Photo: Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images News / Getty Images
(Omaha, NE) -- The annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting is scheduled for this weekend in Omaha, prompting visits from all over the world and providing a boost to the city's economy. Deborah Ward is Executive Director at Visit Omaha.
"When we start to hear different languages from across the globe in our visitors center, we know Berkshire Hathaway is here," Ward said.
The meeting itself is scheduled for Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha, but Ward says other events come along with it.
"The economic impact of Berkshire Hathaway is over $21 million over the four days of the event," Ward said. "And that doesn't include all of the additional meetings that happen in the city because of [it]."
In 2024, eight hotels across the city were completely sold out the weekend of the meeting. This year, that number has jumped to 19, and Ward says 92% of all hotel rooms are booked for the weekend.
"It brings in a lot of business," Ward said. "When people are coming in here, they are spending money at hotels, restaurants and attractions and it's really an economic generator."
Ward calls the event the unofficial start to tourism season in the region.