Marty Brooks joined the Wisconsin Center District (WCD) as president and CEO in January of 2018. Brooks oversees business growth and operations for the Wisconsin Center, UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena and Miller High Life Theatre. Brooks and his team work closely with VISIT Milwaukee to showcase the WCD as a top local and national entertainment and convention center destination recognized for its captivating and buzzworthy experiences.

Upon assuming his role at the WCD, Brooks recognized that Milwaukee was leaving money on the table with the current convention center frequently turning down business because of space constraints. With his vision to be bold, proud, and experience-obsessed, Brooks received approval from the WCD Board’s Governance Committee for a $420 million Wisconsin Center expansion that 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. Ensuring this is a cutting-edge project that will entice national visitors and benefit the local community, Brooks committed to contracting with at least 25 percent of minority- owned businesses, five-percent of women-owned businesses and one-percent of veteran-owned businesses. At least 40 percent of on-site construction labor hours will be performed by trade workers residing in the City and/or certified through the City as part of its Residents Preference Program (RPP).

Brooks came to Milwaukee in 2018 with a diverse background in television, sports and entertainment venue management. Coming from St. Louis, he worked for Explore St. Louis as the General Manager of the America’s Center Convention Complex. During his tenure, Brooks secured A-list artists to perform at The Dome at America’s Center including One Direction, Beyonce, Guns N’ Roses, U2 and Taylor Swift. He also booked the first professional soccer match to play on natural grass indoors. These types of first-class acts elevated The Dome as a destination and helped revitalize its surrounding community, increasing the number of visitors patronizing the area. Prior to joining Explore St. Louis, Brooks was the Executive Vice President and General Manager for the Scottrade Center, home of the St. Louis Blues Hockey Club. He also oversaw a $79 million restoration of the Peabody Opera House adjacent to the Scottrade Center.

Prior to his work in St. Louis, Brooks worked for Madison Square Garden for 22 years where he held several positions including serving as the Senior Vice President of Programming and Production for the MSG Network, President and Executive Producer of Miss. Universe, and lastly as 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.