Smart Meetings September 2022 Digital Issue - 25

OMAHA: 'A HIDDEN GEM'
IN PLAIN SIGHT
" What I find to be iconic about Omaha is how
surprising we are, " says Director of Sales at Visit
Omaha Mattie Scheeter, CMP. As home to nearly 1
million people, " Omaha is a smaller city in population
with all the offerings and amenities of a large
city, " she continues.
" We're used to hosting grand events. Here, it's
convenient; and your dollar will stretch further. "
Nebraska is a uniquely central destination for
meetings and events with nationwide invitees; plus,
the average meal in Omaha is $2.50 less than the
national average, Visit Omaha reports. And that's
not to mention the fact that Omaha was named
one of America's " Next Great Food Cities " by Food
& Wine magazine this year.
Agriculture is the No. 1 industry in Nebraska,
and the state has had a stake in the beef industry
since the 1880s. Fresh ice cream and a surplus of
steakhouses are to be expected in Omaha. But of
all its feats in food, Omaha is arguably most proud
to be the birthplace of the Reuben sandwich.
The $300-million " RiverFront " redevelopment
project is underway on the city's eastern border
along the Missouri River and is to join three waterfront
parks into one and connect the city's downtown
convention district to its Old Market entertainment
district by promenade, " making the city more
walkable than it already is, " Scheeter explains.
" WE'RE USED TO HOSTING
GRAND EVENTS. HERE, IT'S CONVENIENT;
AND YOUR DOLLAR
WILL STRETCH FURTHER. "
SPACES THAT
KEEP ON GIVING
Omaha's downtown convention district is a 10-minute
drive from Omaha Airport (OMA), ranked the No.
1 medium-sized airport by passengers, according
to a 2016 survey by Phoenix Marketing International.
Complimentary airport-to-hotel shuttle
services, ride share services and taxis help make
the trip into town a little easier.
CHI Health Center Omaha Convention
Center & Arena, the largest convention center in
Nebraska at 346,000 sq. ft., is connected to the
largest hotel in the state, Hilton Omaha, by sky
bridge. Plus, there are 3,000 hotel rooms within a
venue radius of less than a mile. CHI Health Center
features an 18,300-seat, convertible arena, 79,400
sq. ft. of pre-function space and 63,000 sq. ft. of
event space-and that doesn't include it's contiguous
and adaptable 194,000-square-foot exhibition
space, made up of three individual halls.
Hilton Omaha, accessible from inside the convention
center, has 600 guest rooms and 40,000
sq. ft. of its own meeting space. Warm wood
accents and flooring with cozy furniture and fixtures
evoke a modern-regal-western style. Follow down
South 10th Street for less than a mile and you'll hit
The Old Market entertainment district, with all its
cobblestone, pubs, antique emporiums and places
to stay out after hours.
Over the last few years, three hotels have
opened in downtown Omaha. The 333-room
Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District
offers 19,181 sq. ft. of meeting space and is
less than a 10-minute walk away from CHI Health
Center. The 205-room Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel
in Blackstone District, west of The Old Market,
has 13,600 sq. ft. of its own meeting space and
is surrounded by trend-savvy bars in bright lights.
The luxury property is less than a 10-minute drive
from CHI Health Center and features a resort-style
pool and a basement restaurant that is a thing of
legend. Though now operated by Kimpton Hotel &
25
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Smart Meetings September 2022 Digital Issue

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