Shopping in the Old Market Passageway located in Omaha's Old Market Entertainment District.
Image Credit: Visit Omaha
The Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting enters a new era this May, drawing tens of thousands to Omaha for the first gathering without Warren Buffett at the helm. Nearly 30,000 out-of-town attendees made the trip last year alone, according to Visit Omaha, and the numbers continue to climb.
This year’s day-long meeting, scheduled for May 2, 2026, represents a turning point. It’s the first shareholder gathering since Warren Buffett stepped down as CEO, marking a new chapter under Greg Abel, who has spent years leading Berkshire’s energy business and now serves as CEO.
Berkshire Hathaway operates at a global scale, spanning insurance, railroads, energy, and consumer brands. Over decades, its disciplined approach to investing has drawn attention far beyond Wall Street.
The annual meeting has evolved into an international gathering for investors, often described as the “Woodstock for Capitalists.” In many ways, the weekend has grown into something larger than the meeting itself, as visitors discover how much of Omaha sits within reach of the main event.
The Start of Tourism Season
“The Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting is a legacy event for our city,” said Erin O’Brien, Vice President of marketing and communications at Visit Omaha. “It’s the largest annual business meeting and tradeshow in Omaha, and one of the largest multi-day events we host.”
The shift across the city is immediate. Thousands arrive within days, filling downtown streets, restaurants, and hotel lobbies beyond a typical spring weekend.
“When we start to hear languages from all over the world in our visitors center, we know the tourism season has begun,” O’Brien said.
Where to Stay During Berkshire Weekend
Rooms move fast during the Berkshire weekend, especially within walking distance of the convention center. Proximity means early access to sessions and an easier slide into the city’s after-hours scene.
Downtown options like the Magnolia Hotel remain a popular choice for attendees looking to stay close to the event, offering convenient access to the convention center along with modern guest rooms in a historic setting.
For those wanting to stay outside the downtown area, a great choice is the Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel, a short 10-minute drive from the convention center. Located in the Blackstone District, this revitalized 1920s landmark is known for its Second Renaissance Revival architecture.
Inside, the Orléans Room is a natural gathering point for dinner or brunch. The restaurant centers its menu on locally sourced ingredients while nodding to Omaha’s culinary history, including its ties to the original Blackstone Hotel, widely believed to be the birthplace of the Reuben sandwich.
Local Dining Spots Worth Exploring
After a full day at the shareholders’ meeting, some people may prefer a quieter, slower pace away from larger crowds. In the historic Old Market district, V. Mertz offers an intimate, fine-dining experience just a few blocks from the main venue.
This contemporary American restaurant emphasizes locally sourced produce and meats, set in a tucked-away, historic, brick-lined underground alleyway that stands out from the surrounding downtown streets.
Nearby, Memoir leans more social and energetic. Known for its bold interior, with velvet-style booths and a patterned ceiling, the restaurant differs from more traditional dining spaces. Standout dishes include the potato puffs and pasta amatriciana.
While many visitors stay within the downtown area, some are willing to venture a bit farther for places that offer something distinctly local. Carter & Rye, a cozy, stand-alone bakery located a short drive from the convention center, has become one of those stops.
Owner Kate Carter Anderson said the annual meeting draws both first-time visitors and locals exploring parts of the city they might not otherwise visit.
“There’s a lot of curiosity,” Anderson said. “We see more first-time visitors alongside our regulars, and we love getting to share our story and our product with new people.”
The shop has built a following for its made-from-scratch hand pies and neighborhood feel. Limited hours and a rotating menu reward planning ahead, as lines form before opening and popular items often sell out early.
Making the Most of the Weekend
Beyond the meeting, nearby attractions provide an easy reset between sessions. The Kiewit Luminarium sits along the riverfront, about a 10-minute walk from the convention center. Installations explore sound and light through responsive displays.
“The ‘Therescope’ combines a theremin with an oscillating light beam that responds to the tones you make,” said Patrick Mainelli, communications manager at the Kiewit Luminarium. “And ‘Beam Bender’ creates intricate patterns of light with a laser and rotating mirrors that you can control.”
“We definitely see some new faces in the building over Berkshire weekend,” Mainelli said. “With the annual meeting happening right outside our front doors, there is certainly a lot of energy in the neighborhood.”
That energy builds with the season, as warmer weather draws both visitors and locals to the riverfront, creating what Mainelli described as a natural kickoff to summer.
Inside, the space offers something many don’t expect.
“People who are familiar with a more traditional science museum might be expecting a lot of explanatory signs and some dusty artifacts,” Mainelli said. “That’s very much not the experience here, where everything is hands-on and engaging.”
“I think the thing that is really the most surprising is when people remember how easy it is to access a certain child-like sense of play,” he said.
For an outdoor option, TreeRush Adventures, south of downtown, offers zip lines and rope courses suited to a range of skill levels. Visitors can stay active while exploring the area’s natural elements.
A City Where Everything Is Within Reach
What began as a shareholder meeting has grown into a citywide moment. For many, the trip becomes an introduction to a city that surprises first-time travelers. Its strong food scene, walkable historic districts, and revitalized riverfront sit within easy reach.
“I’d want them to leave feeling like they got a real sense of the city,” Anderson said. “Not just the big events, but the neighborhoods, the small shops, and the people.”
That sense of discovery stretches from neighborhood bakeries to the riverfront.
“Our world is amazing and full of surprising phenomena,” Mainelli said. “The Luminarium helps curious people of all ages appreciate that.”
That combination—a global gathering set within a compact, accessible city—keeps Omaha firmly on the map for investors each spring.
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