Brian D. Avery is a speaker, professor, expert witness, and author with a career that spans more than 25-years. He is a native Floridian; a rare breed, that has lived in various parts of the country, all with mixed results.  Brian continues to call Florida home, choosing the heat and hurricanes over the cold and snow. Brian is a firm believer in working hard and playing hard! He routinely seeks out adventures to enjoy with his wife and three children—most recently white water rafting in CO.

For over twenty-five years, Brian has been working in the events, tourism and attractions industry. His background is comprised of three areas of expertise: risk and safety management, event design and execution, and education.

Brian’s career began on the frontlines of the industry working as a midway operator at Boardwalk and Baseball amusement park at the age of fourteen. Brian has credited his early experience with getting the amusement industry bug… his father Bill would say: “cotton candy is in his blood.” Apparently, an incurable ailment.

After college, Brian went on to be a manager for five restaurants on property at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. He cultivated knowledge in the importance of providing excellent customer service and delivering a safe and enjoyable guest experience. He quickly transitioned from restaurant management to his passion, by joining Avery Safety Consulting, Inc. in 1998, a company started by his father Bill—who also had the bug.

Brian served the company as a safety and health consultant, where he performed amusement attraction and facility inspections, as well as, co-created and outlined safety guides and manuals for clients. Brian went on to work as a safety specialist for SeaWorld and Discovery Cove, where he developed and managed safety training programs for employees and conducted guest accident investigations and park-wide inspections of facilities and attractions.

After spending some time in the parks, Avery joined GES Exposition Services—a trade show installation company, where his safety management expertise was tested and essential in New Orleans post-Katrina tradeshow recovery efforts. Brian was tasked with the risk management and safety efforts of installing the American Library Association show, the first show post-Katrina in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, during rebuilding.

Brian has passionately dedicated his career to events, tourism and attractions safety. He is a managing member in a company that provides events, tourism and attractions safety consulting and expert witness services. His investigations and testimony have played a significant role in the development of his presentations and published materials. Brian has also played a significant role in developing and running several other endeavors—a serial entrepreneur some would say.

In addition to Brian’s many business activities, Brian has spent numerous years learning his trade… not only as a practitioner but as an academic. Brian holds a Bachelor of Science in Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science, a Post-Baccalaureate Graduate Certificate in Industrial Engineering with a concentration in Human Factors and Safety, a Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management and has completed his coursework for a PhD in Hospitality Education, with an emphasis on events, tourism and attractions safety and risk management.

Brian ardently developed talent within the events, tourism and attractions industry, by instructing and mentoring students from the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida, where he was an instructor for nearly a decade. As a dedicated, passionate, and sometimes flamboyant instructor at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, Brian was nicknamed by a student and now a dear friend, the “Elton John of Risk Management.” A title that has managed to stick! Avery loved his work at UCF… and it showed!

He provided internship opportunities to help facilitate the careers of future industry professionals and is proud of the progress many of his interns made. He also served for over 6-years as a faculty advisor at the University of Central Florida.

Brian is also a published author, featured in four safety manuals for the events and attractions industries. His work was published in the Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes Journal and he contributed a chapter to the textbook Strategic Management for Hospitality and Tourism. Avery is currently working on a nonfiction book that will highlight the tragedies that have impacted the lives of those attending or experiencing events or attractions.

Brian is passionate not only about events, tourism and attractions safety, but believes in keeping culture and art alive in his community. He donates his time, resources and knowledge, serving as a Board member and Chair for the Orlando Repertory Theatre.