Food and Beverage Service Operations for the Alliant Energy Center of Dane County

The County of Dane is seeking an experienced food‑service operator to run all food and beverage operations at the Alliant Energy Center (AEC), a multi‑facility convention and entertainment campus that hosts >250 events and >1 million guests annually. The contractor will be responsible for menu development, staffing, procurement, kitchen operations, on‑site service at multiple venues (Exhibition Hall, New Holland Pavilions, Arena, Coliseum, Willow Island, parking‑lot concessions, etc.), compliance with health, safety, labor and sustainability standards, and coordination with existing Coca‑Cola agreement. The contract will be awarded after a mandatory pre‑bid conference, a Q&A process (two rounds), and oral interviews. The award is slated for November 30 2026 with contract negotiations extending into mid‑2027. The successful vendor must provide insurance, licenses, and meet local‑vendor preferences. • Operate food & beverage services across all AEC venues (exhibition hall, pavilions, arena, coliseum, outdoor site). • Deliver catering, concessions, and full‑service dining for events ranging from trade shows to concerts. • Manage staffing, supply chain, equipment, and compliance with county, state and federal regulations. • Meet sustainability goals and local‑vendor preference scoring. • Submit a detailed cost proposal and vendor questionnaire via the OpenGov e‑procurement portal by 2 pm Oct 22 2026.