Five-Year Renewal Expands Partnership to Include Food and Beverage Operations
Legends Global and Experience Rochester today announced a contract renewal that extends Legends Global’s management and operations of the Mayo Civic Center for an additional five years, along with a new five-year agreement for food and beverage services. The renewal includes a five-year option for both venue management and F&B operations.
The expanded agreement builds on a successful partnership and positions the Mayo Civic Center for continued growth, enhanced guest experiences, and innovative culinary offerings that reinforce the center’s role as a premier meetings and events destination in the Upper Midwest.
“We’re proud of the results achieved through the collaboration between Legends Global, Experience Rochester, the Mayo Civic Center team, and the City of Rochester,” said Craig Barkdull, general manager of the Mayo Civic Center for Legends Global, which manages the venue. “With Legends’ expanded scope, we’re focused on maximizing event activity, elevating live entertainment and meetings programming, and delivering consistently exceptional experiences for our clients and guests.”
Located in the heart of downtown Rochester, Mayo Civic Center offers more than 200,000 square feet of flexible meeting and exhibit space, including Minnesota’s largest ballroom, which can seat more than 2,000 guests banquet-style. The facility also features 23 breakout rooms, a full banquet production kitchen, expansive pre-function spaces with views of the Zumbro River and downtown Rochester, and Riverfront Plaza, an outdoor reception venue.
“Mayo Civic Center plays a critical role in Rochester’s economy and downtown vitality,” said Joe Ward, president of Experience Rochester and Mayo Civic Center. “Partnering with Legends Global allows us to enhance venue operations and food and beverage service in a way that benefits our clients, guests, and community. Together, we’re focused on the next chapter of growth for Mayo Civic Center.”
Under the renewed management agreement, Legends Global will continue to oversee day-to-day operations of Mayo Civic Center, with an emphasis on operational excellence, client service, and community impact. Integrating food and beverage services under Legends Global further aligns venue operations, creating efficiencies while enhancing the overall event experience for planners, exhibitors, and attendees.
“The Mayo Civic Center is a high-performing facility with a strong reputation in the meetings and events industry,” said Dan Hoffend, executive vice president of convention centers, Legends Global. “By expanding our partnership to include food and beverage operations, we’re able to take a more holistic approach to the guest experience—combining operational expertise, culinary innovation, and service consistency to support the center’s continued success.”
Designed to meet the sophisticated production, audiovisual, and wireless requirements of today’s meeting planners, Mayo Civic Center can accommodate multiple large-scale events simultaneously. An expansion completed in 2017 significantly enhanced the center’s ability to host medical and technical conferences, large business meetings, and healthcare summits that align with Rochester’s global reputation as a hub for innovation and healthcare.
