Whether it’s a backdrop of exquisite quilts from around the world or a gleaming collection of sleek and sexy racing cars, the settings for events in Lincoln are anything but dull. Groups can mingle with Humboldt penguins, dine among art treasures in a landmark Phillip Johnson-designed atrium, explore a rare stretch of tall grass prairie or be kids in a candy store as they sample licorice varieties from around the world.
Adding to the excitement is a downtown renaissance that is bringing in new hotels, restaurants, condos, shopping options and venues such as the spectacular Pinnacle Bank Arena. A lot of these enhancements are taking place in the city’s former railyard known as the West Haymarket, which also includes a spacious brick plaza for festivals and other events.
“The West Haymarket is having a great positive impact on the city, making it a place where young people graduating from the University of Nebraska want to stay and contribute their talents,” says Jeff Maul, executive director of the Lincoln CVB. “As a bonus, this also makes us even more attractive for meetings.”
Here is a sampling of some of the great venue and activity choices Lincoln has to offer.
The Pinnacle Bank Arena, the cornerstone of Lincoln’s $344 million West Haymarket Redevelopment Project, opened last September, giving the city a new venue not only for concerts and sports events, but everything from general assemblies to corporate events. Its largest upcoming convention gathering will be the Women of Faith Revival Tour in October, attracting over 10,000 delegates to a two-day event.
“The Pinnacle Arena is opening up a lot of new possibilities for us with conventions, particularly in the religious market which is a very strong one for us,” Maul says. “For instance, the Women of Faith had told us they were interested if we had the space—now they can meet here.”
The 15,147-seat arena is a flexible space where seats can be retracted to create large open floor space for trade shows and banquets. Spaces for receptions include the Capitol Terrace, which can accommodate outdoor events such as tailgating parties, and the Stadium Terrace Club Lounge, which includes screens to display sponsor information and seating areas both within the lounge and overlooking the arena floor.
Lincoln Children’s Zoo
Far from kid’s stuff, the Lincoln Children’s Zoo is one of the city’s most engaging areas for receptions and other events. The 10-acre zoo is home to such rare and intriguing species as Humboldt penguins, Amur leopards, tree kangaroos, pygmy marmosets, red pandas, meerkats and more.
“We do a lot of corporate events here, and adults are just as enchanted as the children are,” says John Chapo, president and CEO of the zoo. “You can do lunch and a zoo tour. Or have a reception where we can arrange for experiences with the animals. We can bring out a bobcat, a penguin or a reindeer. We’ve even had a giant sloth to greet guests.”
The zoo is also the scene of scheduled evening events for adults, including Blues and Brews, which will be held July 13. The event will feature live blues music and the chance to sample a wide variety of local craft beers.
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Sheldon Museum of Art
A stunning landmark building designed by Philip Johnson on the University of Nebraska campus, the Sheldon Museum of Art features changing exhibitions and an important permanent collection of American art with works by Georgia O’Keeffe, Mary Cassatt, Edward Hopper, Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock and others.
The Great Hall, a grand two-story entrance to the museum, accommodates receptions for up to 300 people and banquets for up to 150. Outdoor events can take place in the Sculpture Garden, a sunken garden on the south side of the museum with works by major artists such as Claes Oldenburg, Richard Serra and William Zorach,
For concerts, seminars and events that require audiovisual, the museum also offers the 299-seat Ethel S. Abbott Auditorium, which also can include a concert grand piano. There is also a meeting room accommodating groups of 30 or less.
International Quilt Study Center & Museum
A dazzling array of colorful textiles from around the world is the highlight of this museum on the University of Nebraska campus. Three galleries showcase changing exhibitions drawn from a collection of more than 3,500 quilts, spanning cultures from colonial America to contemporary central and Southeast Asia.
Additional displays feature sewing and quilting tools, doll quilts and a discovery cart with hands-on displays of quilting techniques. A virtual gallery allows visitors to design a quilt, browse the digital collection and record their own quilt stories.
“Many people are surprised to find how widespread quilt making is in cultures around the world,” says Laura Chapman, museum spokeswoman.
The LEED-certified museum accommodates receptions for 200 people in a soaring space adjacent to the galleries with circular windows overlooking a garden planted in quilt designs. A seminar room with audiovisual equipment accommodates up to 100 people for meetings and luncheons.
