First and foremost, Monona Terrace is a public place, just as its designer, renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, had envisioned. As one of the Midwest’s premier locations for events of all sizes and types, Monona Terrace has everything, including dozens of unique indoor spaces, an eye-catching rooftop garden, state-of-the-art technology, sumptuous catering options and the most spectacular views of Lake Monona and downtown Madison, WI.
Before we talk about what it’s like to have an event at Monona Terrace, let’s take a look at some important (and impressive!) facts about Monona Terrace.
- 250,000 square feet of event space
- 5 levels, featuring 30 rooms from 350 – 37,200 sq ft
- Ability to accommodate guests numbering from a dozen to thousands
- Multipurpose meeting spaces, including board rooms, ballrooms, exhibition halls, banquet rooms, a lecture hall, and two rooftop garden spaces
- Comprehensive, turnkey services and amenities (just ask!)
- Ideal downtown location near restaurants, museums and 1,750 hotel rooms
- Views, views and more views
Monona Terrace is perfect for just about any event of any size, from intimate cocktail parties and dinners to large banquets, exhibitions, meetings, concerts, and conventions. And no matter what type of event you have, we have the right space to accommodate. We have hosted national groups, trade shows and everything from the World Championship Cheese Competition to the American Society of Virology and the IRONMAN Wisconsin Triathlon in September.
Monona Terrace is also one of the most popular venues in Madison, WI for weddings. We’ve hosted thousands of weddings in sizes from 50 to 500 guests, yet each one is as unique as the bride and groom. Our wedding coordinators understand how special this day is and work tirelessly to ensure every wedding lives up to your expectations. We also specialize in quinceañeras, so when that important birthday approaches, think of us!
What’s it like to plan an event with MTCC?
Most events start with our online Request for Proposal (RFP) form, which you can find here. This gives us the basic details of your event, so our sales staff are better able to ask the right questions during our first meeting. And if you’re new to planning events, it can be helpful to fill out the form to ensure you’re thinking of important aspects of your event.
While most of the events at Monona Terrace start with our RFP, many large-scale events have their own RFP’s and are submitting it to multiple cities. If you have your own RFP, please upload it to us here. Thanks to our convenient proximity to hotels, entertainment, dining, the State Capitol Building and public transportation, Madison is able to compete with more populous destinations like Chicago for major events. With all the amenities of a big city yet maintaining our small city friendliness, event planners and guests come to fall in love with Monona Terrace and the unique vibe of downtown Madison. In fact, two out of three of all our events are hosted by previous clients.
Once planning begins, you’ll work directly with one of our experienced event coordinators. We pride ourselves on a one-to-one relationship with our clients, and no matter the size, scope, or intricacies of your event, you’ll get the same white-glove treatment.
How long in advance does the event planning process begin?
Most events reserve space at least a year in advance, especially for more robust, multi-day events. The same timeline applies to weddings. Then when an event is about 3 months out, a dedicated event coordinator is assigned to you to handle all the details and ensure nothing falls through the cracks. You’ll be surprised at all the details that need to be addressed from catering and technology to booth spaces and parking. We leave no questions unanswered, and we have the expertise to know all the right questions to ask.
Does Monona Terrace book hotels?
While we do not book or block rooms for events, Monona Terrace has multiple hotel partners in the downtown area. We’ll introduce you to the people who can help with bookings at the hotel (or hotels) that are right for the attendees of your event.
What sets Monona Terrace apart from other event spaces?
Downtown Madison is fortunate to have many wonderful event spaces and most offer catering, AV, and staffing. However, Monona Terrace has a few offerings that seem to make a difference to our clients and their guests.
- Our event planning team
At every service point we provide a seamlessly integrated client experience. Our team has been working together for years and are cross trained in various disciplines so challenges can be overcome quickly. We never leave our clients waiting for information. - Capabilities
Thanks to the size, location and versatility of Monona Terrace, our offerings are comprehensive and can accommodate just about any event. Take a peek at our Capabilities Brochure to get an idea of all Monona Terrace offers. - Outstanding service
In every department at every level, our staff brings an incredible amount of experience that is unrivaled in the hospitality industry in Madison. Our team members are true hospitality professionals, empowered problem solvers, and dedicated to the success of your event. - Technology and Equipment
We are a modern event space that offers cutting edge technology for lighting, sound, video, and virtual needs.For your room set-up requirements, we have everything you need. Check out our Services and Equipment brochure to get an overview of what we offer. - William T. Evjue Rooftop Gardens
No one else offers such an amazing outdoor space as our Rooftop Gardens, which is one of the most popular outdoor wedding locations in Madison. The gardens are adorned by the work of renowned sculptors (Art on the Rooftop) and crowned by our impressive domed fountain. Breathtaking views of Lake Monona, The State Capitol Building and downtown Madison make this a true showstopper when it comes to memorable event venues. - Culinary choices galore
Our range of gourmet culinary offerings satisfies any appetite, including special needs and cultural requirements, from hors d’oeuvres to dinner to dessert and beverages. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the incredible variety of options you have to choose from, so check out our catering packages.
We say “I do” to Weddings!
We love weddings and are here to make your special day as memorable and stress-free as possible. Get your creative juices flowing by visiting our wedding information page. If you’re ready to get started, please complete this helpful wedding contact form, and we’ll get right back to you.
Our unique Frank Lloyd Wright design
Monona Terrace is unlike any event center you’ve ever seen. No matter what you’re planning, it helps to have a clear understanding of the layout of our entire building, as well as the individual spaces. A great place to start is the Monona Terrace Floor Plan for an idea of the many unique spaces we offer.
Eco-friendly: Monona Terrace is certified as a Platinum Level “green building” by the U.S. Green building Council’s LEED-EB program. Learn more here.
An Incredible Value
Given our location, versatility, capabilities and expertise, Monona Terrace is surprisingly affordable. Please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Imagine anything! Let us orchestrate your incredible! Schedule a free consultation or give us a call at 608.261.4000.