2023 Year in Review

Photo courtesy of Scott Bruhn & Husker Athletics

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Women in Business Keynote speaker Cassandra Worthy

LINCOLN, NE LINCOLN, NE

2023 BY THE NUMBERS

97 Lincoln Chamber of Commerce Program Events

156 New Members

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Groundbreakings

48 Ribbon Cuttings

The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, two top consulting firms, a 42-member steering committee and 3,500 community members outlined a vision for Lincoln’s economic future and how to achieve it. Together, we created Vitality Lincoln, which was launched in February at the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting. Learn more at lcoc.com/vitality-lincoln

SUCCESSFULLY ADVOCATED FOR LINCOLN BUSINESS

GUARDIANS OF FREEDOM AIR SHOW – THE LARGEST SPECTATOR EVENT IN LINCOLN’S HISTORY LINCOLN, NE

The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce team was honored to partner with the Nebraska Military Department, the Lincoln Airport Authority and the 55th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base to host the 2023 Guardians of Freedom Airshow. The two-day August event was headlined by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and welcomed over 340,000 attendees.

RECEIVED AIR SHOW AWARD

The 2023 Guardians of Freedom Airshow was named the Military Air Show of the Year by the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Team, the Blue Angels, during the International Council of Air Show Convention Dec. 5, 2023.

WELCOMED COACH RHULE TO FACE THE CHAMBER

In one of his first public speaking engagements, Husker Football Head Coach Matt Rhule addressed the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce membership at the May Face the Chamber event. Together, we learned about his vision for Husker football and why he was so excited to call Lincoln home.

The Lincoln Chamber continued to serve as a voice for Lincoln businesses throughout 2023.

As your voice for local business, the Lincoln Chamber’s public policy team had a busy and successful year. This included supporting accelerated income, corporate and property tax relief, helping to secure funding for a secondary source of water for Lincoln and supporting reinstating convention center assistance through sales tax turnback funding opportunities. Additionally, the Chamber policy team made two trips to Washington D.C. to lobby on efforts related to infrastructure, university research, tax provision and immigration reform.

CHAMBER EXPANDS PROGRAMMING FOR WOMEN IN BUSINESS

In January, RISE Lincoln officially became a program to the Lincoln Chamber. Designed to connect the women of Lincoln’s business community through education, networking and professional coaching, four sold-out RISE events took place in 2023 and three sessions of RISE Coaching Communities were led by our seven certified RISE coaches.

In partnership with the University of Nebraska College of Business and with the incredible support of the JoAnn Martin Leadership Legacy Endowment, the Chamber’s annual Women in Business event was elevated to new heights as over 300 women gathered for an impactful keynote presentation and engaging panel discussion.

LINCOLN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2023

LINCOLN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2023

• $4.5 million in follow-on funding

LINCOLN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2023

Roger T. Larson Community Builder Award Dan Duncan

CELEBRATE BUSINESS AWARDS 2023 In December, we recognized the valuable contributions made to our community at our annual Celebrate Business Awards. Congratulations to the very best of the best of Lincoln:

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Cornerstone Award Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals

Manufacturer of the Year Speedway Motors

Entrepreneurial Spirit Award 86 Bar Staffing

Green Business of the Year LI-COR

new program launches

graduates applyied for a job in manufacturing

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Tom Lorenz Tourism Development Award Joel Green & Robber’s Cave

Small Business of the Year Wax Buffalo

graduates from Manufacturing Basics

EmployLNK Career Fairs

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CONTINUED FOCUS ON 20+ 100+

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CaseTALENT Managers RETENTION Job Seekers

Employers

Our focus on talent retention continued in 2023 through MyTern – a program of the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development. This year, MyTern expanded to unite 300+ interns from 27 Lincoln companies, exposing them to the benefits of life in Lincoln once they step into fulltime careers.

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Manufacturing Basics Certifications

ELEVATED INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

750+ Attendees at Lincoln Startup Week

200+

MAJOR BUSINESS EXPANSIONS IN 2023

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Events Connecting Lincoln’s Startup Community in 2023

– Instinct – General Dynamics 2

Grants Awarded to Local Startups

63 –3DuncanEmployLNK Aviation Employers Career Fairs new program

• $237,000 mobilized • $4.5 million in follow-on funding67%

graduates applyied for a job in manufacturing

APPLAUDED YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

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Lincoln Young Professionals Group’s annual YP Week united Lincoln YPs for a wide array of events to elevate, engage and educate the future leaders of our community. The 4th annual Young Lincoln Leader Awards (YLLA) honored seven recipients for their outstanding contributions to the Lincoln community. Congratulations to the 2023 YLLA winners!

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3 67% 67% 67% 67%156

Best State Capitals to Live In —• Smartasset

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Best City in America for Young Professionals —• Insurify

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Cities With the Best Work-Life Balance —• SmartAsset

graduates from Basics Basics graduates from Certifications Manufacturing Certifications Manufacturing Basics Basics

Basics Basics Certifications Certifications

Attendees at

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Events Connecting Lincoln’s

PARTICIPATED IN THE GOVERNOR’S TRADE Lincoln MISSION TO JAPAN Startup Week Startup Community in 2023

Young Nonprofit Professional of the Year – Jordan Gonzalez | UNL Alumni Association

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750+ 200+ 7 57 7| Nave 7 7 57 57BovEye |Manufacturing Curbside Analtics, Inc. | Cattle Kettle, LLC | InforMedic Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing

graduates from graduates from Manufacturing Manufacturing Basics Basics

Diversity and Inclusion Excellence – Jordan Feyerherm | City of Lincoln

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Congratulations to the 2023 LaunchLNK cohort, who each received a $25,000 grant, connections to potential sources of additional capital and local mentorship:

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Next Generation Workplace – DLR Group

Manufacturing Basics Certifications

graduates from Manufacturing Basics

Ribbon Cuttings ANNOUNCED THE 2023 LAUNCHLNK COHORT

Young Citizen of the Year – Andrew Farias | Asian Community and Cultural Center Emerging Leader of the Year – Brooke Imm | Ameritas

2 2 7 57 63 63 63 EmployLNK EmployLNK 20+20+ 63 20+ EmployLNK EmployLNK 20+ 100+ 100+ 100+ 100+ 3 Fairs 3 Employers Employers Career Career Fairs Case Managers Case Managers Employers Employers Career Fairs Career Fairs Job Seekers Job Seekers Case Managers Case Managers Job Seekers Job Seekers new program 2

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Young Professional of the Year – Karla Frese | Home Care Partners of Nebraska Young Entrepreneur of the Year – Jordan Lambrecht | Pixel Bakery

launches

1010

Lincoln Chamber of Commerce Program Events

156

New Members

6

20+

Case Mana

Grants Awarded to Local Startups • $237,000 mobilized • $4.5 million in follow-on funding

This fall, Chamber president Jason Ball joined Governor Pillen on a weeklong trip to Japan with a focus on nurturing important relationships and building strong partnerships. While in Japan, they were honored to attend several MidwestU.S. Japan Trade Association events, a reception at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and a valuable meeting with Kawasaki’s corporate leadership to continue fostering this important relationship, leading up to the manufacturer’s 50th anniversary in Nebraska.

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750+ 200+ 750+750+ 750+ 200+200+ 200+10 10

LINCOLN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2023

CELEBRATE BUSINESS

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Groundbreakings

48

Ribbon Cuttings

CONTINUED SUCCESS WITH THE LINCOLN MANUFACTURING COUNCIL

67%

The Lincoln Manufacturing Class (LMC) expanded in 2023 with the introduction of the Manufacturing Skills Certificate, the sequel to our flagship Manufacturing Basics Certificate. This 60-hour, hands-on class for individuals with entry-level manufacturing experience was designed for individuals interested in expanding their competency in manufacturing. The Manufacturing Upskilling Scholarship was also launched to support our employers and past program participants through funding educational opportunities to advance manufacturing careers. In total, 78 participants graduated from the LMC program in 2023.

63 EmployLNK 20+ 100+ Employers A NEW LAUNCHED TOURISM FOR LINCOLN Career Fairs Case Managers Job BRAND Seekers

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new program launches

graduates applyied for a job in manufacturing

The Lincoln Convention & Visitors Bureau officially became Visit Lincoln, with a vibrant new website and tourism video to tell the story of our incredible community as a part of the rebranding.

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57

Manufacturing Basics Certifications

graduates from Manufacturing Basics

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LINCOLN Craft Beer Week

750+

200+

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Attendees at Lincoln Startup Week

Events Connecting Lincoln’s Startup Community in 2023

HOSTED LINCOLN CRAFT BEER WEEK

BIG MONTH IN LINCOLN AND THE IMPACT ON LOCAL TOURISM

Lincoln Craft Beer Week returned in October, featuring nine participating venues that provided participants the unique opportunity to learn more about Lincoln’s incredible craft beer scene.

August was a big month for Lincoln with several large and recordbreaking events having a significant impact on our local economy: Guardians of Freedom Airshow – 340,000 attendees Gravel Worlds – 2,000 cyclists, 50 states, 16 countries and 4 continents Zach Bryan Concert at Pinnacle Bank Arena – 14,000 attendees Volleyball Day in Nebraska – World Record 92,003 attendees

Grants Awarded to Local Startups

•RECRUITED $237,000 mobilized LARGE SIGNATURE COMMUNITY EVENTS TO BOLSTER ECONOMY • $4.5 million in follow-on funding

Lincoln proudly hosted a variety of incredible events that positively impacted our local economy, including:

• NSAA State Volleyball and Basketball Tournaments • Gravel Worlds • Family Motor Coach Association

BROKE GROUND ON THE SANDHILLS GLOBAL YOUTH COMPLEX

We became one step closer to playing ball at the Sandhills Global Youth Complex in August with an incredible groundbreaking event. The complex will feature all-turf baseball and softball fields ready to host instructional camps, clinics, and most importantly, youth of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. The complex will open in the spring of 2025.

97

Lincoln Chamber of Commerce Program Events

156

New Members

6

48

Groundbreakings

Ribbon Cuttings

• USA Roller Sports • Sports Car Club of America

We would like to go with the 1st one (ombré) with two updates.

• Can you change the USA Roller Sports National Championships wording to red (#CC0033)?

• Also, we have an updated USA Roller Sports logo (attached) o Can you replace the current logo with the attached? o If you need it in a different format, let me know

A STRONG YEAR FOR LOCAL TOURISM

$4,225,484.53: Lodging Tax for Fiscal Years 2022 – 2023 (a 7% increase over prior year)

CONVENTION CENTER AND ASSEMBLE LINCOLN

LIN CO L NYO U TH CO M P L E X .CO M

Building a downtown Lincoln convention center is one step closer to reality after numerous developments in 2023, including the passage of turnback tax legislation and the formation of Assemble Lincoln. As a key objective in the Vitality Lincoln strategic plan, the Visit Lincoln team continues to play a vital role in the downtown Lincoln convention center project that will make a significant impact on local tourism and position the team to recruit more events to Lincoln.

LINCOLN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2023

LINCOLN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2023

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JOIN US! Membership Makes a Difference.

We work hard to provide real benefits for you and your employees, and we hope you will continue to join us in making Lincoln a great place to live, work and play.

Membership in the Chamber is an investment in your community and in Lincoln’s future.

We thank you for being an integral part of that future!

Join us!

We are here to welcome you.

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