Business Details
Your Premier Event Destination in Madison, WI
Located at the gateway to downtown Madison, the Alliant Energy Center campus features four unique venues: Exhibition Hall, Veterans Memorial Coliseum, New Holland Pavilions, and Willow Island. Our facilities deliver unmatched versatility for events of any size, supported by expansive parking, expert event coordination, and innovative catering by Sodexo Live!. With over 500 annual events hosted across 290,000 square feet of flexible space, we combine modern amenities with decades of experience in event management. Our team specializes in concerts, festivals, trade shows, corporate gatherings, and agricultural exhibitions, offering tailored solutions for planners who expect excellence.The campus includes a 10,231-capacity entertainment venue, 255,000-square-foot convention space, and 29 acres of natural outdoor event area. We maintain industry-leading standards through our Clean Slate Program, ensuring health and safety compliance while preserving the quality of our services. Our strategic location provides easy access from major highways and is just 15 minutes from Dane County Regional Airport.
Services
Event Venues
Catering Services
Accommodations
Parking Facilities
Event Planning
Highlights and features
- We offer 4 unique venues with 290,000 sq ft of flexible event space
- Our team provides expert event coordination for 500+ annual events
- Sodexo Live! delivers customizable catering for 12-12,000 guests
- We maintain industry-leading health and safety standards through our Clean Slate Program
- Our campus features direct highway access and 15-minute proximity to airport
What people say
Perfect event venues
Excellent catering services
Professional staff support
Ample parking available
Versatile facility options
Services
Event Venues
Our campus features four distinct venues totaling 290,000 square feet of flexible space. The Veterans Memorial Coliseum accommodates 10,231 guests for concerts and sporting events. Exhibition Hall offers 255,000 square feet for conventions and trade shows. New Holland Pavilions provide specialized agricultural facilities, while Willow Island delivers 29 acres of natural outdoor event space. Each venue combines modern amenities with versatile configurations for events ranging from small meetings to large-scale productions.
Catering Services
Sodexo Live! provides full-service catering for events of all sizes, from intimate gatherings to 12,000-person functions. Our customizable menus feature locally sourced ingredients and made-from-scratch preparations. Services include banquet dining, food courts, concessions, and outdoor catering with options for dietary restrictions. The team offers complete event coordination including table settings, staffing, and themed presentations to match event decor and layout requirements.
Event Planning
Our experienced planners assist with every aspect of event execution, from initial concept to final details. We provide floor plan guidance, vendor coordination, and logistical support for conferences, trade shows, and special events. The team offers pricing guides, facility specifications, and customized proposals to ensure successful event execution. Additional resources include photo galleries, video tours, and digital planning tools for efficient event preparation.
Accommodations
Spark by Hilton Madison Central offers 150 guest rooms directly connected to Exhibition Hall via climate-controlled walkway. The hotel provides convenient lodging for event attendees with modern amenities and proximity to downtown Madison. Additional local accommodations include nearby hotels, camping options at Willow Island, and transportation services from regional airports. Special event packages are available for large groups and conference attendees.
Parking Facilities
The campus provides extensive parking options with multiple entry points from Rimrock Road, John Nolen Drive, Olin Avenue, and Rusk Avenue. Visitors can access both surface lots and structured parking near all venues. Special event parking is available for large gatherings, with directional signage and traffic management during peak times. Alternative transportation options include Madison Metro bus service and bike path connections to the facility.
People
Scott Recob
General Manager at Sodexo Live!
Scott oversees all catering operations at Alliant Energy Center, managing food services for events ranging from small meetings to 12,000-person functions. With extensive experience in event hospitality, he leads menu development using locally sourced ingredients and ensures exceptional service quality across all venues.
Mark Binder
Catering Manager
Mark coordinates catering services for Alliant Energy Center's diverse events, working closely with clients to create customized menus and dining experiences. He manages logistics for banquet services, concessions, and special dietary requirements while maintaining high standards of food quality and presentation.
Ben Gordon
Sales Coordinator
Ben assists event planners with venue selection and contract coordination, leveraging his knowledge of Alliant Energy Center's facilities to match client needs with available spaces. He provides guidance on event logistics, pricing options, and resource availability for conferences, trade shows, and special events.
Marlee Yahn
Sales Coordinator
Marlee supports event planners in organizing successful functions at Alliant Energy Center, offering expertise on facility capabilities and event requirements. She helps coordinate venue bookings, provides pricing information, and connects clients with appropriate resources for their specific event needs.
Questions
What types of events can be hosted at Alliant Energy Center?
We accommodate concerts, conferences, trade shows, agricultural exhibitions, outdoor festivals, and corporate events across our four venues.
Does Alliant Energy Center provide catering services?
Yes, Sodexo Live! offers full-service catering for 12-12,000 guests with customizable menus and dietary accommodation options.
Are hotel accommodations available on-site?
Spark by Hilton Madison Central offers 150 guest rooms directly connected to Exhibition Hall via climate-controlled walkway.
What parking options exist for event attendees?
We provide extensive surface lots and structured parking with multiple entry points, plus bus service and bike path access.
What are the facility's operating hours?
General business hours are Monday-Friday 7:45am-4:30pm, with event-specific hours varying by venue and occasion.
How does the center handle health and safety protocols?
Our Clean Slate Program implements enhanced sanitation measures following CDC and local health guidelines for all events.
Videos
Reviews (5)
Thomas Ott
Jan 26, 2022
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Was there for Covid testing. Very efficient and friendly staff. The nasal swab was much less invasive/ inserted than i had anticipated. Done in 3 minutes after signing in.
Joel Lucas
Jan 10, 2022
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This was one of the worse concert experiences i ever had. First No one directing traffic to the venue, and then when we got inside. Our section 123 was not numbered. We had to ask where it was. And then our seats had no numbers. We saw many people that looked confused and was looking for their seats. And during the show you can hear echo from the music in the back of the stadium, we sat on the side close to the back. And then after the show , no one was directing traffic to get out of the parking lot. This place needs to really update.
Daniel W.
Oct 26, 2021
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It's a good space with plenty of parking. Unfortunately, much of the outdoor space is overgrown, and there aren't sidewalks until you get to the main gate. Maintenance indoors also seemed to be fairly lackluster, with overflowing trash cans and bathrooms routinely in need of cleaning.
Skip the concession stand. The interior space is actually well-designed and easy to navigate, but doesn't quite make up for the center's other problems.
Skip the concession stand. The interior space is actually well-designed and easy to navigate, but doesn't quite make up for the center's other problems.
Christopher J.
Aug 02, 2021
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Spent the week here for the CrossFit Games 2021 and the facilities were good! Everything was well maintained and was clear that this complex was a great shell to host many different types of events. Only thing that could've made things better was better maintenance of the property outside of the main complex. Parking lots were confusing with equipment parked sporadically. Grass areas to walk to parking lots were overgrown. Would've been nice having these areas more maintained
Madelaine Tempas
Jul 20, 2021
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My husband and I were here for the Dane County Fair and we went inside one of the exhibition halls to see all the 4-H crafts that the kids make to be judged and given ribbons for. We were impressed by a lot of things we saw that the kids are being taught how to make. Along with the enjoyment of the Fair food itself and walking around seeing the different booths set up; it is a nice annual event to attend.
