The atmosphere throughout the Cornhusker State is welcoming and friendly. Planners who’ve heard about the charm and ease of Midwestern locales and their residents, who’d like their groups to experience that warmth firsthand, should consider booking their next group gathering in Nebraska.
Tricia Beem, assistant director of convention and group sales at the Grand Island/Hall County CVB, echoes the sentiment of CVB representatives from across the state: "Hospitality is our passion, not just a slogan, and a handshake still seals our deals."
As well as an almost tangible embrace, the state’s meetings-ready destinations are all centrally accessible and affordable.
Greater Omaha
Situated in the center of the country at the heart of the Midwest, Omaha offers easy access and affordability from anywhere in the U.S., which makes it an even more appealing destination in today’s economy, according to Dana Markel, executive director of the Omaha CVB.
"Omaha has a flair for customizing the city for each group and exceeding expectations," she says. "Talk with the thousands of international travelers who come to Omaha for Warren Buffet’s annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting, or any of the Olympic athletes in Omaha for the Olympic Swim Trials, or a smaller group in the city for an agriculture conference, and you’ll repeatedly hear how Omaha went above and beyond to make them feel special."
Among Omaha’s meetings players are downtown’s Qwest Center Omaha Convention Center and Arena, the Holiday Inn Omaha Convention Center, Hilton Omaha, Embassy Suites Downtown, the Omaha Marriott, which just completed a $7 million guest room renovation, and the Doubletree Hotel & Executive Meeting Center, which recently finished a $4 million renovation to its guest rooms, lobby, Signatures Restaurant, City Center Pub and pool area.
Additionally, the Holiday Inn Downtown Omaha opened in January with 114 guest rooms and a 10,000-square-foot indoor waterpark; the 134-room Courtyard by Marriott Aksarben Village opened in February and features a multiscreen theater and 1,350 square feet of meeting space; the 132-room, LEED-certified Element by Westin is scheduled to open in 2010 at Mutual of Omaha’s new mixed-use development in Omaha’s historic Midtown neighborhood; and the 24,000-seat TD Ameritrade Park, future site of the NCAA Men’s College World Series, is expected to be completed by spring 2011.
Omaha is also filled with a great mix of off-site venues for group functions.
"Imagine holding a meeting in the middle of the world’s largest indoor rainforest, or under an 850,000-gallon shark tank at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo," Markel says. "There is also the grand hall of the Durham Museum, America’s first Art Deco train station that provides a majestic and historic feel to any meeting, cocktail party or dinner, complete with trackside seating next to historic train cars."
At the Hot Shops Art Center, Markel adds, creative experiences can be customized for each group.
"Learn how to sculpt hot molten glass, mold pottery, play African drums or create metal and wood sculptures," she says, explaining that the interactive art warehouse, where more than 80 studio artists work, is a great place for visitors to learn, watch and create.
Another meetings-friendly locale near Omaha is Fremont, known as eastern Nebraska’s antique capital.
Lincoln
The home of the University of Nebraska makes visitors feel safe and extremely welcome, according to Derek Feyerherm, director of sales at the Lincoln CVB.
"With all the amenities of a large city, the charm of a small town still radiates every time a driver stops to let you cross the street or a local gives a visitor directions when they appear lost," he says. "This sense of goodwill toward all makes us a true destination."
As well as being a friendly city, Lincoln is an affordable destination compared with its competitors, Feyerherm adds.
"Our full-service properties are not only modern and updated, but come with affordable rates," he says.
Among them are The Cornhusker, A Marriott Hotel, located just two blocks from the state capitol, the Embassy Suites Hotel Lincoln, the Holiday Inn-Downtown, the historic Pershing Center, a multipurpose arena, the newly opened Residence Inn by Marriott in southeast Lincoln, the Comfort Suites, which opened in August with 82 guest rooms and one meeting room, and the 83-room Hampton Inn & Suites, which also opened in August.
Lincoln also has a good number of off-site venues that host memorable group events, Feyerherm says.
The Lodge at Wilderness Ridge, set against a stunning backdrop of hills, lakes and waterfalls, hosts meetings of various sizes, and the Apothecary Lofts in the Historic Haymarket, modeled after upscale New York lofts, feature a two-story library, fireplaces and private suites for events accommodating up to 350 people.
Two more options for group gatherings outside of Lincoln are the town of Beatrice to the south and Lied Lodge and Conference Center to the east of the city. Lied Lodge and Conference Center is surrounded by nature, tucked into the 260-acre Arbor Day Farm and owned and operated by the Arbor Day Foundation.
Columbus/Norfolk/South Sioux City
Northwest of Omaha in the eastern portion of the state are three more group-friendly communities: Norfolk, South Sioux City and Columbus.
Much like Lincoln, Norfolk sports a strong Midwestern guest service attitude and work ethic, according to Lora Young, director of the Norfolk/Madison County CVB.
"We’re well-known as friendly and accommodating beyond compare," she says. "Also, the change of seasons and the agricultural setting makes for an interesting landscape, and properties in the community are well-kept and facilities are accommodating."
Norfolk Lodge and Suites at Divots Conference Center is the most group-friendly property in Norfolk, Young says.
"The conference center does an excellent job of servicing groups in a very accommodating manner, very guest-oriented, and will always go the extra mile to get things done," she says.
Norfolk also has Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express properties, as well as the relatively new Time Square Event Center, situated within walking distance of the Holiday Inn and Hampton Inn.
After the meeting in Norfolk, Young recommends visiting Elkhorn Valley Museum, Norfolk Arts Center, TaHaZouka Park and Cuthills Vineyards, which is located in nearby Pierce.
Located on the Missouri River, South Sioux City’s main meetings players are the Marina Inn Conference Center, the newly renovated Marina Inn Exhibit Hall, the Budget Host Inn, America’s Best Value Inn and Econolodge Inn and Suites.
According to Lisa Crow, administrative assistant at the South Sioux City Area COC, the destination also features a number of attractions worth visiting after the meeting, including the Woodland Trails Art Center, a store/art studio located in nearby Ho-Chunk Village in Winnebago that features various works created by Native Americans, and Ponca State Park, which offers an education center, lodging, camping and wildlife watching.
Attractions unique to Columbus include the Andrew Jackson Higgins Memorial, the Platte County Museum, the Quincentenary Belltower, Pawnee Plunge Water Park and a number of golf courses, including Country Shadows Golf Course, featuring a restaurant and lounge.
The two main meetings-equipped properties in Columbus are the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites and the New World Inn & Conference Center.
Central Nebraska
Central Nebraska’s largest city, Grand Island, is located in the beautiful Platte River valley, within a day’s drive of all major Midwest cities and halfway to everywhere in the continental U.S., explains the Grand Island/Hall County CVB’s Beem.
"We’re accessible by highways, byways and flyways," she says.
Grand Island’s meetings players include the Interstate Holiday Inn; Midtown Holiday Inn; Howard Johnson Riverside Inn; and Heartland Events Center at Fonner Park, which will unveil several new spaces, including two exhibition buildings, in preparation for the 2010 Nebraska State Fair.
Two new hotels, the Best Western Grand Island Inn and Suites, and a Holiday Inn Express property, are scheduled to open in March 2010.
"All of our facilities and hotels are group-friendly and work with the CVB on citywide bids," Beem says.
Among Grand Island’s intriguing off-site venues are Babel’s Barn, which hosts up to 300 people; Plum Street Station, a circa-1911 restored Burlington Passenger Depot that accommodates up to 150 people; and the circa-1937 Art Deco Grand Theatre, which seats up to 450 people.
Located in south-central Nebraska, Hastings has the appeal of a small town but offers the variety of a larger city, says Christine Young, services coordinator at Adams County/Visit Hastings CVB.
"Our central location in the state allows us to stand apart from the competition, as well as our more affordable meetings and activities," she says. "We put our hometown charm to work for each and every group and are able to spend more time on catering services and activities specific to each meeting or convention."
The major meetings-ready facilities in Hastings include the Quality Hotel and Convention Center, the City Auditorium and the Adams County Fairgrounds.
"All three facilities offer the best in convention setup and banquet facilities," Young says.
Hastings attractions include the new Motorsport Park racetrack, a two-mile paved road racing course that features races from March through October. The facility also offers go-cart racing as an off-session activity for conventioneers and has function space in its Guardrail Club.
Other popular activities in Hastings include exploring downtown, which is full of shopping and dining opportunities, playing one of three area golf courses, and visiting the Hastings Museum of Natural and Cultural History, home of the JM McDonald Planetarium.
Kearney also boasts an excellent location in Central Nebraska.
"Our ability to be connected to the world via daily air service to Denver International Airport makes hosting regional and national events realistic, and more convenient for those groups contracting with speakers who can fly in and out in a day," says Roger Jasnoch, director of the Kearney Visitors Bureau. "In addition, Kearney’s lodging and convention centers are within close proximity to restaurants and entertainment."
Top among Kearney’s meetings-friendly properties are the Holiday Inn Hotel and Convention Center, the Ramada Inn and Convention Center, the Viaero Event Center and the Buffalo County Fairgrounds.
Kearney’s special off-site venues include the Great Platte River Road Archway, which offers group rates and on-site catering for receptions of up to 400 people, and the Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary, which is situated along the Platte River and offers a natural reception setting for up to 125 people.
North Platte, according to Lisa Burke, executive director at the North Platte/Lincoln County CVB, is "big enough to handle groups of 1,000 or more and yet small enough to still give great customer service."
The home of Buffalo Bill Cody and the world’s largest rail yard, Bailey Yard gives groups a variety of things to do when they are not in meetings, Burke adds. The Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center, an eight-story tower that overlooks Bailey Yard, has space at the top for groups to meet before or after hours.
Western Nebraska
Gering, branded "Western Nebraska’s Great Escape," and Scottsbluff, branded "Landmark Country," are twin cities that share the banks of the North Platte River.
"Gering, Scottsbluff and Western Nebraska surprise meeting planners and delegates visiting for the first time," says Karla Niedan-Streeks, executive director at the Gering CVB. "We offer blue skies, clean air, open spaces, scenery, national landmarks, hospitality, friendly people and affordable meetings."
The area’s standout meeting facilities include the Gering Civic Center, which expects to complete an internal renovation project by December, including the expansion of its grand ballroom, the Monument Inn and Suites, and Scottsbluff’s Hampton Inn and Suites Conference Center.
Notable off-site contenders for group gatherings in Nebraska’s twin cities include Gering’s Five Rocks Amphitheater, which is often booked for chuck wagon cookouts, receptions, evening movies and concerts, and Scottsbluff’s recently restored, circa-1946 Midwest Theater, which accommodates up to 750 people for presentations or performances.
When meeting in Gering or Scottsbluff, planners should pencil in time to get attendees outside.
Area attractions include Scotts Bluff National Monument, Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area and Nature Trails, and golf at Gering’s Monument Shadows Golf Course and Scottsbluff’s Riverview Golf and Country Club.
