As National Travel and Tourism Week approaches on May 19 – 24, I wanted to dedicate this column to highlighting the incredible work of our Visit Lincoln team. Together, they serve as the driving force behind our success as both a travel destination and as a host to countless events and conferences. I am so proud of the work they do to support our hotels, restaurants, attractions and local retail establishments – just to name a few.
At the heart of Visit Lincoln’s mission is the commitment to creatively tell the story of our city, enticing locals, travelers, meeting planners and event attendees to explore everything our city has to offer. From historical landmarks and a vibrant art scene to exceptional restaurants and award-winning attractions, they ensure our unique narrative reaches audiences across the country. The success of their efforts is reflected in the number of diverse regional and national events they bring to our community. These include state education conferences like DECA, FFA and FCCLA, sporting events like the NSAA State High School Tournaments and Gravel World, and other niche events such as Sports Car Club of America and the Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses District Convention, which alone brings over 5,000 people to Lincoln each year. Our team at the Lincoln Visitors Center also serves as a valuable resource to visitors, offering information to ensure their time in Lincoln is memorable.
However, Visit Lincoln’s impact on our city transcends visitor and event recruitment. The team’s dedication to cultivating a lively community is also reflected in initiatives like Lincoln Craft Beer Week and Lincoln Coffee Week, which collectively distributed over 6,000 tour passports throughout our city. These inventive local events not only showcase the best of what Lincoln has to offer, but also provide opportunities for visitors and locals to support the incredible establishments that comprise our local business community.
The team has also been integral to the development of the Sandhills Global Youth Complex, collaborating with other community stakeholders to ensure its success. Their leadership has been evident throughout the planning, fundraising and development phases of this incredible project, which will position Lincoln as a premier destination for youth sports for years to come. Additionally, Visit Lincoln has been actively involved with Assemble Lincoln on plans for a downtown Lincoln convention center, recognizing its potential to attract a diverse range of events to further boost our local economy. Through strategic local and national partnerships, they are working hard to bring this project to fruition and recently announced the selection of Populous, in collaboration with Clark & Enersen, as the architectural team for the project. Collectively, projects like these will enhance our city’s appeal to visitors, athletes, conferences and trade shows, ensuring its long-term prosperity.
I hope you will join me in applauding the contributions of our Visit Lincoln team and our incredible local tourism partners. Their collective efforts significantly elevate the economic vitality of Lincoln, shaping our community into a vibrant destination. Learn more about how we tell the story of our city by visiting lincoln.org.
The Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to improve the lives of Lincoln residents by providing increased economic opportunity and can only be accomplished together. For more information, contact Derek Feyerherm at dfeyerherm@lincoln.org.