Central Colorado’s three major meetings players, situated along the eastern face of the southern Rocky Mountains, enjoy the state’s spectacular backdrops and a milder climate than their popular winter ski resort neighbors, namely Aspen, Breckenridge and Vail.
“The misconception is that all of Colorado has massive snow accumulation, but the snow in our communities is minimal,” says Mary Ann Mahoney, executive director of the Boulder CVB, speaking for the
entire front range urban corridor, which also includes Colorado Springs and Denver. “We enjoy blue skies and many sunny days in the winter, and we have great values here from November through April for groups looking for competitive prices for winter meetings.”
This isn’t to say, of course, that these cities aren’t big on the outdoors. In fact, Denver, touted by the Denver Metro CVB as the “perfect blend of outdoor adventure and urban sophistication,” Colorado Springs, where visitors can “experience a stroll through a postcard,” according to the Experience Colorado Springs CVB, and Boulder, dubbed “the city nestled between the mountains and reality,” says the Boulder CVB, all encourage group attendees to explore on foot or bike during off-session hours.
From small incentive retreats to major citywides—the Democratic National Convention was held in Denver in August—the area is poised to welcome a variety of groups, as long as they’re looking forward to an elevated mixture of everything from cultural and sporting events to fine dining and outdoor pursuits.
Denver
The “Mile-High City,” with a number of high-profile events scheduled throughout 2008, is boasting this the “year of the convention.” Joining the already mentioned Democratic National Convention are the American Association of Museums Annual Meeting, the National Performing Arts Conference and the Congressional Medal of Honor Conference. Each event anticipates national media coverage and attendees from around the world, according to the Denver Metro CVB (DMCVB).
“Denver is an exciting city to sell now,” says Rachel Benedick, associate vice president of convention sales at the DMCVB, explaining the recent expansion of the Colorado Convention Center and the opening and renovation of several hotels in preparation for these events have positioned Denver as a major meetings player. “Tourism and conventions mean a lot here.”
The fairly remote Denver metro area, the largest city in a 600-mile radius, according to Benedick, needed to have an entrepreneurial spirit in order to attain its now thriving community.
“If we wanted it, we had to build it,” Benedick says, citing sports teams and the city’s convention infrastructure.
The Colorado Convention Center, including the 5,000-seat Wells Fargo Theatre, which hosts everything from general sessions to concerts, joins an array of flexible meeting space in downtown Denver, where 8,000 guest accommodations are within walking distance. Standby meetings properties include the Hyatt Regency Denver across the street from the convention center, with 1,100 rooms and 60,000 square feet of function space; the 1,225-room Sheraton Denver Hotel, which has 133,000 square feet of function space and is undergoing a $70 million renovation slated for completion by the end of 2009; Marriott City Center; Westin Tabor Center; Grand Hyatt Denver; the newly opened Ritz-Carlton Denver; and the Hotel Monaco, an historic high-end boutique hotel that’s well suited for board meetings.
Meanwhile, Denver’s major attractions are group-friendly, Benedick says, citing Coors Field, home of baseball’s Colorado Rockies, which often hosts group events, and the Denver Performing Arts Complex.
“Groups can take over the whole complex, like ASAE did a few years ago,” Benedick says. “And it spills out to a grassy area where you can see the Rocky Mountains.”
Another misperception, along with the idea that winters here are harsh, is that Denver is a cow town. While the DMCVB embraces the city’s Western heritage, it also works to expose its “sexy side,” Benedick says.
“We have so much that’s not historically associated with Denver, like an arts and culture scene, nightlife and great restaurants,” she says, citing the Denver Art Museum, among other arts attractions, and the city’s diverse areas, including 16th Street Mall, where visitors will find everything from burgers and fries to haute cuisine; Larimer Square, where Denver was originally founded, with eclectic boutique shopping and restaurants; and LoDo, or the lower downtown warehouse district, with nightclubs, sports bars and restaurants.
Denver also boasts 650 miles of paved paths for biking and hiking, including the Cherry Creek Trail, accessible right outside the convention center.
“Since the weather is so nice here, there’s a lot at your fingertips,” Benedick says.
Boulder
Ranked by TripAdvisor earlier this year as one of the top 25 destinations in the U.S., Boulder is a place meeting attendees get excited about visiting. According to the Boulder CVB, small to midsize groups of up to 200 people are thrilled to experience the town’s “distinct lifestyle, beautiful landscape, endless recreation and nationally recognized restaurants.”
Situated 45 minutes from Denver International Airport, Boulder is a quintessential college town that enjoys attention not only for those already-mentioned accolades and University of Colorado contributions, including Buffalo football, but for being a green-friendly and sustainable living environment.
“Many of our establishments include these practices,” says the Boulder CVB’s Mahoney. “We’ve been ‘greening’ in Boulder since 1957, and it’s become paramount for some planners who have to match the values of the companies they represent, clients with sustainability as a corporate policy.”
Boulder is able to attract such groups, as many of its dining establishments, for starters, employ a “field to table philosophy,” Mahoney says, explaining that many independent restaurants and hotels buy ingredients from local farmers. Also, since vehicles aren’t necessary when in town, a group’s overall carbon footprint is minimized. “Meeting planners know some groups get lost in cars in larger communities,” Mahoney adds, “but here they take on the lifestyle and walk. You could be downtown and not get in a car for a number of days.”
Among the group properties within walking distance of Boulder’s attractions, including the Boulder History Museum, the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art and the new 29th Street shopping, dining and entertainment area, are its largest hotel, the Millenium Harvest House Boulder; the boutique Boulder Marriott; the historic Hotel Boulderado; and Saint Julien Hotel & Spa. Early this coming winter, Mahoney adds, ground will break on a Hampton Inn and Suites property.
Just as delegates meeting in Manhattan can count on a Starbucks on practically every corner, those in Boulder will find bike rental outlets everywhere, according to Mahoney.
“There are miles and miles of bike paths and bike lanes,” she says. “Team building is huge with all of the outdoor recreation here—everything from yoga, climbing and bike riding to guided fitness adventures.”
It’s worth noting, for those in the group who are less active, the Culinary School of the Rockies also hosts team-building events.
Other popular group-friendly options include a walking tour of the Mapleton Historic District; a hike at Boulder Falls; fly-fishing at Boulder Creek; a picnic on Flagstaff Mountain; and a private event at Chautauqua, with facilities including a music hall and a picnic pavilion.
Colorado Springs
While there is a bunch to do when in Colorado Springs, Pam Sherfesee, vice president of sales at the Experience Colorado Springs CVB, and her colleagues suggest group attendees stop and smell the flowers, literally.
“Being outdoors is what Colorado is all about,” Sherfesee says. “Planners should slow their programs down a little bit and let attendees enjoy the beautiful blue skies and wildflowers.”
In addition to a great number of hiking and biking options, Colorado Springs boasts a close proximity to a variety of other outdoor pursuits, including golf, fly-fishing, hot-air ballooning, Jeep tours and Pikes Peak Cog Railway train adventures.
“Pikes Peak is over 14,000 feet, right in our backyard,” Sherfesee says, adding that it takes 1.5 hours to get to the top, where groups can shop in the gift store, have a snack and take in the beautiful scenery. “You can almost see to Kansas on a clear day. And then you get on the train for an hour trip back down. Or groups can go up in vans with bikes and take a guided tour down. Either way, it’s a nice morning event.”
Attendees often descend at the Colorado Springs Airport—which offers about 90 flights a day and is 15 to 20 minutes from most properties—with significant others in tow.
“This is a great family destination, and attendees often come early or stay to enjoy the area,” Sherfesee says, citing side trips to Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, an hour away, and Breckenridge, located two hours away. “It’s easy to fly in here, have a meeting and enjoy warm Western hospitality.”
Colorado Springs can host up to 6,000 people, which is the number The Broadmoor can accommodate for receptions.
“We have a variety of sizes of meetings-friendly properties offering a great balance, so there’s something for everyone,” Sherfesee says.
The area’s portfolio also includes Cliff House at Pikes Peak, a Victorian property with 55 uniquely decorated guest rooms that’s well suited for small meetings; Cheyenne Mountain Conference Resort; and six full-service downtown properties, including Antlers Hilton and properties by Doubletree, Crowne Plaza, Marriott, Embassy Suites and Best Western.
For More Information
Boulder CVB 303.442.2911 www.bouldercoloradousa.com
Denver Metro CVB 303.892.1112 www.denver.org
Experience Colorado Springs CVB 719.635.7506 www.experiencecoloradosprings.com
