Welcome to Cvent’s Lincoln meeting planning guide – a city guide for Lincoln, Nebraska meeting planning professionals. Rising majestically above the Nebraska prairie, the capital city of Lincoln boasts a diverse economy, comprising such industries as health care, banking, insurance and state government. These in turn generate a healthy amount of business for Lincoln meeting sites—some of which retain the place names and functions of the region's fascinating origins.
Major Midwestern cities like Denver, Minneapolis, St. Louis and Chicago are less than a day's journey via Interstate 80, and both Delta and United Airlines serve Lincoln Airport, seven miles from downtown. Seven domestic airlines serve the larger Omaha Airport, less than an hour's drive northeast. StarTran city buses are efficient, affordable options for getting to and from Lincoln event venues.
Reflecting the area's rural roots, Lancaster Event Center (LEC), six miles east of downtown, offers state-of-the-art facilities for people—and horses. LEC's five interconnected buildings include an 82,500-square-foot, multi-use building for trade shows and other events, pavilions for horse shows and a 90,000-square-foot arena. Another facility, the historic Pershing Center, features 44,000 square feet of versatile space within walking distance of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Hotel meeting space in downtown Lincoln includes the classic elegance of the 287-room Cornhusker Marriott's 10 meeting rooms and 46,000 square feet of space. The Regents Ballroom at the Embassy Suites Lincoln, also downtown, can accommodate up to 1,500. The pet-friendly, Chase Suite Hotel can host smaller groups up to 40 and is only five minutes from downtown.
Alternate event facilities in Lincoln include state-of-the-art Lied Center for the Performing Arts, located downtown and able to host 250 for banquets or 2,200 for keynote events. UNL has the International Quilt Study Center & Museum for 50 or 500 guests, the Sheldon Art Museum's Great Hall for 200 and Morrill Hall, which boasts the world's largest mammoth skeleton. The Haymarket District's DelRay Ballroom & Lounge has 7,000 square feet of space that can accommodate 40 to 600, and its teaching staff can work in dancing lessons during breaks.
For dinner events, The Lodge at Wilderness Ridge, a rustic, Montana-style lodge, has six private rooms and a patio for 900. Downtown, Chez Hay Catering hosts receptions with a bar, dance floor and dining space for 260. Casual meetings for 200 at Brewsky's Food & Spirits in the Haymarket combine practicality and fun.
With great spots for dancing, drinks and dining, there is no shortage of entertainment in the Haymarket, close to the UNL campus. For an out-of-this-world experience, consider gazing at the heavens at the renowned Hyde Memorial Observatory, which is free.
