As fans begin to trickle into Citi Field in New York City, home of the Mets, a room behind center field is already on full alert, monitoring for potential risks that could affect fans, players, employees and property.

Large venues pose unique challenges to security and emergency preparedness. The combination of dense crowds, media visibility and high economic value at such events creates great risk to people, property and reputation. But how do you ensure strong security while also ensuring your patrons and fans still have fun?

Aloha Stadium previously did not restrict the number or size of bags visitors brought, and large strollers were allowed. Moving forward, however, stadium-goers may each bring one bag into the stadium not exceeding 12” by 6” by 12”.

When the Mercedez-Benz Stadium was being built, leadership at AMB Sports & Entertainment decided to aim high when it comes to the quality of experience for fans attending events and games there. One key factor to becoming an “elite” venue, says Joe Coomer, CSSP, Vice President, Security, AMB Sports & Entertainment, was the game day associates – including parking attendants, ushers, beer vendors, the popcorn guy and, of course, the security staff.

“For us, a game day activity is no small matter,” says James (Jimmy) Johnson, Assistant Vice President for Campus Safety at the University of Texas at Austin.

No kidding – Longhorn football games regularly sell out, hosting more than 100,000 fans in the Darrel K Royal (DKR)-Texas Memorial Stadium, not counting the small army of vendors, staff, security personnel and law enforcement that keep operations running smoothly.

CenturyLink Field, home of the National Football League’s Seattle Seahawks and Major League Soccer’s Sounders FC, has received SAFETY Act Designation and Certification, the highest level of accreditation awarded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

As tragedies like Vegas, Orlando and Sandy Hook stay top of mind for Americans, venues of every size across the country should assess how they tackle the difficult questions raised when evaluating security concerns for their events.