Event Safety Alliance’s 2018 Summit

McLaren’s Vice President and Entertainment Division Chief, William Gorlin, PE, SE and other structural engineering thought leaders recently participated on a panel at the Event Safety Alliance’s 2018 Summit held in Lititz, Pennsylvania. The panelists explained some of the key issues faced by engineers when working on live event structures. They discussed the collaboration of ‘where creativity and engineering meet,’ and how engineers work with creative designers to help safely create their visions. The panel then challenged the non-engineer audience to test their understanding of structures by constructing a wind resistant structure made out of marshmallows and uncooked spaghetti. Using artificial wind (created by a blow dryer operated by Gorlin), the attendees were able to see how high-wind forces affect structures when hit from various angles. It was a great hands-on learning experience for all!