What does your job entail?
I provide business development for entities within the residential and commercial construction market. This includes providing services to individuals, manufacturers and adjunct organizations. I also plan several conferences a year for high-level executives in resort settings.
Describe your recent meeting in Aspen.
Last June, I brought a group of C-Suite executives within the residential construction market, as well as high-profile building material manufacturers, together for an executive workshop hosted by Sam Rashkin, chief architect for the Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Office.
We arranged lodging and meals at The Gant, a full-service condominium resort in Aspen. The Gant provides all of the comforts of a condominium rental with the services and amenities of a luxury hotel. The private courtyard includes a heated pool, a hot tub and even nooks with seating surrounding fireplaces. Our 35 attendees arrived on a Wednesday evening and enjoyed the venue through Friday evening.
The condominiums are very tastefully decorated, and all included a full kitchen, private balcony or patio, as well as a wood-burning fireplace. The Gant even provided logs on-site for the convenience of our guests. The meeting room was set up specific to our needs, and the conference was a great success. Our meals were not only delicious, but beautifully presented. The Gant accommodated special requests with ease, and was incredibly easy to work with.
What did your attendees seem to enjoy the most?
The beautiful rooms, the convenience of gourmet meals steps from the meeting room, the lovely pool and hot tub, the many amazing area restaurant choices, and the spectacular setting that is Aspen. It was by far our most popular conference to date.
Are there any fun outdoor activities you would recommend for groups meeting in Aspen?
The hiking in the area is diverse, accommodating every level from beginner to advanced. Hiking trails include every type, from meandering walks in the woods along a river to more demanding trails up Aspen Mountain. Gondola trips up and down the mountain offer a less physically demanding, but no less scenic, option.
How does Aspen compare to other places where you have hosted meetings?
Although Aspen is a longer drive from a major airport than most of our conference locations, the drive is absolutely beautiful; all of our attendees were enthusiastic about the travel benefits. Aspen is a jewel. The entire city is walkable; bikes can be rented on an hourly or daily basis; everything you could want in the way of entertainment is readily available and accessible.
Would you return/recommend Aspen to other planners?
Definitely! Immediately upon the completion of our event, we started planning a return trip to Aspen, and The Gant. We will be hosting our second Aspen conference this September—we can’t wait to return!
