The Saroyan Theatre with the Courtyard Marriott hotel under construction in the background. Photo by Ben Hensley
Written by Ben Hensley
A newly approved three-year management agreement signals for the Fresno Convention and Entertainment Center pairs national venue operators charged with driving events, tourism and revenue while addressing operational costs, labor relations and downtown activation.
Leaders said the partnership with VenuWorks and ATG Entertainment could help reduce longstanding city subsidies and expand cultural programming at key venues.
The City of Fresno agreed Thursday, Dec. 18, to contract with VenuWorks and ATG Entertainment to oversee operations at the Fresno Convention and Entertainment Center complex. The partnership, set to begin operations Jan. 11, 2026, will include management of the Fresno Convention Center, Valdez Hall, Selland Arena and the historic Saroyan Theatre.
The partnership between the two entities and the city includes a three-year contract with optional one-year extensions for management services. The total estimated annual contract value is $317,324.
Councilmember Nelson Esparza raised questions about the companies’ history with labor unions and sought assurances that existing contracts would be respected. “From what we understand, the current labor contract expired in 2024,” said John Rogers, ATG Entertainment’s North America business development director. He added the partners would honor future negotiations affecting worker contracts. “We operate three venues in San Francisco — they are full union houses… even our outside contracts tend to use union labor.”
Esparza confirmed representatives said union contracts are negotiated on a per-venue basis, signaling a willingness to work with organized labor.
Councilmember Miguel Arias pressed officials on the facility’s high operating costs, noting it is currently more expensive to use the downtown convention center than the Save Mart Center — an issue he said the new operators should help fix. “That’s unacceptable,” Arias said. “I’m anticipating your team will identify deficiencies so we don’t have to continue making an enormous annual subsidy.”
Arias also said he expects closer collaboration with Visit Fresno County to boost tourism revenue. He raised concerns about the convention center’s aging audio system, which he called a potential deterrent for prospective events, and said deferred maintenance plans — including for Chukchansi Park — should be forthcoming.
Council President Mike Karbassi called the partnership a “turning point for Fresno” and said the operators’ portfolios made them good fits for the city.
The agreement passed unanimously.
ASM Global held the previous management contract. They also book events at the Save Mart Center at Fresno State.
Under the contract, VenuWorks will manage day-to-day operations, including executive leadership, sales, finance, marketing, sponsorships, events, security and food and beverage services, and jointly set the annual operating budget with the city. VenuWorks will also hire full- and part-time staff. ATG Entertainment will lead Saroyan Theatre programming and provide ticketing services.
“We look forward to embarking on this partnership … to deliver exceptional live experiences,” said Lori Hotz, ATG Entertainment North American CEO, emphasizing Fresno’s cultural and community strengths.
