Alliant Energy Center Hosts Numerous Events

Located minutes from downtown Madison, Wisconsin is the Alliant Energy Center, the premier event venue in Wisconsin's capital. The multiple building facility sits on 164 acres of land and is located five minutes from Interstates 90/94. The building hosts conventions, expositions, conferences, banquets, meetings conferences, consumer shows, concerts, and outdoor events. Over the years, the facility has expanded and offers event hosts a variety of amenities.

The center was originally a joint purchase by Dane County and the Agricultural Society in 1895. They intended to use the facility for the annual Dane County Fair. There was debate over the value of the land. It was officially referred to as Lakeside Park Farm, but many felt as if it was invaluable swampland. In 1938, the Dane County Fair began a 13 year hiatus from the site. Beginning in 1949, Dane County began a three-year renovation of the site during which they added a sewer system, water, roads, parking lots, heating, and kitchen and bathroom facilities to the facility. In 1951, the fair returned to the site and continues to be held there annually.

The arena was built on the grounds in 1954, and additional buildings continued to be added over the years. In addition to the Dane County Fair, the site also played host to the World Dairy Expo, the Zor Shrine Circus, The ABC National Bowling Tournament, as well as concerts including Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, and Duke Ellington. The Arena and other buildings on the site continue to be the site of a variety of concerts today.

In addition to the variety of buildings and facilities built on the property over the years, the Exhibition Hall was added in 1995, intended to satisfy the Madison area's demand for large meeting and exhibition space. It is the largest facility for trade and consumer shows in Wisconsin. The naming rights for the Exposition Center was sold to the Alliant Energy Corporation in 2000. The rights are valid for a two decade period, but do not include the individual buildings on the site. The operations of the Center, as well as building ownership belongs to Dane County.

The site features ample on-site parking that includes nearly 6,000 paved, lit spaces. A variety of audio-visual equipment is available to those using the Center. There are high-speed internet connections available and the experienced staff can help event planners organize and host their event. The specifications for each of the buildings can be found on their website, so event planners can have some idea of which building will work best for their event. They can also use the diagrams to organize the logistics of their event beforehand.

The Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin is a premier destination for those planning an event in the Midwest. As their mission statement asserts, "The Alliant Energy Center will benefit the community and citizens of Dane County by providing the economic and quality of life benefits related to its success in the conventions, expositions, meeting and trade show industry and hosting entertainment, sporting, livestock exhibition, consumer and social events.''