A. The Director is delegated the responsibility and authority to manage and operate the Convention Center, theatrical venues and parking facilities. The Director’s authority includes the authority to develop, amend, substitute, supplement and institute operating policies and procedures, facility guide, and rental rates and policy schedule, as the Director deems necessary, for the Convention Center, theatrical venues and parking facilities. The operating policies and procedures include policies and procedures regarding: (1) the operation of the Convention Center structures and surrounding property; (2) the type of labor, equipment and services that the licensor offers in support of an event and the fee charged for such support; (3) a description of the services and equipment included in the basic use agreement rates; and (4) security requirements.

B. The Director is authorized to enter into use agreements with licensees for the staging and presentation of events and performances in the Convention Center that, in the Director’s judgment, will best serve the economic interests of the licensor and the State.

C. As may be required to meet competitive conditions, maximize revenues and economic benefit generated, and best serve the interests of the licensor and community, the Director is delegated authority to provide discounts up to 80 percent of the prevailing rental rates and provide other incentives determined necessary to compete effectively for local, regional, national and international events. Discounts exceeding 80 percent of the prevailing rental rates require the approval of the City Manager or authorized delegate.

D. The Director is authorized to establish rental rate goals and develop rental rates for the licensor. The Director must maintain competitive rental rates to ensure the licensor’s facilities compete effectively for the convention, tradeshow, corporate, civic, performing arts and other non-convention business. The rates for use of the Convention Center, theatrical venues and parking facilities are intended to be competitive and set within the range of rates of similar competing convention centers, theatrical venues and parking facilities. To ensure the rental rates are maintained at competitive levels, the Director must conduct a biennial Convention Center survey.

E. The Director may discount the rental rates for use of space in the Convention Center, theatrical venues and parking facilities if banquets or other catered food and beverage functions are held on premises and the commission received for the food and beverage service exceeds the prevailing rental rates. (Ord. No. G-4675, §§ 1, 2(Att. A), 2005; Ord. No. G-4872, § 5, 2007; Ord. No. G-5511, § 2, 2010; Ord. No. G-5533, § 3, 2010; Ord. No. G-5894, 2014; Ord. No. G-7102, § 1, 2023)