Who We Are
Founded by career hospitality operators, VIP Safety Strategies provides the real-world training and compliance planning needed to protect your license and keep your doors open. Through our certified H.O.S.T. Program, we train front-of-house staff, management, and security teams in De-escalation, Fake ID Detection, Drink Safety, Crowd Control, and Active Threat Response.
Our Mission
To keep your venue safe and successful at all times. We equip the hospitality industry with the training, education, and confidence to address difficult situations proactively. From high-volume nightclubs to boutique bars, we bring the same level of expertise and commitment to every client we serve.
De-Escalation Protocols
VIP trains staff on how to utilize Soft Skills to proactively reduce physical hazards and prevent assault & battery claims. We show your team how to turn a negative interaction into a positive one.
ID Verification & Scanner Etiquette
Technology is advancing at a rapid pace and fake ID's are getting tougher to spot. We will teach your staff quick and easy ways to spot anomalies that Scanners can't pick up. Scanners are useful in the right situation, but any good carpenter knows how to use more than 1 tool.
Drink Safety Education
We'll show your staff how to identify predatory behaviors, detect illegal substance deployment, and respond immediately to suspected tampering incidents in a high-volume hospitality environment.
Active Threat Response Training
Led by a certified Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) instructor, our active threat training gives hospitality teams the exact tools needed to manage chaos, direct crowds, and protect lives during a worst-case scenario.
Crowd Control Procedures
Unmanaged crowds lead to municipal violations, exit blockages, and severe legal liability. We deploy and train Massachusetts Certified Crowd Managers who specialize in peak-capacity control, entrance/exit flow, and emergency egress protocols. VIP ensures your venue stays safe, compliant, and operating without disruption.
Meet the Team
Joe Beston
Founder & CEO
Joe is a 15 year veteran of the Boston hospitality industry and has operated some of the most complex, high-volume nightlife establishments in New England. With experience in management, security, and operations, Joe started VIP Safety Strategies in 2023 to replace generic, click-through safety classes with practical, hands-on programs curated to a venue's specific needs. Our HOST (Hospitality Operational Safety Training) program is designed for security, management, and floor staff.
Terrance Gathers
Director
With over 40 years of front-line experience operating premier nightlife and hospitality venues, Terrance Gathers is the operational backbone of VIP Safety Strategies. As Director, Terrance oversees local venue integration, regulatory compliance, and local municipal affairs—helping venue owners resolve police department inquiries, municipal board violations, and licensing challenges before they turn into costly suspensions.
Brian Sullivan
Lead Instructor
Combining nightlife security experience, educational expertise as a former Boston Public School teacher, and a background at the National Institutes of Health, Brian Sullivan serves as Lead Instructor for VIP Safety Strategies. As the primary educator behind the H.O.S.T. Program, Brian translates complex safety protocols into practical, high-impact training built specifically for front-of-house staff and venue security.