Colorado Meetings + Events Spring 2022

GOLF’S ROARING RETURN Reasons to Hit the Links

A CITY RISING Groups Discover Aurora

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MEETINGSMAGS.COM

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SPRING

2022

BIG is BACK

OUTDOOR VENUES ARE EVENT GOLD

STAY CALM Lessons Learned from Outward Bound

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SO MUCH. SO CLOSE. SO NEVADA. Trek along hundreds of miles of trails. Cruise or cast a line on the waters of Lake Mead. Paddleboard, jet pack, or kayak at Lake Las Vegas. Play at one of our nine championship golf courses. All of this, just minutes from the Las Vegas Strip.

Visithendersonnv.com

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Escape into the breathtaking beauty of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.

720-406-3840 | monarchblackhawk.com/meetings

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Contents

SPRING 2 02 2

18 Feature //

Big is Back

BY JULIE BIELENBERG

The days of venues with the lights out, caterers with no weekend events, and auctioneers with no gigs are over.

Grand Hyatt Vail

Meeting Notes //

Industry Update //

4 President’s Letter

6 Meeting Spotlight

24 A New Era

10 Venue Report

As golf attracts more players courtesy of COVID-19, it could be a driving force behind your next gathering.

14 Destination

Aurora, Colorado’s third largest city, continues to add reasons why it should be on groups’ radars for meetings and events.

32 People Profile

Anna Zesbaugh didn’t let COVID-19 lockdowns or a layoff dry out her dreams. Instead, she started Hooch Booch.

Grand County’s natural beauty and activities were the backdrop for Outdoor Afro’s leadership training in Granby.

7 Sustainability

We Don’t Waste offers tips for keeping food waste at a minimum during gatherings.

8 Open Mic

Cassy Anderson’s years of leading Outward Bound expeditions provided the skills required to navigate today’s events landscape.

Reimagining meetings and events, research by American Express Meetings & Events

26 Regional News

Awards, venues and people news, association updates, and more

On the Cover

Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, Hotel Jerome’s courtyard PHOTO BY RISING SUN PHOTOGRAPHY/ FOOD & WINE

GOLF’S ROARING RETURN Reasons to Hit the Links

31 Snapshots

22nd Annual Meetings Industry Council of Colorado Educational Conference & Trade Show

A CITY RISING Groups Discover Aurora

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MEETINGSMAGS.COM

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SPRING

2022

BIG is BACK

OUTDOOR VENUES ARE EVENT GOLD

STAY CALM Lessons Learned from Outward Bound

P H O T O : G R A N D H YAT T VA I L

In Every Issue //

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P H O T O : G R A N D H YAT T VA I L

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PRESIDENT TAMMY GALVIN

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER – NATIONAL SALES BOB HADDAD 303.617.0548 | BHADDAD@GREENSPRING.COM

GROUP EDITOR KATELYN BLOOMQUIST SENIOR EDITOR TODD BERGER EDITOR BETH BUEHLER

CREATIVE DIRECTOR TONYA SUTFIN ART DIRECTORS MICAH EDEL, TRACI ZELLMANN

PRODUCTION MANAGER LY NGUYEN DIGITAL PRODUCTION DIRECTOR DEIDRA ANDERSON ADVERTISING COORDINATOR MIKAYLA SNYDER SALES & MARKETING ASSISTANT MADELINE BRAVERMAN

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER + DIRECTOR OF MARKETING, EVENTS & PARTNERSHIPS ARTHUR MORRISSEY EVENT OPERATIONS MANAGER RICK KRUEGER COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST TEGHAN MURPHY MARKETING + EVENTS COORDINATOR RACHEL TAYLOR

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS KATHIE GORECKI ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATE NATASHA BAJJU

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOARDROOM

REPRINTS For high-quality reprints of 500 or more, call 612.371.5882 or email Lnguyen@greenspring.com.

For address changes, ordering single copies, cancellations, or general questions about your subscription please contact customer service at 866.660.6247.

9401 James Ave. S., Suite 152, Bloomington, MN 55431 Phone 612.371.5800 Fax 612.371.5801 HOUR MEDIA CEO Stefan Wanczyk President John Balardo

The pages between the covers of this magazine (except for any inserted material) are made from wood fiber that was procured from forests that are sustainably managed to remain healthy, productive, and biologically diverse.

Host your event at the Gardens.

Colorado Meetings + Events is published quarterly © 2022 Greenspring Media. All rights reserved.

BOOK YOUR EVENT WITH US TODAY! CALL

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P RES I DENT ’ S NOT E

The Journey Ahead

co.meetingsmags.com comeetingsmags

“A river cuts through a rock not because of its power, but its persistence.”

» IF YOU ARE READING THIS, you know a thing or two about perseverance.

In fact, you likely personify it. While myriad industries were affected by COVID, perhaps none came to a screeching halt quite like meetings and events.

As the pandemic raged on, many industries endured fits and starts to their ability to reopen, while meeting planners and destination marketing organizations remained fully immersed in a nightmarish Zoomland waiting for employees to return, travel to resume, and hotel occupancy rates to rise.

And yet here we are… cautiously emerging from behind our masks wanting to believe that this time it’s for real. That we’ve made it—stronger, wiser, forever changed as individuals and organizations.

At Greenspring Media, we genuinely couldn’t be more thrilled to navigate this “new norm” with you. Just before the pandemic’s onslaught, our parent company Hour Media was in negotiations to purchase the Meetings + Events and Custom Publishing divisions of Tiger Oak Media. Although the pandemic grossly stretched our desired timeline, the wait was worth it.

And now we are in a unique position to help this industry forge a solid path to recovery. How will we do it? By expanding the audience reach to new highs, reinvigorating content by listening and engaging with meetings and events professionals, and sharing best practices through these pages and across our digital platforms.

We will do this all with one goal in mind: to help you navigate this post-pandemic world and to drive business for both your organization as well as our loyal advertising partners across the country.

Thankfully, the amazing editorial, sales, and production team that has been devoted to these publications for decades is on board and will play instrumental roles in achieving that goal, as well as bringing back—in person—our Best Of programs.

Greenspring Media has worked closely with the hospitality, meetings, and events industries along with their suppliers and partners throughout our 55-year history.

We understand the challenges you have faced, we see the bright opportunities on the horizon, and we look forward to the journey to get there, together.

TAMMY GALVIN

President tgalvin@greenspring.com

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ROOM TO

INSPIRE Welcome 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, COS has what you need to create a memorable attendee experience. Here, you’ll find room to inspire, innovate and reconnect. Pre-approved applicants can earn a 10% rebate between $3,500 and $10,000 against eligible hard costs for meetings and events held by 6/30/24.

Learn more at VisitCOS.com/meet

KATHY REAK, CFM CFMP Vice V ice President of Sales Kathy@VisitCOS.com | 719.685.7632 CO.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 5

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M EETI N G N OT E S Products, Places & Inspiration

Signature Drink //

Monarch Old Fashioned

Courtesy of Limelight Hotel Aspen and Williams & Graham

F

ollowing a full refresh of the flagship Limelight Hotel Aspen that debuted in December, the property reopened with an elevated Limelight Lounge experience. To invigorate cocktail offerings, the Limelight has partnered with Denver-based Williams & Graham, a Prohibition-era speakeasy. Look for twists on classic cocktails featuring Colorado ingredients and names that pay homage to Aspen and its history.

Mountain chai syrup* » 8 ounces strong brewed Two Leaves Mountain chai tea (1 bag to 4 ounces water) » 8 ounces cane sugar

Stir ingredients, serve over a large cube in a double old-fashioned glass, and top with an orange peel.

Pour sugar into the hot tea to dissolve.

This recipe will create about 12 ounces of syrup. Allow to cool and bottle.

limelighthotels.com/aspen |

Sean Kenyon, founder of Williams & Graham

williamsandgraham.com

Meeting Spotlight //

Outdoor Afro Leadership Training Held in Granby Sun Outdoors, with more than 175 resorts and campgrounds across the United States and Canada, is partnering with Outdoor Afro to provide a variety of year-round experiential activities, events, and opportunities including leadership conferences and fundraising events. The partnership officially kicked off April 14-16 with Outdoor Afro’s 2022 leadership training at Sun Outdoors River Run RV Resort in Granby.

Founded in 2009, Outdoor Afro is a national not-for-profit organization that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature.

The leadership training convened Outdoor Afro’s 100 volunteer leaders from 56 cities across the country with the group lodging on-site and using the resort’s Elk Ridge Ballroom. “Our Outdoor Afro leadership training is even more special this year because we gathered in person after two years of virtual workshops,” says Chaya Harris, national program director. “River Run RV Resort provided us with that family reunion feel.” outdoorafro.com sunoutdoors.com

P H OTO S : J O R DA N C U R E T ( TO P ) ; S U N O U T D O O R S R I V E R R U N RV R E S O R T; T I F FA N I E PA G E ; ( O P P O S I T E ) W E D O N ’ T WA S T E ; S U G A R W I S H

INGREDIENTS » 2 ounces Woody Creek Distillers Bourbon » .5 ounce mountain chai syrup* » 3 dashes Strongwater Aromatic Bitters

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P H OTO S : J O R DA N C U R E T ( TO P ) ; S U N O U T D O O R S R I V E R R U N RV R E S O R T; T I F FA N I E PA G E ; ( O P P O S I T E ) W E D O N ’ T WA S T E ; S U G A R W I S H

Gift Idea //

Sugarwish Celebrates 10 Years of Colorful Virtual Gifting

Sustainability //

TIPS FOR REDUCING WASTE Noticing how much good food was going to waste, We Don’t Waste founder Arlan Preblud started delivering the excess to local food banks in 2009. By 2017, We Don’t Waste had purchased four refrigerated trucks, moved into an 11,750-square-foot food recovery and distribution center, and operated with the help of staff and volunteers.

Today, We Don’t Waste has approximately 165 active food donors (restaurants, venues, caterers, distributors, producers, and institutions) that are keeping quality, unused/unopened food out of the landfill and going to more than 100 hunger-relief organizations (plus another 220 through partner distribution) instead. The organization offers several tips for reducing waste at meetings.

SET GOALS & MARKET THEM » Set zero-waste goals and include them in the marketing of the event. » Consider including a designated sustainability role when budgeting for an event or establishing an event taskforce.

ENGAGE STAFF & EVENT PARTICIPANTS » Use visuals to highlight how much food is being consumed at a given event versus wasted. » Consider partnering with a relevant business, nonprofit, or B Corp for food recovery, composting, sustainable event management, etc. » Consider implementing a “donation” (fine) system. For every no-show guest, a charge will be made and the proceeds directed to a partner nonprofit, B Corp, or environmental offset such as planting trees.

Born in 2012 out of a simple idea that allows recipients to choose the contents of their own gift, Denverbased Sugarwish offers a personalized alternative to corporate swag. The gift giver simply chooses one of six categories (candy, popcorn, cookies, snacks, tea/coffee, or dogs treats), personalizes a gift message, and chooses the method of e-card delivery (e-mail, text, or social media). Next, the recipient selects favorites in the identified category, building their own gift box. For example, in the candy and popcorn categories, there are more than 70 options to choose from. Finally, Sugarwish assembles a colorful custom box and delivers it to the recipient’s door. Custom branding options are available to personalize gifts. sugarwish.com

IMPLEMENT PRACTICES » Consider plated food instead of a buffet to reduce waste. » Use smaller plates when there is a buffet to encourage guests to take less food. » Use compostable physical materials (e.g., plates, cutlery, silverware). » Have a designated drop-off zone for food and beverages that can be safely redistributed. » Vocalize where recycled materials and compost are being directed and the impact. wedontwaste.org

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M EETI N G N OT E S Products, Places & Inspiration

Open Mic //

Assessing Risk While Staying Calm My years leading expeditions in the backcountry made me a better event planner.

Cassy Anderson is the owner and creative director of Cassy Rose Events, an event production firm with a national reputation for producing distinct experiences.

» MY LOVE FOR EVENT PRODUCTION began in the most unlikely of places: the middle of the woods. After college, I promptly packed up and thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail, only to return to earn a master’s degree in experiential adventure education (yes, I am literally a master of adventure).

I spent almost a decade working in the field of outdoor education, instructing and directing expeditions for organizations like Outward Bound. There was a multiyear span during which I spent most nights sleeping in tents, not thinking for a moment about producing luxury events to take place under them. Instead, I was focused on designing and implementing experiential curriculum for young people that would challenge them physically and emotionally and—most importantly—provide opportunities for personal growth.

Little did I know that designing educational experiences in the backcountry would provide such a transferrable skillset when I entered the world of event production years later.

REFINING MY EMOTIONAL COMPASS While working in outdoor education, I experienced myriad emergency situations. I’ve been lost in the Sierra Mountains, miles off trail with nothing but a topographical map, my compass, and a group of 15 year olds looking at me expectantly. I’ve responded to all sorts of medical emergencies from broken bones to mysterious stomach bugs. I’ve even found myself on the African island of Zanzibar orchestrating an emergency student evacuation that relied on boats, airplanes, and the kindness of more than a few strangers.

While the technical skills and medical response training required for these situations can’t be overstated, the reality is those skills alone were never enough. What has really made the difference in any emergency situation are two things: a highly tuned emotional barometer and my judgment. Because, of course, none of these situations were happening in a vacuum. While working diligently to triangulate our location on the map, I also had to attend to the physical and emotional needs of the students, not to mention my own rising anxieties (because, seriously, where are we?). While assessing the injuries of the student who had slipped and hurt his arm, I also had to consider the rest of the crew who was now sitting and waiting in the cold rain. What did they need to stay safe?

RISK-ASSESSMENT SMARTS It is this ability to simultaneously and accurately prioritize critical issues that has directly served me well when producing complex events. And having honed this skill in such a high-stakes industry

has provided me with a level of confidence, empathy, and calm that I bring to each event we produce.

For me, there have been two risk assessment concepts from my outdoor education days that have continued to guide me through it all.

The first is weighing the probability of risk versus the severity of consequences.

Imagine you are planning an outdoor event and considering whether or not to invest in a rain plan tent. How likely is it to rain on your event day? And if it were to rain without a tent, how severely would your event be affected? This is a fairly straightforward example, but we come across the need to weigh risks throughout the planning process, particularly as we support clients as they navigate the ever-changing COVID pandemic.

The second risk management perspective that I continue to both rely on and develop is my judgment. Judgment is not merely common sense; it is the ability to apply learning from past experiences to come to conclusions about a new situation. To develop it requires not only experience but also the willingness, ability and, frankly, humility to process those experiences.

After each event, we connect with clients to debrief and listen to their feedback.

We touch base with creative partners to unpack what worked, what didn’t, and what we could all do more effectively moving forward. I can think of a million ways that producing an Outward Bound course is vastly different than producing an event.

And yet, I continually find new ways to apply learnings from that world to produce the most intentional, safe, and meaningful experiences for my clients and their guests.

If you still don’t believe me, I’ll gladly show you our emergency supply kit. cassyroseevents.com

P H OTO S : (O P P O S I T E ) A M A N DA T I P TO N P H OTO G R A P H Y

BY CASSY ANDERSON

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P H OTO S : (O P P O S I T E ) A M A N DA T I P TO N P H OTO G R A P H Y

Incentives //

Colorado’s Meetings & Events Incentive Program Extended

Catering Scene //

UNVEILING CATERING PARTNERS IN STYLE Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) hosted A Bite of the Ballroom on March 24 in Seawell Ballroom to introduce the facility’s six new catering partners over creative cocktails and tasty hors d’oeuvres. The event also showcased what theatrically trained event managers can do with the ballroom’s Broadway-quality lighting and sound systems.

Biscuits + Berries Catering Co., Catering by Design, Epicurean Group, Occasions Catering, Serendipity Catering, and Sodexo Live! (Centerplate) are the six businesses providing service for DCPA-managed venues, including Seawell Ballroom, Directors Room, Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex lobby, and other spaces when performance schedules allow. SODEXO Live! also has been selected to provide beverage service, which means that all DCPA venues are managed by one beverage provider.

There is a pool of incentive money that meeting and event organizers can tap into when groups gather in Colorado, and there is plenty left. The $10 million Meeting & Events Incentive Cash Rebate Program was introduced in 2021 to assist in the state’s recovery from the COVID19 pandemic and to encourage groups to meet face-to-face again while following any local health guidelines. As of March 31, 2022, $7,253,359 was still available, and the deadline for eligible events has been extended from December 31, 2022, to June 30, 2024. Eighty-five applications have been approved for amounts between $3,600 and $100,000.

To receive the incentive rebate, the applicant must be the primary organizer (event host or meeting/event planner) and submit all the necessary information no later than 45 days before the meeting or event has occurred. It’s an eight-step process to claim the rebate, with representatives from Destination Colorado Meetings available via email or phone call to help applicants get started.

The program provides preapproved applicants with a 10% cash rebate of up to $100,000 against the eligible hard costs of hosting meetings and events.

Things like venue/event rentals, food and beverage (excluding alcoholic beverages), audiovisual support, entertainment, transportation, and registration and event management technology are among eligible hard costs. destinationcolorado.com/ coloradomeetingincentive

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VEN UE RE P ORT Golf Venues

The New Status of Golf Experiences » PRE-COVID, some wondered if golf was stuck in the rough. But something happened as people sought to get outdoors and had more time on their hands.

What does this mean for golf as an activity for groups? Support for golf is strong on both traditional courses and increasingly popular at off-course spots like Topgolf, indoor simulators, and miniature golf venues with a twist.

Colorado Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) hosts an annual golf event that moves around the state for its new car and truck dealer members, with the next scheduled for September. Members play for free, and organizations that provide products and services to the industry can purchase sponsorships that include golf registrations. The golf outing features a morning shotgun start followed by lunch and awards. Highlights include high-end prizes provided for hole-in-one and closest-to-the-pin contests, and money gathered for all mulligans sold goes to Clear the Air Foundation.

“People who love to play golf never tire of it,” says Marsha Temple, chief operating officer of CADA. “Since the association pays for the dealer members to play, they look forward to it every year. It also provides an opportunity for the dealers who seldom leave their stores an opportunity to socialize with other dealers and network with their business vendors.”

“Even golfers who aren’t particularly skilled at the game love to play with their peers, coworkers, business partners, et cetera,” Temple adds. “It gets them out of their stores or offices and into the beautiful weather laughing, sharing stories, and competing. They love it, and we wouldn’t dream of dropping it.”

Here are a few Colorado examples of clubs, courses, and golf-related activities that bring groups together.

BY BETH BUEHLER & MIKE MUNZENRIDER

The Broadmoor Golf Club in Colorado Springs

MORE TRADITIONAL OPTIONS

The Broadmoor Golf Club

“The golf industry, with our events and corporate groups, is very strong,” says Lindsey Pevey, tournament events manager at The

Broadmoor Golf Club in Colorado Springs.

“It’s probably 70% of our business.”

The Broadmoor is unique in what it has to offer for meetings plus golf. It boasts two courses, unique amenities like club valet,

P H OTO S : T H E B R OA D M O O R ; (O P P O S I T E ) F R O M T H E H I P P H OTO

Clubs, courses, and nontraditional formats for forging links

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P H OTO S : T H E B R OA D M O O R ; (O P P O S I T E ) F R O M T H E H I P P H OTO

MAKE MEETINGS

AGAIN!

A toast to a new type of mini-golf at Urban Putt Denver

The Short Game

Mini-golf may evoke memories of AstroTurf and windmills, but new spins on the game have moved it squarely into the 21st century as a way to get together, even for the most avowed non-golfers.

BANANAS FUN PARK

Putt your way through 18 holes in Grand Junction at Bananas Fun Park’s outdoor minigolf course, and host up to 350 in the climate-controlled events pavilion. Go beyond the golf and enjoy go-karts, bumper boats, laser tag, and a laser maze. bananasfunpark.com OLD TOWN PUTT

Featuring nine holes of mini-golf, classic bar games, a full bar, patio, and more, Fort Collins’ Old Town Putt also offers a 400-square-foot party room for up to 14. Full venue buyouts are available. An added bonus is being located within The Exchange, a food hall of sorts but one centered on an open-air central plaza with businesses serving cuisine and beverages from shipping containers. oldtownputt.com

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URBAN PUTT

Denver’s only indoor fantastical mini-golf course includes a full restaurant and bar; plus, it goes 21 years and older after 8 p.m. Book an event at Urban Putt for a minimum of 15 and up to 300. urbanputt.com

and a growing portfolio of meeting space, including the new 125,000-square-foot Bartolin Hall, bringing the resort’s total meeting and event space to more than 315,000 square feet.

With two 18-hole golf courses nestled in the Cheyenne Mountain foothills, there is always somewhere for club members and guests to play, even when The Broadmoor is hosting events like the PGA’s U.S. Senior Open or U.S. Women’s Open.

“We basically have a great place for golf and a great place for meetings,” says Pevey. Beyond the regular rounds, popular activities for experienced and lay

golfers alike include clinics at the driving range, three-hole scramble tournaments that end with dinner, and nighttime putting, which works well with receptions.

Beyond the golf, Pevey notes the resort also offers fly fishing, ziplining, falconry classes, and more.

Golf Club at Omni Interlocken Hotel

Just northwest of Denver in Broomfield, the Golf Club at Omni Interlocken Hotel has 27 holes of championship golf alongside 40,000 square feet of meeting space. The club’s three nine-hole courses (Eldorado,

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Clockwise from top left: Meeting Professionals International Rocky Mountain Chapter’s annual golf tournament; Topgolf Swing Suite at Grand Hyatt Vail; Colorado Automobile Dealers Association annual golf event

Vista, and Sunshine) feature more than 400 feet of elevation change and were designed

by U.S. Open champion David Graham and PGA Senior Tour pro Gary Panks.

Relax after a round at the Omni’s spa, fitness center, or resort-style pools, and get down to business in the 40,000 square feet of meeting space, with the largest holding 700 for a seated dinner or 945 for a reception.

Vail Golf Club

Designed and built by Ben Krueger, one of Vail’s pioneers, Vail Golf Club’s course offers 18 holes of golf set amidst the White River National Forest and along Gore Creek. The club is open to the public, caters

to players of all skill levels, and features a full-length driving range, large putting green, chipping and sand trap practice area, and video swing analysis.

Vail Golf & Nordic Clubhouse includes the 2,700-square-foot Gore Range Room that can accommodate up to 160 guests.

Planners can lean on The Grill on the Gore in-house catering team, which utilizes vegetables and herbs grown in on-site gardens.

An outdoor patio and lawn are great for mingling and cocktails as well as non-golf endeavors such as bocce ball and cornhole.

The Club at Inverness

For the last three years, Meeting Professionals International Rocky Mountain

Chapter (MPIRMC) has held its annual golf tournament at The Club at Inverness, part of Hilton Denver Inverness in Englewood, which has 302 guest rooms and more than 49,000 square feet of meeting and event space. This year’s event, scheduled for May 19, includes breakfast, a morning shotgun start, and an awards luncheon.

Attendees not playing in the tournament can take part in a cornhole tournament, putting contest, golf clinic, and spa options. “ We have been blessed to have the Inverness’ partnership through the pandemic with great rates, sponsored lunch, a nd space,” says Freddie Templeton, MPIRMC executive director. “Before that, we have moved around including The Ridge

P H O T O S : ( C L O C K W I S E F R O M T O P L E F T ) A L L D I G I TA L P H O T O & V I D E O ; T O P G O L F ; C O L O R A D O A U T O M O B I L E D E A L E R S A S S O C I AT I O N

VEN UE RE P ORT Golf Venues

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P H O T O S : ( C L O C K W I S E F R O M T O P L E F T ) A L L D I G I TA L P H O T O & V I D E O ; T O P G O L F ; C O L O R A D O A U T O M O B I L E D E A L E R S A S S O C I AT I O N

Step Back In Time At The Historic Hotel Colorado at Castle Pines, Arrowhead, Keystone, The Broadmoor, Red Rocks, and more.”

“Golf is a great, fun way to network with clients in a safe outdoor setting. MPI was looking for other fundraising opportunities to change it up from golf when COVID hit, and we realized this is the one sport that f lourished through the pandemic,” Templeton adds. “MPI had 120 at the 2021 tournament held completely outside, and we expect to surpass that this year.”

THE NEXT ROUND OF GOLF Topgolf and other off-course options also are driving new interest in the sport. They are social, don’t require much, if any, golf experience, and take less time than playing 18 holes.

The Denver metropolitan area is home to two Topgolf locations: Thornton to the north and Centennial to the south. Both of the three-story, gamified driving ranges feature 100-plus climate-controlled hitting bays, full-service restaurants and bars, rooftop terraces with fire pits, and private meeting and event space. Colorado Springs has the newest Topgolf location, which has a slightly smaller profile with two stories and more than 70 hitting bays.

Make your group’s golf outing virtual at Topgolf Swing Suites found at Grand Hyatt Vail and Tom’s Watch Bar Denver Coors Field. Topgolf Swing Suites feature large screens, the ability to play multisport games including golf, HDTVs, lounge seating, and food and beverage options.

As golf continues to attract more new players, it could be a driving force behind your next gathering.

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broadmoor.com omnihotels.com swingsuite.topgolf.com theclubatinverness.com topgolf.com vailclubhouse.com

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DE ST I NAT ION Aurora

A City Rising

Aurora is harnessing its rich heritage and diversity—melding it with the new to create a sweet blend for meetings and events. BY BETH BUEHLER

» COLORADO’S third largest city, Aurora, has come into its own as a meetings and events destination. New conference hotels and venues have sprung up, the arts and cultural scene has blossomed, and food and beverage options have multiplied. And that’s only the tip of the iceberg.

“Aurora has experienced tremendous growth and evolution over the past five years,” says Justin Clark, vice president of sales and services for Visit Aurora. “The Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center opened in December 2018 and has really elevated our standing in the meet-

ings and events community and created the opportunity to bring larger groups seeking a different experience to Aurora.”

“Groups coming to Aurora can enjoy a variety of unique experiences at independent microbreweries with unique character,” Clark adds, “including the aerospaceinspired brews at Launch Pad Brewery or the Latin-inspired creations at Cheluna Brewing Company; James Beard-recognized farm-to-table dining at Annette; unique shopping at Stanley Marketplace’s 50-plus independent businesses; and the Colorado sun and adventure in one of our many open and natural areas.”

PLAN A MEMORABLE EVENT LaToya Williams, a global account manager for HelmsBriscoe, wa s seek ing a Colorado destination to host a four-day teambuilding meeting for a nonprofit association when she participated in a site visit to Boulder, Aurora, and Denver. She fell in love with Aurora.

“There is nothing like in-person, live experiences and authentic hospitality,” Williams says. “The Visit Aurora team answered all of my questions, shared locations that my group would enjoy, and offered suggestions that fit instead of me trying to guess if a certain location was appropriate.”

P H OTO : F R O M T H E H I P P H OTO

Stanley Marketplace is a former aviation factory turned prime gathering place.

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co.meetingsmags.com/archive

To inquire or book, call or email Rich Carollo at 303.228.8922 or rcarollo@denverconvention.com

Bellco Theatre with cut down capability Wi-Fi and Charging Stations square foot column free multipurpose room and outdoor rooftop terrace coming in 2024

ballrooms and 85,000 sq.ft. of space on one level

2 5,000 Free 80,000

6 63

Regional stories on the top meeting and event venues, advice from professionals, and reports on food, beverage, décor, technology and more… AT YOUR FINGERTIPS!

Exhibit Halls with 584,000 sq.ft. of space on one level meeting rooms with 100,000 sq.ft. of meeting space on one level

Digital Edition outdoor rooftop terrace coming in 2024

Wi-Fi and Charging Stations square foot column free multipurpose room and

To inquire or book, call or email Rich Carollo at 303.228.8922 or rcarollo@denverconvention.com

Bellco Theatre with cut down capability

outdoor rooftop terrace coming in 2024

outdoor rooftop terrace coming in 2024

2 5,000 Free 80,000

meeting rooms with 100,000 sq.ft. of meeting space on one level ballrooms and 85,000 sq.ft. of space on one level

63

P H OTO : F R O M T H E H I P P H OTO

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DE ST I NAT ION Aurora

Distinct Gathering Spaces

The vibe is totally different at Southlands, an outdoor lifestyle mall that functions like a modern main street for Aurora.

Tap into the Wine Experience Café & World Cellar, dine-in AMC multiplex cinema, event space at the town square, and tastings and tours at Bent Barley Brewing Company. shopsouthlands.com In the Aurora Cultural Arts District, The People’s Building has more than 3,000 square feet of flexible space, concert setups, and stadium seating. thepeoplesbuilding.com Pelican Bay at Cherry Creek has perhaps the prettiest setting due to its location alongside water at Cherry Creek State Park. Pelican Bay features a Lake House for events, nautical-themed pub, and marina, where boats, Jet Skis, canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards can be rented seasonally. pbcherrycreek.com

Clockwise from top: The lawn at Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center is beautifully set for an event; Aurora Reservoir Trail is one of the many places to embrace the outdoors; Create Cooking School offers hands-on teambuilding with delicious results; serving up a taste of local at Dry Dock Brewing Co.; Stanley Marketplace has a large space for outdoor events.

The 60-person group met in April, basing out of Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Center and visiting Stanley Marketplace and Dry Dock Brewing’s North Dock location. “Stanley Marketplace is unique, and the vibe is true Aurora with local stores and restaurants, even a unique meeting space,” Williams says. “My client specifically requested local attractions, and this was the perfect fit.”

For groups that want to go big, Arapahoe County Fairgrounds & Events Center might be the answer as the host of everything

from trade shows and receptions to sporting events, conferences, festivals, livestock shows, and more. Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center is the complete package as the largest resort and convention center in Colorado with 1,501 guest rooms, more than 517,000 square feet of designated meeting space, eight dining options, a high-end spa, and impressive aquatics.

GET A TASTE OF LOCAL On the beverage scene, Aurora has its fair share of craft breweries to choose from,

P H OTO S : F R O M T H E H I P P H OTO ( TO P L E F T ) ; V I S I T AU R O R A

The Hangar at Stanley, with more than 18,000 square feet of wide-open indoor and outdoor space, is just one of the many options available for groups at Stanley Marketplace.

Also choose from private and semiprivate event spaces including the Plaza, West Patio, Community Area, a 5-acre outdoor field, or two new options: Sky Bar, a cocktail bar and lounge that highlights the golden age of air travel, and Factory Fashion, a large open space with lounge and table seating, a bar, and options for a stage. Or consider booking a teambuilding and dining experience with the chefs at Create Cooking School. stanleymarketplace.com

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P H OTO S : F R O M T H E H I P P H OTO ( TO P L E F T ) ; V I S I T AU R O R A

AURORA BY THE NUMBERS

386,000+ residents 250+ independently owned and operated ethnic eateries

160.63 square miles 103 miles of trails 99 parks 75 hotels represented by Visit Aurora 54th largest city in the United States 9 championship golf courses 3rd busiest airport in the nation (DEN)

DE ST I NAT ION Aurora

including two newer ones with unique twists. Jade Mountain Brewing Company brews both beer and tea (including hard tea) and has a taproom with an urban Asian teahouse vibe, while Six Capital Brewery specializes in classic beer styles and mouthwatering barbecue made in a scratch kitchen that focuses on local ingredients. Haykin Family Cider’s easygoing tasting room is also a great place to order flights and indulge in hard cider made from Colorado apples.

The population is even more diverse than the wide variety of beers made in Aurora. The broad range of ethnicities results in a culinary masterpiece of res-

taurants sprinkled around the city, with the On Havana Street district offering a handy concentration for groups.

And don’t miss getting a taste of the culture at Aurora Fox Arts Center, Vintage Theatre, The People’s Building, and Aurora History Museum all located in the Aurora Cultural Arts District, along with a fantastic array of colorful murals created during the annual Colfax Canvas festival.

TAP INTO WHAT’S NEW In August 2021, FieldhouseUSA and Airhouse Adventure Park launched in Town Center at Aurora. Fieldhouse USA offers a variety of sporting activities and team-

building and has space available to host corporate events. Located within FieldhouseUSA, Airhouse Adventure Park is 30,000 square feet of pure amusement.

A new 106-room luxury hotel, Benson Hotel and Faculty Club, is slated for completion in 2023 at Fitzsimons Innovation Community in Aurora. Plans for the property include a ballroom, multiple meeting rooms, and event space in addition to a rose garden with outdoor seating, lawn for tented events, and a full-service bar and restaurant.

Factory Five Five, an arts collective started by Sky Barker Maa during the heart of COVID-19, is all about fashion, film, and photography studios, classes, and events.

Groups can work with Maa to tap into collective happenings and book venues like Factory Fashion in Stanley Marketplace or Black Box Theatre or Velvet Underground Coffee Shop and Bar at Factory Five Five’s location on 25th Avenue.

Clark confirms, “Aurora is a great destination that is just now being discovered.”

Williams adds, “ W hen so many are looking at first-tier locations that are not available or crowded, taking a look a little further for a unique twist to your event can be a game changer.” visitaurora.com |

720.484.8902

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BIG is BACK

BY JULIE BIELENBERG

» IT’S TIME FOR CELEBRATION. The days of venues with the lights out, caterers with no weekend events, and auctioneers with no gigs are over. Nearly every COVID-19 restriction has lifted. And, right out of the gates, Colorado’s industry has shifted from smaller events in obscure cornfields to bashes that are even larger than pre-pandemic.

The state’s robust, large-scale event calendar includes the return of entire festival seasons for many cities, sizable conventions in numerous mountain destinations, and multiday retreats.

Fortunately, Colorado’s climate and landscape lend themselves to big outdoor events. It was never a challenge to find large indoor/outdoor venues that provided ample space. “We were ready; the caterers and entertainment were ready,” says Western Slope-based Cheryl Pitout, co-owner of Beautiful Crazy Event Stylists. “We could have a rock band in a dormant soybean field at a drop of a hat—we’re used to the farm and ranch niche.”

P H OTO : C 2 P H OTO G R A P H Y

Colorado sets the stage for a large meetings and events resurgence.

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The Aspen Ideas Festival holds a variety of sessions in the Benedict Music Tent, located near Aspen Meadows Resort.

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events, and we’re seeing a lot of crossover or community collaboration,” says PK McPherson, executive director for Pikes Peak Region Attractions. “Both the Space Foundation Discovery Center and the Western Museum of Mining & Industry have seriously stepped up their game with events.”

Hang The Chandelier Décor & Entertainment

During the pandemic, everyone became a master crafter and hobbyist. Pinterest and Etsy projects were on desktops worldwide.

Décor specialists also were investing extra time, and the results are impressive. Don’t just hang the chandelier in the middle of the cornfield, light up the entire farm.

“For Aspen Ski Company’s Australia Day on Jan. 26 this year, we held nothing back,” shares Pitout. “We turned the bottom of the gondola lift into an alfresco ski lounge for thousands of guests. We had carpet and lounge seating delivered with an open-air tent. We added lanterns, accent flags, and special pillows to help tie in the theme.”

At an over-the-top VIP event at Dante, The St. Regis Aspen Resort Chef’s Club, a group booked the fountain courtyard for an open-air event. “We provided the lounge seating, cocktail seating, heaters, string lighting, and additional heaters for the small spaces, along with numerous assorted sizes of pampas and fresh f loral arrangements, all in cool colors,” notes Pitout. “The showstoppers proved to be extremely dramatic accent trees that were the center of everyone’s photographs and social media feeds, making the event live on long past the evening and during a weekend full of many tantalizing events at the annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen.”

Pinkert’s team also is bringing back attention to events by offering multiple entertainment options. “We’ve seen everything from live bands and DJs to photo booths, comedians, and more. It’s exciting and definitely adds an extra flair to an event,” she says.

P H O T O : G R A N D H YAT T VA I L

Events are still vying for unique outdoor spaces; however, the return of grand galas with live auctions, dance floors, and musical entertainment combined with pent-up demand from canceled or delayed events equates to busy schedules and packed calendars for venues.

“Our events are huge in 2022,” says Elri Nieuwenhuizen, sales director for Occasions Catering in Englewood. “In the first two quarters of the year, we typically had a strong nonprofit and fundraising season pre-COVID. In 2022, the events are even bigger and more grandiose than the close of 2019. We hosted a 630-guest gala for the Latin American Educational Foundation and just wrapped up a 500-person Denver Center for the Performing Arts marketing event.”

Every nuance of the event industry is impacted by the enormous return of impressive-sized events. Operations are transitioning to pre-pandemic formulas.

“We’re moving into a different phase of the pandemic where we are beginning to treat this as life. And, corporate budgets are still very much alive,” notes Deryk Schnepf, general manager for Biscuits + Berries Catering Co. in Golden. “Everyone is excited to be back together. We’re seeing 1,000-person events again!”

Annie Pinkert, director of sales and marketing for Aspen Meadows Resort, echoes the sentiment. “We are excited to welcome back the world-renowned Aspen Ideas Festival this June, which will host more than 750 attendees per day. Big events are coming back in a big way.”

Some venues that had not hosted events, or only could handle small-size events in the past, took the pandemic pause to reimagine their spaces. From new décor to converted spaces with added elements such as prep kitchens, catering areas, and lighting and sound systems, attractions and organizations were ready for the big return.

“We are seeing events in the Pikes Peak Region come back in a big way at both our member attractions and larger community

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“

“I’m always fascinated [in] and heartened by the ways a community comes together during crisis. … I definitely saw that and continue to see it in the way local businesses are coming together and different organizations are collaborating to do business bigger and better than before. And the community is supporting them by making sure they get grants and funding to help make it happen. Sometimes in our worst moments, people shine their best.”

— PK McPherson EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PIKES PEAK REGION ATTRACTIONS

Grand Hyatt Vail hosts a variety of outdoor gatherings including a summer Yappy Hour weekly for canines, locals, and visitors.

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Ashley Okamura, director of events for Grant Hyatt Vail, adds, “Groups are wanting to engage guests from the moment they walk in the door with live entertainment, gifting/branding stations, and food and beverage before they even make it to the front desk.”

Add Sparkle To The Space Venue Pivots & Upgrades

Standing still is no longer an option. Rather, event planners are in search of updated hotels, venue remodels, and places that have added to their capacity with popular tented dining globes, yurts, and more.

“Everyone has been separated for so long, nobody wants to host the same old meeting that they have seen before,” says Okamura. “Overall, groups want to do something different and exciting while giving attendees new ways to reconnect after two years apart, and an expanded venue that can offer multiple facets such as sport and cuisine is certainly trending.”

Her team is flexing Grand Hyatt Vail’s meeting space in nontraditional ways, such as utilizing outdoor spaces for general sessions and saving indoor ballrooms for larger-scale event productions such as opening receptions and awards dinners.

“We are fortunate to have the banks of the Gore Creek in Vail, where we can really lean into the beautiful nature that is in our backyard as well as offer activities for our groups such as cocktails and casting. Guests get a fly-fishing casting lesson on our Gold Medal waters while enjoying a signature cocktail crafted by our bartenders to fit within their program theme,” she says.

Hilton Denver Inverness jumped on the opportunity to expand venue space during the pandemic. “We knew big events would be back, and we were right,” says Curtis Bova, general manager. “They’re even bigger than we had hoped for in the beginning of 2022. Corporate functions comprise 60% of our business; we have over 40 meeting rooms. We needed to really dial in what we wanted our space to look like when the world reopened. What would the new world of business want?”

The gamble paid off. The hotel converted a prior dedicated wedding area into a new outdoor experiential space. “We wanted to get more out of each event,” notes Bova. “The transformation resulted in a teambuilding landscape that can host up to 250 guests and activities such as early morning yoga sessions, yard games, collaborative team activities, and more.”

Aspen Meadows Resort immediately added snow globes at their on-site restaurant, Plato’s, to accommodate COVID restrictions and extend outdoor dining to a year-round affair.

P H OTO S : (C LO C KW I S E F R O M L E F T ) R I S I N G S U N P H OTO G R A P H Y / F O O D & W I N E ; E M OT I O N C I N E M A ; J E S S L E I G H P H OTO G R A P H E R ; JA M E S B AC A P H OTO G R A P H Y

Clockwise from below: Groups can plan their agendas around Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, but make sure to book early; Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association event at Hotel Colorado; appetizer by Biscuits + Berries Catering Co.; First Lady Jill Biden and teens at the Latin American Educational Foundation Gala

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P H OTO S : (C LO C KW I S E F R O M L E F T ) R I S I N G S U N P H OTO G R A P H Y / F O O D & W I N E ; E M OT I O N C I N E M A ; J E S S L E I G H P H OTO G R A P H E R ; JA M E S B AC A P H OTO G R A P H Y

ˇ

Get Connected ASPEN MEADOWS RESORT aspenmeadows.com 833.798.4492

BEAUTIFUL CRAZY EVENT RENTALS bceventstylists.com | 970.618.2826

BISCUITS + BERRIES CATERING CO. biscuitsandberries.com | 303.277.9677

GRAND HYATT VAIL

hyatt.com | 970.476.1234

HILTON DENVER INVERNESS denverinverness.hilton.com | 303.799.5800

HOTEL COLORADO hotelcolorado.com | 970.845.6511

OCCASIONS CATERING occasionsdenver.com | 303.789.1867

PIKES PEAK REGION ATTRACTIONS pikes-peak.com | 800.525.2250

THE GANT ASPEN gantaspen.com | 970.925.5000

“Even before the pandemic, our outdoor spaces were in demand due to the amazing views and mountains in Aspen.

But the pandemic has strengthened that interest in outdoor venues as people are perhaps even more used to wanting fresh air and circulating freely in the outdoors,” says Pinkert.

It’s Time For Cake Food Trends

Bring the banquet tables back; there is going to be lots of celebratory cake and everything else leading up to dessert.

Buffets are back but hospitality staff are serving the food rather than every guest digging in, and pandemic-inspired nuances such as plated appetizers with sophisticated styling continue to be popular.

Schnepf of Biscuits + Berries says, “We’re not featuring as much single-serve, grab-and-go, and instead, small plates that are curated and prepared for guests.”

Nieuwenhuizen agrees, noting that individually wrapped items are requested more often than in the past, but many times the price does not outweigh the benefits for clients.

“We are seeing a lot of individual appetizer requests at Hotel Colorado, such as personal charcuterie martinis, baba

ghanoush, and other hors d’oeuvre-style items,” adds Taylor Thulson, marketing manager at the Glenwood Springs property. “Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but they also cater to a clientele that now has to factor in post-pandemicrelated standards.” Across all channels, locally sourced and sustainable products are a hot commodity.

“We’re seeing healthier food options, more vegetarian requests, and a larger focus on sustainability as people are becoming more health-conscious post-pandemic,” says Bree DiBernardo, sales and events manager for The Gant in Aspen.

“There are more and more requests for local fare at our events,” adds Okamura. “People are being more cognizant of their global footprint, especially with larger gatherings.”

One thing is for sure: The requests for food deliveries to vacant farm lots is dissipating. “You wouldn’t believe how many requests we had to cater events in the middle of farm fields during the height of the pandemic,” says Schnepf.

“All the sudden, the agricultural lands east of Denver were a hot commodity.”

The industry forecast is certainly brighter, bigger, and more community-involved. Celebrations and the return of largescale events and conferences have refreshed meetings and events with new challenges leading to creative returns.

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I ND U STRY U PDATE Infographic

Re-Imagining Meetings & Events for a New Era The industry has acquired the necessary perspective, technical skills, and endurance to thoughtfully retool its approach. And there is optimism!

T

WO-THIRDS (67%) of meetings and events planning professionals believe in-person meeting levels will return to pre-pandemic numbers within one to two years. This is one of the key findings from the 2022 Global Meetings and Events Forecast, produced by American Express Meetings & Events.

The 2022 forecast is based on a survey of 500 meetings and events professionals and interviews with top industry experts that took place from June to July 2021. Respondents represented corporations, associations, buyers, and suppliers across 31 countries.

HIGH - LEVEL HIGHLIGHTS

In-person gatherings

RESEARCH COURTESY OF AMERICAN EXPRESS MEETINGS & EVENTS

Face-to-face meetings and events are projected to grow in 2022, with 81% of events expected to have an in-person element. However, the industry is neither expecting nor planning a return to business as usual, and instead professionals intend to take lessons learned during the pandemic to improve the value, effectiveness, and sustainability of future events.

Virtual/hybrid options Despite the rise of in-person meetings and events, virtual and hybrid formats will continue to play a key role.

Hybrid meetings are expected to gain traction as they help expand reach to wider audiences, provide a built-in virtual contingency plan and increase return on investment.

A larger number of attendees are expected across all event types and formats.

Quality of life Focus on the individual will continue well beyond the pandemic and is expected to transform the attendee experience at meetings and events. Organizations also are paying close attention to the environment and diversity, equity, and inclusion. The sustainability practices most cited were minimizing paper use and applying energy-saving and waste reduction measures.

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F R E S H S TA R T FO R R E V ITA LI Z E D I N D U S T RY “As we look to 2022, we expect the optimism, resourcefulnes, and innovation we’ve seen in the sector over the past two years lead to a new era of thoughtful, tech-forward, responsible meeting and event strategies,” says Gerardo Tejado, general manager of American Express Meetings & Events.

19% Virtual only

Anchored by safety and flexibility

39% Hybrid

42%

In-person only

We’re going to see more of each other 81% of meetings in 2022 are expected to have a face-to-face component

We’re tackling digital fatigue with fun How do you keep virtual and in-person attendees engaged?

45% Entertainment, polls, activities, and games

To get back to in-person gatherings, respondents say the two most important factors are:

The top 3 meeting types with the largest projected growth in 2022

1.

Internal team meeting/ training

58%

55%

Confidence in duty-of-care components for attendee health and safety

Supplier flexibility

2.

Sustainability matters more than ever

83

%

Small/simple meeting

3.

Comfort with technology is increasing Planners have increased their tech know-how

73

%

Client/ customer advisory board

31%

Food and beverage experience (delivered to virtual attendees)

31% Wellness activities

of organizations take sustainability into account when planning meetings and events

are very optimistic about their ability to use technology for enhancing the meeting experience in 2022 vs. 61% in 2021

Mobile App Usage More than three-quarters of respondents say their organizations currently use or plan to use mobile apps for meetings.

Yes No Don’t know

NORTH AMERICA 73% 19% 9%

EUROPE 63% 27% 11%

CENTRAL/ S. AMERICA 88% 10% 3%

ASIA PACIFIC 84% 14% 2%

amexglobalbusinesstravel.com/meetings-and-events

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I N D USTRY U P DAT E Regional News

MIC OF COLORADO RECOGNIZES INDUSTRY STANDOUTS At the 22nd annual Meetings Industry Council (MIC) of Colorado Educational Conference & Trade Show luncheon and awards ceremony on March 2 in Denver, Dean Savoca was presented the MIC Leadership Award, and Justin Clark received the MIC Chair Award.

Savoca, owner of Savoca Performance Group, is a keynote speaker, facilitator, executive coach, and sales and management trainer. In addition to being chair of MIC in 2018, he has more than 25 years experience in the hospitality industry and 15 years in speaking, leadership development, and performance management.

Clark, vice president of sales and services at Visit Aurora, showed perseverance and leadership as committee chair of MIC’s 2021 Serving Up Hope, a fundraising luncheon that was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

DESTINATION COLORADO HOSTS SHOWCASE & AWARDS Nearly 300 people attended the Colorado Meetings Showcase presented by Destination Colorado on Dec. 7 at Seawell Ballroom in the Denver Center for Performing Arts complex. Immediately prior to the event at the organization’s annual meeting, Pea k Per former 2021 awards were presented to Ellen Collins, Vail Resorts, Ambassador of the Year; Dina Worthen, Visit Colorado Springs, Individual of the Year; and Monarch Casino Resort Spa, Company of the Year.

ACCESS Colorado Lands ADMEI Award

Destination management companies from the United States, Carribean, Latin America, and Europe gathered in Boston for the 2022 Association of Destination Management Executives International (ADMEI) annual conference from Feb. 24-26. An awards gala wrapped up the gathering, and Denver-based ACCESS Destination Services – Colorado brought home the Best Event - Over $200,000 award.

ACCESS Colorado crafted a multiday recognition event and strategic planning conference for an elite group of leaders from across North America that included a welcome reception at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail, tours, activities, and a final night event held at Beano’s Cabin in Beaver Creek.

The purpose of the evening was to honor attendees who qualified for the trip as the highest leaders within their organizations and to drive future success of the business.

Guests were greeted by teepees placed across the meadow, velvet lounge furniture, a large stage, and market lighting strung overhead throughout. The evening started with dinner and music inside the cabin followed by an outdoor concert by a national opening act paired with a headliner artist. admei.org/2022-award-winner

P H O T O S : N AT E A N D J E N N Y W E D D I N G S ; ( O P P O S I T E ) H O T E L C O L O R A D O ; G AY L O R D R O C K I E S R E S O R T & C O N V E N T I O N C E N T E R

Awards //

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P H O T O S : N AT E A N D J E N N Y W E D D I N G S ; ( O P P O S I T E ) H O T E L C O L O R A D O ; G AY L O R D R O C K I E S R E S O R T & C O N V E N T I O N C E N T E R

Hotels & Resorts //

UPDATES FROM ASPEN MEADOWS RESORT Aspen Institute, a global nonprofit organization, has selected Salamander Hotels & Resorts to manage and elevate Aspen Meadows Resort beginning May 1. The 40-acre property in Aspen was established by Walter Paepcke as the Aspen Institute’s headquarters, and today, the campus has 22,000 square feet of function space and welcomes guests from across the world.

A s pa r t of the resor t ’s evolution, a multi-million-dollar renovation project to upgrade all 98 guest suites and enhance the arrival experience is underway and slated for completion by early 2023. Also, The Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies, an 8,000-square-foot exhibition space and center for art and design, will open this year, and rehabilitation of the historic Boettcher Building (the final building among many in Aspen designed by Bayer) has been completed. aspenmeadows.com

GAYLORD ROCKIES EARNS ENERGY STAR CERTIFICATION Being environmentally friendly is more important than ever with 83% of organizations taking sustainability into account when planning gatherings, according to the 2022 Global Meetings and Events Forecast produced by American Express Meetings & Events (see page 24). One of Colorado’s major meetings and events properties, Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Aurora, is doing its part and recently achieved ENERGY STAR certification.

ENERGY STAR-certified buildings and plants perform in the top 25% of buildings nationwide, and Gaylord Rockies was verified in the top 5% based on weather-normalized source energy use that considers occupancy, hours of operation, and other key

HOTEL COLORADO EMBARKS ON GUEST ROOM UPGRADE Hotel Colorado celebrated its 125th birthday in 2018, the same year that the Melville family purchased the property. The first phase of a $10 million restoration of Hotel Colorado began soon after the purchase, and six restored meeting and banquet spaces were introduced in August 2019. Additional phases were put on hold temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and renovation restarted in early January 2022.

Now, floor-to-ceiling remodels of all guest rooms are underway half a floor at a time to achieve completion this summer. The new furniture is custom-made, and the overall look is designed to be fresh and clean while respecting the hotel’s original Italian Villa design. Guest corridors, including the main stairwell to the lobby, also are receiving makeovers. The renovation team is cataloging all historical furniture and finds, and the best pieces will be used in signature suites. Everything else of interest is being saved for a future Hall of History planned for the hotel’s lower level.

Next, 14 guest rooms will be added to the hotel’s inventory by dividing up some larger rooms and building out three units that have been unused for approximately 30 years.

metrics. On average, buildings and plants earning the ENERGY STAR recognition use 35% less energy, cause 35% fewer green-

house gas emissions, and are less expensive to operate than their peers—without sacrificing performance or comfort.

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I N D USTRY U P DAT E Regional News

People //

GENERAL MANAGERS

Aaron Coburn has been

named genera l manager (GM) of St Julien Hotel & Spa in Boulder after holdi n g lea der s h ip role s at prominent Colorado hotels and resorts for more than 13 years. Prior to joining St Julien, Coburn served as GM of The ART Hotel and more recently as opening GM for Clayton Members Club & Hotel, both in Denver.

John D’Angelo brings more

than 20 years of leadership w ithin the globa l Hyatt Hotels team to his new role as GM of Grand Hyatt Vail.

Before joining the property, he spent several years in various executive positions, including opening resort manager for Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in Nassau, opening GM for Grand Hyatt Nashville, and resort manager for Wild Dunes Resort in Isle of Palms, South Carolina.

Jason Reiplinger has been

appointed general manager of Denver’s Clayton Members Club & Hotel. He has more than 20 years of experience, including management roles for food and beverage concepts at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Wynn Las Vegas, and Bellagio in Las Vegas. Prior to joining Clayton, Reiplinger spent several years with Woodside Hotel Group.

FOOD & BEVER AGE

Alejandro Cerda is the new

director of food and beverage at The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa, Avon, Vail Valley, bringing more than 18 years of hospitality experience to the role. Cerda spent more than five years with Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants and also has held restaurant management positions at Hyatt Regency Jersey City, Andaz 5th Avenue in New York, and Grupo Habita hotels in Mexico City.

VISIT AURORA PROMOTES TWO EMPLOYEES Justin Clark and Randi Morritt have been elevated to vice president roles within Visit Aurora. Now serving as vice president of sales and services, Clark joined the organization as director of sales in 2013. Morritt was promoted to the role of vice president of marketing and administration. She previously served as the director of marketing and director of communications during her tenure with Visit Aurora, which began in 2015.

Santosh Koradi has been

hired as Park Hyatt Beaver Creek’s new executive chef to oversee all food and bevera ge operations at t he hotel. Born in south India, Koradi’s professional journey has taken him all over the world, which is readily ev ident when sa mpl i n g h i s g loba l ly inspired recipes.

Rich Byers has been welcomed back by St Julien Hotel & Spa in Boulder as executive chef, lead i n g Jill’s Restaurant & Bistro, where he previously served as executive sous chef. He has nearly 20 years of culinary experience, most recently as executive chef at The Corner Office + Martini Bar located in downtown Denver for nine years. Previously, Byers helped open Olives at The St. Regis Aspen Resort and later worked as a sous chef at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City.

M a rcia Davisson is the new complex director of food and beverage for The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa and the adjacent Holiday Inn Express Denver Downtowns. Davisson has worked her way through every facet of the hospitality

industry, from opening casinos internationally to working as a bartender in hip lounges, cigar bar jazz singer, and private personal chef. She also has served as a corporate executive director of training and development.

Keith Steigerwald, the new

director of food and beverage for Sheraton Denver Downtown, has been with the Marriott brand for 14 years and brings more than a decade of experience. Prior to joining the Sheraton, Steigerwald spent six years in northern California serving as director of operations at The Lodge Sonoma and director of operations at W San Francisco.

Previously, he was director of food and beverage for Denver Marriott City Center from 2014-2016.

SALES & MARKETING

Nicole Steed, based in Fort

Collins, was recently promoted to vice president of marketing for LamontCo, where she has worked for more than two years. Steed’s role has expanded to overseeing and managing marketing and social media for all LamontCo divisions while continuing to serve as a leader and mentor to Lamont Associates and maintaining her client base.

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YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park Center Snow Mountain Ranch

Karen Perryman has been appoi nted d i rector of national accounts for the mid-Atlantic region by The Broadmoor in Colorado Spr i n gs . She joi n s T he Broadmoor after 11 years at the Fontainebleau in Miami Beach serving in the same role. She also has worked as a senior sales manager for Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg, Virginia; corporate senior sales manager for Grosvenor House Hotel in London; and director of international sales for Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. Jay Moore has assumed the

Where Nature Inspires Our two locations in Colorado, Estes Park and Winter Park, offer groups of all sizes a place to gather in spacious retreat cabins or hotel-style lodges.

Meals, meeting spaces, and activities are included when you book a conference, group or retreat at YMCA of the Rockies.

RETREATS | CONFERENCES | REUNIONS

role of sales and marketing 800-777-9622 manager, and K i m b e r l y ColoradoConferenceCenters.com Simonson is the new sales and marketing assistant at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort in Glenwood Springs. Y-2022-CO-meeting-event-spring-4.625 x 4.875.indd 1 Moore has lived in the Vail Valley since 2017 working for Vail Resorts. Earlier, he was business development director for a high-tech architectural software and services firm based in Dallas and owner of a vintage book store in Taos, New Mexico. Simonson recently relocated to Colorado’s Western Slope from Denver, where she worked in sales and marketing for the Shane Company and graphic design for Summit Funding Group.

4/18/22 6:14 PM

INDUSTRY TIPS & TRENDS FROM THE EXPERTS

Flavia Light is the new vice president of tour ism at V ISI T DEN V ER . L i g ht relocated to Denver from Orlando, where she worked a s director of strateg ic growth, marketing, and sales for GoPegasus, a tour operator, destination management company, and transportation firm. At VISIT DENVER, she leads international sales and marketing efforts, serves as a connector for Denver’s cultural community, oversees visitor centers, and assists with new tourism event generation.

Regional stories on the top meeting and event venues, advice from professionals, and reports on food, beverage, décor, technology, and more!

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I N D USTRY U P DAT E Regional News

Transportation //

PERSONALIZED GROUP CHARTER SOLUTIONS

restrictions lift and COVID-19 ebbs and flows, many companies are seeking transportation alternatives for group travel as in-person meetings and events are getting back on track. From small meetings to

incentive trips and large-scale conferences, Air Partner offers air charter solutions worldwide to help corporate travelers get to their destinations safely and in style.

“Based on the recent inquiries and bookings we received in 2021, we predict

airpartner.com

Hotels & Resorts //

Associations //

INTRODUCING THE MEETINGS COLLECTION Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has launched The Meetings Collection, a new network of premium meetings-focused hotels that provides meeting pla nners with new incentives in desired markets and streamlined multiyear bookings. With approximately 9,000 hotels across nearly 95 countries, Wyndham has started the collection with eight hotels and resorts located across the United States, including Cheyenne Mountain Resort, A Dolce

by Wyndham in Colorado Springs. Meeting planners have access to more than 900,000 square feet of meeting space and 4,400 guest rooms through the collection. wyndhamhotels.com

ILEA Denver Chapter Signs Off for Now The International Live Events Association (ILEA) Denver Chapter was established in 1999 and recently closed due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A message on the chapter’s website notes, “The last two years have been a couple of really hard years for our industry. We have seen many of our peers relocate into jobs outside of the event industry, some businesses close, and many of our businesses are still working to bring their books back into the green. With these challenges, we are finding that fewer businesses are willing to pay for association memberships and networking event fees, and fewer people want to take the time to get involved.”

ILEA Denver hosted more than 500 attendees at the ILEA Live 2018 conference held in the Mile High City and held many of its own creative and impactful events. There is the possibility the chapter may reopen again down the road.

The board wrote, “We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to every person who has served on our board or on a committee over the last 23 years. ILEA Denver has been a family … and that bond will live on.” Thanks for all the hard work and memories ILEA Denver!

P H O T O S : A I R PA R T N E R ; ( O P P O S I T E ) A L L D I G I TA L P H O T O & V I D E O

» AS INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

more businesses will invest in private charters for their MICE travel needs with added emphasis surrounding employee health and safety,” says Simon Moore, senior vice president of group charter U.S. for Air Partner.

For more than 60 years, Air Partner has given companies the opportunity to choose their preferred aircraft from a wide variety of options, such as a private Airbus or larger Gulfstream ideal for transatlantic travel. The company allows customers to design a flight schedule and event itinerary that suits their traveling requirements.

Additional benefits include private terminal and lounge access globally; custom on-board dining with the option to curate a special menu; branding options such as designing the exterior of the aircraft, headrest covers, and in-flight entertainment; and assistance with check-in, luggage, and pre-flight catering for larger events.

Air Partner has 17 locations globally, with its U.S. headquarters located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and global headquarters situated alongside Gatwick Airport in the United Kingdom.

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Snapshots //

22nd Annual MIC Conference Brings Industry Together

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The Meetings Industry Council (MIC) of Colorado hosted 653 registered attendees for the MIC Educational Conference & Trade Show on March 1-2 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. MIC of Colorado is a coalition of 12 professional organizations related to the meetings and events industry. The council’s purpose is to enhance collaboration through networking and education.

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1. Teresa Jackson, Destinee Walker, Leslie Padzik, Kathy Norton 2. Pintsized sandwiches by Centerplate 3. “I See What You Mean” sculpture

by Lawrence Agent 4. Maureen Carter, Jennifer Collins, Jordyn Valentine 5. Lori Pace speaking at the opening session 6. David DuBois and Michael Dominguez, MIC State of the Union panel 7. Trade show cocktails 8. Lora Knowlton presents the MIC Chair Award to Justin Clark

P H O T O S : A I R PA R T N E R ; ( O P P O S I T E ) A L L D I G I TA L P H O T O & V I D E O

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To have your meeting or event photos featured, contact bbuehler@greenspring.com.

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P EOPLE PROFI L E Anna Zesbaugh

A Gutsy Move

Anna Zesbaugh didn’t let COVID lockdowns or a layoff dry out her dreams.

BY SHELLY STEIG

drinkhoochbooch.com 303.570.0025

26-year-old Anna Zesbaugh was furloughed from her creative manager position at ACCESS Destination Services - Colorado. As venues turned into ghost towns, an initial six weeks turned into six months and then became permanent. Like the proverbial lemons to lemonade, she decided to take something bitter and transform it into something better. For her, it was the probiotic, stomach-fortifying drink, kombucha—in this case, the hard kind.

The idea fermented in her mind after Denver Mayor Michael Hancock announced he was shutting down liquor stores on March 23, 2020.

Swarms of people formed block-long lines.

Denver’s “prohibition” lasted only three hours, but it propelled Zesbaugh to start researching.

“Classic cocktails emerged during the [1920s] to mask bad flavors of hooch or alcohol,” Zesbaugh says. The name Hooch Booch bubbled up, as did creative taglines like “Buzz with added benefits” and “Speak Easy. Drink Hard.”

After floating the idea by her brewpubowner father, Zesbaugh decided to recreate classic cocktails in kombucha form and launched Hooch Booch in May 2021. Working in tandem with Judd Belstock, owner of Dos Luces Brewery in Denver, she persevered through 20-plus batches until she nailed down two recipes: Old Fashioned and Bees Knees. She soon added a third, Clover Club, which is now the company’s most popular.

At the end of May, Zesbaugh will introduce a fourth flavor, Lounge Lizard.

Hooch Booch now has approximately 140 accounts in Colorado and launched in Zesbaugh’s home state of Minnesota in midMarch. Her goal is to be a national brand within three years.

Looking back, Zesbaugh, who earned her degree in hospitality management from the University of Denver in 2014, notes her favorite class was advanced beverage. “I was, and still am, fascinated by the beverage industry.”

Education and expertise in hospitality have spilled over into Zesbaugh’s business.

Hooch Booch has hosted pop-up speakeasy parties and quenched thirsts during Denver events held at Tracks, McNichols Civic Center Building, and Colorado Convention Center, as well as at the Aspen Art Museum, beer festivals, and 2021 Colorado Governor’s Tourism Conference in Pueblo.

Zesbaugh says, “Hooch Booch can easily integrate into any event by an activation, cocktail class, welcome beverage, pairing dinner, or all-around beverage to sip on.”

P H OTO : B A S S O S P H OTO G R A P H Y

» DURING THE HEIGHT OF COVID-19,

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NATURAL BEAU

COLORADO SPRINGS OFFERSTY SITES AND SUPERIOR STUNNING SPACES

Regional stories on the top meeting and event venues, advice from professionals, and reports on food, beverage, décor, technology and more!

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