Presentation

City of Mesa — City Council (2026-08-17)

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Mesa Amphitheatre and
Mesa Convention Center  
Management Contract Overview
For consideration on August 17, 2026
Candace Cannistraro, Deputy City Manager
Brad Gessner, Consultant
Harry Cann, Senior VP, Business Development, Legends Global
Tyler Othen, Executive Director, CSL
RFP#2026084

Timeline
2
Site view of Mesa Convention Center 
and Mesa Amphitheatre
25 Feb. 2026
RFP released
18 Mar. 2026
Tour of Facilities
5 May 2026
RFP closed
10 June 2026
Presentations 
from top two 
proposals
18 June 2026
Notice of Intent to 
Award
1 Sep. 2026
Proposed 
contract effective 
date
1 Nov. 2026
Proposed 
transition 
completion date

Partnership with an experienced public 
assembly facility management company 
capable of providing a full range of 
comprehensive services:
• 
Strategic Management
• 
Daily Operations
• 
Marketing and Advertising
• 
Facility Improvement Expertise
3
Public/Private 
Partnership

Intent of Management Contract
4
High-quality event experiences and event management
Maximized facility utilization
Modernization and capital improvement planning for the facilities
Strong economic impact for the City of Mesa
Effective communication and collaboration with the City of Mesa, 
Visit Mesa (DMO), local hotels, and the Downtown Mesa Association
Integration with the Downtown Mesa Arts and Innovation District

• Monthly Base Fee: 
 
 
 
$14,000
• Monthly Food & Beverage Fee:  
 
4% Gross Sales & 8% Net Sales
• Annual Performance Incentive Fee: 
 
up to $50,000
•
Based on Key Performance Indicators
• Annual Quantitative Incentive Fee: 
 
20% of AGI over benchmark
•
Benchmark Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) determined during annual budget process 
• Sponsorship Commission: 
 
 
20%
5
City Cost

• Capital Contribution: 
 
 
Upfront one-time payment of $500,000
•
 Amortized over 10 years
• Community Contribution:  
 
$10,000/year for five years
•
Toward not-for-profit or community-based organization
• Transition Cost: 
 
 
 
estimated at $50,000 - $75,000
•
System setup, travel, lodging
6
Contractor Cost/Contribution

7

8
HUMAN 
RESOURCES

9

CSL FACILITY IMPROVEMENT STUDY
10
• PROJECT EXPERIENCE:  More than 2,500 previous 
engagements. 
• EXISTING CONDITIONS:  Evaluated 50 competitive 
convention and concert facilities throughout Arizona. 
• COMPARABLE ANALYSIS:  Benchmarking analysis of 21 
comparable facilities and markets throughout the country
• INDUSTRY TRENDS:  Detailed evaluation of macroeconomic 
trends in the convention and concert industries. 
• STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS:  Held more than 20 
stakeholder interview sessions. 
• INITIAL SITE VISIT, INTERVIEWS & OUTREACH:  Completed 65 
surveys of event planners collectively representing more than 
300 annual events. 
Site Visit
Local Stakeholder 
Outreach
Potential User
Interviews
Comparable 
Facility  Analysis
Industry
Trends
Market
Characteristics
Estimated Use & 
Building Program
Recommendations
COST/BENEFIT ANALYSIS
Demographic 
Analysis

CONVENTION CENTER
11
ANALYSIS TAKEAWAYS
Recent Convention 
Growth
Crowded 
Competitive Field
Ballroom + Hotel  
Limitations
Disconnected from 
Downtown
Lack of Familiarity 
Among Planners
Dated Facility
Opportunity to Be a 
Pioneering Facility

AMPHITHEATRE
12
ANALYSIS TAKEAWAYS
Outdoor Concert Growth
Competing with 
Recently Improved 
Venues
Need to Improve 
The Artist 
Experience
Opportunities to 
Improve the Fan 
Experience

ONGOING SERVICES
13
Market-Based Planning
• Market analysis review
• Financial estimates
• Economic impact calculations
• Sensitivity tools for decision-making
• Funding alternatives review
• Capital investment planning
• Roadmap development
Trends in Convention Centers
Trends in Live Music Experience

Facility Improvement Planning
14
• Legends Global and the City will work 
together to identify and prioritize 
improvements to modernize, enhance, and 
monetize the facilities
• Legends Global and its affiliates will provide 
the expertise and services related to capital 
planning, feasibility and finance modeling, 
venue development, real estate consulting 
and construction management

• 2-month transition period
• 5-year management period
62-Month Initial Term
Up to three (3) five-year 
renewal terms
15
Management Transition
Legends Global will take control of all on-site 
operations including; ticketing, food & 
beverage, security, IT, facility maintenance, 
personnel, finances, marketing and sales, etc.

All current personnel will have the option to move 
to Legends Global employment or remain with the 
City in another capacity

The PRCF Director and City Human Resources will 
work with each employee
City staff will work with the General Manager 
and other site employees regarding financial 
reconciliations and City sponsored events

Thank You
16

Facilities
17
Not representative of 
location proximities
All except Delta Hotel 
included in  management 
contract