Nebraska’s top food, interior design, gift, floral and jewelry experts will be at the Lied Center for Performing Arts from March 25-26 for the Friends of Lied Table Inspirations event.

Held every other year, this event is open to the public and features beautiful table displays throughout the Lied Center composed by area design professionals. This year’s design seminar on “Planning a Cocktail Party Like a Pro” will feature a panel of local experts from the floral, paper goods and food and drink industries. The event culminates with a keynote speech by Julia Knight, founder and CEO of Julia Knight Inc., a leader in the serve-ware, entertaining accessories and gifts industry sold at top retailers including Bloomingdales.

“This year’s theme, ‘Style It Pretty, Celebrating the Lied’s Silver Season,’ will be especially memorable as we honor the joint 25th anniversaries of the Lied Center and the Friends of Lied,” said Liz Kuhlman, president of the Friends of Lied. “If you enjoy looking at Pinterest for decorating and cooking inspiration, you will love this event.”

The Friends of Lied, a group of volunteers who support the Lied Center in all capacities from on-stage programming, free tickets for underserved children and adults and educational outreach, host Table Inspirations. The event centers on fundraising efforts for the Lied Center and includes a raffle of various donated items including a Julia Knight barware and bar cart from Borsheims, Julia Knight necklace and earring set, water color painting, and a hand-blown glass decanter and matching goblets. On March 25, Table Inspirations will kick off with a Cocktails and Conversation Table Tour from 6 to 8 p.m.

A full schedule of events is below.

Wednesday, March 25

• 6 to 8 p.m.: Cocktails and Conversation Table Tour; live music by the Kara Baxter Jazz Combo.

Thursday, March 26

• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Table tour.

• 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: Keynote speaker Julia Knight.

• 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.: Luncheon.

• 1:45 to 3 p.m.: “Planning a Cocktail Party Like A Pro”: Hosting the party, Liz Kuhlman; setting the stage, Melissa Ryks-Schock, Blooms and Bouquets; inviting guests, Anne Schulte, Letter Bee Paperie and Party Boutique; lifting spirits, Tyler Mohr, jtk; dining with taste and style, Kevin Mandigo, Greta’s Gourmet.

Reservations for Table Inspirations can be made at the Lied Administrative Office, 301 N. 12th St., or by phone at 402-472-4704. Tickets to attend all Table Inspirations events are $155 per person. Tickets to attend the cocktail party on March 25 are $70 per person. Tickets to attend the full day of events on March 26 are $85. Tickets to the table tour and keynote speech are $55. Tickets to the table tour only are $25. The deadline to reserve seats for the luncheon is Friday, March 13. Reservations for all other events and sessions can be made up until the event, depending on availability. The Friends of Lied recommend reserving tickets early as this event often sells out.