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ART CREDIT
emerging destinations Omaha This Midwestern gem will surpass expectations
Meeting planners don’t find hidden gems by mining obvious places. Finding a destina- tion that is fresh and new is always a hurdle, and as a young convention destination with a steadily growing resume, Omaha is a city that will rise to the challenge. This past July, Omaha hosted the U.S. Senior Open, and in 2016, the city will host the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials for the third time. Big-time national events aside, Omaha has built a track record of making each and every group feel like it is the only game in town. In Omaha, convenience rules. Omaha’s
Eppley Airfield serves more than 4 million passengers per year and offers nonstop service to 20 top markets. And because the city is centrally located, attendees can fly from either coast in less than three hours. Once attendees are in Omaha, they won’t
waste time commuting, as the airport is less than 10 minutes from the convention cen- ter and downtown. Just as convenient is the 250,000-square-foot CenturyLink Center Omaha, which connects to the 600-room Hilton Omaha via skywalk and is within walk- ing distance of Omaha’s popular Old Market entertainment district. Omaha is already famous for its down-
home vibe and friendly disposition, but the city has a sophisticated side, too, rich in cultural and entertainment attractions that are ideal for group activities and events. For example, the Holland Performing Arts Cen- ter is considered to be one of the finest con- cert halls in the country for its finely tuned acoustics and architecture. The facility regu- larly showcases various types of music and comedic performances, and with its on-site
restaurant ZINC, the center can offer groups a one-stop culinary and cultural experience. Planners looking for a trusted and depend-
able partner will find that the Omaha Conven- tion & Visitors Bureau is skilled in creating memorable experiences for attendees to learn, grow, and establish strong relationships. All in all, Omaha offers a seamless destination package, developed to lighten the planning burden while providing unique activities and a welcoming atmosphere for attendees.
For more information: Omaha Convention & Visitors Bureau — Cathy Keller, Director of Sales; (402) 444-4660; ckeller@visitomaha.com; visitomaha.com/meetings
Art and artifact Omaha’s Joslyn Art Museum — the largest in Nebraska — has more than 11,000 works of art, including a significant number of watercolors and prints by Karl Bodmer in its Art of the American West collection.
Applause aplenty Omaha has been consistently named a top value travel destination, and MSN recently named it one of the “Ten Coolest Cities in the Midwest.”
88 PCMA CONVENE SEPTEMBER 2013