Alcohol is available to the general public for the first time at this year's College World Series, and a TD Ameritrade Park spokesperson said that sales "ran smoothly" this weekend, according to Roseann Moring of the OMAHA WORLD-HERALD. Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority officials have said that their staff was "prepared to sell alcohol because it's already done at other events." Alcohol was available at all "eight fixed concession stands on the main concourse, two more that serve the grandstand on the upper level, six temporary kiosks, and stands for those in premium seats." MECA Dir of Communications Kristi Andersen said that she thought lines were "relatively short because there were plenty of places to buy alcohol." Levy Restaurants "declined to release figures on beer sales" (OMAHA WORLD-HERALD, 6/19).
FAMILY FUN: In Omaha, Michael Shoro noted the MECA this year is hosting a "new fan festival outside CenturyLink Center," meant to complement the "longer-running traditional fan fest nearer TD Ameritrade Park." MECA is renting out three bungalows in front of the convention center for what it calls a "first-class tailgating and corporate hospitality experience." Each air-conditioned bungalow rents for $2,500 per game and "comes with indoor and outdoor televisions and patio furniture" (OMAHA WORLD-HERALD, 6/18). Also in Omaha, Steve Jordon noted the CWS is sharing the market this month with the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials at CenturyLink Center. The two events could generate $50M worth of national TV exposure and an "estimated 380 million audience 'impressions.'" Omaha Convention & Visitors Bureau VP/Marketing & Communications Deb Ward said, "It's huge for us because we don't have to pay for that kind of exposure" (OMAHA WORLD-HERALD, 6/20).
