Author: OmahaNebraska

Thank you to Marty Bilek,Chief of Staff for the Omaha Mayor‘s Office for the interview and insightful comments on Omaha and the College World Series.

Interview Marty Bilek at CWS Press Conference

What does the College World Series mean to the city of Omaha?

The College World Series has been here for so long that it has almost become a part of our legacy. Not only is the College World Series a great event, but Omaha has now become a city where minor league championships have come because it is such a popular city for sporting events of that type.

We have a great fan base. For example, we have had recent golf tournaments here. Those have been very successful. The baseball is great. The swim trials [are] great. The volleyball is great. A lot of people come here now to see college and minor league sports. It’s become a center for that kind of activity and we love it.

And now it’s helping revitalize our downtown area. We’ve got construction going on around as you see as you came in. There was a time when the College World Series and the Zoo were the big attractions –and they still are — but Omaha is starting to develop around that and we are really happy about that. I’ve noticed the city being very proactive with many things with trying to do revitalization for the whole city as well.

What are you favorite projects going on or those that are top of mind?

I believe that probably our riverfront is our greatest asset. Since I am from Omaha, I’ve been here for 65 years and I can remember what the riverfront used to look like. I can remember when there were smelters, salvage yards, and Union Pacific had a big rail yard there as well. That is all gone now, and now we just have a bunch of vacant space that needs to be developed. And if we do that properly, it’s going to be a great destination.

So for example, you come to the College World Series or some other event you are going to say, “Let’s go see the riverfront in downtown Omaha,” because we will be as famous for that as maybe San Antonio is or maybe Chicago is for their riverfronts. So it will be a great destination and one more reason why someone maybe from Des Moines or Kansas City might want to come to Omaha for the weekend.

What different plans do you have for the riverfront?

Well it is too early to say because it is truly is in the planning stage. There are community leaders meeting on a regular basis to decide what to do with the riverfront, what will work or won’t work.

It will [be] necessary to partner with the city because maybe we will have to create access to the riverfront that we don’t have now so that it can develop the way it should ….

It’s a public-private partnership to develop the riverfront.

There are several groups meeting to discuss that. Many groups have different ideas, and we also include Council Bluffs when we talk about the riverfront –we are just half of it — we work very closely with Mayor Walsh. What is good of them is good for us We do have the Bob Kerrey Bridge, which connects us that way. And so there is plenty of opportunity and great potential. And Mayor Stothert recognizes that and spends a lot of time thinking about how downtown Omaha should develop.

It would be nice if Downtown Omaha was a dense environment of mixed-use commercial, residential, retail, and we also have to concern ourselves with transportation too.

A special thank you to Kristi Andersen, Director of Communications at MECA, for our Omaha blog interview.

What are your responsibilities as Director of Communications at MECA?

I am responsible for internal and external communications, media relations and social media for MECA, TD Ameritrade Park Omaha and CenturyLink Center Omaha. In addition, I serve as the company spokesperson.

How long might you spend on a given publicity campaign for an event?

It depends on the event and what the event organizer is requesting. Events like the College World Series and Olympic Swim Trials are planned for and publicized months in advance.

You were a TV reporter for 15 years. How did that work prepare you for what you do now? What did you like best about it?

As a journalist, no one day is ever the same. Each day is busy with very little down time. This position is similar. With the hundreds of events we host every year in the facilities, there is never a slow time. I enjoy being busy and connecting with different people every day.

You were Senator Johanns’ press secretary for a year. How did that prepare you and what were your typical duties there?

As a press secretary, I had regular interactions with the press and those relationships have carried over into my position at MECA. It has been helpful in both this position and at MECA to have the real life experience of being a member of the media and having a deep understanding of that industry.

What have been your favorite events at TD Ameritrade Park? At the CenturyLink Center?

At TD Ameritrade Park, the College World Series is the big event. I love that the entire city comes together to showcase Omaha, and I really enjoy meeting the fans from different parts of the country. Each team and their fan base brings a different flavor. There are so many exciting events at CenturyLink Center Omaha. The Swim Trials are electric, and I have really enjoyed being part of the Championship Boxing Matches we have hosted. That event is unique and a lot of fun. Plus, I’m a boxing fan.

What events would you like to see each facility host that they don’t currently host?

I’m not sure. We’ve hosted just about every type of event you can imagine!

What advantages does the CenturyLink Center have over the old Civic Auditorium?

The Civic Auditorium was a wonderful facility that holds a special place in many citizens’ and employees hearts. The CenturyLink Center isn’t better, just different- A new venue with the capabilities to host amazing world-class events.

What advantages does the CenturyLink Center have over the Baxter and Ralston Arenas?

The size, seating capacity and flexibility of space sets the CenturyLink Center apart from other venues both local and national.

What advantages does TD Ameritrade Park have over the old Rosenblatt Stadium, and how does it compete with other stadiums for events?

TD Ameritrade Park is a beautiful state-of-the-art facility and the fact that it is the Home of the College World Series makes a great selling point.

How many people do the facilities that you work with employ?

MECA has just under 100 full-time employees and around 500 part-time employees (event staff). That does not include the employees of the businesses we contract with for cleaning, security, audio/visual services, and food service.

How do these facilities contribute to the growth and economic health of Omaha and the surrounding areas?

TD Ameritrade Park Omaha and CenturyLink Center Omaha are centerpieces of the downtown revitalization efforts, and these venues are economic impact drivers. A 2013 independent Study showed that the CenturyLink Center had already generated nearly $5 billion in economic impact for the City of Omaha in its first 10 years of operation.

The Stinson Concert Series runs Saturday nights. This Omaha event has free concerts running from 7 – 10 pm.

This week’s Omaha Concert features Finest Hour on June 17.

Bring chairs and blankets, an umbrella and coolers, but no glass, tents, or canopies. There’ll be food and drink vendors, as well as face-painting, balloon art, and playground equipment for the kids.

Aksarben Village
67th and Center Streets
Omaha, NE 68106
(402) 850-7515

http://aksarbenvillage.com
http://aksarbenvillage.com/venues/stinson-park