McCormick Place CEO Resigning

Omaha and Council Bluffs
Bridging the Gap

by TONY BARTLETT

· Straddling the Missouri River, Omaha, Neb., and Council Bluffs, Iowa, are very different cities that complement each other with their individual appeal. Nebraska’s largest city has its world-renowned zoo and impressive cultural institutions; the smaller Council Bluffs offers the nonstop excitement of gaming and entertainment at its three casinos. Together they share a historical legacy as a transportation center and hub for successive waves of westward expansion.

Nowadays, they are basking in the glow of an ongoing renaissance since convention center openings began elevating their meetings profile almost seven years ago. Omaha is awaiting next year’s unveiling of TD Ameritrade Park Omaha, a $128 million ballpark close to the Qwest Center Omaha, its downtown convention complex. Council Bluffs is benefiting from new hotel rooms surrounding Mid-America Center, its primary meeting facility.

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Sponsor

Kearney Visitors Bureau

Midwestern hospitality and service can be found in Kearney, which boasts the new 50,000-square-foot Younes Conference Center. Additionally, the Viaero Event Center features 54,000 square feet of convention and exhibit space, and the Buffalo County Fairgrounds will open a new 100,000-square-foot Expo Center. Kearney’s midsize location in south-central Nebraska is served by Interstate 80 and is three hours west of Omaha and five hours east of Denver, with direct flights daily to Denver. With over 1,500 rooms and 100 restaurants, we can meet the needs of any meeting planner or attendee.

Request your complimentary Meeting Planners Guide today or submit your online RFP at www.visitkearney.org or call (800) 652-9435.

Site Scene

Illinois

· Doubletree Hotel Libertyville-Mundelein recently opened in the northwest Chicagoland suburbs. The 183-room hotel is set in the village of Mundelein, near Lake Michigan. Along with complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access, other in-room amenities include MP3-compatible stereo clock radios. There is also a fitness center, indoor heated pool and whirlpool. The hotel offers approximately 12,000 square feet of flexible meeting and banquet facilities, including an 8,350-square-foot Grand Ballroom. For more information, call 847.949.5100 or visit http://libertyvillemundelein.doubletree.com.

· Ian Schrager acquired the historic landmark Ambassador East Hotel in Chicago. The 285-room, 189,000-square-foot hotel built in 1926 is undergoing renovation, as is its restaurant, The Pump Room. Schrager intends to return them both to their past glory. In its heyday, the hotel served as the wedding location of Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall and other celebrities. Frank Sinatra was known to have booked an entire floor of rooms when in town. The Pump Room is famous for introducing the Bloody Mary with the celery stalk to the world. For more information, call 312.787.7200 or visit www.theambassadoreasthotel.com.

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Sponsor

Starwood Hotels & Resorts

Get more for your meeting. Give more to your community. Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Pepsi have teamed-up to provide more value for your meeting and an opportunity to give back to your community. Book by July 31, 2010 for a 4 percent credit to the master bill, a complimentary food and beverage break, bonus Starpoints^® and a chance to win one of four $50,000 charitable grants. Valid at destinations like Chicago, Minneapolis and Indianapolis.

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Site Scene

South Dakota

· The Dakota Event Center, located on the east side of Aberdeen, opened recently. The center, which offers more than 27,000 square feet of meeting space, features wireless Internet access. The event center is connected to Aberdeen’s newest hotel, the 84-room Hampton Inn and Suites Aberdeen, which also opened recently. The Hampton Inn is operated and owned by Lamont Companies and Lamont Enterprises, which also own the event center and the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Aberdeen. For more information, call the Hampton Inn at 605.262.2600 or visit http://hamptoninn.hilton.com, or for the Dakota Event Center, call the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Aberdeen at 605.725.4000 or visit www.ichotelsgroup.com.

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Meetings MidAmerica now available in digital format!

Meetings MidAmericas’ May Digital Edition is now available. This month’s issue features an interview conducted at the IACC-Americas Summit with Alex Cabanas, chief development and strategy officer of Benchmark Hospitality International, who talks about the company’s bullish expansion efforts, even in this down economy.

Click here to view our Meetings MidAmerica digital edition.