News

August 6, 2025

Meet Baird Center artist John Fleissner

July 1, 2025

Meet Baird Center artist FreelandBuck

June 5, 2025

Meet Baird Center artist Kevin Miyazaki

May 16, 2025

Baird Center celebrates first anniversary by forging ahead

May 15, 2025

One year in, Baird Center is wowing attendees with unmatched...

May 14, 2025

Baird Center leads by example with sustainable strategies, tech

May 13, 2025

Community impact front of mind for Baird Center expansion

May 11, 2025

Baird Center expansion delivers major economic impact in first year

April 29, 2025

Meet Baird Center artist Ed Marquand and Tieton Mosaic

April 17, 2025

Racine Zoological Society named 2025 Baird Center Gala Giveaway winner

April 11, 2025

Wisconsin Center District named a 2025 Top Workplace

February 24, 2025

Baird Center expansion earns LEED® Gold certification

February 13, 2025

Meet Baird Center artist Reginald Baylor Studio

January 20, 2025

Vows with a view

January 16, 2025

Baird Center Announces Third Annual Gala Giveaway Contest

January 7, 2025

Meet Baird Center artist kathryn e. martin

December 16, 2024

From waste to wonder

December 10, 2024

Meet Baird Center artist Jeffrey Swider Peltz

November 25, 2024

Games played, memories made

November 21, 2024

Baird Center Wins National Award

November 18, 2024

Meet Baird Center artist David Najib Kasir

October 25, 2024

EXHIBITOR Magazine Center of Excellence

October 21, 2024

Building more community

September 30, 2024

Meet Baird Center artist Nova Czarnecki

September 20, 2024

Milwaukee’s original gathering place

September 3, 2024

Meet Baird Center artist Jay Yan

August 1, 2024

Meet Baird Center artist Greg Gossel

July 8, 2024

Reimagined

June 28, 2024

Meet Baird Center artist Ben Butler

June 12, 2024

Wisconsin Center District and Potawatomi announce new partnership

May 17, 2024

Expanded and modernized Baird Center declares its doors open with...

May 8, 2024

Introducing the We Energies Foundation Art Collection

April 1, 2024

Construction of Baird Center expansion nears the finish line

March 27, 2024

First Stage wins Baird Center’s second Gala Giveaway contest

February 27, 2024

Meet Baird Center artist rosy petri

February 12, 2024

Meet Baird Center artist Nicolas Lampert

February 9, 2024

If walls could talk

January 29, 2024

A product with a purpose

January 22, 2024

Meet the artists creating works for the Baird Center

January 16, 2024

Baird Center opens applications for second annual Gala Giveaway

January 10, 2024

Milwaukee Bucks superstar pays a visit to the Baird Center...

In the News

Newsroom

News from the Wisconsin Center District.

2025

January 2, 2025 – Say I Do, High in the Sky (TMJ4)

April 4, 2025 – Wisconsin Businesses, Partners Recognized for Energy Efficiency Excellence (Focus On Energy)

April 10, 2025 – Southeastern Wisconsin Top Workplaces: Here’s the list of honorees (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)

April 17, 2025 – The Baird Center Expansion has been Named the Project of the Year (Milwaukee Business Journal)

May 7, 2025 – Daily Reporter honors its Top Projects of 2024 (The Daily Reporter)

July 18, 2025 – Milwaukee’s Baird Center Isn’t Just a Venue – It’s a Vibe (Associations Now)

2024

January 17, 2024 – Wisconsin Center District Opens Applications for Second Annual Baird Center Gala Giveaway (Milwaukee Biz Times)

January 22, 2024 – Baird Center Selects Artists, Works to be Displayed (Urban Milwaukee)

February 22, 2024 – Downtown’s Baird Center will Play a Key RNC Role. A $456 million Expansion is Almost Done (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

March 29, 2024 – First Stage Wins Baird Center’s Second Gala Giveaway Contest (Milwaukee BizTimes)

April 3, 2024 – Construction for $456 Million Baird Center Expansion Reaches “Substantial Completion” (Milwaukee BizTimes)

April 3, 2024 – WISN News Exclusive: Inside the New Baird Center

April 18, 2024 – See Inside the Massive Baird Center Expansion (Urban Milwaukee)

April 20, 2024 – First Look: Convention Center’s Modern New Expansion (OnMilwaukee)

July 8, 2024 – Wisconsin Center District named a Face of Buzzworthy Events (Milwaukee Magazine)

May 2, 2024 – Will Baird Center Expansion Pay Off for Milwaukee (Milwaukee BizTimes)

May 2, 2024 – Expanded Convention Center will be a Boon to City: Mayor Cavalier Johnson (Milwaukee Business Journal)

May 16, 2024 – Baird Center Expansion Ushers in New Era of Convention Business (Spectrum News1)

May 17, 2025 – How Baird Center’s New Expansion Could Impact Its Events (TMJ4)

May 18, 2024 – Milwaukee’s Baird Center Holds Grand Opening After $456 Million Renovation: “It Is Momentous” (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

July 7, 2024 – Newly Expanded Baird Center Prepares for RNC (WISN 12)

July 8, 2024 – What to Know About Milwaukee Convention Center, Baird Center, One of the 2024 RNC Host Sites (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

July 12, 2024 – Small but Deliberate Steps to Reduce Waste During Republican National Convention (WUWM 89.7)

September 17, 2024 – 8 Convention Centers with Art Gallery-Worthy Vibes (BizBash)

September 30, 2024 – Conventions Surge Boosts Wisconsin Center District’s Finances (Milwaukee Business Journal)

October 2, 2024 – Milwaukee Downtown Names its 2024 Downtown Achievement Award Winners (Urban Milwaukee)

October 23, 2024 – EXHIBITOR Magazine Honors Best Convention Centers with 2025 Centers of Excellence Awards

October 24, 2024 – Top 10 Inspiring CEOS: Marty Brooks (C-Level Focus Magazine)

October 31, 2024 – 2024 Catalyst Awards: Momentum Award (Smart Meetings)

November 14, 2024 – EXHIBITOR Magazine Announces Special Award Winners in its 2025 Centers of Excellence Awards

November 14, 2024 – Baird Center Books Idina Menzel for its Grand Opening Gala (OnMilwaukee)

November 15, 2024 – Award of Merit, Sports/Entertainment: Baird Center (ENR Midwest)

December 12, 2024 – Meet Milwaukee’s Executive of the Year (Milwaukee Business Journal)

December 29, 2024 – More Big Events Coming to Southeastern Wisconsin in 2025 (Milwaukee BizTimes)

2023

November 13, 2023 – Baird Center announces entertainment and opens table sponsorships for Grand Opening Gala

October 16, 2023 – Baird Center announces charitable partners for Grand Opening Gala

October 16, 20223 – WCD President and CEO Marty Brooks named a Titan 100

October 13, 2023 – Baird Center announces production team for Grand Opening Gala

March 10, 2023 – WCD Board Authorizes Naming Rights Agreement with Baird

2022

May 3, 2022 – Dates Announced for Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experience

March 18, 2022 – Miller High Life Theatre Reaches Agreement with Pabst Theater Group

January 18, 2022 – Wisconsin Center District Announces New VP and GM Brian Rutkowski

January 10, 2022 – Wisconsin Center Closes Beyond Van Gogh; Sets Record Attendance

2021

October 28, 2021 – Wisconsin Center District Hosts Official Groundbreaking for the Wisconsin Center Expansion

August 20, 2021 – Wisconsin Center District Hires Steve Harms as VP of Corporate Partnerships; Announces Legends for Naming Rights Agency

July 12, 2021 – Wisconsin Center Expansion Fencing Installed

June 17, 2021 – Wisconsin Center District Expansion DEI Process

June 7, 2021 – Miller High Life Theatre Announces King Crimson

April 15, 2021 – Wisconsin Center District Opens RFP Informational Website

April 8, 2021 – Wisconsin Center Announces Becoming Van Gogh: An Immersive Experience

February 2, 2021 – WCD Announces Internal Promotions

January 22, 2021 – WCD Hires Impression Sports and Entertainment

January 19, 2021 – Wisconsin Center Becomes COVID-19 Vaccination Site

2020

October 30, 2020 – Kitchen Cocktails with Chef Chris Event Recap

October 13, 2020 – WCD Achieves GBAC STAR Accreditation For All Venues

October 8, 2020 – WCD Governance Committee Authorizes Expansion Financing Package

September 28, 2020 – WCD Among First SE WI Businesses to Begin GBAC STAR Accreditation Process

April 17, 2020 – Wisconsin Center District Announces Temporary Layoff

April 2, 2020 – Wisconsin Center District Board Moves Convention Center Expansion Forward

March 27, 2020 – Wisconsin Center District and City of Milwaukee Working Toward PILOT Proposal

March 6, 2020 – Wisconsin Center District Reveals Renderings and Funding Models for Convention Center Expansion

February 27, 2020 – Wisconsin Center District announces $15 per hour minimum wage, effective July 1, 2020

February 11, 2020 – State moral obligation for Wisconsin Center expansion bonds receives Common Council approval

February 4, 2020 -Time Served Tour starring Moneybagg Yo, Yo Gotti and guests, Wednesday, April 15, Miller High Life Theatre

January 31, 2020 – All Elite Wrestling brings “DYNAMITE” to UWM Panther Arena April 1

January 10, 2020 – Wisconsin Center District Announces Construction Manager for Wisconsin Center Expansion

2019

December 19, 2019 – Wisconsin Center District announces architectural team for Wisconsin Center expansion

December 16, 2019 – 9th Annual Milwaukee Blues Festival bringing Pokey Bear, Sir Charles Jones, Bobby Rush, Calvin Richardson, Tucka, Lenny Williams, and Lacee to the Miller High Life Theatre

December 9, 2019 – Legendary Rocker Alice Cooper Coming to the Miller High Life Theatre

December 6, 2019 — 90s Kickback Concert Part 2 will bring Jagged Edge, Avant, Case, Hi Five, Michel’le, Kut Klose, and Changing Faces to the Miller High Life Theatre

December 2, 2019 — Millennium Tour 2020 will bring Omarion, Bow Wow, Ashanti, Pretty Ricky, Ying Yang Twins, Soulja Boy, Lloyd and Sammie to the UW-M Panther Arena on Sunday, April 26th

November 15, 2019 – Toby Mac’s 2020 Hits Deep Tour schedule affirmed; coming to UWM Panther Arena March 6th

November 1, 2019 – Newsboys bring Greatness Of Our God Tour to Miller High Life Theatre April 19, 2020

October 14, 2019 – Fabulously Funny Comedy Festival will bring Mike Epps, Kountry Wayne, Earthquake and Jess Hilarious to the Miller High Life Theatre March 20, 2020

October 7, 2019 – Miller High Life Theatre presents global smash The Choir of Man on Saturday, March 7, 2020

October 2, 2019 – Dracula Productions presents the 15^th Annual Valentine’s Weekend Laugh-A-Thon at the Miller High Life Theatre on Saturday, February 15, 2020

September 24, 2019 – Radiance NYE returns to the Wisconsin Center on New Year’s Eve with DJ and producer EXCISION

September 20, 2019 – Toby Mac’s popular “Hits Deep Tour” returns to the UW-M Panther Arena Friday, March 6, 2020

September 9, 2019 – Matthew & Gunnar Nelson in Christmas With The Nelsons, coming to the Miller High Life Theatre December 20th

August 16, 2019 – Wisconsin Center District Board Unanimously Passes Resolution Regarding Exposition Center Expansion

August 2, 2019 – JoAnne Sabir Appointed to WCD Board

July 30, 2019 – Cirque Musica Holiday Wishes coming to the Miller High Life Theatre December 1st

July 3, 2019 – Wisconsin Center District Announces New Beverage Partnership

June 24, 2019 – Elvis Costello and The Imposters hit the road again in October, come to Miller High Life Theatre November 26

June 17, 2019 – National Ballet Theatre of Odessa, Ukraine presents Romeo and Juliet at the Miller High Life Theatre January 23rd, 2020

June 14, 2019 – Wisconsin Center District Board Approves Security Provider (Security Services Contract and RFP)

June 3, 2019 – Mystery Science Theater 3000 Live Coming to Miller High Life Theatre

May 10, 2019 – Wisconsin Center District Updates Timeline for Completion of the Wisconsin Center

April 23, 2019 – Put Your Hair in the Air with Trolls LIVE! in Milwaukee

April 17, 2019 – Brewcity Bruisers Will Restructure League, Retire Home Teams

April 1, 2019 – WE WILL ROCK YOU: North American Tour of Queen-Inspired Rock Musical Coming to Miller High Life Theatre Friday, September 20

March 28, 2019 – deadmau5 announces cube v3 tour; coming to the Wisconsin Center Saturday, December 14

March 11, 2019 – Maker Faire® Milwaukee Announces 2019 Dates and New Wisconsin Center Location

February 20, 2019 – Wisconsin Center District Names Sarah Maio Vice President, Marketing and Communications

February 11, 2019 – Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Showdown Tribute Battle will Celebrate Fan Rivalry at the Miller High Life Theatre on April 12

February 8, 2019 – Grady L. Crosby Appointed to Wisconsin Center District Board

February 4, 2019 – George Clinton To Embark On Final Tour With Parliament Funkadelic; launches May 30 at Miller High Life Theatre

January 22, 2019 – Miller High Life Theatre and Alternative Concert Group present MOTT THE HOOPLE ‘74, April 1, 2019

2018

December 11, 2018 – Live Nation and Crown Publishing Announce 2019 Dates for Final Leg of Michelle Obama’s Book Tour

November 29, 2018 – Wisconsin Center District Names Megan Seppmann Vice President of Sales

November 12, 2018 – “Weird Al” Yankovic Announces the Strings Attached Tour, coming to the Miller High Life Theatre July 27, 2019

October 22, 2019 – Mariah Carey’s World Tour Coming to Miller High Life Theatre March 15, 2019

October 22, 2018 – Chris Tomlin’s 2019 “HOLY ROAR TOUR” Tour comes to the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena Sunday, March 24, 2019

September 21, 2018 – James Kanter Elected Chairman of the Wisconsin Center District Board

September 10, 2018 – Monty Python’s SPAMALOT coming to the Miller High Life Theatre, March 2 & 3, 2019

August 14, 2018 – Broadway’s Best Party – ROCK OF AGES – announces 2018 tour casting

July 17, 2018 – Wisconsin Center District Names Steve Marsh Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

June 26, 2018 – Miller High Life Theatre joins Hip-Hop Week MKE celebrations

June 15, 2018 – Wisconsin Center District Benchmarks Wisconsin Center Expansion Plans

June 14, 2018 – Wisconsin Center District Names MJ Gilfillan Vice President, Human Resources

June 4, 2018 – Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA is coming to the Miller High Life Theatre, November 10-11

June 1, 2018 – Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky & Mike (RBRM) coming to the Miller High Life September 13

May 31, 2018 – FLAT OUT FRIDAY returns to the UWM Panther Arena, August 31, for the Harley-Davidson 115th Anniversary Celebration

May 31, 2018 – Chrome Entertainment presents the Hip Hop Royalty Tour featuring Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh and Roxanne Shanté

April 23, 2018 – ROCK OF AGES, Broadway’s best party, returns to the Miller High Life Theatre November 16

March 20, 2018 – Wisconsin Center District Names Doug Johnson New Vice President of Entertainment and Sports

February 27, 2018 – “King of the Waltz” André Rieu will launch fall U.S. & Canada tour at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, Sep. 15

January 17, 2018 – USA Badminton 2018 Junior National Championships coming to Wisconsin Center

January 8, 2018 – 94.5 KTI Country presents Granger Smith with guests Runaway June