Resolution

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RESOLUTION NO. 12563 
 
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MESA, 
ARIZONA, APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER 
TO ENTER INTO A MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS SERVICES 
AGREEMENT AND OTHER NECESSARY DEAL DOCUMENTS TO 
FACILITATE THE CREATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF A PUBLIC-
PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP TO TRANSFER MANAGEMENT AND 
OPERATIONS OF THE MESA CONVENTION CENTER AND MESA 
AMPHITHEATRE.    
 
Whereas, the City owns the Mesa Convention Center and Mesa Amphitheatre (the “Facilities”) 
located in the general vicinity of Center Street and University Drive. The City manages and 
operates the Facilities to provide meeting and exhibit space and a music entertainment venue. 
The Convention Center opened in 1974 and the Amphitheatre opened in 1979.  
 
Whereas, the Convention Center is a multi-purpose public assembly facility consisting of 
approximately 40,000 square feet of sellable event space, including a 15,000 square foot Main Hall 
that serves as the primary exhibit space; two ballrooms, the larger ballroom consisting of 5,100 
square feet; a 4,500 square foot multi-purpose meeting room, to include a theater with seating for 
169 individuals; and 40,000 square feet of outdoor event space. 
 
Whereas, the Amphitheatre is an outdoor performance venue with festival seating capacity of 
5,000. The Amphitheatre features tiered grass lawn seating and a stage for artists to perform. The 
Amphitheatre includes two dressing rooms; a production office with a crew dining area adjacent 
to the dressing rooms, and a concession area with patron restroom facilities.  
 
Whereas, over time the City has considered different alternatives to maximize the utilization of the 
Facilities including, but not limited to, improving customer experience, enhancing improvements 
to the Facilities, and providing alternatives to increase revenue opportunities.  
  
Whereas, the City ultimately determined it was in the City’s best interests to engage an industry 
expert  in management and operations to transfer the daily operations of the Facilities while 
maintaining City ownership. 
 
Whereas, in late February 2026, the City issued a Request for Proposals (“RFP’) to solicit proposal 
responses from qualified and experienced public assembly facility companies capable of providing  
a full range of comprehensive management, operation, and marketing services for the Facilities of 
including, among other things, maximizing revenue opportunities; increasing the utilization of the 
Facilities; producing and creating a high-quality event experience at the Facilities; provide 
knowledge and engage in activities to modernize and monetize the Facilities; and provide effective 
and enhanced communication and collaboration, and marketing opportunities with the City, local 
hotels, and tourism partners. All of the foregoing being the purpose for this transaction.   
 
Whereas, in mid-June 2026, after reviewing the submitted proposals, City staff selected Legends 
Global Convention Center Management, LLC, (“Legends”) a Delaware corporation, to provide 
management and operations services for the Facilities. Legends’ parent company, Legends Global,

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is the world’s largest venue management company and operates more than 450 venues worldwide. 
 
Whereas, after the selection of Legends, the City and Legends began negotiations to enter into and 
finalize an agreement to have Legends manage and operate the Facilities. 
 
Whereas, the Management and Operations Services Agreement and other documents (collectively, 
the “Agreement”) needed to facilitate and carry out the intent of the Agreement will need to be 
executed, and the City Council determines it is in the best interests of the City to enter into the 
Agreement. 
 
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MESA: 
 
Section 1. 
The City Council approves the transaction to facilitate the transfer of the 
management and operation of the Facilities as described in this Resolution and presented to the 
City Council.  The City Manager or designee is authorized, on behalf of the City of Mesa, to 
execute the Agreement and any amendments, modifications, supplements, renewals, or extensions 
of the Agreement so long as they further  the purpose of the transaction as presented to City Council 
and are not a substantial and material alteration of the terms of the Agreement. 
 
Passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Mesa on August 17, 2026.  
 
 
 
______________________________ 
Mark Freeman, Mayor 
 
Attest: 
 
 
 
_____________________________ 
Holly Moseley, City Clerk