Employee Spotlight: Jenna Rogers
Creating Meaningful Moments Through Hospitality, Innovation and Leadership
When Dr. Phillips Center first opened its doors in 2014, around 95 events filled the building. Today, that number has grown to more than 500 a year. From multi-day conferences, weddings and even a wrestling match in the world-renowned Steinmetz Hall, the events team is known to think outside the box and create memorable events for all guests.
Behind that growth is senior director of food & beverage and events sales, Jenna Rogers. Along with her team, she’s positioned the arts center as a premier destination for both local and national event planners.
Elevating the Guest Experience
Since joining Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in 2017, Jenna Rogers has helped transform the arts center’s food, beverage and private events operations into a nationally recognized model of creativity, hospitality and growth. Jenna oversees all private events across the 9-acre campus, managing everything from contracting and catering to concessions and food service operations.
A graduate of the University of Central Florida with a degree in business and a major in hospitality, Jenna brought extensive experience in hotels, restaurants and country clubs to Dr. Phillips Center. One of her most impactful achievements was leading the transition to a fully in-house food and beverage operation, helping establish a cohesive culinary identity that reflects the elevated guest experience of the arts center itself.
"Having a dedicated culinary team allows us to deliver something truly special for our guests," Jenna shares. "From small bites and seasonal buffets to elegant plated dinners, every detail is intentional."
And those details shine. Executive Chef Jason Klingensmith, who’s been with Dr. Phillips Center since 2017, brings that vision to life at Judson’s Live. It’s a commitment to quality that earned Judson’s Live Orlando Magazine’s Best Appetizers in 2025. Pair his creations with the expertise of in-house sommeliers Stig Jacobsen and Boris Perev, who help curate beverage offerings tailored to every occasion, and you’ve got something truly special.
Creating Unique Experiences
Jenna’s most memorable events have pushed the boundaries of what people expect from a performing arts center. One standout example? Transforming the Senneff Arts Plaza into regulation-sized basketball court.
When a major airline hosted its annual employee event at the arts center, more than 2,000 employees filled Walt Disney Theater before heading outside to Seneff Arts Plaza for a friendly basketball game.
“What makes the arts center truly special for events is our ability to transform our spaces to fit each client’s vision,” Jenna says. “Whether it’s an elegant gala, a corporate conference, or something entirely unexpected, we can create an experience that feels one-of-a-kind.”
That commitment to creating memorable, customized experiences has earned recognition across Central Florida, including Orlando Magazine’s Best of Weddings award for Best Venue for Large Groups.
Jenna’s leadership has also been instrumental in several milestone moments for the arts center, including the opening of Steinmetz Hall in 2022, Judson’s Live in 2024 and the innovative Frontyard Festival series during COVID-19. Most recently, Jenna and her team helped create the culinary offerings for Frontyard Holiday Festival at Dr. Phillips Center™ supported by AdventHealth.
Building Future Leaders
What makes Jenna's impact even more lasting is her commitment to the people around her. She's a champion for continuing education, professional accreditation and genuine career growth — building a team culture that matches the excellence of guest experience on event day.
"We've built something really special here,” shared Jenna. “This team consistently goes above and beyond, and it shows in every event we produce. I’m extremely proud of what we've accomplished together."
With additional event spaces on the horizon as part of Dr. Phillips Center's master plan, Jenna and her team are focused on what they do best: creating meaningful moments for every guest who walks through the doors.
Interested in hosting your next event at Dr. Phillips Center? visit drphillipscenter.org.
