Discovering Nebraska’s Arts and Culture Scene

I recently traveled to Lincoln, Nebraska for the Major University Presenters (MUPs) Marketers Conference and right away I was struck by how much this college town has to offer. Lincoln is buzzing with school spirit, great food and a welcoming arts scene that set the stage for a fantastic few days.
 

The conference kicked off with dinner at a local restaurant and time to catch up with fellow university presenters. There is something energizing about swapping stories with people who know exactly what it is like to be in the world of presenting and marketing.
 

The first full day was all about programming and marketing and how the two go hand in hand. We toured the Lied Center, learned about its plans for the future and then rolled up our sleeves to talk content creation and annual reports. It was a chance to peek behind the curtain at how others organize their calendars and share their stories.

A stop at the Sheldon Art Museum was another highlight. The building is sleek and modern and the exhibits were designed to pull you in. One gallery was devoted entirely to the color red which was playful, bold and a smart way to connect with students and the community. During breaks I wandered campus and even made it into the football stadium. The pride they have in their students and campus is everywhere you look.

That night we ate at Dish which was delicious and ended the evening with live jazz at The Stitch. Great food, great music and great company made the perfect Lincoln combo.

The second day started with a session on AI for nonprofits led by Paul Durban, an AI expert and husband of the Lied Center’s communications manager. He gave us practical tools for using AI and made an important point that marketers need to start building content for AI systems as much as for people. So many audiences are discovering content through AI now and we cannot afford to get left behind. His advice was simple. The future is already here so jump on board.

We also dug into third party ticketing, patron journeys and surveys which gave me plenty to think about for how we can keep improving the way we connect with our audiences.

The conference wrapped up with a performance by Amy Grant at the Lied Center. As a 90s kid this was a bucket list moment for me. Seeing her in such a beautiful venue that I had toured the day before made it even more special.

Before heading back to Arizona I made one last stop at the Omaha Performing Arts Center. Their team welcomed me with open arms, gave me a tour and shared how they run their incredible lineup of events. I left inspired by their creativity and drive.

Overall, Nebraska surprised me in the best way. The MUPs Marketers Conference was packed with ideas, inspiration and connection and the state’s arts and culture scene is full of talent and energy. If you have not experienced it yet, do not sleep on Nebraska. It is cooler than you think.