Living-History Events
One of the most popular off-site venues is the Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer, especially from May through September, when the 200-acre arboretum comes to life. Costumed interpreters inhabit the site’s historic buildings in this living-history museum. Historical homes that are available to tour include the cottage where actor and native son Henry Fonda was born.
“The museum is a beautiful place for a reception,” said Beem. It was designed by architect Edward Durell Stone, who also designed the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
“It is a real surprise to people,” said Beem. “There is no reason to expect something like that here on the prairie.”
Another popular off-site venue is the Riverside Golf Club, which can seat up to 500 people for dinner in a new banquet space.
Grand Island’s 1937 Art Deco theater, which recently completed a $900,000 renovation, seats 450 and features state-of-the-art sound and lights. “It is a great place for corporate meetings, training videos and speeches,” said Beem.
Though most meetings there are Nebraska groups, Beem said that the facilities added to Fonner Park for the state fair are creating a national buzz.
“Folks who have found us find the facilities to be wonderful and rave about them,” Beem said. “And for a town of only 50,000, Grand Island has amenities that are usually found only in larger cities. We have more than 100 restaurants, the retail shopping is terrific, and we have a number of attractions.”
There is another draw.
“It is one of the most affordable places to hold a meeting, from the food, shops, hotels and parking,” said Beem. “March is the perfect time to hold a meeting here. It’s when the sandhill cranes are in town.”
But while the birds crowd the skies, they leave hotel rooms for human guests.
Kearney and Grand Island, Nebraska
Access:
Kearney – Interstate 80, U.S. 30, U.S. 44, Kearney Regional Airport
Grand Island – Interstate 80, U.S. 30, U.S. 34/281, Central Nebraska Regional Airport
Major meeting spaces:
Kearney – Younes Conference Center
Grand Island – Heartland Events Center, Bosselman Conference Center, State Fair Exhibition Center
Hotel Rooms:
Kearney – More than 1,600
Grand Island – 1,800
Offsite Venues:
Kearney – The Archway, Museum of Nebraska Art, Classic Car Museum
Grand Island – Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer, Riverside Golf Club
Contact Info:
Kearney Visitors Bureau
800-652-9435
www.visitkearney.org
Grand Island/Hall County Convention and Visitors Bureau
800-658-3178
www.visitgrandisland.com