Smart Meetings

Although snowboards, skis or snowshoes remain the default gear for outdoor winter fun in any of the Rocky Mountain states, Colorado delivers the fun with sunshine. “Just look at the weather,” says Angela Berardini, senior public relations manager of the Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We have 300 days of annual sunshine, more than San Diego or Miami.” It is, however, shining on the only state that’s entirely 1,000 meters above sea level, or remarkable 3,281 feet at its lowest.

And well after the snow melts under all that streaming sun, The Centennial State—named for its 1876 bestowal of statehood—keeps residents and visitors fully occupied with golf, fly-fishing, river rafting, hot-air ballooning, hunting and the hayrides available at ranches and resorts all over that revert to sleigh rides by late November.

Colorado’s topographical layout is complex, with rolling plains to the east, skyscraping mountains and deep valleys in the west and the foothills in between. The resulting variety of elevations—plus many communities’ proximity to mountain ranges with their resulting air-mass movements—allows for a range of microclimates, sometimes within just a few miles of each other. That translates into a variety of choices for your group to play outdoors. “I think the diversity of activities and landscape that Colorado has to offer really sets it apart from other states,” says Stefanie Dalgar, director of communications for the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade.

“We have plains, mesas, sand dunes, valleys, mountains, of course and grasslands. The only thing we don't have is the ocean!”

But surprisingly, they do have places to grow vines and make wine. Actually, winemaking goes back a century, having started in the Western Slope before mostly moving to the high-elevation valleys of Mesa and Delta counties. Grapes grow at an astounding 4,000 to 7,000 feet, among the highest vineyards in the world. Today, the state’s vast selection of award-winning wines ranges from chardonnays and merlots to those culled from cherries, plums and peaches. Some choices should complement your dinner menu for your next Colorado-based meeting.

Add to that, unique regional cuisine serving up elk and Rocky Mountain oysters, plus great beer. Colorado has more microbreweries per capita than any other state. It apparently packs more punch here, too. “Thanks to our high altitude,” says Pam Sherfesee, vice president of sales for Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau, “a martini will go a whole lot further!” We’ll drink to that!

DENVER
Interestingly, Denver is located just 346 miles from the country’s absolute center. All air connections being equal, it should take everyone about the same amount of time to arrive there from the most far-flung areas of the nation or your meeting.

Situated in the South Platte River Valley on the High Plains, the “Mile-High City” enjoys an abundance of municipal riches. Denver’s is the largest city park system in the U.S. Fortunately, it’s conveniently furnished with 800 miles of paved trails to enjoy it. The Santa Fe Arts District, an enclave of nearly 30 historic brick buildings and warehouses, draws thousands of regional art lovers, especially on the first Friday of each month for the open houses in the evening.

“It’s young and vibrant, but there’s also some real rich Western heritage here,” reports Douglas Small, senior vice president of the Denver’s CVB. The city’s Lodo area, or Lower Downtown, has one of the largest concentrations of Victorian architecture in the country. After Coors Field opened 12 years ago, Lodo metamorphosed into a thriving cultural hub. Quick to follow were new restaurants and shops like Rockmount Ranch Wear, a favorite even today of celebrities like Bruce Springsteen.

MAJOR VENUES
Downtown Denver’s enormous Colorado Convention Center offers 584,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space on one level as well as an additional 100,000 divided among 63 meeting rooms. “In this part of the country, there are really no other cities that can do large conventions,” says Small.

Recently doubled in size, the center’s design was driven by the input of actual users. “Since it was designed by some of the top meeting planners in the world,” he says. “It should fit most everybody’s needs.”

All this well-thought-out renovation, plus the construction of the adjacent 1,100-room Hyatt Regency Denver which, itself, contains 60,600 sq. ft. of space, makes “Denver, the convention city” a formidable option among the major metropolitan areas. “Some think it’s the best Hyatt they’ve ever been in, and it puts us on a level playing field with some of the largest cities,” says Small.

UNIQUE VENUES
One top spot is the Downtown Aquarium where the exhibits take visitors from the Continental Divide across the Pacific to the Indonesian rainforest. The aquarium’s hand-painted Nautilus Ballroom can host up to 250 for a seated function or 500 for a reception, while providing views of the downtown skyline.

Famed far and wide are the brilliantly-hued, 500-foot-high sandstone cliffs of the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. This remarkable 9,000-seat music venue is the only naturally occurring amphitheatre in the world. Additionally, the recently renovated Visitor Center offers 2,250 sq. ft. of meeting space for up to 200 guests.

BOULDER
Twenty-five miles northwest of Denver, situated in the foothills of Colorado’s Front Range, sits Boulder. As a university town and a liberal mecca, it’s earned the nickname “the Berkeley of the Rockies.” For its progressive citizens, the breathtaking natural environs are not just pretty scenery. “The environment is critical to our quality of life,” says Mary Ann Mahoney, executive director of the Boulder Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The open space around our city was originally considered for land preservation and is also used for outdoor recreation.”

Stationed where the plains meet the mountains, it’s no wonder in 1967 Boulder became the first U.S. city to tax itself specifically for open space, a decision that’s protected 30,000 untouched acres to date. Treasures like the untrammeled views of the Flatirons and the Boulder Creek Path (which runs through the middle of town) are not wasted on locals, of whom 7 out of 10 own bicycles. Fittingly (you should excuse the pun), Boulder was named “#1 Sports Town in America” by Outside magazine.

MEETINGS VENUES
Filled with regional art, the Millennium Harvest House Boulder is the city’s largest meeting site, with more than 18,000 sq. ft. of space. When weather permits, the newly renovated, 5,000-square-foot outdoor pavilion can accommodate 500 guests.

Newcomer, the St. Julien Hotel & Spa, is quickly becoming one of Boulder’s top meeting facilities with its 9,708 sq. ft. of indoor and 6,810 sq. ft. of outdoor meeting space amid the gardens. “The experience was fantastic!” says event planner Kim Sonnier. “The room was the perfect size for our group of 50, and their audio/visual partner was a huge help in bringing together a meeting rich with multimedia elements.”

UNIQUE VENUES
For an ambience that recalls one’s college days, try the Stadium Club At Folsom Field. With 8,570 sq. ft. of meeting space, the club level can fit up to 2,000 reception-style overlooking the University of Colorado football stadium and the Flatiron Mountains. The club level can also be split up to accommodate 600 on each side in a theater setup, or up to 350 classroom style.

The Colorado Chautauqua Association is one of only 20 National Historic Landmarks in the state. The organization works to preserve the early 20th-century adult education movement. The intimate Picnic Pavilion can accommodate 75 people over four, 16-foot picnic tables in a setting that’s nothing short of tribal. The 2,315-square-foot Community House opened in 1918 as a living room for visitors and continues to make groups of 120 feel right at home.

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS
Of all Colorado towns, Steamboat Springs, located northwest of Boulder, is perhaps the town with snow most ingrained in its collective psyche. Known as “Ski Town USA,” the ranching community’s secluded Yampa Valley location forced residents to use skis and snowshoes throughout the winter in their daily lives during the late 19th century. That was long before it grew to be a key resort area in the 1950s. The town’s reputation for being an ideal ski destination has continued to grow, aided by Mt. Werner’s legendary “champagne powder.” This smooth and dry snow, typical of high valleys, reached the 400-inch mark last year.

“Steamboat has produced more winter Olympians than any other town in North America,” says Heidi Thomsen, public relations manager of Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation. “It’s a record 69 and counting.” The most famous is current director of skiing, Billy Kidd, who made history with teammate Jimmie Heuga in 1964 by becoming the first Americans to win Olympic medals in the sport.
 
MEETINGS VENUES
The Steamboat Grand, the only AAA Four-Diamond resort in Steamboat Springs, offers 17,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor flexible conference space. The 250-seat amphitheater is set amid the splendor of the Yampa Valley.

The latest in technology doesn’t diminish the site’s rustic, traditional charm. Much like the town itself, the Grand is steeped in authentic Western tradition, right down to the solid-wood furniture and earth-tone comforters in its 327 rooms. With breathtaking views of the Flat Top Mountains, you can feel like one of the local ranching families that have thrived in the area for over a century.

VAIL
Vail, to the south of Steamboat Springs, will forever have strong ties to the U.S. military. During World War II, a group of ski-loving Army men from nearby Camp Hale were enthralled by this snow-filled paradise. Dreams carried through the war were realized when they established a ski area in 1962. This army connection was solidified when local home-owner Gerald Ford became commander-in-chief in 1974.

“Today, the Valley is known not just for its winter activities but we have blossomed into a year-round resort,” says Monica McCafferty, public relations manager of Vail Valley Chamber and Tourism Bureau. “We boast upwards of 14 golf courses and our summer nights are filled with outdoor concerts by the New York and Philadelphia philharmonics.” Team-building rafting excursions along Whitewater Park are also highlights for groups.

MEETINGS VENUES
At the mountain’s base sits the Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa. A nearby gondola awaits to take thrill-seeking visitors to the top. When business calls, just go inside for your pick of 21 meeting rooms, 19 breakout rooms and on-site exhibition space, for a total of 21,000 sq. ft. The recently renovated Grand Ballroom is the town’s largest with capacity for 1,000 seated guests in its 8,285-square-foot expanse.

The Vail Cascade Resort and Spa, which McCafferty calls “a resort within a resort,” will make any visitor completely adapt themselves to the pleasures of good living. At the side of Gore Creek, it features an award-winning health spa, movie theater and ski concierge, along with 50,000 sq. ft. of stylish meeting space.                  

UNIQUE VENUES
High atop Vail Mountain sits the aptly named Eagle’s Nest, with breathtaking 360-degree views that could inspire visitors to emulate Icarus. It accommodates 400 people theater style, 300 people classroom-style, and 250 in a seated round-table setup. “We like that our gondola access replaces the corporate elevator,” says McCafferty of the scenic ride up from LionsHead Village below.

BRECKENRIDGE
Like much of Colorado, five-mile-long Breckenridge just southwest of Vail Valley was settled during the 1800s’ Gold Rush. Although miner Tom Groves found a 13.5-pound nugget in 1887—the largest in the entire state—less successful opportunists stayed for the area’s other riches. “People came from around the world to strike it rich,” says Carly Grimes, public relations director for the Breckenridge Resort Chamber. “While only some found gold, each adventurer discovered the glory of the Ten Mile Range and the bounty of its beautiful landscape.” This June, residents of the Rockies-situated Victorian town will officially commemorate their legacy with the first annual Kingdom Days celebration, The event will encompass historic walking tours, guided hikes to former mines and—what else? —gold panning.

MEETINGS VENUES
“Scheduling a meeting in Breckenridge allows attendees to get in touch with nature and history, relax their minds and become more open to new and different ideas,” says Corry Mihm, the executive director of the Breckenridge
Resort Chamber.

A perfect place for this exercise is the gorgeous Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center , the town’s largest meeting center. With two board rooms and two ballrooms, the 35,000 sq. ft. of meeting space can easily host any event, from meetings of 700 to receptions of 1,000. Renovations completed last Thanksgiving added another 5,000 sq. ft. to the Coppertop Café and Lounge, which serves as a convenient pit stop for those heading to and from the slopes.  
    
UNIQUE VENUES
“Since we don’t have one main convention center, we try to match and tailor each group’s specific needs to a property that’s the best fit,” says Mihm. Alpine Villa is superlative for cozy, off-site seclusion. The newly constructed 20,000-square-foot facility boasts a stunning hillside location close to the Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course. The conference room can seat 24 in a variety of boardroom configurations, all with bay window views of the gorgeous green outside.  

ASPEN/SNOWMASS
Farther southwest sits Aspen, known as one of the state’s premier ski destinations–although its activities are expansive as its hills. “I think Colorado is a lot more cosmopolitan (than the other Rocky Mountain states) and Aspen is a good example of that,” says Mark Elias, national sales manager for Aspen Groups, “especially when it comes to sophisticated amenities like shopping, dining and culture.”

Just visit the Aspen Highlands, where resorts are intermixed with high-end restaurants and galleries, or the Buttermilk area, where the ESPN Winter X Games are held each year.

“We have a thriving arts culture community here year-round with the Aspen Institute, the Aspen Filmfest, the Aspen Art Museum,” says Debbie Braun, president/CEO of the Aspen Chamber Resort Association. “We’re just as fun in the summer as we are in the winter.” A recent survey of 1,000 Aspen summer visitors confirms this. “Funnily enough, we found that two-thirds of our summer guests have never been here in the wintertime,” says Braun.

Elias concurs: “The quintessential Aspen activity is enhancing the body, mind and spirit—regardless of the season.”

MEETINGS VENUES
Nine miles away in Snowmass Village sits the two-story Snowmass Conference Center, with almost 44,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. “In the summertime, Snowmass is a great partner of Aspen,” Elias says. “They have larger, more regular venues and can host larger groups.” The center’s 10,823-square-foot Snowmass Ballroom can seat 900 banquet-style or 1,100 in a reception setup. For smaller groups up to 55, the Snobble Room’s 550 sq. ft. are ideal.

UNIQUE VENUES
“We really don’t have ‘that big convention center’ by any means,” Elias says. “Aspen’s really a different experience than you feel anywhere else.” Definitely fitting the description is the Sundeck on the top of Mount Aspen, a 22,000-square-foot facility with astonishing views of the Continental Divide and the Rocky Mountains. For an exhilarating experience, take the three-mile ride down the mountain on the gondola, powered solely by purchase of wind credits.

A quarter mile from downtown, the Aspen Institute continues the town’s green theme with its prestigious LEED certification. “We have very environmentally friendly meetings here in Aspen,” says Elias.

Coming this June is a new addition to the Aspen Meadows Resort’s 22,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, the Doerr-Hosier Center. This center will be comprised of three new meetings rooms, including the McNulty Gathering Room, which can seat 200 in a classroom setting or 300 at round tables. The nearby Koch Building has 100 computer and modem ports, computer-controlled podiums, and a staffed Business Center handy to aid in all possible glitches.

TELLURIDE
Farther south in San Miguel County—and surrounded by an astonishing 14,000 peaks—the 9,078-foot-high San Juan Mountain community of Telluride has enjoyed seclusion ever since the Ute Indians used the area as a summer retreat. “You truly feel like you've gotten away from it all,” says Scott McQuade, CEO of the Telluride Tourism Board. “The stunning natural beauty can rejuvenate your spirit and inspire big ideas.”

Still, all this alone time hasn’t caused residents to skirt cultural exchange. In fact, ever since the 1890 railroad made the town a mini cultural melting pot, Telluride has welcomed travelers of all sorts. No wonder then that the community has been hailed as the “festival capital in the Southwest,” hosting over 30 of them each summer, from the hot-air Balloon Festival in June to the Telluride Film Festival at the end of August. “(the annual) Blues and Brews Festival marks the end of the festival season each September with a tribute to great blues artists and beer,” says McQuade.

MEETINGS VENUES
The Telluride Conference Center offers 11,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, including a 700-square-foot video projection booth with Dolby Surround Sound capabilities. Its Mountain Village Ballroom can accommodate seated dining for up to 400 guests or 550 people in a theater setup. Local artisans designed every detail of the facility, from the cabinetry to the steel-sculpted handrails. Rest assured, though, that Telluride also thinks globally.

“The Conference Center is eco-friendly,” McQuade states.

UNIQUE VENUES
“Any meeting in Telluride is a unique experience, as attendees are able to clear their senses and be inspired by the natural surroundings,” says McQuade. No place proves this better than the Faraway Ranch, 25-minutes outside of town. The 900-acre spread includes an alpine challenge course perfect for corporate team building, complete with a climbing wall, a 60-foot tower and 40-foot pendulum. The Cow Camp lodge is the site’s original 1,000-square-foot ranch house, which serves as the party space.

COLORADO SPRINGS
"O beautiful, for spacious skies” is a line we all memorized in grade school, but lesser known is that its inspiration was none other than Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, northeast of Telluride and just 63 miles south of Denver. The 14,110-foot mountain enthralled visiting poet and professor Katharine Lee Bates during an 1893 wagon expedition. Later set to music in America, the Beautiful, these words immortalized the fervor of westward expansion.

Although Zebulon Pike, for whom the peak is named, believed it could never be climbed, thousands come each year, “from sea to shining sea,” to enjoyably disprove him or instead to spy the peak from Cog, the world’s highest railway.

“The city is a comfortable size, without the hustle and bustle of the larger cities,” says Russell W. Kraus, president of Meetings in General. “Yet it is still able to offer friendly city experiences, such as museums and fine dining. It’s a friendly place with plenty of activity.”

For a bit of America’s man-made majesty, there’s the United States Air Force Academy. “It has long been a tourist and local favorite due to the world-famous chapel,” says Sherfesee. It features three individual chapels—for Protestant, Catholic and Jewish faiths—as well as All-Faith Rooms to serve worshippers as diverse as America itself.

MEETINGS VENUES
The Broadmoor resort, situated between Colorado Springs and Pike’s Peak, has been a favorite of visitors ever since John D. Rockefeller became the first celebrity guest in 1918. Accentuated by a $75-million renovation in 2002, the sprawling 3,000-acre paradise features Cheyenne Lake, three golf courses, an award-winning spa, seven tennis courts and 15 world-class restaurants, making it a kind of one-stop shop for ultra-luxurious Rocky Mountain living. It offers 185,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, including Broadmoor Hall, a 60,000-square-foot ballroom that can accommodate from 300 to 3,500.

With the stunning backdrop of Cheyenne Mountain, the 218-acre Cheyenne Mountain Resort actually includes a beach beside a 35-acre lake that invites sailing and fishing. And the heightened level of comfort in the 40,000 sq. ft. of meeting space leaves no inch untouched. “The resort's ‘eight hour’ chairs were custom-designed to provide the most comfortable and functional seating available in the meeting business,” Sherfesee says proudly. “They’ve since become the industry standard.”

UNIQUE VENUES
“Colorado Springs does not have a convention center,” reminds Sherfesee, “so all of our venues are a refreshing change of pace.” It’s certainly hard to find comparisons to the Garden of the Gods Club, with its natural rock formations, sheer cliffs, pink towers and balancing rocks. The club’s 13,428 sq. ft. of meeting space includes the Oasis Room, which surrounds up to 150 guests with floor-to-ceiling glass doors.

Symbolizing new ventures is the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. The park’s Royal Gorge Bridge, hanging 1,053 feet over the Arkansas River, is the world’s highest suspension bridge. Part of the park’s 7,300 sq. ft. of meeting space, Juniper Junction accommodates outdoor picnic-style gatherings up to 400 people.

With Colorado, which uncannily manages to be everything to everyone (and the easy access from both coasts certainly helps), the old Arapaho tribe premonition seems especially prophetic. "Chief Niwot's curse is 'Once you visit, you will always return,'” says Mahoney. “Many people arrived for education or a job and then found compelling reasons to stay,” says Sherfesee. “Rustic mountain adventures are only minutes away from major cities,” she says. “We truly do have the best of both worlds.”  

Getting There

Denver / Boulder / Breckenridge: Just 35 minutes from downtown Denver, 45 minutes from Boulder and 90 minutes from Breckenridge, the Denver International Airport has 1,500 flights daily and over 130 direct flights to U.S. and international destinations (Canada, Europe and Mexico). Transportation is available into town or directly to ski resorts and major attractions.

Steamboat Springs: The Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN) is located just 22 miles from the Steamboat Ski Area and offers nonstop flights from five major airlines to and from eight major North American cities, as well as international connections. A recently completed, $18 million improvement doubled the terminal size (adding 23,000 sq. ft.) and added a fully functional, curbside check-in facility. www.yampavalley.info

Vail: Eagle County Regional Airport is conveniently located just 30 minutes from the center of Vail. American, United, Delta, Northwest and Continental airlines provide nonstop jet service to and from 12 major U.S. cities, including Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Newark and Philadelphia.

Aspen/Snowmass: Just three miles from downtown Aspen, the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport offers many direct flights, including 10 daily flights to Denver during the winter and summer via United Express. The airline also has nonstop daily flights to San Francisco and Los Angeles. Direct flights to Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, Phoenix and Aspen are also available.  

Telluride: At 9,078 feet above sea level and seven miles from town, the Telluride Regional Airport is the continent’s highest commercial airport. Direct and connecting flights through Denver and Phoenix are available by Great Lakes Airlines and America West Express.

Colorado Springs: Colorado Springs Airport (COS) handles around 110 arrivals and departures daily, including nonstop flights to 14 U.S. cities. Only a 25-minute drive from downtown Colorado Springs and a 70-minute drive from Denver, COS boasts one of the lowest number of delays of all U.S. airports. Although its affordable parking lot can accommodate over 9,000 vehicles, the airport’s furthest gate from the ticket counter is only 1,000 feet, making for an enjoyable stroll to your gate.