This afternoon in downtown Omaha, Hyatt representatives were joined by Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman, Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle, and Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce President and CEO David Brown to officially break ground on Hyatt Place Omaha Downtown/Old Market, the first Hyatt-branded hotel in Nebraska.

The 159-room Hyatt Place Omaha Downtown/Old Market will be located in the Old Market District, Omaha's eclectic gallery, dining, and nightlife scene andits design will reflect the historic architecture of Old Market.

Hyatt has been a part of the Omaha community for 40 years with the Worldwide Reservation Center, which has grown from just 14 associates in 1972 to 650 associates today! Here, our associates help guests with reservations every day of the year, and they couldn't be more excited to introduce the city to Hyatt Place. More than 100 associates put their names in a raffle to attend the event, and 20 were chosen to sit front row to watch the first official shovel scoop! See what they had to say:

"Omaha is home of the College World Series, Henry Doorly Zoo, Air Force Strategic Command, the best reservations team, and soon a Hyatt Place!"

- Frank Ermel, Voice Operations Associate

"I'm excited to finally have a Hyatt-branded hotel in my city! Now we have a great venue for friends and family to stay when they visit."

- Cathi Draper, Sales Manager, Hyatt Worldwide Sales Office

It's clear that Hyatt Place Omaha Downtown/Old Market will be worth the wait. Photos of today's groundbreaking (check out those awesome Hyatt Place shovels!) are below. We wish Hyatt Place Omaha Downtown/Old Market the best during its construction process, and can't wait to take you back to Nebraska for the official opening.