Dedicated to the highest quality of shows bringing business and people together. For over 50 years !
Mid-America Expositions, Inc., was launched by the overwhelming success of the Company’s first event, Queen For A Day, which drew over 50,000 women to the Omaha Civic Auditorium in November of 1964. The Event, produced by the late Bob Mancuso, Sr., was the beginning of a number of excellent events. For nearly 50 years, Mid-America has kept products rolling and people strolling through Omaha’s numerous indoor and outdoor venues with events like the Farm and Ag Expo, Omaha Home & Garden Expo, Taste of Omaha, and the Nebraska Balloon & Wine Festival—events that have become long-standing traditions, drawing families from all over the Midwest that Bob Sr.’s three sons Mike, Joe & Bob Jr. continue to produce and promote today.
Bob Mancuso Sr.
Our Father, Mentor and Founder of Mid-America Expositions.
September 20, 1933 – March 9th, 2015
Mike Mancuso
Joe Mancuso
Bob Mancuso Jr.
Bob Mancuso,Sr. began producing the Omaha Home & Garden Expo at the Omaha Civic Auditorium in 1967 which filled the Arena with Exhibits and became the largest single event held each year at the Omaha Civic Auditorium occupying the entire building with 3 levels of exhibit space, Assembly Hall exhibits and stage shows in the Music Hall. The Show’s success later led to the formation of the Fall Home & Garden Expo in 1989 which is held annually.
Bob Mancuso, Sr. began the Omaha Products Show in 1965 and by 1969 the show had grown to over 350 exhibits and the largest business and industrial show in the country. With such success and requests, Mid-America Expositions began producing Products Shows for Business & Industry in regional areas throughout the Midwest. including Kansas City, Missouri in 1970, Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1971, St. Paul, Minnesota in 1972, Lincoln, Nebraska in 1980, Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1983, Denver, Colorado in 1986, Sioux City, Iowa in 1988 and launched the Des Moines, Iowa Show in 2006.
In 1998, Mid America Expositions launched the Taste of Omaha “A Festival of Great Foods & Entertainment” which was met with exceptional enthusiasm. The Taste of Omaha has established itself as a unique community celebration and an annual signature event for the City of Omaha.
In 1999, launched the Omaha Lawn, Flower & Patio Show, as the Largest Gardening Event of the Year with Blooming Flowers, Landscaping ideas as well as Home – Garden and Outdoor Living Displays. In 2002 Mid-America Expositions, Inc. combined the #1 Home & Garden Show, Omaha Home & Garden Expo with the #2 Home & Garden Show, Omaha Lawn, Flower & Patio Show to become the largest Home & Garden Event in Omaha’s History moving to the all new Qwest Convention Center.
To date, Mid-America Expositions, Inc., has moved several Omaha Shows which were held at the Omaha Civic Auditorium to the CHI Health Center or Baxter Arena continuing these annual events and becoming the largest user of the CHI Health Convention Center.
In 2007, Mid-America launched a successful Nebraska Balloon & Wine Festival in August and the Annual Omaha Health Expo “Mind, Body & Spirit Fair” Now at the Baxter Arena in April.
The Greater Omaha Sports Committee is also very involved with producing and/or promoting several civic activities, sporting and special events throughout the Omaha Area. Bob Mancuso, Jr is the Chairman. Some of these have included the Outland Trophy Award Dinner Sponsored by Werner Enterprises, Outland Award Semi- Finalist Announcement Reception, Greater Omaha Sports Committee Scholar Athlete Awards Luncheons and All State Award Luncheons, Corporate Cycling Challenge Bicycle Ride, Annual Golf Scramble, Midwest Grand Fondo, Omaha Biathlon and in the past were a big part in the Big Eight Women’s Volleyball Championships, Big Eight Softball, National Bowling Events, Cornhusker State Games, County Fairs, Disney On Parade, Harlem Globetrotters, Omaha Racers, KC – Omaha Kings, Ringling Brothers and Shrine Circuses, Sesame Street Live, Septemberfest, WestFair, NBA Exhibition Games, Japan – USA Games, and US Hot Rod Association Truck and Tractor Championships, to name a few.
Whether producing a trade show where buyers and sellers in an industry can get together or promoting a special event that offers an opportunity for people to spectate or participate, Mid-America Expositions, Inc. is dedicated to the highest quality of shows and has been bringing business and people together for over 50 years !
Articles about the Company
The Mancuso’s Story – An Interview at the Nebraska Balloon & Wine Festival
Greater Omaha Chamber Small Business of the Month for June, 2010
Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Member since 1964
Greater Omaha Chamber Small Business of the Year for 2010
The Family Behind the Fun – Her Magazine