The Innovation Award is for the property that gives the best guest experience and moves the industry forward with inspirational ideas. This award is given to the property with highly exceptional innovation practices that creates a climate that will encourage other properties to innovate, meeting the guests’ needs and community involvement.

The Nebraska Hotel & Lodging Association recognized the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel with a presentation on May 7 receiving the first Innovative Property of the Year STAR award.

Thís facility is always finding ways to give the best guest experience by creating unique and personalized moments, such as their “Artist in Residence” program. They host a local artist on the property for a year. One of their artist’s pieces is permanently displayed within the hotel. This is the third year for that program.

The Cornhusker has also purchased its own honeybees and the culinary team uses the honey on site as well as selling the honey in the gift shop called Bee Our Guest. The Marriott Cornhusker has focused on how to educate the community on bee awareness with social media posts on the benefits and fun facts, hoping to bring the awareness to other local businesses.

A truly big moment for the hotel was when they hosted the Project SEARCH program for the first time. This program provides an onsite classroom that accommodates seven interns, one teacher and skills trainer. The interns get real-life work experience combined with training in employability and independent living skills where they can help youths with developmental disabilities to make successful transitions from school to productive work life. The program is capped off with a graduation ceremony celebrating the interns and their hard work and achievements.

Congratulations to the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel! Who will win the Innovation Award in 2019?