Black Meetings & Tourism - Kalahari Resort Named Business of The Year

Industry Briefs
Kalahari Resort Named Business of The Year
The Erie County Chamber of Commerce has named Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio as the 2010 Business of the Year, recognizing the 884-room resort's growth and community support. Expansion Highlights - Since opening in May 2005, Kalahari Resort has embarked on a number of major expansions totaling $77 million. In June 2006, the resort marked its one-year anniversary by unveiling an impressive, newly expanded 77,000-sq. ft. outdoor waterpark featuring a wide array of new amenities including, luxurious African-styled private bungalows. Just two months later, the resort opened a 100,000-sq. ft. conference and events center that made Kalahari Resort-Ohio the only stand-alone hotel and meetings facility of its kind in the region. Kalahari Resort more than doubled the size of its indoor waterpark in January 2008 making the resort home to the largest indoor waterpark in the U.S. at 173,000 sq. ft. New features included the world's largest behemoth bowl, mat racers, a second FlowRider surfing ride and much more. That same month the resort also added 96 additional three-key condos (288 guest rooms) which made it the largest hotel in the state of Ohio at 884 rooms. Last summer the authentically African-themed resort teamed with renowned animal expert and director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo, Jack Hanna, to unveil its Safari Adventures Animal Park featuring up close and personal encounters with African animals including giraffes, zebras and more. Kalahari's most recent expansion, which opened on Memorial Day weekend this year, took its unique indoor vacation concept to the great outdoors with the unveiling of the new African-themed Safari Outdoor Adventure Park featuring a thrilling zip line tour, ropes course, climbing walls and more. Community Contributions - Beyond waterparks, Kalahari Resort is dedicated to philanthropic giving and working closely with non-profit organizations that serve the local community. Kalahari serves as the host of annual fundraising events, such as the United Way of Erie County's Duck Derby, a toy duck race to benefit United Way and the Sandusky Main Street Association. Additionally, through a multitude of ongoing philanthropic activities, Kalahari supports organizations including the Make A Wish Foundation, American Cancer Society and Multiple Sclerosis Society, Kick It, Second Harvest, among others. Each year, close to 100 schools, bands, and sports teams take advantage of Kalahari Resort's fundraiser nights and earn thousands of dollars for under-funded program. Additionally, Kalahari Field, a new synthetic sports field at Huron High School in Huron, Ohio opened thanks to contributions of $500,000 in cash, in-kind donations and fundraising events donated by Kalahari Resort.

Industry Briefs

Kalahari Resort Named Business of The Year

The Erie County Chamber of Commerce has named Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio as the 2010 Business of the Year, recognizing the 884-room resort's growth and community support.

Expansion Highlights - Since opening in May 2005, Kalahari Resort has embarked on a number of major expansions totaling $77 million. In June 2006, the resort marked its one-year anniversary by unveiling an impressive, newly expanded 77,000-sq. ft. outdoor waterpark featuring a wide array of new amenities including, luxurious African-styled private bungalows. Just two months later, the resort opened a 100,000-sq. ft. conference and events center that made Kalahari Resort-Ohio the only stand-alone hotel and meetings facility of its kind in the region.

Kalahari Resort more than doubled the size of its indoor waterpark in January 2008 making the resort home to the largest indoor waterpark in the U.S. at 173,000 sq. ft. New features included the world's largest behemoth bowl, mat racers, a second FlowRider surfing ride and much more. That same month the resort also added 96 additional three-key condos (288 guest rooms) which made it the largest hotel in the state of Ohio at 884 rooms.

Last summer the authentically African-themed resort teamed with renowned animal expert and director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo, Jack Hanna, to unveil its Safari Adventures Animal Park featuring up close and personal encounters with African animals including giraffes, zebras and more.

Kalahari's most recent expansion, which opened on Memorial Day weekend this year, took its unique indoor vacation concept to the great outdoors with the unveiling of the new African-themed Safari Outdoor Adventure Park featuring a thrilling zip line tour, ropes course, climbing walls and more.

Community Contributions - Beyond waterparks, Kalahari Resort is dedicated to philanthropic giving and working closely with non-profit organizations that serve the local community. Kalahari serves as the host of annual fundraising events, such as the United Way of Erie County's Duck Derby, a toy duck race to benefit United Way and the Sandusky Main Street Association. Additionally, through a multitude of ongoing philanthropic activities, Kalahari supports organizations including the Make A Wish Foundation, American Cancer Society and Multiple Sclerosis Society, Kick It, Second Harvest, among others. Each year, close to 100 schools, bands, and sports teams take advantage of Kalahari Resort's fundraiser nights and earn thousands of dollars for under-funded program. Additionally, Kalahari Field, a new synthetic sports field at Huron High School in Huron, Ohio opened thanks to contributions of $500,000 in cash, in-kind donations and fundraising events donated by Kalahari Resort.