Hospitality provider Centerplate has announced a long-term contract to continue serving guests at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex and Legacy Arena in Alabama. The contract, approved by the BJCCA Board of Directors, maintains exclusivity at the complex through 2032 for all catering, food and beverage services for Centerplate and its parent company Sodexo.
As part of the agreement, Centerplate will also now service the new, state-of-the-art Protective Stadium, under the terms of a 12-year contract to line up with the convention center and arena.
“We are thrilled to continue working closely with the City of Birmingham, the BJCC, the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau and others to redefine the guest experience for all those who come to visit this thriving city center,” said Centerplate CEO Steve Pangburn. “Since beginning this relationship in 2018, our team has embedded itself in the local community through a focus on service, innovative design and partnerships with premium local, regional and national suppliers. We look forward to the future together.”
The BJCC hosts concerts, shows, local meetings, banquets, educational, cultural, religious and social functions.
Legacy Arena, the state’s largest indoor event space, is currently undergoing a US$100m renovation that is slated to attract larger events in the future. The first and second rounds of the 2023 Division I men’s tournament and the 2025 Division I women’s basketball southern regional will play out inside the newly revamped venue.
Protective Stadium is an under-construction multi-purpose stadium, also on the grounds of the Birmingham–Jefferson Convention Complex. When completed, it will have a capacity of 45,000 and serve as the home for UAB Football, sporting events and concerts. It will also host the opening and closing ceremony of the 2022 World Games.
“The new improvements will focus on the fan experience, premium seating options, food and beverage and more,” said Tad Snider, executive director of the BJCC Authority.
