Smart Meetings

This is evidenced by the fact that the population has grown more than 13 percent since 2000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. It should come as no surprise, then, that it has become a high-altitude haven for meetings, as well. “It’s a known fact that healthy, happy workers are more productive and efficient,” says Monica McCafferty, communications and public relations manager for the Vail Valley Partnership. “Colorado is an ideal destination to host a corporate retreat or meeting because it truly bridges the mind with the body to create an organic, rejuvenating experience that sends workers back impassioned.”

Additionally, Colorado’s location—almost in the center of the country—makes it easily accessible, and properties with expansive meeting facilities populate almost every major town. Plus, distinctive venues allow planners to offer a twist on traditional meetings, gourmet dining options that feature rustic regional cuisine abound and active outdoor activities for enthusiasts of all skill levels provide the perfect opportunity for attendees to enjoy fun team-building, mid-meeting options.

“Colorado offers the mixture of being a very exciting and popular destination mixed with new, first-class meeting facilities,” adds Rich Grant, communications director for the Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Half of Colorado is public land, preserved as national parks and national forests. In this wild and beautiful wilderness area, there are some of the world’s most famous resort towns like Aspen, Vail and Telluride, as well as the booming, hip young capital city of Denver.”

DENVER
Denver, the state’s largest city and its capital, is a mecca for meeting planners, with almost 8,000 hotel rooms in the hip downtown area and 42,000 rooms citywide. But the sheer scope of accommodations is nothing compared to the city’s multiple distinguishing characteristics that appeal to attendees from every walk of life. The Mile High city is one of only two in the country with eight professional sports teams. The city also breaks beer records by brewing 1,700 different beers, more suds than any other city in the country.

Plus, according to the Denver Metro CVB’s Grant, Denver is one of America’s fastest-growing and exciting cities. “In the 1990s, the city grew by one thousand people a week,” he says. “With this growth has come a complete revitalization of the downtown. The Brookings Institute just picked Denver as the fourth-most-walkable city in America—downtown has nearly 8,000 hotel rooms, 300 restaurants, three new sports stadiums, two new art museums, and the second-largest performing arts center in the nation, all within easy walking distance of each other.”

MEETING VENUES
The sheer volume of meeting venues is equally impressive. The Colorado Convention Center, which opened in 2004, is conveniently located in the center of downtown. The convention center also has its own light-rail station, making for easy connections to many of metro Denver’s hotel rooms. Plus, the center can accommodate meetings and conventions of almost any size via its three levels—592,000 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space on one level, 100,000 sq. ft. of meeting space on another level and two hotel-quality ballrooms of 50,000 and 35,000 sq. ft. on the third level.

In close proximity to the Convention Center are several new hotels with meeting space, including the 1,100-room Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center and the Hilton Garden Inn, a $35-million property that opened in July across from the Convention Center that has 221 rooms. Several posh properties, each with expansive meeting space, are also located downtown, including the new 202-room Ritz-Carlton, Denver, which includes 13,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, a 6,200-square-foot main ballroom and a junior ballroom.

While new properties abound in downtown Denver, classics like the 1892 Brown Palace Hotel and Spa should also be considered. This historic hotel, which got a multimillion-dollar facelift in 2006, offers more than 13,000 sq. ft. of meeting and function space.

Eco-conscious groups should be sure to check out the Denver Marriott Tech Center, which recently held a Green Practices event showcasing “green” goods and services to local hotels, DMCs and transportation companies in preparation for the Democratic National Convention, which comes to town this August. (The luncheon event itself earned a certified “Smart Meal” designation.)

UNIQUE VENUES
For those with a penchant for political history, The Pepsi Center will be the site of the 2008 Democratic National Convention and is also an ideal spot for meetings with its ability for groups ranging in size from 10 to 20,000. The outdoor Red Rocks Amphitheatre, which is carved out of 300-foot red rock cliffs, seats 9,000 and is also a picturesque setting for a meeting.

BOULDER
Home to the University of Colorado at Boulder, the city is known for its liberal population, its focus on eco-friendly living, residents who are immersed in active outdoor pursuits and spectacular scenery from its picturesque location at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, just 25 miles northwest of Denver.

“Meeting attendees are more engaged and productive while they’re in Boulder,” says Mary Ann Mahoney, executive director of the Boulder Convention and Visitors Bureau (bouldercoloradousa.com). “We hear it time and time again that attendees are affected by Boulder’s distinct lifestyle. They see a community that is lively and energetic—people walking, biking and running—and they want to be more lively and energetic, too.”

Boulder offers planners some exciting options for group events and team building. The Boulder Rock Club (totalclimbing.com) takes groups rock climbing at Eldorado State Park, located just a few miles from downtown. And for those looking to truly take meetings to new heights, Mile High Gliding (milehighgliding.com) takes guests on tandem hang-gliding trips, offering truly unsurpassed views of the local landscape.

MEETING VENUES
Many hotels in Boulder have meeting facilities, including the Millennium Harvest House, the Hotel Boulderado, the Boulder Marriott and the St. Julien Hotel and Spa, a luxurious eco-minded retreat that has set its sights on becoming a Zero Waste Hotel by 2010.

Rembrandt Yard, located in historic downtown Boulder, features quotes by famous artists on the walls and has working artist studios on the bottom level. It can accommodate a small group or a reception for 200 with an open floor plan, floor-to-ceiling windows and views of Boulder’s mountains.
Meanwhile, sports aficionados can get their fix at The Stadium Club, which is located on the CU campus at Folsom Field and gives meeting-goers the chance to see the Colorado Buffalos’ football stadium via a contemporary, scenic space with 8,570 sq. ft. for meetings.

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS
Hard-core ski aficionados are right at home in this majestic mountain town located just 160 miles northwest of Denver. Dubbed Ski Town, USA, Steamboat Springs boasts 69 native sons and daughters who have made 120 Olympic appearances during 16 Winter Games since the 1930s.

Those numbers aren’t surprising considering the number of peaks that make up Steamboat, a complete mountain range comprised of Mt. Werner, Sunshine Peak, Storm Peak, Thunderhead Peak, Pioneer Ridge and Christie Peak, which collectively include 2,965 acres of terrain for skiers, snowboarders and outdoor enthusiasts of all skill levels who love the town’s “champagne powder.” Along with more than 3,500 hotel rooms, ranging from rustic room rentals to luxurious suites, Steamboat Springs is home to nearly 250 shops and boutiques, including art galleries, western outfitters, outdoor retailers and gift shops.   

MEETING VENUES
For meetings, the Sheraton Steamboat Resort & Conference Center, which is nestled at the base of the Steamboat Ski Area, offers 25,000 sq. ft. of meeting facilities. Meanwhile, the Steamboat Grand Resort Hotel & Condominiums has nearly 19,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, a 6,000-square-foot ballroom, and 10,000 sq. ft. of outdoor function space, including a 250-seat amphitheater.

VAIL
Vail, located about 100 miles west of Denver, got its start as a ski town that was incorporated in 1966 following the construction of Vail Ski Resort. Since that time, it has developed into a charming mountain sanctuary complete with cobblestone streets and friendly natives. Today’s Vail is a vibrant mix of old west traditions and modern-day luxury, featuring posh resorts and amenities like spa services, shopping, and cultural and culinary attractions, making it an ideal destination for meeting-goers with an affinity for the luxe life.

 “While always known for its world-class ski terrain, the people who live, work and play in Vail add to the town’s unique charm,” says Vail Valley Partnership’s McCafferty. “The town’s pedestrian villages are connected with cobblestone walkways that mirror the same charm and sophistication of the people.”

MEETING VENUES
Vail Cascade Resort & Spa and the Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa are two of the area’s largest properties and provide the most extensive meeting space in town, offering 35,000 and 21,000 sq. ft., respectively. For a more intimate option, Vail Square, which is made up of an enchanting town square, approximately 70 privately owned residences and penthouses, an outdoor ice rink, and numerous quaint boutiques, galleries and courtyard cafés, is home to The Arrabelle at Vail Square, A RockResort, which opened in January.

You can also find several upscale meeting options in neighboring Beaver Creek, a town focused on the twin pleasures of excellent skiing and luxurious living.

UNIQUE VENUES
The Vail Valley is also home to many interesting group venues, both on-mountain and off. Dobson Ice Arena, a 35,000-square-foot multipurpose facility, and Donovan Pavilion, a relatively new 5,200-square-foot venue with additional 3,040 sq. ft. of outdoor space including a heated terrace, are both ideal for groups. The Eagle’s Nest, located atop Vail Mountain, offers 360-degree views and can accommodate 250 to 400 people. Meanwhile, the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, a popular outdoor site that recently underwent a $9-million renovation, seats 2,500 people. Plus, several ranches, including the Lazy J Ranch and 4 Eagle Ranch, offer real Western adventures for off-site events.

If you just can’t settle on one hotel venue, consider renting a village. “Vail is a pedestrian village, where everything is strategically placed within walking distance from one another,” McCafferty says. “Book your large groups at a few properties situated side-by-side, and your group will feel like it owns the village.”

BRECKENRIDGE
While it does boast more than 2,300 acres and 152 ski-able trails, the town of Breckenridge, found 104 miles west of Denver, is equally well known for its ongoing homage to history. Home to the largest historic district in Colorado, the town is a mecca for history buffs, offering historical walking, mining and museum tours. Other popular options include gallery visits, diverse cuisine and shopping in more than 150 stores on historic Main Street. “Breckenridge is a quaint Victorian town in the heart of the Colorado Rockies with activities for all types of tastes,” says Carly Grimes, director of public relations for the Breckenridge Resort Chamber. “Breckenridge’s Main Street is lined with historic buildings and beautiful views and is an ideal place to visit regardless of the season.”

MEETING VENUES
The town of Breckenridge offers 43,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, from board rooms to ballrooms. Highlights include Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center, Breckenridge’s only full-service slope-side resort that also features the town’s largest conference center, and The Village at Breckenridge Resort, which recently underwent a $1.5-million renovation.

Make meeting-goers feel right at home in one of a number of private residences that are available to rent for meetings. The most notable is Alpine Villa, a 20,000-square-foot house with a state-of-the-art meeting facility, while Elk Ridge Ranch, a log-style home that can be rented for groups, offers a stunning mountain backdrop. Group events can also be held at the Breckenridge Golf Club and the Carter Park pavilion, which is the perfect site for an authentic western barbecue.

ASPEN/SNOWMASS
“Aspen is the Manhattan meets L.A. of the ski resort world,” says Mark Elias, national sales manager for the Aspen Groups. Indeed, with a wide array of shopping, activities, arts, dining, events and scenery that can be enjoyed year-round, this stylish ski enclave in southwest Colorado is an ideal site for meetings 12 months out of the year. “Aspen is not seasonal as are many other mountain resorts,” he says. “Aspen stays open year-round, and there is always a strong pulse beating here.”

The city caters to what Elias says is a “diverse” population of visitors, from those who want to enjoy the bounty of the great outdoors to those who come to party and partake in the hip restaurants and bars that populate the walkable downtown area. A haven for music lovers, Aspen is the site of The Aspen Music Festival, Jazz Aspen Snowmass and the Belly Up festival. It also draws extreme sports lovers with the ESPN X Games and foodies with the annual Food and Wine Classic.

Planners looking to pencil in active pursuits can sign up meeting-goers for skiing, hiking, biking, rafting, paragliding, fly fishing and other activities that take place in the Roaring Fork Valley and Elk Mountain range. Concerts, gallery walks and historic tours are also readily available for a more cultural Aspen experience.

True to its name, the town of Snowmass gets plenty of wonderful, white powder and is steps away from the world-class Snowmass ski area. It also impresses meeting groups off-mountain, with the Snowmass Conference Center, which has 35,000 sq. ft. of dedicated function space.

MEETING VENUES
Aspen’s diversity continues when it comes to meeting venues. For slopes lovers, The Little Nell, located at the base of Aspen Mountain, is the only ski-in/ski-out luxury hotel in Aspen and offers 25,000 sq. ft. of indoor/outdoor space. Meanwhile, the perpetually hip flock to Sky Hotel, a swanky luxury retreat located just steps from Aspen’s shopping and nightlife. For those looking for more classic alpine accommodations, the Hotel Jerome, with its 7,500 sq. ft. of meeting space, has been hosting guests since 1889. Larger groups tend to flock to Aspen Meadows, which recently underwent a renovation that added 22,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

The Sundeck, located atop Aspen Mountain at an altitude of 11,200 feet, is accessible via Aspen’s Silver Queen Gondola, a transportation method whose power is offset by purchase of wind credits. The Sundeck offers jaw-dropping views of the Elk Mountain Range and is a “one-of-a-kind venue,” according to Elias.

COLORADO SPRINGS
Tourism has been the heart of Colorado Springs since it was established as a posh resort community in the 1800s, and that tradition continues today. With its close proximity to Pikes Peak, a host of historic properties and the fact that it is home to the prestigious U.S. Air Force Academy, visitors still flock to the town in droves. Additionally, Amy Long, director of marketing and public relations for the Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau, says Colorado Springs “offers first-class services and amenities at second-tier prices.” As such, meeting planners are equally entranced by this mountain town, which boasts nearly 400,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and 5,000 convention property hotel rooms. “Our spectacular scenery literally takes your breath away and provides an inspiring backdrop to any meeting, convention or event,” Long says. “People expect Colorado to be beautiful and welcoming, and in Colorado Springs their expectations are met and exceeded.”

MEETING VENUES
Colorado Springs’ grand dame resort, The Broadmoor, has the town’s most extensive meeting facilities, offering exhibit and meeting spaces that total more than 180,000 sq. ft. Other options include the Phil Long Expo Center, which has more than 92,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, and the Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts, which has 22,000 sq. ft. of  meeting space.

UNIQUE VENUES AND ACTIVITIES
For planners looking to create a truly wild meeting experience, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a fun option. The venue recently added the Lodge at Moose Lake as an ideal site for meetings. Another way to hit your next meeting out of the ballpark is to host an event at Security Service Field, home of the Colorado Sky Sox, a venue that has more than 5,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and five outdoor terraces. Finally, for those looking to truly embrace Colorado Springs’ Wild West history, the Flying W Ranch, a replicated Western town, is another option. It has 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and can serve a chuck wagon-style dinner for up to 1,000 guests or put on a private rodeo.

TELLURIDE/MOUNTAIN VILLAGE
Telluride, named a National Historic Landmark District in 1964, is a European-style alpine village in southwest Colorado that features a charming, walkable downtown Main Street area and spectacular views of the San Juan Mountains.

Winter in Telluride is a skier’s paradise. More than 1,700 acres of skiable terrain and trails can be found at Telluride Ski Resort, which is located in Mountain Village and connected to the town of Telluride via a free gondola transportation system. But summer is equally enticing, with more than 30 festivals and events each year. Dubbed the “Festival Capital in the Southwest,” Telluride has an event lined up nearly every weekend in the summer, providing fun activities for warm-weather Colorado meeting-goers. Highlights include the 32nd Annual Telluride Jazz Celebration (June 5-8), the Telluride Bluegrass Festival (June 19-22), the Telluride Wine Festival (late-June) and the Telluride Film Festival (Aug. 29-Sept. 1). Aside from festivals, “the summertime offers jeep tours to old mining sites, rafting, hiking, fishing, biking and more,” says Sandy Chio, director of marketing and communications for the Telluride Tourism Board.

MEETING VENUES
The most meeting space can be found at the Telluride Conference Center, which is located at the top of the gondola in Mountain Village and has more than 11,000 sq. ft. of space. The adjacent Peaks Resort & Golden Door Spa has an additional 5,200 sq. ft. of flexible indoor/outdoor meeting space and can accommodate groups of up to 350. Beyond hotel and convention space, planners who want to truly embrace the charming Victorian appeal of this mountain town can try the historic Sheridan Opera House, which has a theater that can seat up to 240 people, or the Gorrono Ranch in Mountain Village, which features multiple outdoor decks, as well as a lodge for groups from 50 to 250 people. Back to Top

Getting There

• Aspen/Snowmass: Just four miles from downtown, the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport offers direct flights from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Phoenix, Salt Lake City and Denver. While flight schedules vary by season, connections are available through Denver via United , which offers as many as 18 daily roundtrip flights, and Salt Lake City via Delta, which offers as many as four flights daily.
• Denver/Boulder/Breckenridge: Just 35 minutes from downtown Denver, 45 minutes from Boulder, and two hours from Breckenridge, the Denver International Airport has 1,500 flights daily and more than 140 direct flights to U.S. and international destinations (Canada, Europe and Mexico). It is served by 26 airlines and is a hub for United and Frontier. Transportation is available into town or directly to ski resorts and major attractions.
• Colorado Springs: Colorado Springs Airport (COS), only a 25-minute drive from downtown Colorado Springs and a 70-mile drive from Denver, is currently serviced by nine airlines; Frontier Airlines is expected to add services this year.
• Steamboat Springs: The Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN) is located just 22 miles from the Steamboat Ski Area and offers nonstop flights via five major airlines from Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, Newark, New York City, Minneapolis and Denver. A recently completed, $18 million improvement doubled the terminal size and added a fully functional, curbside check-in facility.
• Telluride/Mountain Village: Direct and connecting flights to Telluride   Regional Airport through Denver and Phoenix are available through Amer-   ican Airlines, America West Airlines, Continental Airlines, Great Lakes     Aviation and United Airlines.   
• Vail: Eagle County Regional Airport is conveniently located just 30 minutes from the center of Vail. American, United, Delta, Northwest, US Air and Continental airlines provide nonstop jet service to and from 14 major U.S. cities, including Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Newark and Philadelphia.

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