Lincoln Visits Podcast

Visit Lincoln is excited to announce the launch of a Lincoln Visits – our podcast series that is designed to explore the people and places that make Lincoln truly unique.

Ron Bohaty, Managing Director and Gina Nathan, Marketing Manager with Sandhills Global Event Center, joins Visit Lincoln Executive Director-Vice President Jeff Maul in the AOI Podcast Studio to talk about the new and favorite events at the Sandhills Global Event Center. Bohaty and Nathan discuss the Lancaster County Super Fair, the growth of the event center in recent years and upcoming events that will be hosted there including Gravel Worlds (August 20-24, 2025), National High School Finals Rodeo in 2026 and 2027, and more.

For additional details on events at the Sandhills Global Event Center, head to their website https://sandhillsglobaleventcenter.org/visitors/events.

Evan Killeen, CEO of the Lincoln Children's Zoo, joins Visit Lincoln Executive Director-Vice President Jeff Maul in the AOI Podcast Studio to talk about everything going on at the Lincoln Children's Zoo. Evan and Jeff discuss Evan's time with the zoo and how he got his start there, why Lincoln's zoo is one of the very best in the country and the challenge of stepping into the shoes of former Lincoln Children's Zoo CEO John Chapo. Evan and Jeff also chat about popular zoo events such as Boo at the Zoo and Brews at the Zoo, which attract numerous visitors into Lincoln each and every year to attend.

Keenan Serrano, aka Keenan Eats, joins Jeff Maul, Executive Director of Visit Lincoln, in the AOI Podcast Studio to talk about everything food! Keenan talks about his background growing up in North Platte and Lincoln, how he became so interested in local restaurants both in Nebraska and while in New York City, what some of his favorite restaurants and foods are and about the food festival he's launching this October (2025) in Lincoln. The Here for the Food Fest will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025 from 5 - 10 p.m. at the Food Truck Zone in Lincoln, located at 699 K Street.

For more information on Here for the Food Fest, head to their website at https://hereforthefoodfest.com/.

Arek Olson, Assistant Athletic Director of Special Events with the University of Nebraska Athletic Department, joins Visit Lincoln Director of Sports Derek Bombeck in the AOI Podcast Studio to talk about his new role with Husker Athletics. Arek comes with experience previously at Lehigh University, Syracuse University and University of Arkansas and is tasked with bringing special events to University of Nebraska facilities. Derek and Arek talk about why events are being sought, the challenges of competing with other similar schools in this space and how they are navigating the changing landscape of college athletics at the University of Nebraska.

Ben Jones, Marketing Content Specialist with Nebraska Tourism Commission sits down with Visit Lincoln's Jeff Maul in the AOI Podcast Studio to discuss National Travel and Tourism Week.

Mike Works with REV Development and co-founder and Vice President of Nightcap Management visits with Jeff Maul in the AOI Podcast Studio to discuss the opening of the Hampton Inn Lincoln Downtown.  They discuss the process of converting a historic building in downtown into Lincoln's newest hotel and the challenges that does along with a project of this size.

Joe Fagler and Tom Lehmke with Sandhills Global Youth Complex join Visit Lincoln's Jeff Maul in the AOI Podcast Studio to talk about the opening of the Sandhills Global Youth Complex.  This all turf sports facility features eight fields and is the home of Nebraska Wesleyan University's baseball and softball programs, along with being the practice facility for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Husker baseball and softball programs.  Additionally, 2,500 youth baseball and softball games are scheduled for 2025 at the complex.

Ioan Baciu, General Manager for The Scarlet Hotel and Patrick Murphy, Director of Sales for The Scarlet Hotel, join Visit Lincoln's Jeff Maul in the AOI Podcast Studio to discuss their journeys in the hotel and hospitality industry, what special things make The Scarlet Hotel the unique venue that it is and how the educational aspect of The Scarlet will grow and help University of Nebraska-Lincoln students going forward in their HRTM program.
 

Derek Bombeck, Director of Sports with Visit Lincoln sits down in the AOI Podcast Studio with Jeff Maul, Executive Director.  They discuss upcoming sporting events, changes in the facility landscape in Lincoln and what it takes to host major events.

Visit Lincoln's Communications Coordinator Chris Whitney is joined by Jason Strohbehn, Chief Experience Office/Lead Promoter with Gravel Worlds to talk about Gravel Worlds 2024 coming up this August. The event is in its 15th year, bringing thousands of cyclists to Lincoln as they "sail the gravel seas" and race throughout Lincoln, Lancaster County and the surrounding area. This year's event kicks off on August 21 and continues through August 25.

More details on Gravel Worlds can be found at the Gravel Worlds website.

Visit Lincoln's Director of Sports, Derek Bombeck, is joined by Rick Myers from Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) to talk about their upcoming event in Lincoln during Memorial Day weekend. A part of "America's Premier Autocross Championship Series", the 2024 Tire Rack SCCA Lincoln ProSolo event takes place at Lincoln Airpark May 23, 24 and 25, featuring cars from across the country. The SCCA ProSolo Championship Finale also takes place later this summer in Lincoln from August 30 through September 1, 2024. More details can be found at the SCCA website.

Jason Ball sits down with Erika Jensen, founder and owner of The Chocolate Season, to talk about Lincoln Coffee Week held February 5-11, 2024.

Chris Whitney and Jeff Maul sit down to talk about Craft Beer Week in Lincoln! Lincoln Craft Beer Week will take place from October 2-8 and will feature 9 venues. Learn more: lincoln.org/beer-week/