Upheaval Music Festival 2026 Proposal
Grey Dog Security supports public events with a people-first approach that balances safety, service, and operational consistency. We focus on creating a safe and welcoming environment for guests, a...
The Grey Dog Security Story
Grey Dog Security supports public events with a people-first approach that balances safety, service, and operational consistency. We focus on creating a safe and welcoming environment for guests, artists, staff, vendors, and partners while protecting event operations and restricted areas.
We work alongside event organizers and coordinate with local stakeholders as part of pre-event planning and on-site execution. That collaboration helps us adapt to complex event demands and maintain clear communication as conditions shift during show hours.
For Upheaval Music Festival 2026, Grey Dog Security’s delivery centers on professional, uniformed coverage, reliable radio communications, disciplined screening procedures, and documentation standards that support decision-making and follow-up. Our goal is to provide confidence to event leadership and peace of mind to the community.
Community involvement is integral to Grey Dog Security. Each festival we serve is an opportunity to foster a safe, positive atmosphere where guests can enjoy the event without concern. Our team, composed of military veterans and experienced civilian professionals, works side-by-side with festival organizers. This collaborative approach ensures we adapt to complex event demands and support MIEntertainment’s values of safety, inclusivity, and guest satisfaction.
Great quality
Katelyn Rapp brings more than a decade of security industry experience across site supervision, field training, dispatch, and operations management. She oversees field execution, quality control, team performance, and service delivery for Grey Dog Security.
Her leadership was demonstrated while managing security operations for one of the contracted security teams at Electric Forest, a large-scale, multi-day music festival utilizing multiple security providers. In this role, Katelyn recruited, onboarded, and supervised a team of more than 150 security personnel assigned across multiple stages and operational zones.
She developed staffing schedules, deployed officers throughout the venue, conducted operational briefings, maintained real-time situational oversight, and coordinated with festival emergency management and medical teams to support a unified safety response. Her experience managing complex staffing logistics in a multi-vendor event environment demonstrates Grey Dog Security’s ability to deliver disciplined, responsive security leadership at high-profile events.
Site Awareness and Operational Zones
Grey Dog Security aligns coverage to the functional zones shown in the event map and operational layout. This reduces confusion on show days and supports consistent access control across the full footprint.
Entrance and exit gates and box office areas
Main stage and local stage areas
Backstage and production corridors
VIP areas and controlled access points
Bar areas, merch zones, first aid, and guest services
Perimeter fencing lines and emergency exits
Scope of Services Aligned To MIEntertainment Requirements
Coverage is organized for accountability and rapid response, with a defined chain of command and supervisory support.
• Overnight security • Road closure posts • Parking lot access control and perimeter coverage • Front gate screening for ticketed guests • Working gate screening for staff, vendors, and suppliers • Backstage and stage access control • Barricade coverage • Roaming officers • Event Communication Center support
Staffing Commitments and Schedule
MIEntertainment’s staffing requirements vary by event phase. Grey Dog Security will staff to match the required schedule and maintain supervision so coverage stays consistent at peak volume.
Show Days
• July 17 and July 18, 2026 • Approximately 60 staff each day
Load In and Load Out Days
• July 15, July 16, and July 19, 2026 • Approximately 4 staff each day
Overnights
• July 14 through July 18, 2026 • Minimum 3 staff each overnight
Estimated Total Hours: 14,000 hours
Operating Standards for Upheaval
Grey Dog Security will operate under the mission and guiding principles required for festival operations.
Grey Dog Security will operate under the mission and guiding principles required for festival operations.
Safety First — Every decision begins with life safety. Officers protect emergency routes, monitor crowd conditions, and escalate quickly when risk increases.
Observe and Report — Security Personnel focus on deterrence, detection, and accurate reporting through proper channels unless immediate life safety requires intervention.
Chain of Command — Communication and operational decisions follow the established supervisory structure. Officers do not bypass leadership unless immediate life safety requires it.
Events Security
Equipment, Uniform, and Compliance Requirements
Grey Dog Security provides and requires contractor-supplied items and compliance practices aligned with event requirements.
• Uniform • Wands • Flashlights • Radio communication with earpiece
Key compliance standards
• State of Michigan background checks for personnel • Picture ID worn at all times • No weapons or restraints, including guns, handcuffs, tasers, mace, and nightsticks • Uniformed positions
Insurance, Bonding, and Contractor Requirements
Grey Dog Security will meet the insurance requirements and provide documentation as required for contractor compliance.
• Commercial General Liability: $3,000,000 general aggregate and $3,000,000 each occurrence
• Workers’ Compensation: $100,000 each accident and $500,000 policy limit
• Automobile Liability: $2,000,000 per accident
• Bonding: Proof of ability to obtain a $100,000 performance and payment bond
Grey Dog Security acknowledges independent contractor status and the obligation to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless MIEntertainment Group Inc. and the City of Grand Rapids from liabilities resulting from contractor acts or omissions.
Bondability documentation
Letter of bondability is available indicating intent to provide bonds for single jobs up to $100,000, subject to underwriting review and acceptable bond forms.
Certificate of Liability Insurance
Insurance Letter
Dedicated Client References
Grey Dog Security can provide dedicated references from prior event and organizational work, including:
• ArtPrize | Zack Berends | productions@artprize.org
• Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. | Kim Van Driel | kvandriel@downtowngr.org
• Forest Trail Music Festival | Noah Cameron | foresttrailmusic@gmail.com
• Mel Trotter Ministries | Charisa Becker | CharisaBecker@meltrotter.org
• Dwelling Place | William Crawford | wcrawford@dpgr.org
• Revel and Roll | James St John | jstjohn@revelandrollwest.com
Pricing and Payment Terms
• Rate: $31.50 per hour • Estimated hours: 14,000 hours • Overage: Hours beyond the estimate billed accordingly • Deposit: 25% required before service begins • Payment terms: Invoices payable, without offset, within fifteen (15) days
Great quality
Grey Dog Security is prepared to support MIEntertainment Group Inc. with a disciplined, festival-ready security operation for Upheaval Music Festival 2026. Our goal is to deliver consistent access control, calm crowd-facing presence, and reliable communication across every operational zone from load-in through load-out.