Be Bold. Be Proud. Be Experienced-Obsessed. Those are words Marty Brooks, president and CEO of one of downtown Milwaukee’s premiere destinations, the Wisconsin Center District (WCD), lives by and encourages colleagues to make their own.
Brooks joined the WCD in 2018. The WCD is a quasi-governmental special purpose district established by the state in 1994 to own and operate three venues in downtown Milwaukee: the Wisconsin Center, Miller High Life Theatre, and UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. The WCD employs 80 full-time staff, 250 part-time staff, and is governed by a 17-member board of directors.
Brooks is currently overseeing a $456 million WCD expansion expected to be completed in spring of 2024, ahead of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July 2024. The expansion will bring the exposition hall to 300,000 contiguous square feet, doubling its current size, and allowing the convention center to host two large events simultaneously.
With the expansion comes a heavy focus on inclusion. Brooks has committed to a comprehensive DEI plan that maximizes the local workforce by utilizing an array of diverse businesses and trade workers.
Prior to coming to Milwaukee, Brooks had developed a career path with expertise in television, sports and entertainment venue management. Brooks served as the senior vice president and general manager of America’s Center Complex in St. Louis. During his tenure, Brooks secured A-list artists to perform at The Dome at America’s Center including Taylor Swift, the Rolling Stones, Beyoncé and U2. He also booked the first professional soccer match to play on natural grass indoors. Prior to that, Brooks was hired as executive vice president and general manager for the Scottrade Center, home of the St. Louis Blues Hockey Club. He oversaw a $79 million restoration of the Peabody Opera House adjacent to the Scottrade Center.
Brooks worked for Madison Square Garden for 22 years and held several positions in that time including senior vice president of programming and production for the MSG Network, president and executive producer of Miss Universe, and senior vice president and general manager of Madison Square Garden Connecticut where he oversaw the Hartford Civic Center, Rentschler Field and the business operations of the Hartford Wolf Pack, the American Hockey League affiliate of the New York Rangers.
Brooks currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Westown Association and VISIT Milwaukee.