Opening Celebration Day is Friday, June 18 at Rosenblatt Stadium. Who doesn’t want to go home with a baseball signed by the greatest college baseball players? Watch the teams practice, hit up the Fan Fest, bring your little ones to the Vitiaminwater NCAA Youth Clinics held throughout the day and listen to Julianne Hough and Bucky Covington before the big entrance of the opening ceremonies – farewell to Rosenblatt.

Let the games begin! Game one kicks off at 2pm on Saturday, June 19th but baseball isn’t the only game in town! Zestos (across the street from the main entrance to Rosenblatt) is a fan favorite. Serving up yummy ice cream cones these lines are there all day. Around the stadium you will find pockets of memorabilia and bars, truly a one of a kind atmosphere! The Henry Doorly Zoo also shares space in baseball fans hearts – it’s the perfect way to spend time in between games or just taking a break from the festivities.

Nightlife is as legendary as the baseball! Pauli‘s located in midtown provides a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Celebrities have been known to show up to celebrate their teams arrival into the series. The Old Market as well as North Downtown Omaha both have a fantastic mix of bars/restaurants. Barley’s Bar, located in North Downtown Omaha, will shuttle you to and from the game (no parking to worry about!) and Liberty Tavern, located within Hilton Omaha, has air conditioning, big screens, and a hip patio outside perfect for relaxing!

When the College World Series comes to town eCreamery never disappoints! Located within the historic Dundee neighborhood eCreamery creates special ice creams for each of the teams, but once a team is out so is the ice cream! Last year’s flavors included: Arizona State Berry Slammer, Arkansas Razorback Bites, Cal State Titan Toffee Wave, Lick em’ LSU!, Longhorn Breakfast of Champions, Southern Miss Golden PowerAide, Tar Heel Meal, and Virginia Victory Mix.

Want to find more things to do in Omaha? Check out Visit Omaha website or NCAA College World Series site for more fun in Omaha!

What do you enjoy doing during the College World Series? Comment on the blog, see us on Facebook, or tweet @HiltonOmaha.

Enjoy!

Brooke

Farmer’s Markets galore:

Fresh veggies, plants, meats, cheeses, and more! This is my daughter’s absolute favorite thing about the summer – we go every weekend to at least one Farmer’s Market, but tomorrow we are planning at least two stops: Old Market Farmer’s Market has a couple of really lovely flower stands that we frequent, a must have salsa, and on the corner is a little shoppe with products made by bees and last year they actually had the bee’s there – we are excited for them to make a return visit! Second one is the new Outdoor Market at Midtown Crossing. Boasting an upscale approach, this market brings in fresh seafood and live entertainment. PS we also love the Village Point Farmer’s Market – that’s our home ground!

Vibes:

-Vibes at Village Pointe features D’Funk to kick off their summer concert series starting on Saturday.
- Goo vs. Gunk it’s cowboys vs. indians in a dance off at the Waiting Room Lounge
- Omaha Symphony will perform in Council Bluffs Playland Park featuring patriotic selections.
- Earth, Wind, and Fire play Sunday at Stir Concert Cove.

Spend sometime on the patio:

- Relax at Liberty Tavern’s ultra hip patio, just across from the Qwest Center! Cold cocktails and Modern American dishes available daily.
- Yummy pizza with a view to match check out Good Night’s Pizza + Bar located in North Downtown Omaha.
- Liv Lounge, cocktails with a buzz around!
- Perfect place for sipping and people watching – La Bouvette.

Send us what you are doing this weekend (along with photos!) We love to hear from our readers! brooke.ossenkop@hilton.com or comment below!

Enjoy!

Brooke

May is an exciting time for Omaha! Berkshire Hathaway meeting kicks off the month, the farmer’s markets begin again, BIG Omaha comes back for another round, the Hot Shops host their annual open house and before you know it we will be listening to the first pitch of the College World Series!

This year, Southwest Airlines is adding a little extra punch to the month – Spirit Magazine (Southwest Airlines in-air magazine) is featuring Omaha in May!

Omaha is the nation’s 42 city with more than 800,000 within the Omaha Metro and boasts 5 Fortune 500 companies – including a handful of fantastic headlines for the best place to be, read more here.

The article features:

• where to live
• best places to work in Omaha (did you know Omaha boosts LinkedIn, Yahoo, PayPal, Google and TD Ameritrade as members of the community?)
• the success of our learning community
• best places to play (did you know Omaha hosted the 2008 Olympic Swim Trials and will host again in 2010?)
• create
• eat
• sleep (ahhh…comfy beds!)

Learn more about Spirit Magazine or about Omaha click the links!

Enjoy!

Brooke

2. Second Saturday Supper for April at The Bemis Center
It’s a fabulous dinner party with the Bemis Center staff and artists currently exhibiting in the Underground! The community potluck dinner is only open to the first 30 guests – if you would like to attend RSVP to rsvp@bemiscenter.org by April 10th (children are welcome) Cost: Potluck item.

3. Easter Begg Hunt at Three Dog Bakery
It’s not too late to allow your pooch in on the Easter traditions. Join Three Dog Bakery at Village Pointe Saturday at 11am for the hunt. Cost: $5 donation per dog for the Nebraska Humane Society. RSVP here.

4. Lucky Bucket Brewery
It’s like a visit to wine country, only it’s in LaVista and it is one of Nebraska’s first micro distilleries since Prohibition. Tour Lucky Bucket facilities Saturday at 11:30am. RSPV here. Cost: Free Afterwards join the crowd for beer, eats and for all of your twitter fans – tweets at Nebraska Brewing Company. Cost: well, maybe a bit more than $10, but you already got a free tour!

5. Girls only bike ride
GreenStreet Cycles (located in North Downtown) is motivating you to get up and adam on Saturday morning – join them for a fantastically fun girl’s only bike ride taking off at 9am! Cost: byob – bring your own bike.

6. Stop and Smell the Roses
Lauritzen Gardens are coming to life with the lovely weather. Perfect for a mid afternoon jaunt to see the signs of spring! Admission: $7 for adults, $3 for children.

7. Waiting Room Lounge
Megafaun with Breathe Owl Breathe and Nathanial Rateliff Saturday at 9pm. I saw these guys open up for Bon Iver back in September, their soft, rustic abilities speak closely to his – definitely a band to go see. Tickets: $10.

8. South 24th Street Walking Tour
Get out and enjoy the beautiful weather while taking in the sights and sounds of South 24th Street. I’m personally excited to take this tour soon – I’ve been hearing such good things about it. A destination of European immigrants, southern African-Americans, and Chicanos of the past it is rich with culture. Walking Tour begins at 11am on Saturday. Tickets: $10

9. Become a detective
The Bookworm features the Sherlock Holmes Book Club Saturday at 10am. Cost: free

10. See a movie at Film Streams
A Prophet, A Town Called Panic, and The Ghost Writer are all playing this weekend. Click here for showtime. Cost: $9 for adult, $7 for student/senior, $4.50 for member.

enjoy!

Brooke

A full morning full of disbelief and excitement – of course it would be announced on a Monday

For those of you not familiar with Big Omaha (via Big Omaha website): Big Omaha is a culmination of the amazing energy taking place within the Midwest. There’s a new generation of innovators and entrepreneurs who are passionately making their mark on our community and Big Omaha is for them. This event brings together the region’s best and brightest to motivate, challenge, excite and connect with one another, and in turn raise the bar on the level of work we’re producing.

Yep, that sums it up – it is this fantastic compilation of heart and hard work, mixed with a reach out and touch-it kind of conference. Even for a non-tech kind of girl like me it was enthralling – in fact this blog was inspired entirely by the talks given at Big Omaha. Learn more about Big Omaha 2009 from my blog post here.

The buzz for May has officially started and I welcome you to grab your seat at the table. New talent and some old friends, it’s going to be another exciting ride. Click here for the full Big Omaha 2010 line up.

Want to be a part of the action…now? Big Omaha is raising $5,000 before May 13 for charity: water. $5,000 is enough to revolutionize 1 community. 250 people. 50 families. Become a bigger part of the Big Omaha community, donate here.

Enjoy!

Brooke

PS All photos are via the Big Omaha Flickr search – and all copyrights belong to the folks that took the photo.

April 1, 2004 Hilton Omaha welcomed our first guests and now more than one million guests later we are turning six! To celebrate our birthday we wanted to giveaway some fabulous prizes:

- Spa Relax Rejuvenate Package
Mind. Body. Spa. Imagine your Hilton Omaha getaway as even more relaxing with the absolute indulgence of two spa treatments. Afterwards retreat to your comfy, deluxe accommodations and unwind with the luxuries the Hilton Omaha has to offer. Pamper yourself or surprise someone with a spa experience all without leaving the hotel.

or

- Henry Doorly Zoo Package
Visit the world’s largest indoor rainforest, desert and nocturnal exhibits, IMAX Theater, Aquarium, and Butterfly and Insect Pavilion at Omaha’s Zoo. After you’re done, come to Hilton Omaha to relax in deluxe accommodations. Featuring complimentary parking, four Henry Doorly Zoo day passes (two adult and two children), and breakfast in our Liberty Tavern Restaurant.

Ready to celebrate with us?

Tweet: I want to stay @HiltonOmaha! Enter me for the ____ package!
(insert either spa or zoo package so we know which one!)

On Facebook post on our wall: I want to stay @Hilton Omaha! Enter me for the _____ package!
(insert either spa or zoo package so we know which one!)

We will take entries until 8pm CDT Thursday, April 1, 2010. Winners will be notified on Friday, April 2, 2010 at 1pm CDT.

Good luck and thanks for celebrating with us!

Enjoy!

Brooke

Join us Sunday, April 4 from 11am – 3pm; reservations are requested 402.998.4321 and parking is complimentary in the Hilton Omaha parking garage. Afterwards take time to enjoy downtown Omaha and the spring time weather, visit the Gene Leahy Mall for the slides, grab a bike from Green Street Cycles and go for a ride, or take a stroll on the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge!

enjoy!

Brooke

Hilton Omaha will join Hilton Hotel Corporations commitment to Earth Hour by asking our guests to dim their guestroom lights, dimming the hotel lobby lights, and treating our guests to candlelight dinners in Liberty Tavern. The “back of the house” will have dim lighting and we have given our employees not at work an opportunity to participate as well by giving suggestions of what to do at home.

What can you do? Earth Hour 2010 has made a complete list:
You can support Earth Hour by:

1. Turning off your lights at 8.30PM on March 27
2. Showing your support and adding yourself to our world map
3. Adding Earth Hour widgets, logos and banners to your blog or website to help us spread the word. You could even be our Earth Hour Online Supporter of the Day.
4. Talking about Earth Hour in your social network by updating your Facebook status, grabbing a Twibbon, tweeting about your support, and more
5. Get together with your friends and family, by hosting an Earth Hour party or holding your own candlelit affair
6. Rally your local council or community group to run an Earth Hour event for your community
7. Encourage your employer and workmates to take part in Earth Hour and make energy savings every day
8. Make an Earth Hour Lantern as a symbol of hope for the future
9. Be creative! Find a new way to mark Earth Hour and let us know all about it!

To read about the history of Earth Hour and find out what you can do click here.

Read about Hilton Hotel Corporation commitment to sustainability here.

Happy Earth Hour 2010!

Enjoy!

Brooke

From regular ballroom

To gorgeous event

PSAV secured individual projectors over the long table and enabled a Powerpoint slide show that moved the wording/logos throughout the event with each separate course of dinner. The center of the ballroom was draped by heavy black curtains and the lights were off with only light from the projectors and blue up lighting on the sides to serve as mood lighting.

And the glass balls hanging from the ceiling? The appetizer course. Servers snipped the glass balls and opened them up revealing the beginning of the dinner.

See more fabulous presentations that our Event Service team and PSAV have created by visiting this link PSAV Portfolio Hilton Omaha

Congratulations once again to our fantastic PSAV team!

Enjoy!

Brooke

What comes to mind when you think of Omaha?

For most of the readers of this blog I think it probably stands for home. You are probably thinking about where you work, play, live – but do you look much past that? Last night as I was standing listening to a presentation about the City’s Downtown Master Plan {more to follow about this} I felt this overwhelming since of pride and started to reminisce a bit.

Due to the nature of my career choice + the fact that we moved to Dallas for a few years I’m asked on a daily basis – what is it about Omaha? Sure, most of the time I get questions about Warren Buffet or Omaha Steaks, but sometimes I find one person that really wants to know – why Omaha? My answer always is, people are nice and growth potential is unmatched.

Omaha’s diverse stature allows for everything from Fortune 500 Companies to supporting the newest start up businesses. We embrace growth and understand the rich history of the old. Omaha boasts some of the strongest entertainment venues in the nation and holds handfuls of wonderful treasures around each corner. It’s fantastic!

I truly sit in a very unique position – I work for a corporation, I hold an executive level position within that structure, and from that my job centers almost entirely around analysis. On the other side of the coin, I enjoy being creative and innovative – it has been one year since we started our social media communities through Facebook and Twitter and shortly after that this blog developed. I’m blessed with people around me (starting with my boss, Robert Watson) that believe in and always support me.

So that said when people ask why Omaha – the truth is, Omaha is amazing. Over the past year the people that I’ve met through social media have taken me in as their own, they’ve lead me, taught me, and allowed me to grow. And for that I am humble and appreciative. I can’t say for certain that this would have been the case regardless of where I live, but I really do feel like Omaha community played a huge part in it.

And for that I really just wanted to say Thank You to all of our fans, followers, and blog readers. The past year has been O!mazing and I’m looking forward to new adventures with our Hilton Omaha community. We are prepared to bring you new ideas to do in Omaha – a fresh turn last year – and we want to hear from you (blog comments, tweets, FB, or email me brooke.ossenkop@hilton.com)! I love new ideas, concepts, and hey – you might just win a free night stay with us!

Enjoy!
Brooke

(PS – what do you think about the new layout? Just trying something a bit different)