance: Police Station, Fire Department, Government Building, etc.
INAS: What personal safety tools or apps do you recommend travelers carry or download?
JH: There aren’t many as apps, by design, distract you from the situation. I am not familiar with any app that will alert you to the strange guy on the plane, or on the subway, or in the mall but I know your intuition will. Unfortunately, people are not able to use their intuition as their heads are buried in their phones. For general awareness I do like the NextDoor app for things going on in your neighborhood.
INAS: Are there different safety considerations women should be aware of compared to men when traveling for conferences?
JH: Absolutely, women are targeted for sexual assault and exploitation more than men. Pay particular attention to the transition points – entering and exiting an airport. Look for men who are loitering and looking directly at those leaving and they appear to have no purpose in the area: no sign, no luggage, and no legitimate reason for being there. Don’t accept rides from someone who comes up and promises a good deal or a clean car environment. Be very careful in hotel bars and maintain positive control of any beverage you are consuming. Team up with other women travelers and protect each other.
INAS: How can someone maintain situational awareness in busy, distracting environments like conference venues?
JH: It is difficult and important to exercise more vigilance in the areas where you are alone and away from the crowd. Walking to the conference, leaving the conference going back to the hotel room, getting on an elevator with someone you do not feel comfortable with. . Anytime that you might be alone, especially in the evening. During the conference have a simple plan for medical emergency, Fire, Active Shooter, or Environmental concern like an earthquake. Make sure you have cell service in the venue and identify the nearest bathroom.
INAS: What’s your advice for safely navigating unfamiliar cities, especially after dark?
JH: Ask yourself if you really need to be out after dark. If so, take a friend. Understand that going to dinner, or going for drinks or going to the movies area all tasks. The mission is staying safe, so listen the waring signs and avoid people and situations that your intuition triggers on.
INAS: How can conference attendees balance networking (often involving after-hours socializing) with personal safety?
JH: Listen to their intuition and maintain a visual on their drink. Keep a friend close and have an extraction phrase: “We have an early meeting, right?”
INAS: What safety precautions should people take when sharing travel details on social media?
JH: Post when you get home NOT while on the trip. Avoid identifiable information about your children especially dates of birth, schools, and personal preferences.
INAS: Could you share a personal experience where good safety practices prevented a potentially dangerous situation?
JH: I was walking down the street in New York one afternoon after a presentation. My phone was in my pocket and my head was up and I was very aware. I saw two guys walking together coming towards me. They looked at me, looked at each other, and then created some space for me to walk between them. I was dressed in business suit and tie with a briefcase and maybe they thought I had money. I chose to jaywalk across the street and avoid them all together and I quickly moved to my hotel. Luckily, they did not follow me but my awareness kept me out of a potentially dangerous situation.
INAS: How can event planners better incorporate safety considerations into their conference planning?
JH: Consider hiring law enforcement or higher end private security as a visible deterrent to bad behavior. If you hire a competent private security group you also get the added benefit of medical training and they can assist in a medical emergency until EMS can get there.
INAS: What are some non-obvious red flags people should watch for when traveling?
JH: The stranger/fellow traveler who is just too interested in you and what you do. They will over-share and do not pick up on subtle queuing that you are uncomfortable. BE very direct with these people. Tell them you do not wish to continue to have a conversation and they are being inappropriate. If they persist, get the flight attendant’s attention and request to move seats. If you have had a strange encounter like this either on the plane, train, or bus – when you get to your room check all your belongings for AirTags. This is a new technique that predators use to track unsuspecting victims.
INAS: How has the landscape of personal safety changed in recent years, and how should travelers adapt?
JH: The use of substances to drug women in bars and other areas is almost epidemic. It is shocking to me that other men sit idly by while a woman is carried out of a bar by other men. This is something we jut cannot accept as a civilized society. It requires courage from others who see it and they have to get involved. Also, ride share and all the concerns with it as I mentioned earlier.
Prioritizing personal safety doesn’t mean missing out on the full conference experience — it means empowering yourself to engage more confidently. By incorporating James Hamilton’s tips, event attendees can network, explore, and participate with greater peace of mind. And for event planners, considering safety measures can enhance the overall attendee experience, making your event not just memorable but also a model of thoughtful care. After all, the best event memories are the ones made safely.