Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - One of the largest property management companies in the world is being recommended for the contract to operate and manage the Mayo Civic Center.

The Board of Directors of the newly formed Mayo Civic Center and Convention and Visitors Bureau Corporation today voted to recommend awarding the contract to SMG. The Pennslyvania based firm manages hundreds of convention centers, stadiums, arenas and other venues throughout the world, including US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

The Board also voted to recommend awarding the contract for food and beverage services at the Mayo Civic Center to Spectra, which is another global company with expertise in food services at large entertainment and convention venues.

“The Board is excited to be at this stage of the process,” said Jacob Malwitz, Chair of the Corporation’s Board of Directors. “We received competitive proposals for operations and food and beverage service from national firms and we are confident in the process that brought us to these decisions today. It is an exciting next step for our organization and for our City’s future.”

The Mayo Civic Center and Convention and Visitors Bureau Corporation will now enter into negotiations with both firms to finalize the terms of five-year contracts that will take effect on January 1st.

The Rochester City Council made the decision to revamp the management and operation of the Mayo Civic Center and the former Experience Rochester organization last year. The new Mayo Civic Center and Convention and Visitors Bureau Corporation Board of Directors was formed in June and Joe Ward reported for work last month as president of the new corporation.

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