Attending General Conference in Salt Lake? Take Note of New Security Procedures
Conference goers line up before the Saturday morning session of the April 2018 general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 31, 2018. Photo by Ravell Call, Deseret News.
Those planning to attend sessions of the October 2018 general conference in Salt Lake City October 6–7 should take note of significant new changes to security procedures—including an early closing of the Conference Center, temporary closings of a part of North Temple Street, and limitations on personal belongings brought into the building.
“We want people to be aware so they are not delayed or inconvenienced. We want them to plan ahead,” said David Miles, director of events and support services. “Whether they’re driving or walking, what they bring and what hopefully they don’t bring, our message is we want this to be a smooth, enjoyable experience from the time they leave their home to getting here, parking, enjoying the meetings, and then getting back home.”
Note the following new security measures for attending general conference, Saturday and Sunday, October 6–7:
- The Conference Center will be closed to the public starting the Monday prior to general conference weekend.
- North Temple will be temporarily closed between West Temple and Main Street two hours before and immediately after each session, allowing pedestrians to cross the street in crosswalks and other designated locations within the restricted area. North Temple will reopen each day about two hours after general conference sessions end. New security barriers will be placed at each intersection to ensure the safety of conference goers.
- Any personal items such as large purses, backpacks, shopping bags, suitcases, and food items will no longer be stored on Church property during the conference or any future event. Also, no weapons will be allowed in the building.
- Only clear plastic water bottles (no metal bottles) along with small handbags and umbrellas will be allowed.
- People are requested to be in their seats 30 minutes before the start of each event.
These new security procedures, spurred by current world events, are modeled after successful safety policies at stadiums and arenas, Miles said.
“People don’t usually come to a Church meeting in the mindset of attending a large arena or stadium event,” Miles said. “We need to help them change that mindset so they are aware of important security issues. We want to keep everyone safe.”
Those planning to attend sessions of the October 2018 general conference in Salt Lake City October 6–7 should take note of significant new changes to security procedures. Graphic by Aaron Thorup.
North Temple will be temporarily closed between West Temple and Main Street two hours before and immediately after each session. Graphic by Aaron Thorup.
Conference goers line up before the Saturday morning session of the 188th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 31, 2018. Photo by Ravell Call, Deseret News.
Conference goers exit the Conference Center after the Sunday afternoon session of the Church’s 187th Semiannual General Conference in Salt Lake City on Sunday, October 1, 2017. Photo by Adam Fondren, Deseret News.
