Oktoberfest has always held a piece of my heart. Growing up in Bavaria, I visited as a guest like everyone else, enjoying the music, food, beer, and the feeling of community that fills Munich every September.
But since 2018, I’ve had the unique opportunity to see Wiesn (as it’s known in Germany) from a totally different perspective, as part of the Securitas team responsible for securing it.
And yet in both cases, as a visitor and security professional, I’ve found that it’s all about being present.
A different perspective
As a visitor, your focus is on enjoying the centuries-old celebration that brings people together from all over the world to have a good time.
Your sights are set on which of the massive beer tents have enough seats for you and your friends, where to find the best pretzel, what ride to hop on next, or which souvenir to bring home.
I see those things, too, but with my training and nearly 25 years of experience in security, my eye is drawn to the details that help keep it all running safely and smoothly. I’m watching how people move through the entrances, whether an emergency exit is blocked, if someone looks like they need help, or if a situation might escalate before it does.
Over time, I’ve developed instincts for spotting things quickly and I’ve seen how something you might think is minor, like a stroller parked in the wrong place, can make a big impact on safety. At an event as large and lively as Oktoberfest, those details matter.
Preparing for the occasion
It’s not by chance that an event the size and scale of Oktoberfest unfolds as seamlessly as it does. There are thousands of people working behind the scenes to make sure that happens.
Our preparation starts months before the mayor of Munich kicks things off by tapping the first keg and shouting, “O'zapft is!" (It’s tapped!).
Before we step foot on the grounds, we go through special training that covers the essentials: site rules and regulations, screening procedures, prohibited items, and how to respond in different emergency scenarios.
Of course, many of us have secured the event in the past and bring several years (if not decades) of experience in security, but no matter how experienced you are, Oktoberfest has a way of keeping you on your toes. Every year is a little different, so the training ensures we’re prepared for whatever is thrown our way.
Seeing the bigger picture
Hours before the gates open to the public, our day starts at what we call the “castle” – our Securitas Oktoberfest HQ – where we check in, meet with our colleagues and supervisors, and pick up the gear we need before heading to our assigned zone.
What we carry depends on our role on-site. It could include things like radios, flashlights, keys for gates and alarms, or even tape for cordoning off restricted areas. I always carry a pen and notepad, too, in case I need to take quick notes or visually explain something like directions to a visitor.
Over the years, I’ve held many roles at Oktoberfest. I started as a security officer in 2018, checking bags and greeting visitors at the entrances. Later I became a zone manager, responsible for security operations within one of the four zones on the grounds. And since last year, I’ve been supervisor-in-charge.
This role requires that I focus on the bigger picture, making sure every part of the security plan is working, our people have what they need, and that hundreds of tiny details come together to create a seamless experience for guests.
While I definitely feel the weight of the responsibility, I see it as motivating rather than overwhelming. My time in the German Armed Forces taught me to stay calm under pressure and to focus on the task in front of me, no matter the scale. It’s a mentality that has served me well in security and that helps me better support my team.
Setting the tone for a positive experience
One of the most important things I’ve learned – at Oktoberfest and throughout my life and career – is that how we show up for others matters. When it comes to our presence on-site, that includes the attitude and energy we bring with us.
During such an intense event, keeping my team’s spirit high is one of my biggest responsibilities. How I support them directly shapes how they interact with thousands of guests. Sometimes that means checking in during a long shift, listening if someone’s having a tough moment, or, my favorite, handing out chocolate or candy as a small gesture of appreciation.
It’s the same with visitors. Projecting a positive attitude and extending a warm welcome sets the tone for their whole day and the experience they ultimately have at Oktoberfest.
A bit of humor goes a long way too. If you share a laugh with someone while checking their bag, that moment of cheerfulness makes them more relaxed, more cooperative – and more connected.
To me, that’s precisely what Oktoberfest is all about: connection, making friends, sharing a laugh, and having a good, safe time. And that’s true whether I’m there as a visitor or a security professional.
