Destination: Colorado Springs Meeting & Event Planning City Guide

  • Colorado Springs

Destination Articles

  • Inside Colorado's Great Outdoors

    By David Vranicar

    March 26, 2013

    In Colorado, it is much harder to avoid nature than to enjoy it. With venues that are either in the mountains or staring right at them, not to mention a food and beer culture shaped by a love of the outdoors, Colorado is bursting with reminders to enjoy yourself. While skiing and hiking excursions are always on the table, there is an abundance of outdoor-event opportunities as well.

  • New Meetings in the Old West

    By Steve Winston

    December 31, 2012

    If you’re looking for a room with a view, you’ve come to the right place. The Rocky Mountains have plenty of room. And the views are certainly spectacular. Meetings here are often more productive simply because the surroundings are so energizing. The air is fresher. The terrain is grander. The excitement level among attendees is higher. And the opportunities for memorable meetings and team building are exceptional.

  • What's Cookin' in Colorado

    By Steve Winston

    July 30, 2012

    Three mountain cities bring sustainable cuisine to the forefront

  • A Guide to the Top

    By Jessie Fetterling

    March 29, 2012

    Colorado has long been known for its natural riches. Miners from across the States came to the area in the 1800s to find gold and other precious metals and stones. Ever since, visitors have come to soak in its raw glory—natural hot springs, hundreds of lakes and rivers, national parks and monuments, and, of course, the mountains.

  • Peak Experience

    By Nikki Gloudeman

    December 30, 2011

    Talk about a sense of arrival: Book a meeting in the Rocky Mountains, and your attendees will be greeted with the sight of natural wonders shaped over the course of millions of years, soaring thousands of feet into the sky. They will have access to ample winding trails, snowy crests and wildlife. They will be able to ski, bike, hike—pretty much any outdoor pursuit imaginable.

  • Riding Slow in Colorado

    By Nikki Gloudeman

    August 08, 2011

    In today’s fast-paced world of slick cars and fancy jets, it’s easy to forget that the nation’s modern identity owes much to the steady pace of classic trains and automobiles. Nowhere is this impact more evident than in Denver, Colorado Springs and Estes Park, all of which have deep roots in early modes of transportation.

    The region’s history endures today in various attractions and museums that pay homage to old-fashioned passage. For planners, this adds another level of distinction to an area already known for its rugged surroundings, Old West heritage, array of brewpubs and microbreweries (including two of the largest in the nation), cutting-edge sustainability initiatives and assortment of meeting-friendly venues.

Learn about Colorado Springs for Event Venues, Services & Meeting Destinations

Destination Description

Smart Stats:

Number of Meetings Hotels: 56
Total Hotel Rooms: 14,000
Number of Special Events Venues: 75
Local Airports: Colorado Springs Airport (COS)
Local CVB: Colorado Springs CVB

Smart Snapshot:

Colorado Springs, about 70 miles south of Denver, is known for the sense of grandeur that defines its dramatic natural landscapes and physical structures, including a collection of championship mountainside golf courses and the iconic Broadmoor Resort. Home of the United States Air Force Academy, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, Peterson Air Force Base and Fort Carson Army Base, it is accustomed to hosting the government and military conferences that have continued throughout challenging economic times. Its civic leaders also like to promote the town’s rich western heritage and broad range of wholesome attractions.

As with so much in the area, the city’s modern identity has roots in the railway system. It was William J. Palmer, a Denver and Rio Grande Railroad tycoon, who founded the city 140years ago as the first destination served by his new railway. Palmer envisioned the town as a place for civilized society to enjoy, and it soon developed into just that, adopting the name “Little London” thanks to its opulent mansions and tree-lined streets.

Colorado Springs has changed over the years, but in many ways it still lives up to Palmer’s original vision—yet appealingly for meeting planners, this upscale experience needn’t cost a pretty penny. All these years later, it’s easy to see why Colorado Springs continues to entice the out-of-town crowd, including an assortment of groups.