Take a meeting to Lincoln, Nebraska, and you might just come away with a fever — Husker fever, that is.
Lincoln’s youthful vibe takes its cue from the city’s University of Nebraska campus, where the Cornhuskers football team inspires an intensely devoted fan following. But this city is much more than just a college town. Lincoln’s Railyard entertainment district and Haymarket cater to groups. Venues such as the eye-catching Lied Center for the Performing Arts offer plenty of variety for off-site events.
In a state where farmland and wide open spaces predominate, groups will find nature at the city’s doorstep. A short drive from Lincoln, several outdoor venues offer additional options. Among those, James Arthur Vineyards is tailor-made for meeting space as well as dining and tours.
“As Nebraska’s capital, Lincoln has big-city amenities coupled with small-town ambiance,” said Derek Feyerherm, director of sales and operations for the Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau. “People here are very friendly, and visitors pick up on our down-home atmosphere and the feeling of security that we enjoy in Lincoln.”
Downtown Sophistication
Now in its 26th season, the 2,259-seat Lied Center for the Performing Arts brings the world’s greatest artists to Nebraska. Iconic performances in every art form include Broadway hits, music of all genres and well-known entertainers, plus Nebraska’s top talent. Groups can attend a performance and enjoy a cocktail reception or a catered meal. The spectacular Katherine Hendy Parker Lobby is designed with a floor-to-ceiling glass wall overlooking the University of Nebraska campus with access to a private, outdoor balcony. The area seats 248 for dining or accommodates 400 for a standing reception. The center’s Steinhart Room seats 95 banquet-style and 120 theater-style. The center’s 250-seat black-box theater can be used for dining, presentations and small productions.
Similar to the Lied Center but smaller in scale, the beautifully restored Rococo Theatre hosts breakfast, lunch, dinner and happy hour events. This 1929 gem houses state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment and a full-size movie screen for PowerPoint and film presentations. It accommodates up to 925 standing and 500 seated guests on three levels.
Also downtown, the Haymarket district’s locally owned coffee shops, restaurants and boutiques invite attendees to explore. Wine tastings and wines from James Arthur Vineyards are popular at the From Nebraska Gift Shop. Ivanna Cone serves scrumptious flavors of small-batch ice cream, sherbets and dairy-free sorbets. Paint Yourself Silly offers create-your-own ceramic or fused glass art. And at the Burkholder Project, working studios and galleries continually showcase artwork in progress.
Bordering the Haymarket, the Railyard entertainment district opened in 2013. It boasts a 3,000-square-foot courtyard for 250 that can be rented for private events; in winter, it converts to an ice rink. Surrounding the courtyard are numerous restaurants and boutiques, plus this district boasts live entertainment and a large outdoor screen. In West Haymarket, several hotels have recently opened that are perfect for groups of up to 120. The Courtyard by Marriott offers 155 rooms and just under 3,000 square feet of meeting space, the Hilton Garden Inn has 104 rooms and 2,800 square feet of flexible meeting space, and the Hyatt Place is a 111-room hotel with 1,800 square feet of meeting space.
For large groups and conferences, the Pinnacle Bank Arena is a 16,000-seat venue available for sporting events and meetings. In east Lincoln, the Lancaster Event Center’s 400,541 square feet offers meeting space for five to 5,000 people and uses five interconnected buildings for trade shows, conferences, agricultural events and more.
Husker Nation
Near and dear to the heart of Lincoln, the University of Nebraska offers opportunities for meetings and off-site gatherings. Focusing on American artwork, the university’s Sheldon Museum of Art features six galleries, a permanent collection containing more than 12,000 objects and 12 major annual exhibits by regional and national artists. Always popular, the outdoor Jazz in June series takes place on Tuesday evenings. Especially in summer, the sculpture garden makes a great venue for smaller banquets and receptions. Inside, the museum’s two-story Great Hall can be scheduled for a 120-person dinner or a 200-person catered reception. The Ethel Abbott Auditorium offers a stage and seating for 294, and the Olga Nielsen Sheldon room accommodates 20, ideal for a board meeting.
The Nebraska Innovation Campus Conference Center has a 400-seat auditorium with state-of-the-art audio and visual capabilities; each seat has a table and a power outlet. The facility also includes a 400-seat banquet room and eight breakout rooms. And the university’s Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center offers five meeting rooms ranging from 221 to 1,100 square feet.
Year-round, the Husker Memorial Stadium tour, where the championship football program has made history, begins at the trophy area. Visitors walk through the indoor practice complex, the state-of-the-art strength and conditioning area, and the outdoor practice facilities. Tours include the field and the press box, depending on the practice schedule.
During football season, groups can join the pregame party at the pavilion on the Ed Weir Track. Three hours before kickoff, festivities rev up with music, food and autograph sessions while a giant screen shows nonstop football. And 45 minutes prior to kickoff, the Husker band struts down Stadium Drive and into Memorial Stadium.
“These alternative football events are great for groups, since tickets are only available on a game-by-game basis. Regular season games are sold out, but sometimes tickets do become available,” said Feyerherm.
