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The Berkshire-Hathaway convention has area restaurants and first responders preparing for the crowds

Posted at 5:42 AM, May 01, 2019
and last updated 2019-05-01 06:42:11-04

OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — In the days to come the streets of Omaha are expected to be filled with thousands of people from all over the world for the Berkshire-Hathaway Convention. All those extra people mean extra business for some area restaurants and extra hours for our first responders.

More than 42,000 people attended last year's convention. And this year we expect to see those same big numbers. "It's gonna be a wonderful weekend and it's a great thing for Omaha,” said Gene Dunn, Gorat’s Steakhouse owner.

When you think of Berkshire-Hathaway you probably think about Warren Buffett. But another place that may come to mind is Gorat's. “It's sorta like Christmas, you're happy to see it come and you're happy to see it go, it's a tremendous amount of work,” said Dunn. Gorat’s started taking reservations February first and by April they were over half booked. “We sold out quicker this year, than we ever have,” said Dunn.

During the three-day period they expect to serve about 2600 people and over 1,000 T-bones and filets. “We start probably about a month ago figuring out exactly what we are gonna be needing and get that ordered,” said Dunn. And the extra business means they need extra hands.

Another place needing extra hands is the Omaha Police Department. “We have a presence in the area that includes officers that are on the street, traffic officers that are maintaining the traffic flow around the CHI Center as well as security personnel that are located within the venue itself to keep all patrons safe,” said Lt. John Sokolik, Omaha Police Department. The biggest prep they do involves protecting cars in front of the CHI Health Center. “That's a threat that we're aware of and we're prepared for, so we place these concrete barriers here to prevent that sort of thing,” said Sokolik.

But the extra traffic is worth the business the conference brings to Omaha. The Berkshire- Hathaway convention kicks off Friday with the shareholder shopping at the CHI Health Center. And the Borsheims reception.