Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 100,376	$ 145,841
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,072 and $1,172, respectively	63,583	47,187
Inventories	35,825	38,670
Deferred income taxes	24,200	22,057
Other current assets	14,647	17,160
Total current assets	238,631	270,915
Property and equipment, net	173,813	149,346
Other investments and assets	31,051	31,363
Deferred income taxes	38,755	35,875
Goodwill	133,694	127,441
Other intangible assets, net	1,884	1,563
Total Assets	617,828	616,503
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	51,448	47,933
Other current liabilities	97,331	96,749
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	2,018	6,639
Total current liabilities	150,797	151,321
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	1,221	2,438
Pension and postretirement benefits	35,419	33,008
Other deferred items and liabilities	44,212	43,025
Total liabilities	231,649	229,792
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 18 and 19)
Viad Corp stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $1.50 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 24,934,981 shares issued	37,402	37,402
Additional capital	599,188	606,902
Retained deficit	(13,256)	(19,229)
Unearned employee benefits and other	(2,951)	(4,433)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain on investments	222	282
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments	34,648	38,979
Unrecognized net actuarial loss and prior service credit	(12,977)	(10,410)
Common stock in treasury, at cost, 4,790,920 and 4,710,988 shares, respectively	(264,382)	(270,534)
Total Viad Corp stockholders' equity	377,894	378,959
Noncontrolling interest	8,285	7,752
Total stockholders' equity	386,179	386,711
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$ 617,828	$ 616,503