By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
More than 140 vendors attended the 76th Omaha International Boat Sports and Travel Show in Nebraska over the final week of February. Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau staff were among the vendors greeting the many thousands of visitors at the show. Director Christina Hayes said CBV's goal at the show was to promote the weekend getaway.
"Numbers were similar to last year," she said. "We had direct contact with about 2,055 people, and 649 of them were kids. What's great about that is we have a partnership with Kansas Wetlands Education Center. We do a little egg activity, so it does keep them at our booth for 3-5 minutes as they do that little activity with us. It does help us create conversations and ways for them to have a fun family getaway."
CVB staff chooses the Omaha show each year because the largest city in Nebraska is less than five hours from Great Bend. Visitors at the show are the type that would enjoy the bird-watching, hunting, and outdoor activities that Great Bend and the surrounding area offer. This year, the CVB had even more activities to promote.
"One thing that was different this year is that many, many people stopped and we were talking about the Airfest. I truly am excited to see if our online ticket sales from Omaha are higher. We're excited to see what's next, and it's just an overall great annual show for the CVB to represent Great Bend."
The Omaha International Boat Sports and Travel Show was held from Feb. 22-25 this year. Other vendors sold hunting gear, resort trips, and marine goods.