The Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority (MECA) is a nonprofit organization responsible for operating CHI Health Center Omaha and Charles Schwab Field in Omaha. The CHI Health Center Omaha is an arena and convention center located in the North Downtown neighborhood of Omaha, Nebraska. Established in 2003, it serves as a venue for sports events, meetings, concerts, seminars, and private functions. The facility includes a convention center and arena, providing event planning, catering, audiovisual services, and a banquet facility. With a seating capacity of over 18,000, the arena hosts tournaments for various sports and concerts, offering more than 30 luxury suites and nearly 1,000 club seats.
The Nebraska Balloon & Wine Festival attracts over six million spectators to hundreds of balloon events nationwide annually. During the "glow," pilots simultaneously ignite their burners, causing the colorful balloon envelopes to illuminate against the dark sky and the lake's reflection. Balloons are inflated with giant fans before the pilot ignites the burner, causing the balloon to rise. The allure of ballooning lies in needing to know where the air currents will take you, as pilots cannot steer the balloon precisely and may land miles from their launch site. Like successful events in California and Virginia, the Nebraska Balloon & Wine Festival captures and sustains attention, exceeding other outdoor summer activities such as baseball games and car races.