Visit Omaha

Visit Omaha
Name	Visit Omaha
Formation	19XX
Type	Tourism promotion organization
Headquarters	Omaha, Nebraska
Region served	Douglas County, Sarpy County, Omaha metro
Leader title	President & CEO
Website	official site

Visit Omaha is the destination marketing organization responsible for promoting Omaha, Nebraska as a leisure and convention destination. It partners with hotels, attractions, event organizers, cultural institutions and government entities to increase visitation to Douglas County, Nebraska and the Omaha metropolitan area. The organization works with convention centers, hospitality associations and travel trade partners to attract meetings, sporting events and conventions to venues across the region.

History

Visit Omaha traces its roots to early 20th‑century civic booster movements in Omaha, Nebraska and the later professionalization of convention and visitors bureaus in the United States. Early municipal promotion linked local leaders from Omaha Chamber of Commerce and Greater Omaha Convention and Visitors Bureau-era organizations to railroad and riverboat promotion tied to the Missouri River commerce corridor. Mid‑century development of the Gene Leahy Mall and the construction of the CenturyLink Center Omaha reflected national trends in urban renewal and convention center building, echoing projects in cities such as St. Louis, Missouri and Kansas City, Missouri. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Visit Omaha forged partnerships with lodging associations, the Nebraska Tourism Commission, and regional airlines such as Allegiant Air and United Airlines (Qantas Group)-service partners to expand air service. Recent strategic initiatives emphasized sports tourism, arts partnerships, and redevelopment projects aligned with initiatives like the Old Market (Omaha) revitalization and riverfront planning tied to the Lewis and Clark Centennial and Northwest Expedition commemorations.

Attractions and Landmarks

Omaha offers a range of attractions promoted by Visit Omaha, spanning cultural institutions, historic districts, and family destinations. Major anchors include the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, renowned for exhibits such as the Desert Dome and Lied Jungle, and the Joslyn Art Museum, which houses collections of European and American painting and sculpture. Historic neighborhoods and streetscapes promoted for heritage tourism include the Old Market (Omaha), the Gold Coast Historic District (Omaha), and the Historic Florence (Omaha), with interpretive ties to the Mormon Trail. Sports and entertainment venues such as CHI Health Center Omaha (formerly CenturyLink Center) and TD Ameritrade Park Omaha (host of the Men's College World Series) attract national audiences. Public spaces like Heartland of America Park, Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, and the revitalized riverfront connect to attractions such as the Omaha Children's Museum and the Durham Museum, the latter housed in a historic Union Station (Omaha) railroad depot. Culinary and craft beer scenes link to institutions and neighborhoods like Blackstone, Omaha and local breweries that have collaborated with food festivals and culinary tours.

Events and Festivals

Visit Omaha markets a calendar of events that includes cultural festivals, music series, sports championships, and seasonal celebrations. Recurring highlights promoted include the College World Series (CWS), a major collegiate baseball event held at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha drawing national media and NCAA stakeholders; the Omaha Summer Arts Festival showcasing visual arts and performing arts on the Gene Leahy Mall corridor; and live music events connected with venues hosting touring acts and local ensembles tied to the Omaha Symphony. Ethnic and community festivals, including neighborhood street fairs in Little Bohemia (Omaha) and Polish heritage celebrations linked to Florence (Omaha), feature local culinary traditions. Seasonal programming often coordinates with museums such as the Joslyn Art Museum and the Durham Museum as well as performing arts centers like the Orpheum Theater (Omaha), while sports tourism events align with NCAA regional tournaments and national championships held at facilities promoted by Visit Omaha.

Tourism Infrastructure and Transportation

Omaha's tourism infrastructure promoted by Visit Omaha includes a mix of lodging, convention facilities, and multimodal transport. Major convention and visitor facilities include CHI Health Center Omaha, proximate hotels managed by national brands and local ownership groups, and boutique properties in the Old Market (Omaha). Air access is provided through Eppley Airfield, with airline service connecting to domestic hubs and partner carriers. Surface transportation links include interstate highways such as Interstate 80 in Nebraska and Interstate 480 (Nebraska–Iowa), regional bus networks and car rental services. Riverfront redevelopment projects tie into urban planning efforts and partnerships with entities involved in the Missouri River Basin stewardship, while bike and pedestrian amenities such as the MoPac Trail and riverfront promenades support active tourism. Parking, wayfinding, and accessibility initiatives are coordinated with municipal departments and stakeholder groups to support large conventions and festival logistics.

Economy and Impact of Tourism

Tourism promoted by Visit Omaha contributes to the Douglas County, Nebraska hospitality sector through hotel room demand, food and beverage sales, and convention-related spending. Major events such as the College World Series (CWS) deliver measurable economic impact via visitor expenditures, media exposure, and hospitality payroll. Partnerships with local chambers and business improvement districts link cultural venues and sporting events to broader economic development strategies seen in comparable Midwestern metros like Des Moines, Iowa and Lincoln, Nebraska. Visitor spending supports tax revenues in municipal budgets and underwrites capital investments in venues and public spaces. Visit Omaha also engages in market research and analytics to measure performance indicators used by private stakeholders including hotel management companies and event promoters.

Visitor Information and Services

Visit Omaha maintains visitor information services including destination guides, convention services, and digital marketing campaigns targeted at meeting planners, sports event organizers, and leisure travelers. Services include site selection assistance for meetings at venues like CHI Health Center Omaha, block room coordination with hotel partners, and collaborative promotions with institutions such as the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium and Joslyn Art Museum. Visitor centers, online trip-planning tools, and partnerships with regional tourism entities such as the Nebraska Tourism Commission support orientation for incoming groups. Accessibility resources and group amenity packages are coordinated with transportation partners and hospitality providers to streamline arrivals via Eppley Airfield and ground transfers.

Category:Organizations based in Omaha, Nebraska