My very supportive fiancé couldn’t help but give me a confused look when I told her I wanted to go to Omaha about 6 months back.  I calmly explained the personal value I’d get out of the trip.  She empathetically listened but still didn’t seem to get it.  However, when I described the investment it would require in addition to the travel requirements, all she could do was offer up a small chuckle as it was at that time she knew my mind was already made up.  A small kiss was bestowed upon my cheek where she then said, ”you should do it”.  And so I did…

To many of my friends, I think the trip appeared to be rather frivolous, almost silly.  However to many of my colleagues, I think most thought it was awesome and wished they were able to make the trip themselves.  Fortunately, I’m rather indifferent to what both my friends and colleagues thought as I knew what I wanted to get out of the trip for myself.  Learn, network and get a glimpse of the midwest as I’m quite certain I’ll never return there again…unless it’s work related of course.   

I’ve already documented the actual annual meeting festivities pretty thoroughly, so if you care to read more about that please click here:  Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting: Notes, Quotes and More 

The best way to describe Omaha can be summed up in one word:  quaint.  After making a quick stop at the Qwest Convention Center to register for the meeting, I then made my way to the downtown visitor center.  I was greeted warmly and was told several times that “shareholders are treated like gold in these parts so if you ever need anything, just say your a Berkshire shareholder and people will come flocking to you”.  I thought that was a really odd thing to say but it couldn’t of been more true.  Everyplace I strolled into, the first thing that I was asked was if I was shareholder and if I was looking to buy something in particular.  I really can’t describe just how strange a feeling this was.  I was later informed by a local Omaha resident that “outside of the yearly shareholder meeting in Omaha, there’s really not much excitement around here.  Many local businesses get their largest spike in sales, out of the entire year, when shareholders come to town.”  

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge

I managed to walk around Omaha for a solid 5 hours.  Starting with the downtown area to see some of Omaha’s largest skyscrapers (a mini-mini version of NYC) after which I then migrated to The Old Market.  Great place to grab a bite to eat, shop at stores you normally don’t see in malls.  Walk along the cobblestone and have some Ice Cream.  From there, I made my way through the Heartland of America Park, which was quite pretty for its simplicity.   From there, I made my way to the riverfront to walk along the new Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge.  A bridge that was extremely impressive in my view.  It’s the only pedestrian bridge in the US that connects two states.  Nebraska and Iowa. 

The Old Market

I stayed in a no-frills (I think I had one of the first TV’s ever made) hotel in Council Bluffs, Iowa called the Heartland Inn, located some 15 minutes away from downtown Omaha.  I ended up staying there because it was cheap and because I had no other choice.  The hotels in the downtown area were booked solid a good 4 months before the event.  I couldn’t even flex my Marriott platinum status as many of these hotels had made reservations a good year in advance.  Which wasn’t really a surprise given the number of shareholders (35K) that come to the event each and every year.

Anyway, it was a great weekend which I’ll never forget.  I’m actually considering going again next year.  Anyone interested in tagging along?  As a shareholder, I can bring guests to the event. 

Check out my photogallery from the trip.  Taken on the weekend of May 1st, 2009: