Colorado Meetings + Events Fall 2022

Dazzling

DENVER

Discover vibrant neighborhoods in the Mile High City

Team First Scott Gladney succeeds by empowering employees

15

Holiday Celebrations Jingle Back

BY BETH BUEHLER

Colorado industry pros return to a ho-ho-ho mood about holiday business

books.

Meeting Notes

Take

next meeting

8 Meet + Eat

Check in with caterers for a healthy dash of creative approaches.

10 Destination

Three Denver neighborhoods are prime options for meetings or events.

20 Industry Update

Discover the latest industry updates through our Meetings + Events infographic and Colorado news.

26 Snapshots

The MPI Rocky Mountain Chapter celebrates its annual gala and auction.

28 People Profile

Scott Gladney empowers employees and teaches the next generation leadership and hospitality.

On the Cover

Denver’s Union Station is at the heart of the city’s LoDo neighborhood.

PHOTOS: GAYLORD ROCKIES RESORT & CONVENTION CENTER; BROOKE

(OPPOSITE) ALI MUMY

PHOTO BY PAUL WEDLAKE

15 Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR ALESHA TAYLOR

EDITOR KATELYN BLOOMQUIST

TODD R. BERGER

EDITOR AVA DIAZ

BETH BUEHLER

AMANDA CHRISTENSEN

CREATIVE DIRECTOR TONYA SUTFIN

EDEL, TRACI ZELLMANN

MANAGER LY NGUYEN

DIRECTOR DEIDRA ANDERSON

COORDINATOR MIKAYLA SNYDER

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER + DIRECTOR OF MARKETING,

+ PARTNERSHIPS ARTHUR MORRISSEY

OFFICE MANAGER RICK KRUEGER

TEGHAN MURPHY

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS KATHIE GORECKI

ASSOCIATE NATASHA BAJJU

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR GERI WILSON

DEVELOPMENT MANAGER CINDY FISH

REPRINTS

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Shaking It Up

» ONE OF THE BEST things about the meetings and events industry getting its groove back is reconnecting with colleagues and interacting with people I have never crossed paths with before.

It’s also interesting to see where people landed after one of the greatest employment shakeups in the industry’s history and to learn about new innovations that address challenges and opportunities.

James Ave. S., Suite 152, Bloomington, MN 55431

612-371-5801

612-371-5800

HOUR MEDIA

Stefan Wanczyk

John Balardo

The

was

Colorado

THE U.S.A.

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co.meetingsmags.com

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One of these innovations taps the expertise of Roger Dow, who recently departed the U.S. Travel Association after 17 years of service as CEO, and Mike Gamble, CEO of the hospitality executive placement firm SearchWide Global and a former convention bureau executive. Together, they are developing the new company Future Work Solutions to help address the industry’s labor shortage through a flexible worker system. Dow also brings insights from his days as senior vice president of global and field sales at Marriott International and has been a keynote speaker several times at the Colorado Governor’s Tourism Conference.

The hospitality industry workforce is at only 84% of its prior size—translating into 1.3 million fewer employees than in 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In an effort to increase that percentage, Future Work Solutions connects trained professionals with hotels, restaurants, and venues on a short-term basis. Quality meetings and events rely on well-staffed and skilled hospitality teams, and it has taken creative measures like this to keep customer service at expected levels.

Meeting and event planners also play a key role in the hospitality industry on the client side. So, what are planners saying about today’s employment marketplace and other challenges? According to results from Global DMC Partners’ second quarter meetings and events survey that polled 237 meeting and event professionals, planner salaries are higher in the U.S. and Canada than elsewhere in the world, but companies are reporting more open positions and fewer candidates. In addition, price increases are significantly affecting planners’ program budgets. Find the survey results at globaldmcpartners.com.

We are at an interesting crossroads. However, I have never seen an industry that is more resilient and creative, and I am excited to learn about innovative solutions and lessons learned.

BETH BUEHLER

Taking a break along the hiking route from Crested Butte to Aspen

MORE THAN GREAT BEER: TAP INTO FORT COLLINS’ CULTURAL SCENE

When thinking about Fort Collins, many conjure up images of delicious beer and a vibrant downtown historic district. However, there is a significant artsy side groups should also plug into when meeting in this northern Colorado city.

» Dream up a challenge to locate several of the 377 transformer cabinet murals located throughout the city.

» For a hands-on project, design and create custom shoes at Colorado Shoe School in nearby Bellvue, with options ranging from making sneakers in one day and slippers in two, to hand crafting shoes or boots in five days.

» For projects that take less time, head to Extra Arts & Drafts , where groups can create upscale DIY projects like leather

objects, string art, macrame, bottle openers, resin jewelry, and more, all while sipping a beverage.

» During summer, the alfresco music scene comes alive in Fort Collins with entertainment offered five days a week. Most are free, and there is typically an option to purchase food and beverage.

» Two downtown hotels, The Elizabeth Hotel and Armstrong Hotel, both offer meeting and event space and music venues. Check out Magic Rat Live Music at The Elizabeth and Ace Gillet’s Lounge & Supper Club at the Armstrong.

ftcollins.com

The Brown Palace Celebrates 130th Anniversary

On Aug. 12, one of Colorado’s grand dames, The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa in down town Denver, celebrated 130 years of hospitality with an evening reception in the Grand Lobby and Mezzanine, complete with cake, champagne, and live music. Attendees also received a taste of the past from several cameo performances honoring The Brown Palace’s historical figures and a museum pop-up displaying various artifacts.

The hotel was built by Henry Cordes Brown, a carpenter-turned-real-estate entre preneur from Ohio who moved in 1860 and purchased several acres of land, including a triangular plot at the corners of Broadway, Tremont, and 17th Street. He made a name for himself by donating 10 acres in the middle of his property for the state capitol building. Today, The Brown Palace has 241 rooms and suites, six restaurants and bars, and more than 25,000 square feet of meeting space.

PHOTOS: VISIT FORT COLLINS; THE ELIZABETH HOTEL; THE BROWN PALACE HOTEL AND SPA; (OPPOSITE) EVAN SEMON

Lagoon Concert Series

Colorado Shoe School

Magic Rat at The Elizabeth Hotel

THREE TIPS FOR BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

BY CATHY PAPER

» WHERE DID THE TIME GO? It has been more than two years since the pan demic began, and networking has evolved into a hybrid of in-person and on-screen communication. Yet, building relation ships remains the same. Be clear, consis tent, and kind, and you will build powerful and engaged relationships.

As events return to in-person, it’s ben eficial to use your new online skills to grow a network. Building your habits to combine on- and off-screen connections results in stronger relationships and, therefore, more success.

For example, if you are not a fan of using social media to expand your connections or maintain your existing relationships, consider these tips to overcome your hesi tation, increase engagement, and build rapport. Online connections are here to stay. People research one another, email each other, and use social media platforms to blur the lines between personal and pro fessional in many industries. Don’t worry though, in-person connections will always remain powerful, too.

Here are three tips to give your network ing confidence a boost.

Be Clear. Know why you want to have a network and be intentional about what level of network you can maintain. A network isn’t about having a large number of relation ships; it’s about having quality relationships that allow you to get things done. Often, people don’t think about their network until they want a job or need to increase sales.

As you head out to events, know why you want to build connections. This includes knowing what you bring to the

Cathy

relationship. And it’s not all about you; it’s a two-way street. Being intentional about whom you want to meet with, whom you want to support, and why, comes from clarity—it can range from the individuals you want to meet at an event to how often you want to go online and use social media.

Be Consistent. How do you show up? What do you say? How do you find common connections and things to talk about? I see people go on LinkedIn every single day and never make a comment on other posts. To increase and deepen your connection, say more. One line on a connection’s post can show that you are interested. An authentic, personal comment can go farther than just a thumbs up with no context.

To ensure you are making these con nections, create a LinkedIn habit and use it every day at the same time.

Be Kind. Networking can seem like it’s all about you and what you want, especially when you’re feeling isolated or discon nected, which is now a common feeling for many people since the start of the pan demic. Imagine what you can do for another person. If you have spent time on social media in the past two years, you know that there are people who post a lot but are missing what I refer to as “online empathy.” Empathy can show up as an emoji, which can add more depth to the connection.

This world of building a network on- and off-screen is so important. It drives busi ness and performance. Being clear, consis tent, and kind can create an individual that others want to be in a relationship with and do business with.

From School Days to Hotel Stays: The Slate Denver

Located across the street from the Colorado Convention Center, The Slate Denver, Tapestry Collection by Hilton opened in the former Emily Griffith Opportunity School in late May. Embracing the rich history as one of the first trade schools in the United States, this 1926-era building, developed by Stonebridge Companies, aptly named its meeting ven ues Assembly, 1916 Boardroom, Library, and Study Hall.

Today, the four-story, 135,000-square-foot property features 251 guest rooms, 4,500 square feet of meeting and event space, an outdoor patio, and a fitness center. The cuisine and beverage at Teachers’ Lounge Food + Drink is tasty, creative, and beautifully presented, so erase any thought of marginal cafeteria fare. Walking down the guest-room hallways and original staircases is sure to remind many of their school days.

Something to look forward to is the adjacent Emily’s Alley (named in honor of Griffith, the school’s founder) for shopping, dining, and gathering. A court yard in Emily’s Alley is currently accessible to groups.

Don’t be a scaredy-cat when networking on and off the screen.

All in One: Community Center, Camp & Team Building

When looking for venues, make sure to consider community centers, as they tend to offer a variety of spaces, commercial kitchens, and activities. In Denver, the Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center (JCC) is offer ing a new, customizable teambuilding ceramics class to engage up to 16 participants for two hours. Food and beverage can be catered by Safta or Rosenberg’s Kosher.

The community center has other facilities such as a gym, a swimming pool, and an outdoor space known as the Backyard. It also features several indoor gathering spaces, including a boardroom, a theater, and conference rooms.

JCC Denver also owns Ranch Camp in Black Forest, which is only 90 minutes from Denver. The camp features lodging for 200 guests, multiple campfire and outdoor spaces, an outdoor AstroTurf field, a high-ropes course, and miles of trails.

jccdenver.org

TOASTING A COMMUNITY CAUSE

Tables ran the length of Loveland’s Fourth Street, between Cleveland and Railroad, as downtown Loveland transformed into a magical dining experience for Meals on 4th. For the second year, Meals on Wheels of Loveland & Berthoud teamed up with My BIG Day LLC, an event planning and marketing company that serves Colorado’s Front Range, to make the fundraiser a reality.

Local restaurants and breweries offered their finest selec tions for guests to sample during the community-centric event, and live music added to the ambiance. The multi course dining experience culminated with a paddle-raise auction to benefit Meals on Wheels’ programming.

Top

bottom: Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center’s Ranch Camp in Black Forest; JCC ceramics studio

PHOTOS:

COMMUNITY CENTER; LAUREN LEARY AND STEVEN KUZMICH;

PHOTOGRAPHY; DUSTIN HOLSTEIR

TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE— TRAINS & AIRPLANES

» IT’S FUN TO SEE beneficial alli ances make cool things happen.

Colorado Railroad Museum and Table Mountain Inn in Golden have joined forces to launch Table Mountain Station, a new indoor and outdoor venue for private events held at the museum.

Table Mountain Station features a 15-acre railyard with over 100 narrow- and standard-gauge steam and diesel locomotives, passenger cars, cabooses, Galloping Goose railcars, and a landscaped, G-scale garden railway. Planners work with Table Mountain Inn’s sales team to make the organizational aspects easy and to add fun interactive elements such as guided tours, train rides, and more.

Plan a gathering for 50 to 500 people complete with selections from Table Mountain Inn’s full-service catering options and food truck, Table Mountain Tacos, which is parked permanently at Colorado Railroad Museum. tablemountaininn.com

Two of Denver’s beloved aviationthemed attractions also collaborated. When FlyteCo Tower, the second loca tion of FlyteCo Brewing, opened this summer in the 164-foot former flight tower at the now defunct Stapleton International Airport, Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum jumped on board by loaning aviation-themed exhibits. FlyteCo patrons also can enjoy Wings Over the Rockies-themed beers, with part of the proceeds going to the museum (located only 3 miles away), as well as cohosted events at the brewery, exhibits at the Tennyson location, and mutual voucher programs.

FlyteCo’s background is deeply rooted in aviation as two out of the three original owners are pilots. Also, 10% of FlyteCo’s profits benefit the future of aviation through scholarships and donations to youth engagement and veteran-focused organizations. flytecotower.com; wingsmuseum.org

Top to bottom: On board a Galloping Goose railcar at the Colorado Railroad Museum; the owners of FlyteCo

Inspired Catering

The leaders of three Front Range companies reveal what is in demand. BY JULIE BIELENBERG

» COLORADO CATERERS have reor ganized and reimagined how events look since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. From food and supply-chain shortages to the demand for local and organic goods, industry pros have changed their menus and approaches to compete in the emerging culinary landscape.

ACTION STATIONS

People have been in their homes cooking for themselves for two-plus years, and they are ready for a show. Colorado’s catering industry has responded with demonstra tive and on-site cooking stations.

“Our clients are really into food prepa ration, and we are seeing an upswing in the trend of preparing the food in front of guests,” explains Ingrid Nady, CSEP, owner

and CEO of Catering by Design in Denver.

“This isn’t just an action station—it is see ing the ingredients come together in an artful way. For instance, we recently did an event where we were making ravioli in front of the guests with edible flowers, goat cheese ricotta, and spring peas. We rolled the dough in front of the guests, filled it, and then cooked the ravioli to order.”

Epicurean Catering prepares food fresh on location at many gatherings by using grills and pizza ovens and has kept triedand-true dishes on the menu. “About 25 to 30 years ago, we started doing Colorado lamb lollipops on-site, and their popularity has never faded,” says Larry DiPasquale, chair and founder. “Now, we also have state-of-the-art pizza ovens and searing stations for miniature free-range chicken

PHOTOS: FRANCIS PHOTOGRAPHY; PICNIC BASKET CATERING COLLECTIVE; (OPPOSITE) EPICUREAN GROUP

A Catering by Design chef provides a colorful, artistic touch to handcrafted ravioli using edible flowers.

Kathy Dreiling of Buffalo Gals shares her love for cooking authentic Santa Maria-style barbeque on an open pit for her clients.

kabobs that we bring to events. We can mix in different sauces to add color to the presentation. It has been a huge hit from casual to elegant events.”

The Centennial-based company also has experienced an increase in burger requests. “We just did [our popular wagyu sliders] again for a corporate event last night,” DiPasquale says. “It is because they are grilled to perfection in front of the guests and come piping hot with caramelized onions and dill pickles. It’s simple but sensational.”

“Have grill, will travel” is a mantra for Buffalo Gals, the barbecue division of Pic nic Basket Catering Collective in Colo rado Springs. “Through catering authentic Santa Maria-style barbecue, simple pic nics, and big stylish bashes, we prepare all kinds of cuisine over red oak on our impressive grills: colorful vegetables, fish, oysters, corn in the husk, beer-basted chicken, London broil, grilled romaine salad, grilled fruit, and, of course, tradi tional beef tri-tip sirloin. The guests love watching and smelling all the food being prepared on-site from start to finish,” says Kathy Dreiling, president and co-owner.

SIMPLE, NATURAL ELEMENTS

Swapping in local, in-season elements for more expensive and hard-to-guarantee products, such as a certain cut of meat or a specific color of orchid, caterers are relying on Colorado resources. Sourcing locally ensures the needed items are avail able and arrive promptly.

DiPasquale has noticed a surge in simple, organic vegetables, and it has turned into one of his favorite presentations. “There is authentic quality to the sparkling produce. We get so many colors and different types each season. There is never a shortage.”

Epicurean also has witnessed a shift to lighter and more colorful menu items that reflect spring and summer, such as edible flowers in desserts and displays.

“Our field staff has been wowing guests with steak stations, grill-on-site taco bars, mac-and-cheese bars, and summertime

soup shooters like chilled, white gazpacho or vichyssoise garnished with seasonal microgreens and savory flavored oils and vinegars,” says Dreiling.

Catering by Design is known for its cre ative displays—another important piece of the catering equation. “We are always thinking of ways to present in an artful manner,” Nady says. “We have the decor division and a carpenter on staff, and we recently won an international catering award [the International Catering Asso ciation’s CATIE Award for Best Beverage Trend Incorporation] for our presentation of Bubbles the Deer. This simple deer head was transformed into a champagne tap for an event in Aspen. So, it is taking ordinary objects and transforming them in a way that can be interactive and exciting.”

cateringbydesignco.com epicureangroupco.com pbcatering.com

Trending

“Plant-based foods are on the rise. Also, infused and curated oils are being used in interesting ways, such as a basil-infused pumpkin seed oil in lieu of a traditional, heavier sauce on entree plates.”

–INGRID NADY, Catering by Design

“We have been adding on a lot of dessert stations like blueberries jubilee, bananas foster, mangolime cobbler, and gelato bars with all the fixings.”

–KATHY DREILING, Picnic Basket Catering Collective

Epicurean’s brûléed goat cheese salad features baby kale and mixed greens with caramelized cheese coins and watermelon radishes.

LoDo, RiNo

Cherry Creek North

Dazzling Denver Neighborhoods

Groups looking for energized meeting and event backdrops should head straight for LoDo, RiNo, and Cherry Creek North.

BY BETH BUEHLER

» IN CITIES as large as Denver, plan ners are challenged with the task of dial ing in the neighborhood that best suits their group’s size, needs, demographics, and budget. We selected three districts that are quite different but share the trait of perpetually delivering something new and unique.

LOWER DOWNTOWN

Gold was discovered at the confluence of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek in 1858, setting the stage for this area to become the birthplace of the city. Fast forward to 1988, the Lower Downtown Historic District was established to inject economic and social vitality, and to encourage historic preservation of one of the American West’s finest collections of late 19th- and early 20th-century commercial buildings.

Today, Lower Downtown (LoDo) is a mixed-use neighborhood with urban housing and nearly 100 restaurants, clubs, galleries, and shops. At the heart of LoDo is Coors Field

PHOTOS: THE RALLY HOTEL / NATHAN HINDMAN PHOTOGRAPHY; (OPPOSITE) ADAM BOVE; CATBIRD HOTEL

McGregor Square offers an outdoor communal space next to The Rally Hotel

and the beautifully restored Denver Union Station, which serves as a transportation hub and market hall with shops, eateries, bars, and The Crawford Hotel.

“LoDo, Denver’s oldest neighborhood, continues to reinvent itself with excit ing new offerings. The new hotels in this neighborhood, The Rally Hotel and Thompson Denver, have added inventory to an already bustling area filled with shopping, dining, nightlife, and other activities for attendees,” says Jason Lusk, CMP, associate vice president of conven tion sales for VISIT DENVER. “The close proximity to Union Station and the A Line provide easy light rail access from Denver International Airport.”

Other additions to the LoDo hotel and meetings and events scene over the past five years alone include Hotel Indigo Den ver Downtown-Union Station, The Maven, and Kimpton Hotel Born. If a taste of his tory is desired, check out The Oxford Hotel that opened in 1891 and the Dairy Block, once the location of Windsor Dairy and now a multiuse block containing The Maven, Denver Milk Market food hall, the Alley at the Dairy Block, shops, and office space.

For one company, Snooze, The Rally Hotel was an ideal location for a lead ership conference from June 20-23 for 140 attendees. Two brothers, Jon and Adam Schlegel, launched Snooze in the district 16 years ago, and the company now has restaurants in 10 states. The gathering utilized nearly all the function spaces at The Rally, including the adja cent McGregor Square.

“Snooze started in the historic Ballpark neighborhood, one-fourth of a mile from The Rally Hotel,” says Brianna BorinLygizos, senior vice president of people. “The Rally Hotel represents all that the neighborhood is in a new and vibrant way. It shows the growth Denver has had in the past few years but also gives homage to its history.”

In LoDo, groups can benefit from the proximity to amenities and attractions, as well as the energetic vibe, she says. “There are a lot of local restaurants and eateries, entertainment via the baseball stadium and Tom’s Watch Bar, and shop ping at Market Station, Dairy Block, and 16th Street Mall. LoDo is where downtown Denver comes alive.”

RIVER NORTH ART DISTRICT

Lonely Planet has named River North Art District (RiNo) among the top 10 neigh borhoods to visit in the United States, and it just keeps getting more vibrant. Two new hotels, Catbird and V ī b Hotel by Best Western, opened in the past year and “place attendees in the middle of this hip and active area complete with din ing, shopping, live music, breweries, dis tilleries, and fantastic street art around every corner and literally down every alley,” Lusk says.

More new hotels are in the works but early groundwork for groups to gather and stay in RiNo was set by The Ramble Hotel, The Source Hotel + Market Hall, and Zep pelin Station, a food hall with multiple culinary outlets and two bars.

Marley Medical, a small startup com pany, held a quarterly meeting in June at Catbird, bringing a group of remote employees together. “We looked at vari ous areas, and Denver was high on our list due to direct flights from various locations and the scene itself,” says Chelsea Biel, director of clinical operations and one of two organizers of the meeting.

Left to right: Denver’s first activated pedestrianfriendly alley, the Alley at Dairy Block in LoDo; the eclectic lobby inside Catbird Hotel in RiNo

RiNo as a neighborhood was highly rec ommended due to the restaurants, brewer ies, artistic vibe, and walkability, she says. “We looked at a few hotels, and Catbird is so unique, interesting, and fun. The space is beautifully designed and functional along with amenities such as The Play room, The Rooftop, and other activities.”

The group met in Catbird’s Media Room for two days and walked to Zeppelin Station and The Denver Central Market for lunch and Source Market Hall for dinner. A more low-key meeting was held at a brewery, Our Mutual Friend, and a casual night out that included miniature golf and dinner was spent at Urban Putt. The group utilized the A Line train to the airport as Catbird is an easy walk to the 38th and Blake Station.

“Just being in a creative space was really important to us for brainstorming and thinking outside the box. … Catbird and RiNo are not cookie cutter,” Biel observes.

Catbird General Manager Courtney Griffith appreciates being part of a thriv ing district that “is quickly developing right in front of all of us,” she says. “RiNo is such an eclectic neighborhood with not only a great art scene but some of the best culinary spots in the city such as The Greenwich Denver, Himchuli, Uchi, and Safta. The phenomenal music scene also has taken off with big acts filling Mission Ballroom almost nightly.”

CHERRY CREEK NORTH

Located only 3 miles from downtown Den ver, Cherry Creek North has long appealed to groups but was short on accommoda tions and meeting and event space until Halcyon opened in 2016 to join JW Mar riott Denver Cherry Creek, which was fully renovated and reopened this year as Hotel Clio. To follow, Moxy Denver Cherry Creek launched in 2017, The Jacquard Hotel & Rooftop in 2018, and Clayton Members Club & Hotel in 2021.

Like RiNo, Cherry Creek North is flush with diverse shopping and dining options and is located along the Cherry Creek

Regional Trail. The neighborhood offers many options for putting the outdoors on the agenda by booking rooftops and patios at Halcyon, The Jacquard, Moxy, and vari ous restaurants and bars such as Forget Me Not, Del Frisco’s Grille, and Toro Latin Kitchen & Lounge.

Considering the appeal to the area, Cherry Creek North hotels are collaborat ing with the district to host larger groups, giving attendees a choice of where to stay among a variety of gathering spaces. For example, technology company Medable hosted a corporate summit July 24-28 and booked 50 guest rooms at Clayton Members Club & Hotel, 20 at The Jac quard, and 20 at Halcyon.

With one gathering at The Jacquard under her belt, Ashley Kassis, event plan ner with Kassis Consulting, decided to return to Cherry Creek, this time with Medable. She chose this region because of the district’s walkability and higherend hotels with approachable room prices and affable staff.

Meetings and lunches took place at Clayton Members Club & Hotel and activities included optional morning exercise bootcamps at Barry’s, a dodge ball session at Archery Games Denver, and a short hike from Lair o’ the Bear Park to Dunafon Castle for a barbecue. Attendees received a sampling of culi nary options in Cherry Creek North with

Clockwise from left: The rooftop pool at The Jacquard; the coworking lounge at Clayton Members Club & Hotel; ceviche featured on Toro Latin Kitchen & Lounge’s menu

PHOTOS: CHERRY CREEK NORTH; CLAYTON MEMBERS CLUB & HOTEL; CHERRY CREEK NORTH

YMCA of the

Where

at Forget Me Not and the restaurant

rooftop at Halcyon.

Creek North has been a longtime destination neighborhood in its own right, and it only gets better,” Lusk confirms. “With five boutique hotels nestled among 600 businesses in just 16 blocks, including the newly renovated and

luxury

Hotel Clio,

step out the front door of

property and find myriad

J gle Bac k

AFTER THE HO-HUM OF

THE PAST TWO YEARS, COLORADO’S EVENT GOERS ARE BACK IN A FESTIVE MOOD.

BY BETH BUEHLER

ince the start of the pandemic, the nature of corporate holiday events has shifted. Are they happening, what do they look like, and are groups going big or remaining conservative? To find out, Colorado Meetings + Events reached out to local experts, ranging from destination management companies (DMCs) and event

planners to venues, caterers, florists, and other suppliers. As of writing this at the end of summer, most say bookings and inquiries are rolling in at a steady pace.in

“Clients are looking at decor ideas, head counts, locations, looks, and themes,” says Cindy Ollig, owner and designer at The Perfect Petal in Denver. “They are in the planning and dreaming mode but feel confident about booking. Most of our holiday hotel clients are going forward with additional decor last year at an average rate [of increase at] 20%.”

Her colleague, Senior Event Designer Katie Nolan, agrees. “For now, [clients] that I am proposing [events] for during the holidays do not seem to be worried about sparing expenses, so that’s great news.”

In fact, groups have been going bigger throughout 2022. “It has been more than holiday events. We have noticed all year more money and energy being spent on events than in 2019,” says Josh Abbott, general manager of Fun Productions in Aurora. “I believe people just need to gather so badly that they want to make up for lost time.”

It’s also about employers recognizing the intense challenges of the past few years, wanting to reward their teams, and providing a chance to relax and blow off some steam. “We are seeing companies going all out for their events,” says Dawn Abbott, owner, CEO, and the other half of the mother-son team guiding Fun Productions. “People are looking for their employers to help them have a more balanced, fun life, and companies are realizing this is necessary to keep their ‘A’ players.”

She adds, “I believe the hybrid workforce requires more in-person gatherings to reconnect. We are

seeing higher attendance at events; pre-COVID-19, you would see averages of 75% of invited employees show up, where now it is closer to 90%.”

Event Types & Trends

Another longtime industry pro, Chris Starkey, a partner at Denver-based Imprint Group, confirms that large, fully live, themed events are back. “We are seeing a lot of the immersive experience with Meow Wolf [an immersive art exhibit] sweeping the nation, as well as staged productions that are popping up everywhere. Live events are following the trend where the audience is very much part of the theatrical experience,” he says.

“Community giveback was a large component before the pandemic, and [now] it is bigger than ever, so much so that some holiday events are not happening and moving toward engaging in a charitable function,” Starkey adds.

For Fun Productions, events are ranging from small casino holiday parties to large galas for 300plus people. “I have noticed a shift from casino events to events that are half casino with additional items thrown in for the non-gamblers,” Josh says. “Sports and bar equipment, photo booths, giant games, and event inflatables are big this year. We are also seeing a lot of fun family events for the holidays, versus the dressy, adults-only parties.”

Holiday parties are similar in size as they were pre-COVID-19 for Imprint Group’s repeat corporate

clients, confirms Kiley Falcone, account manager for the Denver-based experiential event group and DMC.

“We are seeing parties in the 500- to 1,000-person range. Types of gatherings are your typical holiday reception with light bites, appetizers, and entertainment … something that you can stop by and stay all night or go to a dinner afterward,” she says. “Otherwise, some of our corporate clients have moved to more intimate holiday gatherings and doing smaller dinners or something of that nature.”

For one client holding an event at Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Aurora, Imprint Group is helping create a whimsical wonder house. “Think fun house with a holiday twist,” Falcone says. “Otherwise, I am seeing simple, elegant winter looks making a comeback for the more intimate holiday parties.”

As You Wish, an event planning and concierge business in Denver, is planning corporate gatherings for 100 to 250 guests with some clients booking larger, wide-open venues such as Mile High Station for a

casino night or themed event, while others are securing hotel spaces in Cherry Creek North and holding events in downtown offices. “Most companies haven’t done holiday events in the last two years, so there is more of a budget with wiggle room, and they want to celebrate staff,” says Allison Farrar Welch, owner of As You Wish. “They can bring spouses and guests, whereas last year maybe it was a nice luncheon for the team.”

Wish. “They can bring spouses and guests, whereas and playful stations are being requested more

On the food and beverage side, energetic themes and playful stations are being requested more than formal plated dinners. “This style ensures an upbeat, positive vibe without a focus on lots of presenting/talking and ample spacing for individual comfort levels in gathering with others,” says Colbért Callen, sales and marketing director for Footers Catering and Social Capitol, the Footers’ on-site venue in Arvada.

One COVID-19 trend she appreciates is individually portioned small plates served at stations, which increases health safety and provides efficiency in

Imprint Group created a vibrant and immersive space for a holiday event.

service and presentation. “We are finding companies being open to more adventurous station menus as well. Menus no longer have to fit the beef-pasta-salad holiday model. Street tacos, Asian fusion, and risotto bars are making their way onto many more holiday menus to reinspire event concepts coming back from the pandemic,” she says.

Modest or All-Out

Imprint Group is seeing both ends of the spectrum, from in-house gatherings to big splashes. “I have clients opting to do events in the office to make employees feel a bit more comfortable … and bringing in entertainment, food, and beverage. These events are on workdays to entice people to stay in the office for the day and enjoy time with their co-workers in a fun setting at the end of the day,” Falcone says.

“On the other hand, we have clients going all-out,” she says. “These clients are usually corporations like banks and credit unions, where their employees are working in the office as opposed to remote and seem to feel more comfortable. We are pitching in on everything from decor to entertainment, food, and beverage.”

Footers Catering can help create holiday magic at a wide range of locations as well at its own venue, Social Capitol. “Corporate holiday events are back with big guest counts. We are also excited to hear many wanting to go all out with the wow factor. This is a company’s biggest opportunity of the year to show employees how much they appreciate them,” Callen says. “After many cancelled holiday celebrations over the past two years, companies have pent-up budgets and pent-up reasons to celebrate.”

Venue Outlook

We also checked in with VenuHub, a network of 130 venue sales team members and over 450 individual event spaces along Colorado’s Front Range. As of mid-August, VenuHub received 22 inquiries specific to holiday events for groups of 22 to 1,000. “This year, the hot date is Saturday, Dec. 10,” says Dawn Williams, founder and CEO.

While 2019 was a record-breaking year for most venues, 2020 was nearly nonexistent, and 2021 was full of uncertainty with most clients seeking venues willing to provide full refunds or holding off on large

traditional gatherings, she says. “It’s our sincere hope that 2022 will be full of celebrations of all sizes.”

Two VenuHub members indicate that this is indeed the case. There has been a return to pre-pandemic levels of interest for groups of 150 to 300, says Jennifer Robinson, director of special event sales for AEG Presents—Rocky Mountains, representing 1stBANK Center, Bluebird Theater, Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, Mission Ballroom, The Gothic Theatre, and The Ogden Theatre. “I’ve had mostly inquiries for our smaller historic theater venues, The Bluebird and The Gothic,” she says. “These are great because the client can use the concert-quality sound and light systems for their entertainment.”

Rita Rollman, director of Grant-Humphreys Mansion in Denver, has received a slew of calls for the 2022 season. “It’s a giant leap forward. I have booked two holiday parties and have three outstanding inquiries for holiday parties this week alone,” she says. “I had zero inquiries in 2020 and only a mild handful in 2021. Groups were very hesitant to book in 2021, and the ones that did book, booked later than usual … October or even November for December parties.”

Things to Consider

The impact of the pandemic on the meetings and events industry is still being felt by suppliers. “COVID-19 really hurt our industry,” Josh says. “The events industry as a whole is understaffed. Folks were forced to sell vehicles in their fleets, and some companies had to downsize to smaller buildings to stay afloat. This means that companies that could handle six to eight events in a single day can now only handle four to five events in a day.”

Due to pent-up demand and the postponement of events from the past two years into 2022, Welch suggests booking holiday gatherings as far in advance as possible to secure favorite caterers, venues, rental companies, and more.

Josh concurs. “I cannot speak for everyone in the industry, but Fun Productions is already closing our books for some December weekends as we are already sold out.”

The Hottest FOOD AND BEVERAGE TRENDS

The National Restaurant Association partnered with the American Culinary Federation to conduct its annual “What’s Hot 2022 Culinary Forecast” survey. The organizations polled 350 professional chefs considered thought leaders in the culinary world. The association and federation presented chefs with a list of 109 food items and culinary concepts, and respondents were asked to rate each item as “Hot,” “Not Hot,” and “Perennial Favorite.” The association and the Menu Research & Insights Division of Technomic compiled the list of food items and culinary concepts. The polled chefs forecast menu trends in 12 categories, including culinary macro trends, global flavor trends, food trends, and beverage trends.

Culinary Macro Trends

1. Sustainability

Plant-based foods

Comfort foods

Healthy & immunity-boosting

Global fare & flavors

1.

Global Flavor Trends

Asian

Vietnamese, Singaporean, Filipino)

South American

Argentinian, Brazilian, Chilean)

Caribbean

Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican)

North African

Moroccan, Algerian, Libyan)

Western African

Nigerian, Ghanaian, Western Saharan)

Compostable utensils

and cheese

BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

1.Alternative sweeteners

SNACKS

CONDIMENTS AND SEASONINGS

1. Gochujang

Beverage Trends

NONALCOHOLIC

Nut milks

ALCOHOL

Hard seltzers

Three Complementary Concepts in One Space

A three-story bar and nightclub on the edge of Denver’s River North Art District that sat vacant since 2018 has been transformed into the 15,000-square-foot Society Colorado. Set to open this fall, the collective will house three concepts: Thrive, Vibe, and Alive.

Thrive focuses on providing plantbased, gluten-free, soy-free, organic food options, and will have a dine-in restaurant, a grab-and-go cafe, and an on-site jun (green tea and honey wine) and cider brewery.

Vibe is a collaborative social lounge and membership-based coworking space that transforms at night into a music and event space with a highfidelity sound system.

Alive is focused on wellness with its bodywork suite for massage therapists and body and energy workers; a move ment studio for classes, guided medita tions, sound baths, and workshops; an apothecary featuring handcrafted herbal products; and a lounge space to enjoy house-made herbal elixirs, healthy beverages, and snacks.

The Society Mural Project assembled over 20 Denver artists to create art for the Society’s interior and exterior, ensuring that the space will be distinc tive and colorful.

New Luxury Property in Crested Butte

The 10-room Vaquera House, previously an inn, has been fully reimagined to reflect authentic Crested Butte and to add a luxury option only two blocks from Elk Avenue, home to restaurants, boutiques, art galleries, and more. The property is an ideal location for a small corporate retreat or board meeting for up to 12 people, and there are two suites that can hold up to six.

The look and feel of the Vaquera House are inspired by the role that ranching and farming has played in the Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley, with rich leather furniture and thoughtfully selected artwork reflecting the West. Stepping inside, guests are greeted with a roaring fire in the main living area, and there is an adjacent library for reading and relaxing. For more action, there is a media room and a pool table. A full breakfast and aprèsski options are included in the rate.

vaquerahouse.com

MEOW WOLF CELEBRATES FIRST ANNIVERSARY IN STYLE

Convergence Station, Meow Wolf’s third permanent immersive art installation, held a giant intergalactic block party on Sept. 17 to mark its first year in the Mile High City. Convergence Station features more than 79 installations, 300 artists, four different worlds that encompass four floors of interactive art, labyrinthine mysteries to be solved, and more. There is also a concert venue and patio rentable for meetings and events.

The celebration kicked off with a day party for all ages that included access to an artist village and various surprises spilling out into the parking lot. The night party featured a variety of DJs on several stages and an evening of dancing until 2 a.m. Proceeds from day party tickets benefitted the Sun Valley Youth Center and Denver Indian Center.

In the past year, Convergence Station welcomed over a million visitors (the 1-mil lion mark was reached in mid-June), invested more than $615,000 in 150-plus Denver arts organizations, and partnered with more than 40 local small businesses to make HELLOFOOD, the on-site cafe, a reality. meowwolf.com

PHOTOS: SOCIETY COLORADO; JAMES RAY SPAHN; (OPPOSITE) THE WESTIN RIVERFRONT; C LAZY U RANCH; DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Alive at the Society Colorado

Vaquera House

Westin Riverfront Welcomes Stoke & Rye

Denver-based Chef Richard Sandoval and Richard Sandoval Hospitality have introduced Stoke & Rye, a new restaurant concept at The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa Avon, Vail Valley. The restaurant group owns and operates over 60 restaurant concepts around the globe.

Stoke & Rye is a modern American grill that serves alpine-inspired dishes paired with an exten sive craft cocktail menu, wines from around the globe, and more than 160 whiskeys, including a Colorado Rye Flight featuring pours from 10th Mountain Whiskey, Deerhammer Distillery, Laws Whiskey House, and Woody Creek Distillers. The cuisine is time-honored and traditional with slow roasting in wood embers, braising, preserving, and smoking techniques bringing out true flavors. Guests can enjoy views of Beaver Creek Mountain and the Eagle River on Stoke & Rye’s expansive patio that has multiple fire pits and a full-service outdoor bar. Buyouts and semiprivate space are available. stokeandrye.com

Denver Airport Expands & Soars to Third Busiest

Based on total passenger traf fic, Denver International Airport (DEN) ranked as the thirdbusiest airport in the world in 2021, behind only Atlanta (ATL) and Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), according to Airports Council International. This represents the facility’s highest ever global ranking. Fast forward to the first half of 2022 when DEN served 32,171,152 passengers, an increase of 30.2% when compared to the first half of 2021 and a decline of just 1.6% when looking at the first half of 2019.

This, along with the Gate Expansion Program that adds 39 gates across the airport’s three concourses, DEN is bringing in more flights from around the globe. On May 5, a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the completion of 16 gates on Concourse C-East that are leased by Southwest Airlines. Passenger amenities that are part of the Concourse C expansion include 20 passenger waiting areas with comfortable seating, an outdoor patio, charging stations, restrooms, nursing rooms, and pet relief areas. There is also space for eight new shopping and dining options that will open in 2023.

The C-East expansion is the second of four expansion areas to be completed, with the remaining two areas on Concourses A-West and B-East opening this fall.

NEW RANCH-TO-TABLE CULINARY OPTIONS

AT C LAZY U RANCH

Groups can discover food at its source and enjoy gour met dining among the Rocky Mountain wilderness at C Lazy U Ranch near Granby. Browse for ingredients grown on-site in an automated, vertical hydroponic farm and attend a vinaigrette-making class using honey from the ranch. Another fun experience is arriving by horseback to a fresh lunch made by ranch chefs using hyperlocalized ingredients and a wood-fired grill. C Lazy U Ranch also offers daily specialized culinary activities including wine tastings, handson garden tours, cooking demonstrations, beekeeping tours, and open-fire cookouts.

OPERATION ALTITUDE JOINS HOSTS GLOBAL ALLIANCE

Based in the Vail Valley and with a second office in Denver, Operation Altitude joins Portugal Travel Team and Glamour Luxury Destina tion Concierge in the Turks and Caicos as new mem bers of Hosts Global, which offers groups and planners more than 300 destina tions around the world.

Offering 25 years of experi ence in bringing corporate groups together, Operation Altitude provides destination management, transportation logistics, meeting planning, and event-planning services. operationaltitude.com

Flamed tomahawk steak at Stoke & Rye

Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock speaks at the C-East Gate Expansion ribbon-cutting.

A nature-inspired table scape crafted by C Lazy U Ranch

THE GANT ASPEN PLACES SUSTAINABILITY AT THE FOREFRONT

When meeting in the relaxing atmosphere of The Gant Aspen, it seems only natural that the property recently introduced a new Minimalist Package, which was created with leisure travelers in mind but can be altered for groups. With the Minimalist Package, guests receive a discount on lodging, agree to no daily housekeeping services (with trash and towel services available upon request), and receive a sustainable welcome amenity, a resuable shopping bag, and a complimentary pointto-point We-cycle bike rental.

All guests at the 140-unit condominium resort can take advantage of two electric vehicle charging stations. Each private and public space is stocked with large bottles of sustainable bath amenities by Public Goods, and a bamboo-sourced, plasticfree, and eco-friendly line of toilet paper, paper towels, and tissue by Who Gives a Crap, which donates 50% of its profits to developing countries in need of plumbing and has given away more than $10 million.

Keeping in line with mindful choices, Marble Distilling Co. is the resort’s vodka of choice. Located in nearby Carbondale, the distillery recaptures 100% of its process water and reuses energy harvested from the distillation process to heat its production and tasting room facility and upper-floor inn. Marble Distilling is available to do event pop-ups and tastings at The Gant and has a second tasting room in Aspen. gantaspen.com

POSTINO OPENS FOURTH COLORADO LOCATION

Postino WineCafe popped open its yellow patio umbrellas, rolled up its garage-style doors, and began serving food, wine, and hospitality in Highlands Ranch near Denver in August. The Arizona-based Postino made its Colorado debut in Denver’s Lower Highlands neighborhood seven years ago. In Highlands Ranch, the 3,500-square-foot interior seats 129, while a large patio that is filled with plants seats 107.

Known for creating funky and vintage-inspired spaces, Postino adorned its Highlands Ranch outpost with Murano glass chandeliers, midcentury modern brass finishings, and colorful wallpaper, and it features a layout that lends itself to both casual meetups and social hours. Postino locations also always have a unique focal point, and this time it’s an art wall featuring floor-to-ceiling vintage board games. In addition, Postino commissioned Denver artist Leah Pantea to paint a 200-square-foot mural on the restaurant’s exterior wall.

Expect a selection of charcuterie boards, soups, salads, panini sandwiches, shareable bites, and desserts, as well as more than 30 boutique wines by the glass and 10 beers on tap, including several from Colorado.

THE PAD COMBINES ACCOMMODATIONS WITH GATHERING SPACES

The Pad offers a new type of lodging and meeting property in the form of a boutique hotel/hostel along the Blue River in Silverthorne. Partially built from 18 upcycled shipping containers, the property features 36 rooms (both shared and private with a total of 101 beds), 3,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, and Silverthorne’s first riverside and rooftop bar. A-BAR serves up munchies, craft cocktails, and a selection of brews, wine, and kombucha from 26 taps. Silverthorne is the gateway to several ski towns in Summit County, including Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, and Keystone. thepadlife.com

Postino WineCafe

A-BAR at The Pad

PHOTOS: POSTINO WINECAFE; DAVID LAUER; (OPPOSITE) CANTINA LOCA

Denver Chef Honors Homeland with Cantina Loca

Not only has the five-time James Beard nominee Dana Rodriguez been named executive chef of the legendary Casa Bonita that was purchased and is being renovated by the creators of “South Park,” she has also opened Cantina Loca in Denver’s Lower Highlands neighborhood. The restaurant pays homage to Rodriquez’s heritage with Mexican pottery, artwork, symbolic references on the walls, and a jacaranda tree that anchors the center of the dining room. The restaurant also has a patio, inside bar, and intimate tasting room, which features audiovisual equipment and can be closed off to host up to 45 standing and 30 seated guests. The main dining area is available for a full buyout and holds a maximum of 120 people.

Authentic Mexico City street food is on the menu, along with a lineup of tequilas, mezcals, and other agavebased spirits and an expansive selection of margaritas, beers, shots, wines, and batched cocktails. Rodriguez’s own small-batch mezcal and tequila brand, Doña Loca, is the agave spirit of choice behind the bar.

Step Back in Time at the

Cantina Loca

4

A Night with the MPI Stars

Members of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Rocky Mountain Chapter were encouraged to wear Oscars-inspired cocktail attire for

A Night With the MPI Stars. The chapter’s annual gala and auction was held on June 17 at Roof16 in Denver, and member awards were presented throughout the evening as attendees embarked on a multifloor, immersive experience.

1. Jonathan Miller, MPIRMC board member 2. Nikki Bibbero, MPIRMC 2022-23 president, and Jackson Christensen 3. Red carpet model by Paul Borillo Entertainment

4. Bistro salad by Occasions Catering

5. The garden rooftop at Roof16

6. Ryan Granrud and Megan Gagne, MPIRMC special events director

7. Christina Bargas, MPIRMC director of recruitment, and Gerald Hollohan

8. Stephanie Sadri, MPIRMC 202122 president 9. Kurt and Janella Alderson, left, and Jeanette (MPIRMC director of fundraising) and Paul Stensgaard

contact

From Literature to Leadership

Hotel general manager Scott Gladney believes empowering employees results in a happy team and guests.

Education is a huge priority for Scott Gladney. After earning a bachelor’s degree in English and while working on a master’s degree in comparative literature at the University of Michigan, he found hospi tality to be unexpectedly attractive as a career path while working a night job at a hotel. Before long, he was a hotel general manager at age 25.

Upon arrival in The Mile High City in 2013, Gladney worked as general manager for Element Denver Park Meadows before becoming a regional brand operations manager for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide/Marriott International in Bethesda, Maryland.

This year, he graduated with a Master of Business Administration from

BY BETH BUEHLER

Metropolitan State University (MSU) of Denver. While he was in graduate school in the city, he has served as general manager of the 150-room, on-campus SpringHill Suites by Marriott for Sage Hospitality, a job he has held since he returned to Denver in 2017. He is especially proud of the team he has developed, which contributed to the profitability of the property throughout the course of the pandemic.

“Every dollar of profit goes back to MSU, so we operate like a nonprofit entity,” he says. “We usually have up to 10 MSU students working at the hotel, which adds to my love of this job. The students make it far more rewarding.”

Gladney and his director of sales, Brittany Maestas, serve as affiliate

professors of hospitality at MSU, illustrating the close connection that the hotel has to the university’s hospitality department, which has a learning center physically connected to the property. “It is exciting to help students understand the nuances of hospitality leadership and the multitude of tangible career paths in hospitality,” Gladney says.

Gladney’s office is adorned with numerous awards from Marriott and Sage Hospitality and smiley faces— his team’s logo of happiness. He explains, “Previously, the guest was always first, but that is different now. We want guests to come back of course, but we can’t do that without a happy and stimulated team.”

PHOTO:

Digital

ROOM TO IMPRESS

to Colorado Springs, Olympic City USA, where stunning, wide-open scenery is the backdrop to your next meeting or event. From unique venues and properties to outdoor adventure and delicious dining, Colorado Springs has what you need to create a memorable experience for your attendees. Here, you’ll find room to inspire, innovate and reconnect.

KATHY REAK, CFMP