Leaders meet in Raleigh to discuss safety at NC concerts, festivals and sporting events

The security conference, which officials say is the first of its kind in Raleigh, will explore new ways to keep crowds safe during concerts, festivals or sporting events.

Raleigh is home to some of the largest venues in the state.

Red Hat Amphitheater, for example, has concerts where up to 6,000 people can pack the house at once. PNC Arena seats 8,680 for hockey and more than 19,500 for basketball games and concerts, according to its website.

Over 200 event planners will talk about these large crowds during Wednesday's conference, which will be held from 12 to 5 p.m. at the Raleigh Convention Center. They will also discuss how to protect people in any kind of emergency that can strike during the event.

"Just being with people who you feel safe around, and people who you feel protect you...when I do go places, I go with my brothers, and we're always together," said Nieya Garland, who frequents events in Raleigh.

One father told WRAL News she is pleased with the safety of Raleigh's venues.

"My daughter is a millennial," he said. "She goes to concerts here all the time. She's never reported anything that's disturbing."