OMAHA, Neb. - (June 15, 2010) - Hilton Worldwide and the City of Omaha announced today
plans for a 15-month expansion and renovation project designed to lure more meetings and
events to the area. The announcement was made at the Hilton Omaha at a press conference
held by Mayor Jim Suttle with Hilton Worldwide officials in attendance. Financing for the project
is through revenue bonds.
The 450-room convention center hotel, the State's largest, opened in April of 2004 and includes
a 10,000 square foot ballroom and 15 break out rooms. Also located within the hotel are the
coffee and gift shop, a Precor-equipped Health Club and Spa and the Liberty Tavern restaurant
and lounge.
Work is scheduled to begin in late 2010 and will be done in phases with completion slated for
early 2012, in time for a full calendar of sporting events and business meetings. The hotel
currently is host to more than 40,000 guests each month.
Details of the expansion include:
  1. -150 new guest rooms to be located over the existing parking structure on six floors
  2. -A second ballroom totaling approximately 7,000 square feet including a pre-function area
  3. -The addition of 100 new parking spaces to the existing parking garage
Concurrent with the hotel's expansion will be an extensive renovation of both existing guest
rooms and public spaces including new furnishings, fixtures, wall coverings, flooring and
bedding.
"The Hilton Omaha has been the cornerstone of the City's commitment to providing both
present and future economic development opportunities," said Mayor Jim Suttle. "The
expansion of the hotel is another milestone as we continue our quest as a national convention
and special events destination."
"Today's announcement of the Hilton Omaha's expansion is a reflection of Omaha's arrival as a
world-class meetings and leisure destination," said Timothy Benolken, senior vice president of
Western North American Operations for Hilton Worldwide.
"Since the outset of our partnership with the City which began in 2002, we anticipated that the
day would come that a larger meetings and conventions hotel would be essential to keep pace
with the growth that was to take place during the decade," said Robert Watson, general
manager, Hilton Omaha. "We are delighted to be a partner in a hotel that is poised to serve the
City of Omaha as it continues to flourish."