Author: Ryan Schroder

Legends Global, the premier partner to the world’s greatest live events, venues, and brands, today announced a national partnership with Kimberly-Clark Professional™.

Under this new agreement, Kimberly-Clark Professional™ is named the premier professional care products partner for Legends Global’s network of North American venues which includes more than 250 arenas, stadiums, theaters, and convention centers. This alignment brings together two organizations powered by a shared commitment to operational excellence and world-class experiences across some of the world’s most iconic venues.

Through this partnership, Kimberly-Clark Professional will support Legends Global’s venue network with trusted hygiene solutions specifically engineered for high-traffic, high-performance environments. By focusing on what guests don’t always see but always feel, Kimberly-Clark Professional helps ensure clean, well-maintained environments that enable venues to operate seamlessly, even during peak demand and large-scale global events.

“By combining Legends Global’s operational expertise with Kimberly-Clark Professional’s facility solutions, this partnership helps venues deliver clean, smart, and reliable environments that fans notice and trust during every event,” said Bart Blystone, Associate Director, Key Account Business Development, Kimberly-Clark Professional.

“We are always focused on providing our venue partners with the most innovative solutions to enhance the guest experience. Partnering with Kimberly-Clark Professional, a brand synonymous with trust and quality, allows us to set a new standard for excellence behind the scenes,” said Jeff Wohlschlaeger, Senior Vice President of Managed Venues Partnerships, Legends Global. “By integrating their industry-leading hygiene solutions and smart technology, we are ensuring that our venues are operating at peak performance every day.”

A cornerstone of the collaboration is the introduction of the Onvation™ Smart Restroom Solution as a recommended platform for participating venues. Onvation™ delivers data-driven insights that help venue managers optimize labor, reduce service disruptions, and enhance the overall guest journey through proactive facility management.

Designed to meet venues where they are, this partnership supports ambitious operational goals without disrupting existing processes. Together, Kimberly-Clark Professional™ and Legends Global are delivering scalable, venue-first solutions tailored specifically for sports and entertainment environments.

New Contract Expands Investment Commitment to Drive Event Diversification at Florence Center

Marking a new phase of investment and event growth, the Florence City-County Civic Center Commission and Legends Global, premier partner to the world’s greatest live events, venues, and brands, have finalized a five-year agreement to continue management of the Florence Center. The new contract runs through July 2030, extending the partnership that has guided the facility since 2008, and includes a five-year renewal option.

“We are excited to renew our partnership with Legends Global in managing the Florence Center,” said City of Florence Mayor Lethonia Barnes. “Their commitment to our community and their role in Florence’s continued growth have been outstanding. Because of this collaboration, we have seen momentum, opportunity, and increased visibility for our city. We look forward with great anticipation to a promising future filled with even greater success.”

The renewal reinforces a shared commitment to strategic growth, capital investment, and event diversification across the Florence Center’s arena and convention facilities. As part of the contract, Legends Global has also committed to investing in new VIP seating.

“This renewal allows us to continue building on a long-standing partnership while sharpening our focus on balanced programming,” said Rex Berman, general manager of the Florence Center for Legends Global, which manages the venue. “Our goal is to diversify the event calendar in a way that drives tourism to the region while also delivering high-quality cultural and entertainment experiences for our local fan base.”

That strategy has already delivered notable results, including the return of professional hockey to Florence after a 20-year absence. The Pee Dee Ice Cats team recently made its debut at the Florence Center and set a league home attendance record of 7,837 fans. The team’s arrival followed significant investments by the team, the City of Florence, and Florence County, including upgrades to the arena’s chiller system, lighting, sound system, and scoreboards, as well as the installation of a center-hung, four-sided video screen.

“The Florence Center is a proven multi-use facility with strong community support,” said Josh Kritzler, President of North American Venues & Content, Legends Global. “This renewal positions us to invest strategically, expand premium offerings, and continue evolving the event calendar in ways that strengthen both economic impact and the fan experience.”

The renewed partnership positions the Florence Center to continue expanding its role as a regional destination for sports, entertainment, conventions, and community events while maintaining a strong focus on operational excellence and guest experience.

Jesse Marks Named Chief Revenue Officer for University of Miami Athletics; Adam Sinclair Appointed General Manager of Watsco Center

The University of Miami has named Legends Global, the premier partner to the world’s greatest live events, venues, and brands, as the new venue manager for the Watsco Center. The management agreement extends the partnership through September 2028, with an option to extend an additional three-year term.

“We are excited to expand our partnership with Legends Global to include managing the Watsco Center,” Vice President/Director of Athletics Dan Radakovich said. “Legends Global is a world-class venue operator, and we are confident their expertise will help make Watsco a destination venue for years to come.”

The University of Miami and Legends Global began their partnership in April 2021, focusing on marketing and rights, which expanded in December 2023 to encompass all facets of revenue generation within Miami’s athletics programs. The transformative partnership, the first of its kind in collegiate athletics, includes overseeing athletics sponsorships, ticketing, annual fund initiatives, and an off-campus Miami Hurricanes retail store. In addition to the expanded scope within athletics, Legends Global helps the University to enhance campuswide partnerships that include both athletic and non-athletic assets. Since the expansion of the partnership, Legends Global has achieved all-time revenue records across athletics sponsorship, ticket sales, and annual giving.

“Over the last five years, our partnership with University of Miami athletics has seen a tremendous amount of success, and we’re excited to now extend that collaboration to include management of the Watsco Center,” said Tim Statezni, executive vice president, sales, Legends Global. “The arena is a cornerstone for both the Canes’ and broader community, and we’re proud to help carry its legacy forward.”

Jesse Marks, who was recently named chief revenue officer for Legends Global at University of Miami Athletics, will oversee the new agreement. A seasoned sports business executive with experience across both collegiate and professional sports, Marks previously served as Chief Revenue Officer at Northwestern University, where he led the program’s revenue strategy including ticket sales, merchandise, licensing, and partnerships and played a key role in the development of the new Ryan Field project. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Miami and spent nine years with the Hurricane Club, serving as Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development. Marks also held the role of Executive Director for the Miami Dolphins Foundation prior to his tenure at Northwestern.

Additionally, Legends Global has selected Adam Sinclair as the Watsco Center’s new general manager. Formerly the director of facilities for the venue from 2004 – 2007, Sinclair returns to the Watsco Center with more than 23 years of experience in venue management. Throughout his career, he gained significant expertise in roles at prominent venues like NRG Park, American Airlines Center, Capital One Arena and The National Tennis Center and US Open. Sinclair will oversee day-to-day operations at the 8,000+ capacity Watsco Center, including the overall management, promotion and operation of the facility. 

The Watsco Center is a 200,000-square foot, multipurpose entertainment facility, located in the heart of beautiful Coral Gables, Florida on the University of Miami campus. Opening its doors in January 2003 as the first mid-size venue that had opened south of downtown in Miami-Dade County, the Watsco Center currently remains the largest facility of its kind south of downtown Miami. The Watsco Center offers an ideal capacity for concerts, conferences, lectures series and banquets, and also houses locker rooms, training room facilities, convention space and banquet facilities.

Since its opening, the Watsco Center has hosted a number of memorable events and sold-out shows, including Green Day, Coldplay, John Mayer, Drake, The Fray, and Barry Manilow, as well as, being the setting for televised events and award shows such as the 2004 Presidential Debates, Unplugged featuring Ricky Martin and Thalia, Premio Lo Nuestro, Premios Juventud, Billboard’s Latin Music Awards, and most recently The X Factor. The venue has also welcomed world-renowned figures and politicians, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, former President Bill Clinton, former President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Senator John McCain.

The Watsco Center also plays host to the Miami Hurricanes men’s and women’s basketball teams and is flexible enough to accommodate other sporting events such as cheerleading, volleyball, and karate among others.

For upcoming events at the Watsco Center, please visit https://watscocenter.com/.

Partnership Focuses on Data-Driven Insights, Local Culinary Partnerships, and a Premium Fan and Guest Experience

The Haslam Sports Group (HSG) and Legends Global today announced an expanded, long-term partnership that will make Legends Global the exclusive food and beverage operator at the new Huntington Bank Field enclosed stadium, set to open in 2029 in Brook Park, Ohio.

The new, state-of-the-art venue will serve as the home of the Cleveland Browns and host top sporting and entertainment events throughout the year. Legends Global, the premier partner to the world’s greatest live events, venues, and brands, will work with HSG to deliver a hospitality program that celebrates the cultures, flavors, and community of Northeast Ohio while creating an exceptional event-day experience for every fan and guest.  

“We look forward to continuing to grow our partnership with Legends Global by working with them to bring a premier food and beverage operation to the new Huntington Bank Field,” said Haslam Sports Group President David Jenkins. “First-class fan experience is our priority at Haslam Sports Group and a large piece of that has to do with the hospitality that fans can enjoy on gameday or at events. It’s so important that from our concessions to our premium offerings, we highlight all that Northeast Ohio has to offer while providing our fans with efficient transactions – and we know Legends Global can deliver on that.”

Through this partnership, Legends Global will manage all aspects of the stadium’s food and beverage program, including concessions, premium suites and clubs, and catering. The company will implement a data-driven, fan-focused approach to curate menus, optimize operations, and increase revenue opportunities. A primary focus will be on local and regional sourcing, working with Northeast Ohio businesses, purveyors, and culinary partners to deliver authentic flavors to fans and guests. 

“Partnering with Haslam Sports Group from the earliest stages allows us to shape how hospitality brings fans and guests together and defines their experience at the new stadium,” said Legends Global President of Hospitality Tom Funk. “By collaborating closely with our sales team and the project’s architects, we’re optimizing every aspect of food service, from concessions to premium spaces, to ensure we deliver the best possible hospitality experience for every guest.”

The expanded hospitality agreement builds on a longstanding relationship between HSG and Legends Global. In September 2025, the companies announced that Legends Global will also oversee sponsorships, premium seating, and suite sales for the new stadium, delivering a fully integrated commercial strategy.

Designed by HKS, the new enclosed stadium will be a world-class venue that attracts visitors from across Ohio and beyond. An adjacent mixed-use, lifestyle, and entertainment development will further enhance the fan experience and serve as a catalyst for growth in Northeast Ohio.  

Legends Global delivers the food and beverage experience at over 175 venues worldwide, including top-tier stadiums, arenas, theaters, amphitheaters, convention centers, membership clubs, and restaurants. The company is also a leader in supporting modern NFL stadiums with maximizing revenue generation and enhancing fan experiences. Currently, Legends Global partners with more than half of all NFL teams through its portfolio of services. 

Legends Global, the premier partner to the world’s greatest live events, venues, and brands, today announced record-breaking merchandise sales for Super Bowl LX in the San Francisco Bay Area. This includes merchandise revenue at Levi’s Stadium, Super Bowl Experience, hotels, storefronts, and pop-up locations throughout San Francisco. Overall merchandise sales saw a 22% increase over Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans and surpassed the previous record at Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas by 12%. The average transactional value for Super Bowl LX sales increased by 9% compared to last year. Merchandise per cap for Super Bowl LX also set a new record (for a non-COVID year), up 16% over the previous high set at Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles.

NFL Shop presented by Visa at the Super Bowl Experience presented by Jersey Mike’s, which was open Sunday through Saturday this year, outperformed the previous year by 16%.

Super Bowl LX game day merchandise sales at Levi’s Stadium saw a 26% increase over last year. There were 11 merchandise locations inside Levi’s Stadium and 5 portable retail locations outside the stadium. The stadium featured a self-checkout solution for fans where the average transaction time was 35 seconds.

“We’re incredibly proud to have partnered with the NFL to deliver record-breaking sales for Super Bowl LX. Surpassing our previous records by double digits is a testament to our commitment to raising the bar for the fan experience through innovation and strategic execution,” said Mike Quirk, Chief Commercial Officer of Merchandise, Legends Global. “From the flagship NFL Shop at Moscone Center to game day at Levi’s Stadium, we curated a diverse mix of products that truly resonated with fans while ensuring a seamless shopping environment.”

Legends Global had more than 350 employees in the San Francisco Bay Area, leveraging resources from across the country, working to provide a first-class experience for fans across all Super Bowl merchandise operations. The NFL Shop at the Super Bowl Experience was open for seven days from Sunday, February 1 through Saturday, February 7 and covered 27,000 square feet. The store offered the largest collection of Super Bowl merchandise anywhere, with 830 styles available for fans of all ages, including offerings from more than 35 different licensees. In addition to the main NFL Shop, there were three additional storefronts, two mobile shops, pop-ups hosted by STARTER and ’47 Brand and 24 hotels carrying merchandise, all operated by Legends Global.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Scot Tucker

Partnership builds on BEST Crowd Management’s existing work at Legends Global venues including Barclays Center and U.S. Bank Stadium

BEST Crowd Management (“BEST”), a GardaWorld company and leading provider of crowd management and event security services, today announced a national partnership with Legends Global, the premier partner to the world’s greatest live events, venues, and brands.

Under this new agreement, BEST is named the premier partner for crowd management and event security services for Legends Global’s network of North American venues which includes more than 250 arenas, stadiums, theaters, and convention centers.

BEST Crowd Management is already active at 14 Legends Global venues – including Colorado Convention Center, Minneapolis’ Target Center and U.S. Bank Stadium, and New York’s Barclays Center – and the company looks forward to providing services at additional Legends Global venues in the future.

“BEST Crowd Management is proud to partner with Legends Global and to be recognized as their premier partner for crowd management and event security services,” said Jeff Spoerndle, Chief Operating Officer at BEST Crowd Management.

“As we continue to collaborate at venues nationwide, BEST is committed to supporting Legends Global’s vision of delivering truly remarkable experiences, grounded in best-in-class customer service, attention to detail, and professionalism. With extensive experience across stadiums, arenas, convention centers, amphitheaters, and marquee venues, our team looks forward to continuing to work alongside Legends Global to ensure every attendee’s experience is secure and exceptional.”

“We are always looking for ways to strengthen safety measures and enhance the live experience for fans and staff across our venues,” said Jeff Wohlschlaeger, Senior Vice President of Managed Venues Partnerships, Legends Global. “Integrating BEST more deeply into our portfolio brings greater operational consistency, national reach, and a proven standard of excellence. Their expertise in security staffing solutions helps ensure our venues are well prepared to deliver seamless, well-coordinated events.”

The partnership underscores BEST’s unmatched ability to deliver large‑scale, high‑quality security staffing and guest experience services across a diverse portfolio of venue types for events including professional sports, major touring concerts, fan festivals, corporate conventions, esports competitions, and large‑scale civic gatherings.

BEST offers its 25,000+ employees flexible schedules, ongoing training, and career growth opportunities. The company employs its own training program designed by security and customer service experts to help employees develop the skills necessary to advance their careers in the event industry and beyond. To learn more or join the BEST team visit: best.garda.com.

South Bend’s 100,000-Square-Foot Meeting and Event Venue Renews Ties with Global Venue Management Firm

Visit South Bend Mishawaka and Legends Global today announced a contract renewal extending Legends Global’s management of Century Center, the downtown South Bend convention and events facility. The two-year agreement began January 1, 2026, and includes an option for a one-year extension.

The renewal reflects a shared commitment to operational consistency and to maximizing Century Center’s portfolio of indoor and outdoor event spaces as it competes in the regional and national meetings marketplace.

“Our contract renewal represents more than continuity. It signals renewed energy and a bold, forward-facing sales strategy focused on delivering results,” said Rebekah Love, general manager of Century Center for Legends Global, which manages the venue. “With Visit South Bend Mishawaka leading sales efforts, Century Center is positioned to attract higher-impact business and increase visitation. The momentum generated through this partnership will drive meaningful economic impact, and our community will feel the positive shift as new opportunities, activity, and growth take hold.”

Located along the St. Joseph River in downtown South Bend, Century Center offers a flexible event footprint designed to accommodate conventions, exhibitions, live performances, and community gatherings of varying scale. The facility features a 25,000-square-foot exhibit hall, the 12,000-square-foot Discovery Ballroom divisible into two sections, and the 16,640-square-foot Great Hall, overlooking the river ideal for banquets, receptions, and general sessions.

Additional amenities include 15 meeting rooms and two onsite theaters, the 600-seat Bendix Arena and the 166-seat Recital Hall. Century Center also offers a distinctive outdoor event component through Island Park and its adjacent pavilion with stunning views of the St. Joseph River, providing planners with the ability to incorporate open-air programming into their events.

Under the renewed agreement, Legends Global will continue to deliver comprehensive facility management services, with a focus on operational execution, client service, and close alignment with Visit South Bend Mishawaka’s destination sales strategy.

“Century Center brings together flexible space and distinctive indoor-outdoor assets that resonate with today’s meeting planners,” said Dan Hoffend, executive vice president, convention centers, for Legends Global.  “This renewed agreement allows us to continue our operational focus while leveraging the building’s versatility to help event organizers achieve strong attendance, engagement, and overall event performance.”

The renewed partnership positions Century Center to build on existing momentum while adapting to evolving planner expectations, production requirements, and attendee experience standards across the meetings and events industry.

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.

Kritzler to Lead Venue Operations, Content, and Booking Across North American Network

Legends Global, the premier partner to the world’s greatest live events, venues, and brands, announced today that Josh Kritzler has been appointed President, North American Venues & Content. In this role, Kritzler will oversee the company’s portfolio of North American arenas, stadiums, theaters, and convention centers and lead venue operations, content, and booking across the network.

 “As we continue to build Legends Global into the premier partner for the world’s greatest live events, venues, and brands, Josh’s leadership is a natural fit,” said Dan Levy, CEO of Legends Global. “He brings an entrepreneurial mindset, deep operational experience, and a strong commercial perspective. His ability to connect strategy, content, and execution will help us better serve our partners and continue raising the bar across our North American venue network.”

Added Kritzler: “I’m excited to step into this role and work alongside our teams to bring even greater alignment across content, commercial strategy, and operations. With the most powerful venue network in North America, we’re well-positioned to deliver exciting content that brings people together and creates memorable experiences for our guests.”

Kritzler has played a key role in the company’s evolution since joining four years ago. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President, Strategy and Chief of Staff, supporting enterprise-wide strategy and playing a central role in the Legends-ASM Global integration. In 2025, he also assumed responsibility for content strategy. Prior to Legends Global, Kritzler was Co-Founder and Partner of 4FRONT, a global data, analytics, innovation, and digital media agency acquired by Legends Global in early 2022. Founded in 2007, he grew 4FRONT from a startup into a multi-office organization serving sports and entertainment clients worldwide.

Legends Global boasts a network of more than 250 venues in North America, including top stadiums such as Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, and Soldier Field in Chicago; leading arenas such as Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, and Coliseo de Puerto Rico in Puerto Rico; prominent theaters such as The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, Altria Theater in Richmond, and Coca-Cola Music Hall in Puerto Rico; and local economic-driving convention centers such as Moscone Center in San Francisco, Colorado Convention Center in Denver, and Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, among many other venues. 

10-year agreement includes on-site retail, e-commerce and official uniforms

The National Hot Rod Association and Legends Global today announced a 10-year extension of their longstanding merchandise partnership. Under the extended agreement, Legends Global will continue to manage on-site merchandise sales at all NHRA Mission Drag Racing Series events, oversee e-commerce for NitroMall.com and serve as the Official Uniform Partner of NHRA.

“We’re thrilled to extend our merchandising partnership with Legends Global and continue delivering an awesome Nitro Mall experience to our fans, especially during our 75th anniversary season in 2026,” NHRA Senior Vice President Evan Jonat said. “Legends Global has been an outstanding partner for so many years, and we look forward to building on that throughout this milestone season. We’re excited to debut new touches and items to Nitro Mall during NHRA’s 75th season, providing an amazing opportunity for our fans to connect with our teams and drivers while taking home a piece of NHRA history.”

A cornerstone of the fan experience at each event is the Nitro Mall, a 5,000 square foot walk-in retail store that travels to every NHRA race stop. Beginning in 2026, the Nitro Mall will debut a refreshed look featuring new fixtures, updated tent skins, enhanced flooring and bold new signage. Each event will continue to offer a wide-range of merchandise, including event-specific items and official NHRA and driver-branded products.

The partnership extension coincides with a landmark moment for the sport as 2026 marks NHRA’s 75^th anniversary season. To commemorate the historic occasion, NHRA and Legends Global have introduced a special anniversary merchandise collection designed to celebrate the legacy of drag racing. The company produces a majority of NHRA-branded products at their Indianapolis, Indiana facility.

“As NHRA celebrates its 75^th season, we’re honored to continue our longtime partnership and build on its incredible legacy,” said Mike Quirk, Chief Commercial Officer of Merchandise, Legends Global. “We’re energized to keep moving forward through the next 10 years and bringing fresh ideas, new products and exceptional merchandise that becomes part of fans’ memories for years to come.”

The NHRA’s merchandise history dates back to 1963, when founder Wally Parks partnered with friend and Sport Service founder Chick Shaffel to sell t-shirts at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. What began with Saffell driving a station wagon from California and selling out of every shirt has evolved into one of the longest-standing partnerships in professional sports, with Sport Service – later known as MainGate and acquired by Legends Global in 2019 – exclusively managing NHRA merchandise at every national event for more than six decades.

Renewal Builds on a Record-Breaking Year and Supports Major Expansion

The Albany Convention Center Authority (ACCA) and Legends Global today announced a five-year contract renewal extending Legends Global’s management of the Albany Capital Center (ACC) through December 31, 2030. Legends Global has managed the facility since 2015, two years before the venue’s official opening in 2017.

The renewal follows a standout year for the Albany Capital Center and comes as the venue prepares for a transformative expansion that will significantly increase its capacity and flexibility for conventions, meetings, and events.

“The Albany Capital Center has quickly become a cornerstone of downtown Albany’s meetings and events landscape,” said Monica Kurzejeski, executive director and CEO of the Albany Convention Center Authority. “This renewal reflects our confidence in Legends Global’s leadership and their ability to guide the facility through its next chapter of growth.”

In October 2025, the ACCA broke ground on a $54.9 million expansion of the Albany Capital Center, which is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2027, coinciding with the venue’s 10-year anniversary. The expanded facility will offer 84,000 square feet of total event space and introduce five new meeting rooms, two new ballrooms, and a 3,000-square-foot outdoor event courtyard with views of the Albany skyline.

“I want to thank the Albany Convention Center Authority for its unwavering support of the Legends Global team since day one,” said Shannon Licygiewicz, CEM, general manager of the Albany Capital Center for Legends Global, which manages the venue. “What makes this journey so special is the strength of our partnership that’s built on trust, collaboration, and a shared vision for what the Albany Capital Center can be. Under Monica’s leadership, the commitment and passion behind this project have been extraordinary. With this continued momentum, the future of the Albany Capital Center isn’t just bright—it’s poised for remarkable growth.”

In 2025, the Albany Capital Center welcomed more than 115,000 attendees, the highest annual attendance total in its eight-year history. Since opening its doors in 2017, the ACC has hosted more than 1,250 events, attracting over 680,000 visitors to Albany. Those events generated an estimated $106 million in new visitor spending and contributed more than 150,000 hotel room nights to the Capital Region economy.

“The Albany Capital Center has demonstrated consistent performance, strong community engagement, and clear growth potential,” said Dan Hoffend, executive vice president of convention centers, Legends Global.  “As the facility enters this exciting expansion phase, our focus is on scaling operations, enhancing service delivery, and ensuring the center continues to exceed expectations for event organizers, attendees, and the broader Capital Region.”