Omaha, Nebraska: river city on a roll.

Ever since a new convention center was approved by voters in 2000, the city leaders of Omaha, its business community, local hospitality providers, and the Greater Omaha Convention & Visitors Bureau have been on a quest and working steadily to make Omaha a convention destination of note. Step one of that mission culminated in the opening of the Qwest Center Omaha in September 2003.

Qwest Center Omaha is the centerpiece of a five-year, $1.6 billion riverfront renovation downtown. Joining the Qwest Center Omaha are new Union Pacific corporate headquarters, the 40-story First National Bank tower, and Gallup University, which will be joined in the near future by a regional headquarters for the U.S. Park Service and a spectacular $90 million performing arts center. It's clear that Omaha is on a roll.

Qwest Center Omaha and Arena

Qwest Center Omaha is the newest convention center between Denver and Chicago. It boasts state-of-the-art technology and an impressive design. Besides a 194,000-square-foot exposition hall that can be split into three spaces, the center offers attractive, flexible ballrooms and spaces configurable into up to 16 meeting rooms.

The unique aspect of the Qwest Center is its integrated 17,000-seat arena. Long known for hosting the NCAA College World Series, Omaha is capturing many other sporting events that use the arena and convention center. The 2006 NCAA Volleyball Final Four and the 2006 National Golden Gloves are only two such events already booked. But the functionality is not limited to sports. Recently Omaha billionaire Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway booked the entire Qwest Center--both the convention center and the arena--to host all its companies, bringing 19,000 people to the city.

In fact, the appeal of Omaha and its new facilities is evident in the 34 citywide conventions contracted that will be coming to Omaha through 2010.

Other convention spaces

The new 450-room Hilton Omaha, the Qwest Center Omaha's anchor hotel, opened in April. It has 30,000 square feet of meeting space, all on the second floor. Besides the Grand Central Ballroom that seats 700 for banquets and 960 theater style, there are 15 breakout rooms, 14 with natural lighting. The Hilton is connected to the Qwest Center Omaha by a glass-enclosed skywalk.

The Omaha Civic Auditorium is a complex of five halls with separate entrances, ranging from the Assembly Hall, which seats 250, to the Auditorium Arena, which seats almost 11,000. The total floor space is 122,040 square feet.

The newly renovated Holiday Inn Convention Center, a longtime favorite for regional meetings, offers 61,000 square feet of meeting space. Its 23,000-square-foot Palace Ballroom and its meeting rooms are reconfigurable into a variety of sizes.

Omaha's access advantage

Located in the heart of the United States, Omaha presents a central destination that is easy to get to. Those flying in will find Omaha's municipal airport, Eppley Airfield, a convenient five minutes from downtown. And it's served by all the major airlines. Situated at the intersection of Interstates 29 and 80, Omaha is an easy drive for regional meetings.

Omaha's affordability

Omaha gives planners all the big-city amenities and attractions with competitive prices. The city offers more than 10,000 guest rooms and plenty of restaurants and entertainment options that won't break your budget.

Attractions

Omaha is known as the starting point for the westward construction of the transcontinental railroad, the home of Boys Town, and the birthplace of President Gerald Ford. Attendees can experience off-site receptions at several outstanding and unique venues such as the Durham Western Heritage Museum, Union Pacific Museum, Joslyn Art Museum, Lauritzen Gardens-Omaha's Botanical Center, and Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo. Visitors will also appreciate the Freedom Park, along the Missouri River, with its exhibits, naval vessels, and air and land military craft. The cobblestone streets of the Old Market district invite a leisurely walking tour to enjoy boutiques, galleries, pubs, eateries, and sidewalk vendors.

Someplace new for meetings

One of the great appeals of Omaha for your next meeting is that it will be a new destination for your members. "Chances are, not many can say they've 'been there, done that,' and, even better, they'll be pleasantly surprised by all that Omaha has to offer," says Charles "Sonny" Mares, executive director of the Greater Omaha Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Our city welcomes the opportunity to show you a new, rewarding meeting destination that is prepared to meet your needs."

Contact

Dana Markel, Director of Sales

Phone: [phone]

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Web site: www.visitomaha.com