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Planner's Perspective

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Sharon Brown
Owner
Sharon Brown Events
Noblesville, Ind.


Describe your event.

The Lean and Green Summit held at the St. Julien Hotel & Spa in Boulder was attended by 110 corporate executives and managers from across the U.S. and Europe. Companies attending included Nike, Waste Management, Hallmark Cards, Burgerville and the Association for Manufacturing Excellence. From compliance to innovation, the Lean and Green Summit brought together the passions of two committed groups: advocates of operational excellence who see the implications lean principles have in sustainability and environmental advocates wanting to move the industry toward sustainability.

Why did you decide to host the meeting in Boulder?
Boulder offers more options for green meetings than most markets. It was easy to plug into established green initiatives in Boulder, including the airport shuttles and the St. Julien. We also incorporated tours of two local companies, Roche Denver and Pangea Organics, for working examples of green manufacturing. Two other important deciding factors were the carbon footprint of the total event and the numerous flights to Denver.

What surprised you the most about Boulder?
The overall feel of the city was perfect for our event. Attendees enjoyed riding bikes and running and walking on the many trails around the city. They enjoyed the nightlife on Pearl Street, and many attendees extended their stay with family and friends, which is always a positive for room blocks. I was also personally surprised at how flexible the St. Julien was with its food and beverage minimums, which is always a positive with budget concerns.

What did your attendees seem to enjoy the most?
The convenience for networking during the conference, and everything attendees needed was only a few steps from the hotel. Many incorporated networking dinners in the evenings. They enjoyed walks on the paths instead of being limited to the hotel workout facility. They were thrilled with Boulder’s small-town feel and environmental focus.

Was anybody particularly helpful?
Sheila Murray with the Boulder CVB was extremely helpful on our initial site visit and throughout the process. The staff at the St. Julien was first-class. I plan events all across the U.S. and the staff and the service at the St. Julien is some of the best. Their audiovisual team was extremely professional and knowledgeable, and the front desk staff was always willing to lend a hand.

What would you have done differently in retrospect?
Although we knew about the many outdoor adventures, concerts, etc., due to limited time for our conference we did not incorporate off-site experiences in our agenda. For our next event in Boulder, I will make sure we promote extended stays and incorporate off-site adventures.

How does Boulder compare to other cities where you have hosted meetings?
Boulder is a great market compared to other cities. I’ve hosted events in Indianapolis, Denver, New Orleans, Orlando, Las Vegas, Detroit, Chicago and Scottsdale, Ariz. Boulder has the best options for entertainment and nightlife within walking distance. It’s refreshing to have local options for dining, something different than standard chain restaurants. It’s a safe location and the city is extremely friendly to outside visitors. The hospitality was wonderful and service was top-notch, everyone from the shuttle driver to waiters and shop owners. In some markets, we encourage attendees to stay in the host hotel for safety and the carbon footprint. In Boulder, we wanted attendees to experience the city in addition to the wonderful accommodations at the St. Julien. The weather was beautiful and we were able to incorporate outside dining for lunch. This is not possible in most markets for July events.

Would you return?
Absolutely. In fact, we’re considering Boulder for the 2009 Lean and Green Summit.

Do you have any advice for other planners who might bring a meeting to Boulder?
Take time to get to know the area and the options for off-site functions. Allow time in the program agenda for attendees to experience the nightlife, nature trails, hikes, parks and shopping. Encourage attendees to gather after-hours for informal networking at local restaurants. Take advantage of the beautiful backdrop of the mountains for networking, team building and learning. Although it’s a smaller market, the hospitality and service competes with many destination markets and doesn’t have the high food and beverage minimum requirements.