At once a progressive and thriving city that understands the importance of today's tourism and convention industries, Nebraska's state capital is also steeped in rich traditions and history.
For starters, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln was established in 1869 and to this day churns out successful graduates and loyal Cornhusker fans—the excitement around town during football season is almost palpable.
And while many cities tear down their historic infrastructure, according to Derek Feyerherm, director of sales and operations at the Lincoln CVB, Lincoln is a city where groups can enjoy Midwest architecture at its finest.
"We understand the importance and beauty of these turn-of-the-century facilities and choose to reuse them," he says. "Due to this, visitors get a hometown feel when they come to Lincoln, which is welcoming versus other cities in the Midwest that sometimes have a sterile feel that doesn't embrace visitors."
Lincoln also understands the importance of highlighting its local cultural offerings, and during any month on the calendar meeting planners are encouraged to organize a conference or event around a unique happening that does just that, Feyerherm says.
Some options to consider include Saturdays from May through October, when delegates can visit the Farmers Market in the Historic Haymarket District; Tuesdays in June, when they can gather by the Sheldon Museum of Art for an evening of jazz, art and food; and the first Friday of each month, when local galleries throughout Lincoln open their doors and artists are available to answer questions and share the inspiration behind their works.
What's Old Is New
From a train depot to a livery stable, Lincoln boasts intriguing, storied facilities that have been revamped and are available for off-site events.
"These meeting facilities are primarily in the downtown and historic Haymarket area," Feyerherm says, adding that Lincoln has taken great pride in restoring its historic buildings.
One is the Grand Manse, a turn-of-the-20th century federal courthouse, which is elegantly modern with all the necessary tech-advanced amenities in its Grand Hall and accommodates events of up to 250 people, and Jasmine Room, hosting up to 650 people.
The Grand Hall, a former courtroom, lives up to its name with original leather-upholstered entry doors that open onto a marble foyer, 24-foot-tall oak walls, ornate crown molding, murals and the original judge's bench, which has been transformed into a full-service bar. The Jasmine Room features an antique bar, French doors that open onto a patio and sky-lit ceilings.
Situated on the western edge of Lincoln's Historic Haymarket District is the circa-1927 Lincoln Station train depot, a suitable spot for events accommodating up to 425 people. It houses the aptly named Great Hall, once a waiting room and ticket office with dramatic marble floors and 19-foot-high ceilings.
The Green Gateau's Windsor Stables Reception Center, which seats up to 280 people, makes meeting in a livery stable an entirely acceptable affair. The circa-1890 space has been restored in an English equestrian manner that brings a certain charm to events.
The Apothecary Lofts, a former warehouse, has been modeled to mirror an upscale New York loft space. Highlights of these two lofts, which are situated adjacent to each other and can be used in conjunction to seat up to 350 people, are a two-story library, fireplaces and private suites.
Finally, the Rococo Theatre is a historic venue that was restored to its 1929 glory after being used as a movie theater during the 1970s. Today, it hosts everything from performances to intimate gatherings and large cocktail parties, and guests often enthusiastically comment on the ornate decorations throughout the facility.
Meet and Greet
Lincoln, according to Feyerherm, can easily accommodate events as small as a 10-person board retreat and as large as an 8,000-person convention.
"In 2010, 92 percent of all business booked by the Lincoln CVB was regional or national, which demonstrates that meeting and event planners are taking notice of our city," he says.
While Lincoln does not have a traditional convention center, there is ample function space in hotels and other venues in the area.
Among the standby group-friendly hotels are the historic Cornhusker Marriott, which boasts more than 46,000 square feet of versatile meeting space, the Embassy Suites Lincoln, with 20,000 square feet of event space, and the Holiday Inn Lincoln-Downtown, with 14,000 square feet of space.
The Lodge at Wilderness Ridge, located adjacent to Lincoln's Wilderness Park and sporting an 18-hole championship golf course, hosts meetings of various sizes in its handsomely rustic spaces featuring everything from hand-cut floors to custom-made chandeliers and furnishings.
The majority of Lincoln's conference hotels are located in the downtown area, Feyerherm says, but east Lincoln is represented by the GuestHouse Inn, Suites and Conference Center, with more than 6,000 square feet of space; the north by Country Inn & Suites by Carlson Lincoln-North, with nearly 4,000 square feet of meeting space; and new to Lincoln in the past year is the Holiday Inn Lincoln Southwest, a full-service property with 3,000 square feet of meeting space.
The Lancaster Event Center, while primarily an agricultural facility, hosts a variety of events during the year, as does downtown's historic Pershing Center, a multipurpose arena that includes a main arena, an exhibition hall and meeting space totaling more than 50,000 square feet.
Last year, Lincoln's citizens approved a 16,000-seat arena that is currently under construction, Feyerherm adds, explaining that the $344 million development will provide new dining and retail opportunities in the historic Haymarket District.
Slated to open in fall 2013, the yet-unnamed arena will be part of the Lincoln Sports Triangle, which includes Memorial Stadium, where the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Cornhuskers play football, and Haymarket Park, where the Huskers and Lincoln Saltdogs play baseball.
Roughly 45 miles east of Lincoln in Nebraska City is the IACC-certified, 144-room Lied Lodge & Conference Center, with more than 14,000 square feet of function space and an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course.
Off-Session Pursuits
Lincoln is a sports town affectionately referred to as Nebraska's sporting capital. According to Feyerherm, there are many sport-centric opportunities for visiting groups.
"It is difficult to get tickets to see the Huskers, as Nebraska continues to hold the NCAA record for most consecutive sellouts at Memorial Stadium," he says. "Visitors, however, can enjoy the Lincoln Saltdogs, who belong to the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball."
Feyerherm explains groups can rent out picnic areas along the first base line and have catered meals before enjoying the game.
"During the winter months, the Lincoln Stars are a popular attraction," he adds. "This team competes in the United States Hockey League and plays in The Ice Box, where there is no bad seat."
There is also a number of options year-round for groups comprising attendees who'd like to get in on the action and off the sidelines, including cross-country skiing, fishing, bowling, golf and miniature golf, ice skating and sledding.
Interesting attractions to visit that aren't related to sports are plentiful in Lincoln as well.
During its early years, most who immigrated to Lincoln were Germans from Russia. The American Historical Society of Germans from Russia Museum commemorates this by offering visitors an opportunity to learn about this mass migration.
Another attraction that groups should visit to understand what Nebraska was like before it was settled is the Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center, Feyerherm says. This facility offers more than 800 acres of pristine tall-grass prairie and has wagon trail ruts from the Oregon Trail.
The Lied Center for Performing Arts, located on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's city campus, offers a full calendar of entertaining shows and concerts, as well as a variety of meeting spaces, including the lobbies for the balcony, orchestra and main level.
"Each of these areas opens up to a wall of windows that overlooks our university campus," Feyerherm says.
Lincoln also has some fantastic and, of course, delicious local eateries that folks frequent each time they visit.
Among them is Runza, a fast-food establishment located throughout Lincoln and Nebraska where visitors are encouraged to try the signature sandwich of Russian/German descent, consisting of beef, cabbage, onions and seasonings.
At Lazlo's Brewery and Grill, located in Lincoln and Omaha, guests will enjoy "creative comfort food," including burgers, barbecued baby back ribs, nachos and buffalo wings, as well as craft beers from the Lincoln-based Empyrean Brewing Company. The restaurant has two private dining rooms, one for up to 20 people and one for up to 70.
Carolyn Blackburn is a frequent contributor to Meetings Focus MidAmerica.
