Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Revenues:
Convention and event services	$ 670,054	$ 590,444	$ 582,969
Exhibits and environments	170,496	166,040	147,533
Travel and recreation services	101,814	88,277	75,302
Total revenues	942,364	844,761	805,804
Costs and expenses:
Costs of services	752,679	656,315	636,249
Costs of products sold	164,309	173,690	165,367
Corporate activities	7,682	6,422	5,607
Interest income	(779)	(584)	(579)
Interest expense	1,511	1,835	1,690
Restructuring charges	3,782	4,222	14,054
Goodwill impairment losses			98,304
Intangible asset impairment losses		185	14,005
Other impairment losses		117	4,554
Total costs and expenses	929,184	842,202	939,251
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	13,180	2,559	(133,447)
Income tax expense (benefit)	3,888	1,742	(28,639)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	9,292	817	(104,808)
Income from discontinued operations	451	262	679
Net income (loss)	9,743	1,079	(104,129)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(533)	(636)	(582)
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad	9,210	443	(104,711)
Diluted income (loss) per common share
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Viad common stockholders	$ 0.43	$ 0.01	$ (5.28)
Income from discontinued operations attributable to Viad common stockholders	$ 0.02	$ 0.01	$ 0.03
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad common stockholders	$ 0.45	$ 0.02	$ (5.25)
Weighted-average outstanding and potentially dilutive common shares	20,055	20,277	19,960
Basic income (loss) per common share
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Viad common stockholders	$ 0.43	$ 0.01	$ (5.28)
Income from discontinued operations attributable to Viad common stockholders	$ 0.02	$ 0.01	$ 0.03
Net income (loss) attributable to Viad common stockholders	$ 0.45	$ 0.02	$ (5.25)
Weighted-average outstanding common shares	19,719	19,955	19,960
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.16	$ 0.16	$ 0.16
Amounts attributable to Viad common stockholders
Income (loss) from continuing operations	8,759	181	(105,390)
Income from discontinued operations	451	262	679
Net income (loss)	$ 9,210	$ 443	$ (104,711)