Colorado Meetings + Events Spring 2024 by Greenspring Media

IN THE SPOTLIGHT Convention and conference centers take the stage

DOUBLE DUTY Stephanie Sadri’s work shines through industry associations

MEETINGSMAGS.COM

SPRING

2024

MILE HIGH

D OW N TOW N D E N V E R I S O N A R O L L W I T H E XC I T I N G EVENT OPPORTUNITIES

PLUS!

Welcoming AI Artificial intelligence is sparking prominent change for meetings + events

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Contents

SP RING 2 02 4

Exterior rendering of Populus hotel in Denver

18 Feature //

The New Frontier BY JULIE KENDRICK

Artificial intelligence is creating a whole new world for meetings and events

In Every Issue //

4 Editor’s Note 6 Meeting Notes

Take your next meeting from drab to fab with the help of these products, places, and inspiring ideas

10 Venue Report

From cities to mountains, Colorado’s convention and conference centers deliver in style

Feature //

Denver Is On a Roll BY BETH BUEHLER

The city’s downtown is at the ready with fresh meeting and event options

10 Keystone Conference Center

IN THE SPOTLIGHT Convention and conference centers take the stage

DOUBLE DUTY Stephanie Sadri’s work shines through industry associations

MEETINGSMAGS.COM

SPRING

2024

MILE HIGH

D OW N TOW N D E N V E R I S O N A R O L L W I T H E XC I T I N G EVENT OPPORTUNITIES

22 Industry Update 26 Snapshots

Industry holiday favorite Naughty or NACE goes plaid

28 People Profile

Catching up with Hall of Famer Stephanie Sadri

PLUS!

Welcoming AI Artificial intelligence is sparking prominent change for meetings + events

On the Cover

The eye-catching Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver PHOTO BY ADOBE/JACOB

PHOTOS (FROM ABOVE) Studio Gang, Keystone Resort

Discover the latest industry updates and Colorado news

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PHOTOS (FROM ABOVE) Studio Gang, Keystone Resort

SO MANY WAYS TO MEET, ALL IN

ONE MAGNIFICENT PLACE.

Only The Broadmoor offers so many distinct venues and experiences of all sizes and types. From impressive trade shows at Bartolin Hall to executive dinners. From grand reception halls to eclectic lakeside cocktails at sunset. From state-of-the-art meeting rooms to secluded brainstorming sessions at Cloud Camp 3,000 feet above the main campus. You’ll find all of it and more within our over 315,000 square feet of meeting space, connected by a thread of quality, service and meticulous attention to detail. Visit broadmoor.com and contact us today to explore the wonderful possibilities.

855.696.5804

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EDI TOR ’ S NOT E

Growing Together

Editor Beth Buehler exploring the Colorado outdoors with her dog, Sochi

» IN DECEMBER, I celebrated my 19th year as editor of Colorado Meetings + Events. I have had the pleasure of getting to know hundreds of people in the meetings and events, tourism, and hospitality industries, and I love the friendliness and attitude of the theme, “We are better together.” While writing the downtown Denver story for this issue, it made me think about three big changes in the capital city and the state over the past decade, and I made an overall observation about the unity of the meetings meetingsmags.com/colorado and events industry in Colorado. meetingsmags First, Denver has seen an influx of distinct new hotels in downtown, the RiNo Art District, and Cherry Creek. If groups are looking for something truly different and local, there are The Slate Denver and The Art Hotel Denver in downtown; The Ramble Hotel and Catbird Hotel in RiNo; and Clayton Hotel & Members Club and Halcyon in Cherry Creek. Next, destination ski towns like Aspen, Crested Butte, and Telluride have become busier in summer than winter due to the sheer beauty of the season and a huge number of worthy events and activities. Plus, ski resorts have become yearround attractions with the addition of mountain bike trails, adventure parks, concert series, festivals, and more. For groups, it means there are fewer off-season weeks to score a deal, and planners must schedule around a town’s signature events or join in the fun. Lastly, Colorado is a collaborative state, especially when it comes to advancing it as a meetings and events destination and partnering to welcome groups in style. The efforts of the Meetings Industry Council of Colorado and Destination Colorado Meetings—both founded more than 30 years ago—continue to impress. No other state has been able to pull together 12 industry associations and suppliers from across the state to learn, promote, and grow together. Here’s to another great year ahead!

meetingsmags.com/colorado PRESIDENT TAMMY GALVIN

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER – NATIONAL SALES JENNIFER MAX 952-200-4878 | JMAX@GREENSPRING.COM

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR ALESHA TAYLOR GROUP EDITOR KATELYN BLOOMQUIST SENIOR EDITOR TODD R. BERGER EDITOR BETH BUEHLER MANAGING EDITOR AMANDA CHRISTENSEN ASSOCIATE EDITOR LINDEN BAYLISS

CREATIVE DIRECTOR TED ROSSITER ART DIRECTORS MICAH EDEL, CAROLINE ROYCE

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR DEIDRA ANDERSON SENIOR ADVERTISING COORDINATOR TONY WAGNER ADVERTISING COORDINATORS SYDNEY KELL, ELLIANNA RADOVICH SALES + MARKETING SPECIALIST TAUSHA MARTINSON-BRIGHT

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER ARTHUR MORRISSEY EVENT + OFFICE MANAGER RICK KRUEGER COMMUNICATIONS + EVENTS COORDINATOR JOSEPH SCHMIDT MARKETING + EVENTS COORDINATOR JORDYN TAYLOE

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS KATHIE GORECKI ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATE AUSTIN SCHMELZLE AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR GERI WILSON AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER CINDY FISH

REPRINTS For high-quality reprints of 500 or more, call 612-371-5849 or email danderson@greenspring.com. For address changes, ordering single copies, cancellations, or general questions about your subscription, please contact customer service at 866-660-6247.

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BETH BUEHLER

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. Colorado Meetings + Events is published quarterly. © 2024 Greenspring Media. All rights reserved.

PHOTO Beth Buehler

Editor bbuehler@greenspring.com

PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.

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Meet the team that will ensure the first and last mile of your event is a success! Michaela Sanchez

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PHOTO Beth Buehler

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M EETI N G N OT E S Products, Places & Inspiring Ideas

DENVER REACHES TOP SUSTAINABILITY RECOGNITION

Female Founded, Group Approved

onnie Baker, founder of Marble Distilling Co. (MDC) in Carbondale, is responsible for her fair share of firsts. MDC handcrafts artisan spirits from 100% Colorado-grown grains, and it is the only distillery that owns and operates a luxury inn on-site and filters spirits through crushed Yule marble from a quarry in nearby Marble. The distillery also operates a second tasting room, Marble Bar Aspen, in downtown Aspen. Groups can tap into various monthly events and hands-on opportunities offered by MDC and book a private whiskey summit. Choose from Cocktails & Canvas, Cocktails & Candle-Making, trivia nights, and a whiskey class that involves blending and tasting. A whiskey summit can be held on-site or off-site and includes reviewing five whiskeys, learning about the whiskey wheel and glassware, identifying specific f lavor profiles, and discovering how to nose and taste whiskey. Participants also find out how Marble whiskeys are made and about the barrel-aging process. Groups of six to 20 are ideal, and a 2.5-hour timeframe is recommended, especially if a whiskey-blending option is added. About 30 miles south of Carbondale, Aspen Shakti is a wellness center, yoga, and fitness studio. Owner and founder Jayne Gottlieb is a movement and embodiment coach, wellness entrepreneur, and speaker. She works with groups to activate energy, creativity, and liveliness, and to pursue effective business strategies, connected relationships, and elevated mental and physical well-being. Among Shakti’s corporate offerings are pop-up event experiences, private retreats, and the workshop, “Body, Breath & Business.” Private retreats are total resets for the mind, body, and spirit and include meditation, journaling, organic foods, high-end lodging, fitness, yoga, nature, and the Shakti mapping and living pie chart processes. Meanwhile, “Body, Breath & Business” is available to help organizations combat burnout, build elevated work environments, and tap into better health and higher natural productivity. aspenshakti.com |

marbledistilling.com

denver.org |

eventscouncil.org

Denver offers myriad sustainable event options.

PHOTOS (FROM ABOVE LEFT) Aspen Shakti, Visit Denver, Colorado Wine Board

Yoga at Aspen Shakti

» THE EVENTS Industry Council (EIC) recent ly a n nou nced Vi sit Denver h a s achieved platinum-level certification for EIC Sustainable Event Standards. Denver is the first destination to achieve this highest level of certification. The EIC Sustainable Event Standards are specific standards for environmental and social responsibility within the events industry. Recipients must meet performance criteria in the areas of organizational management, marketing, communications and engagement, climate action, water management, materials and circularity, supply chain management, diversity, equity and inclusion, accessibility, and social impact. The destination standard is one of seven comprehensive standards for environmentally sustainable meetings. “This is a milestone achievement for Visit Denver and all of us working to make Denver the sustainable destination of choice for convention planners,” says Visit Denver President and CEO Richard Scharf. “It is a great honor to be the first to earn such a vitally important certification while making a significant contribution toward our city’s long-term vision for sustainability.”

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PHOTOS (FROM ABOVE LEFT) Aspen Shakti, Visit Denver, Colorado Wine Board

THE BEST PLACE FOR MEETINGS AND EVENTS Devin Petersen (left) and his father, Alfred Eames, of Alfred Eames Cellars receive Best in Show award.

Learn about rental sites, catering, packages and more. 720-865-3551 | botanicgardens.org private.events@botanicgardens.org

TOASTWORTHY COLORADO WINES » WHEN CONSIDERING wines to serve at events or gift to attendees, VIPs, clients, and employees, why not go local? Especially when the hard work of selecting standout Colorado wine has already been done by a panel of 15 acclaimed wine industry members for the annual Governor’s Cup competition organized by the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board (CWIDB). This year’s competition included 286 wine submissions from 48 Colorado wine and mead producers, with the judging panel made up of sommeliers, chefs, writers, and wine experts from around the country. The only public tasting of the 2023 Governor’s Cup Collection of 12 wines that represent the best in Colorado happened during Colorado UnCorked last November at History Colorado Center in Denver. At the event, the wines were paired with small bites prepared by several of Colorado’s celebrated chefs, and Alfred Eames Cellars was awarded Best in Show for its 2019 Carmena. All the wines in the collection are made from Colorado grapes, honey, or other fruit.

2023 COLORADO GOVERNOR’S CUP COLLECTION ALFRED EAMES CELLARS PAONIA

2019 Carmena

BALISTRERI VINEYARDS DENVER

2022 Syrah

BOOKCLIFF VINEYARDS BOULDER

2022 Syrah

DRAGON MEADERY AURORA

Red Apple Cyser

THE PEACHFORK PALISADE

Pear Apple

RESTORATION VINEYARDS PALISADE 2022 Sauvignon Blanc SAUVAGE SPECTRUM PALISADE

2022 Teroldego

SAUVAGE SPECTRUM PALISADE

2022 Malbec

SNOWY PEAKS WINERY ESTES PARK 2019 Élevé (Syrah/Petite Sirah/Mourvedre) SNOWY PEAKS WINERY ESTES PARK

2022 Muscat Blanc

THE STORM CELLAR HOTCHKISS

2022 Albariño

THE STORM CELLAR HOTCHKISS

2019 NV Gewürztraminer

CWIDB will use this collection for marketing opportunities around the world and for educational purposes at Colorado winemaker roundtable discussions. coloradowine.com

Make your next event a work of art! • Groups up to 1,500 • Full service AV + catering services • Sturm Grand Pavilion with panoramic city views • Access to world-class art galleries

Book your event today! 720-913-2798 denverartmuseum.org/event-rental RECEPTIONS

MEETINGS

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EVENTS

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Step Back in Time at the Historic Hotel Colorado

MEETIN G N OTE S Products, Places & Inspiring Ideas

6 elegant newly renovated meeting rooms 10,000 sq. feet of flexible meeting space Full-service conference & catering services Newly renovated guestrooms

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Your escape awaits in Glenwood Springs! 970.928.3785 SalesMarketing@hotelcolorado.com

FIND US ON FACEBOOK! Share your experiences by tagging us or use our hashtag: #GroupTour. @grouptourmagazine

he Centennial State has long been a trailblazer in helping groups enjoy the state in a thoughtful manner that preserves resources and natural beauty. The Care for Colorado Leave No Trace Principles were created through a partnership between the Colorado Tourism Office and the Boulder-based Leave No Trace organization beginning in 2017 to address recreation-related impacts on the state. Groups and destinations can provide attendees with the seven principles in event information. Severa l communities a nd lodg ing properties that host meetings and events also have localized ways to help planners in their sustainability efforts. For example, when spending time in Breckenridge, attendees are encouraged to “B Like Breckenridge.” It’s easier than ever to go car-free with numerous shuttles from Denver International Airport to Breckenridge available, as well as public transportation and a new electric vehicle car share program through Colorado

PHOTO Breckenridge Tourism Office

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PHOTO Breckenridge Tourism Office

Buses like this one in Breckenridge are an easy, green, group transportation option.

CarShare upon arrival in the mountain town. Also new is Breck Create’s Precious Plastics program, which gives participants the opportunity to transform plastic waste into art through workshops like Junk to Gems jewelry making. In Beaver Creek, The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa Avon, Vail Valley, continues to amplify its commitment to sustainability by making the resort entirely free of single-use plastic products. The resort has replaced all in-room plastic water bottles with reusable aluminum bottles and installed water filtration stations on every floor. The food and beverage department also is doing its part by transitioning to using only ecofriendly to-go containers and replacing all plastic utensils with silverware. An on-site garden where team members are invited to pick fresh produce and herbs to take home, as well as the donation of all retired towels and sheets to the Eagle County Animal Shelter, are among the many other eco-friendly initiatives. breckcreate.org carshare.org colorado.com gobreck.com westinriverfront.com

Dynamic Spaces There’s no other meeting venue in Colorado like the Colorado Convention Center – a distinct and memorable setting for your next meeting or event. Plenty of exhibit, meeting and ballroom space plus the 5,000 seat Bellco Theatre. New for 2024, the Bluebird Ballroom with 80,000 SF of event space and unrivaled views of the Rocky Mountains on the outdoor terrace.

To inquire or book, contact Rich Carollo at 303.228.8022 or rcarollo@denverconvention.com

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VEN UE RE P ORT Convention + Conference Centers

Going Big

Colorado’s stand-alone convention and conference centers offer grand sizes and superb locations BY BETH BUEHLER

» THERE AREN’T many states that can say they have convention or conference centers just steps from the ski slopes and in vibrant downtown districts. Colorado’s Copper Mountain Conference Center is one of the few ski-in/ski-out conference centers in the U.S., while the newly expanded Colorado Convention Center (CCC) in Denver is located in the city’s core surrounded by 13,000 hotel rooms. Most mountain convention and conference centers tend to be small or medium in size like Copper’s 15,500 square feet that can serve groups of up to 740, but Keystone Conference Center is the exception with 100,000 square feet of meeting and

event space. The largest of meetings are still best served at CCC, which celebrated the completion of a 200,000-square-foot expansion in December. Colorado Meetings + Events reviewed the Centennial State’s stand-alone facilities that are not connected to lodging. Take a look and find the best fit for your group. CCC EXPANSION REVEALED Growing vertically instead of horizontally, CCC’s expansion was constructed on the existing building’s roof and includes the new 80,000-square-foot Bluebird Ballroom that can be subdivided into 19 rooms and host more than 7,500 attendees for

a general session or 4,600 for a catered event. The transformative expansion also includes 35,000 square feet of pre-function concourse space and a 20,000-square-foot outdoor rooftop terrace. Keeping in step with today’s needs, the project integrates technology improvements and seamlessly transitions to the existing 600,000 square feet of exhibit space, 105 ,0 0 0 squa re feet of meeting space, two ballrooms (one is 50,000 square feet and the other is 35,000), and the 5,000-seat Bellco Theatre. The project team sought feedback to figure out what should be included in the expansion. “Several focus groups were convened for the explicit reason of meeting planner involvement, along with the Visit Denver Customer Advisory Board,” says Director of Sales and Services Rich Carollo. The first group to occupy the new space will be the National Science Teaching Association in March. Dot Foods, American Academy of Neurology, Red Hat Summit,

PHOTOS (FROM LEFT) Visit Denver/Evan Semón, Telluride Ski Resort

Attendees at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Colorado Convention Center expansion; Right: Telluride Conference Center

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PHOTOS (FROM LEFT) Visit Denver/Evan Semón, Telluride Ski Resort

Hold your next meeting or event in beautiful Southwest Colorado! For more information contact 970.563.1759

Hanson Wade Advancing Preconstruction, and the Colorado Auto Show banquet are examples of other groups that have the new space booked, he adds. MIDSIZE OPTIONS Pueblo and Grand Junction are the perfect solution for groups looking to meet in smaller cities and, like Denver, they have convention centers located in vibrant downtowns. Pueblo Convention Center and Grand Junction Convention Center, both managed by Denver-based OVG 360, have hosted the Colorado Governor’s Tourism Conference, which attracts about 500 attendees. Pueblo Convention Center has 47,000 square feet of event space, including a 17,500-square-foot exhibition hall and 16,000-square-foot ballroom, as well as five breakout rooms, pre-function space, and a pavilion. Pueblo’s historic Riverwalk is just steps from the venue, providing an idyllic setting for leisurely strolls during meeting breaks. Groups also have access to the PBR Sports and Fitness Center within the convention center. Among the notable clients that held gatherings for 600 or more attendees in 2023 were Skills USA, Colorado School Nutrition Association, and CS Wind. In addition, the Colorado Association

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VEN U E REPORT Convention + Conference Centers

Copper Mountain Conference Center

Work...

& Play BeaverRun.com 970.453.8780 groups@beaverrun.com Your Breckenridge Work-cation Starts Here!

MEETING IN THE MOUNTAINS Located in the heart of Snowmass Base Village, the newly renovated and renamed Snowmass Conference & Events Center has over 8,000 square feet of meeting and event space that encompasses nine rooms, including the 3,600-squarefoot Grand Ballroom. The four adjacent conference rooms range from 525 to 1,050 square feet, and there is 1,500 square feet of pre-function space. The remodel was completed in November and includes new carpeting, artwork, furniture, doors, and more. Keystone Con ference Center ha s t h ree ba l l room s t hat ra n ge i n si ze from 4,000 to 19,800 square feet alongside 50 meeting rooms, meaning the venue can host nearly 2,500 attendees. Keystone Conference Center is a lso home to a teaching kitchen where a three-year accredited culinary school is operated in partnership with Colorado Mountain College.

PHOTO Copper Mountain

Beaver Run Resort, Located at the Corner of...

of School Business Officials had 300 attendees on-site for a spring conference. The Grand Junction Convention Center accommodates groups of up to 2,670 with 24,100 square feet of meeting and event space, including an 18,500-square-foot ballroom. The VinCo Conference & Trade Show, Holistic Trade Show, Snowmaking and Slope Maintenance Conference & Trade Show, and RMLA Conference & Trade Show are examples of events coming up this year.

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PHOTO Copper Mountain

gold standard of events

Host your next event at the iconic U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs. From customized menus to unique interactive experiences, let us make your next event world class. New electronic reader boards, carpet, and air walls have been installed, and the conference center is now partnering with Cafe Food Rescue—an organization that helps provide food to families in the county instead of wasting or composting the excess, says Lauren Moseley, senior national sales manager for Keystone Resort and Breckenridge Resort. “We are a beautiful, updated convention space tucked right into the mountains and have some of the largest space available outside of Denver and all the way to Salt Lake City.” Telluride Conference Center, conveniently located in Mountain Village, can host gatherings of 50 to 500 people with 16,000 square feet of meeting and event space, including a 7,000-squarefoot ballroom. The conference center pa r tners w it h T he Pea k s R esor t & Hotel, which has an additional 19,000 s qu a re fe et of i ndo or a nd out do or function space and 160 guest rooms, including condominiums. “The conference center overlooks Telluride, a National Historic Landmark District surrounded by the highest concentration of 13,000- and 14,000-foot peaks in the United States,” says Director of Sales Amy Solomon.

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coppercolorado.com denverconvention.com gosnowmass.com grandjunctionconventioncenter.com keystoneresort.com puebloconventioncenter.com tellurideconferencecenter.com

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DENVER s On a Roll » THE MILE HIGH CITY’S DOWNTOWN IS AT THE HEART OF THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN COLORADO BY BETH BUEHLER

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE) Adobe/Matt, Visit Denver (2)

owntown Denver has been on the move over the past decade with a f lurry of distinct new hotels and cool venues, major top-to-bottom renovations, and a spacious rooftop expansion at Colorado Convention Center (CCC). The addition of the A Line train from Denver International Airport to the restored and reimagined Denver Union Station has also been a game-changer. Especially attractive to meeting planners are the 13,000 hotel rooms within easy walking distance of CCC, including both newer properties like Thompson Denver by Hyatt and The Slate Denver, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, which opened in 2022, and longtime favorites like the 1,100-room Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center,

» Clockwise from above: Downtown Denver has 13,000 hotel rooms; The Oxford Hotel in Lower Downtown; Spectacular lobby of The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa

which launched in 2003. Historic beauties like The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa and The Oxford Hotel, and high-end properties like Four Seasons Hotel Denver and The Ritz-Carlton, Denver, are also situated in the vibrant city center. Downtown Denver also is in the process of updating key public spaces like Skyline Park, a landmark since the 1950s. The redevelopment will create a winter ice skating rink that transforms into a plaza for events and a water play area in the summer. However, the biggest news is restoration of the 16th Street Mall, built in 1982. Set for completion this year, the project is reconfiguring the pedestrian mall’s layout to create wider sidewalks, facilitate a new amenity zone, and allow the Free Mall Ride shuttle service to traverse in the middle. Additional green space, interactive elements, and new collections of site furnishings also are planned.

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From left: Call Me Pearl serves handcrafted cocktails; Guest room at Populus hotel opening this summer; Holey Moley Golf Club Denver has space for a range of group sizes.

HAPPENINGS T S E T A L

CALL ME PEARL One of Denver’s newest cocktail bars and lounges, Call Me Pearl, debuted in McGregor Square last November and is available for private events. Inspired by the timelessness of pearls through the mauve and taupe color scheme and presentation of dishes like oysters on the half shell, the light-filled space is an elegant and welcoming place for groups to escape the hustle and bustle of the city with a handcrafted cocktail, wine, beer, and small plates. Design highlights include a vaulted ceiling, layered fabrics, rounded leather lounge chairs, and a chandelier made up of more than 1,350 small glass orbs that resemble iridescent pearls. Led by Executive Chef Stephen Greer, Call Me Pearl offers classic dishes such as oysters Rockefeller and olive-anchovy tapenade served with a warm baguette, as well as more playful options like garlic-chili shrimp with toasted coconut, crispy rice noodles, and caviar served alongside creme fraiche and house-made potato chips. The menu evolves seasonally, and groups can tap into monthly dinners featuring pre-set menus paired with wines and spirits. callmepearlbar.com DAZZLE After 25 years in business, Dazzle has moved two blocks northwest from the historic Baur’s Building to the Denver Performing Arts Complex, giving groups and fans of the performing arts a place to go for live jazz, snacks, heartier foods, desserts, and drinks after the theater, opera, and ballet. Dazzle is also available for private parties and meetings. Dazzle’s Main Listening Room seats 140 and can be expanded to 240, and the smaller El Chapultepec Piano Bar and a lounge also are available. dazzledenver.com HOLEY MOLEY GOLF CLUB DENVER Australia-based Funlab launched its first U.S. location of Holey Moley in downtown Denver and has plans to open others

in Austin and Houston, Texas, and San Francisco, California. Holey Moley Golf Club Denver upends the concept of typical miniature golf with three ninehole courses that are teed up with delicious bites and Instagram-worthy cocktails. Groups of 10 to 200 can get creative at the Art Party hole, win big at the Duck Shoot hole, phone home on The Moon and Pars hole, and toast success with cocktails like Sugar Caddy, Pop Till You Drop, Partee Punch, and Boozey Birdie as well as mocktails, beer, and wine. Food options are on the casual side and include sandwiches, salad, and bits and bites like sliders, skewers, poutine, nachos, and fried wings and pickles. holeymoley.com

POPULUS The country’s first carbon-positive hotel will open this summer in downtown Denver. The 265-room, 13-story hotel features multiple food and beverage outlets, and the second floor resembles the understory of a tree and is home to a variety of meeting spaces. The property shared a first look at the nature-inspired interiors, created by Wildman Chalmers Design in partnership with Fowler + Fowler Architecture D.P.C. and are designed to evoke an aspen grove and complement the biophilic architecture by Studio Gang. The ground-floor lobby and restaurant are reminiscent of a forest floor that moves up through the trunk and branches of the floors where guest rooms and suites reside to a rooftop restaurant, bar, and hospitality suites that are filled with color and natural light and mimic the lush canopy of a tree. The Populus art collection will further add to the nature-inspired design, encompassing everything from commissioned art depicting the Cheyenne and Arapahoe tribes to elevator recordings of Colorado bird songs that vary based on time of day and seasonality. populusdenver.com

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE LEFT) Call Me Pearl, Nephew, Holey Moley Golf Club Denver, Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel, The Westin Denver Downtown, Denver Art Museum

» CHECK OUT THIS SAMPLING OF RECENT VENUE OPENINGS, A JAZZ CLUB RELOCATION, AND AN ARCHITECTURALLY SIGNIFICANT HOTEL SLATED TO OPEN NEAR CIVIC CENTER PARK THIS SUMMER

enver 0 to

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PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE LEFT) Call Me Pearl, Nephew, Holey Moley Golf Club Denver, Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel, The Westin Denver Downtown, Denver Art Museum

A DOWNTOWN MEETING EXPERIENCE HelmsBriscoe held its 2023 annual business conference for 1,600 attendees in May at CCC and selected Hyatt Regency Denver as the headquarters hotel due to its proximity, number of guest rooms, and pricing, says Kari Dobbins, associate vice president of associate advancement for HelmsBriscoe. “The convention center is very organized with processes and documentation that is necessary during preplanning. This made communication with the center and budgeting very easy,” she shares. “The Hyatt was also the host of a few of our conference events, and their space options, service levels, and amenities were a great fit for our meeting.” While daytime meetings were held at CCC, Visit Denver hosted an interactive opening night networking event at the Denver Art Museum, which reopened the fully renovated Lanny and Sharon Martin Building and introduced the new 50,000-squarefoot Anna and John J. Sie Welcome Center in 2021. The gala awards dinner took place on the final night in the Hyatt’s Centennial Ballroom with the hotel’s culinary team introducing a four-course personal preference menu, which allows attendees to choose their own entree. “Denver is a great destination for a meeting,” Dobbins says. “The proximity to the convention center of hotels, off-site venues, and restaurants provides planners and attendees with many options that are within walking distance. The value for services also makes this a budgetfriendly destination without sacrificing quality of service.”

NEW & REFRESHED

Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver and The Rally Hotel also are among the newer additions, having both opened in 2021, and the 200-room Hotel Born adjacent to Denver Union Station was rebranded to Limelight Hotel Denver last year. Additionally, properties like the Sheraton Downtown Denver Hotel, Aloft Denver Downtown, and The Westin Denver Downtown have undergone total refreshes.

» From above: The Sheraton Denver Downtown’s new Parlur event space; Augusta ballroom at The Westin Denver Downtown; Denver Art Museum

The Sheraton, the largest of the three with 1,238 guest rooms and over 133,000 square feet of meeting and event space, unveiled the results of an $80 million renovation in 2021. Last year, the property opened a Topgolf Swing Suite and the new Parlur event space that holds up to 1,000 for receptions and 250 for banquets. Featuring 1,400 square feet of function space, the 140-room Aloft Downtown Denver reopened last September after a $3 million makeover that touched the lobby, fitness center, social lounge, guest rooms, food and beverage outlets, and more. The Westin Denver Downtown also revealed its multimillion-dollar renovation of all guest rooms, meeting spaces, restaurant areas, and the lobby last year. The property now offers 432 rooms and suites a nd nea rly 39,000 squa re feet of function space with the addition of two traditional guest rooms and a new 3,000-square-foot, lobby-level meeting space with floor-to-ceiling windows. The Faculty of Federal Advocates (FFA) holds one or two half-day programs annually at The Westin. A roundtable discussion with 50 judges and practitioners from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court was held most recently in the Confluence A meeting room while a similar gathering with 80 federal judges and practitioners from U.S. District Court and the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals took place in the Easley Ballroom. FFA Executive Director Dana Collier, who planned meetings at The Westin before and after the renovation, appreciates that the hotel registration desk was moved to the first floor. “It greatly reduces foot traffic on the meeting-room levels,” she says. “The primary reason we are at the downtown location is because it is extremely convenient for our federal judges; they can walk to the hotel from any of the federal courthouses in a matter of minutes,” Collier notes. “A lot of our members practice downtown, so it is also convenient for them to walk over from their offices.” denver.org

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BY JULIE KENDRICK

IMAGES (BACKGROUND AND RIGHT) Adobe/Nazar, Adobe/pinkrabbit

From crafting communications to in-depth post-event analysis, artificial intelligence is changing the face of meetings and events

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you haven’t yet

IMAGES (BACKGROUND AND RIGHT) Adobe/Nazar, Adobe/pinkrabbit

had a chance to use artificial intelligence (AI) to plan, manage, or review the metrics of a meeting, your fellow planners would probably say, “Come on in, the water’s fine!” While some industry professionals might be hesitant about a new technology that’s being so heavily touted, and while there are clear dos and don’ts for those new to these systems, most of the experts we spoke with are positive and hopeful about the ways these tools can improve and streamline the work people do every day. In fact, according to Stefan Deeran writing in Forbes magazine, this year is “poised to be a breakout year for AI-powered events.” While the acronym AI is heard all the time, it’s a good idea to clarify what’s usually meant when someone is talking about AI. Specifically, it’s a collection of different automated technologies that can make tasks easier and improve the quality of the way they’re completed. These technologies are very good at discovering patterns, searching data, translating languages, answering questions, and making predictions. And, even better, they can often perform these tasks more quickly and accurately than humans can. When industry professionals consider the types of work done in meeting and event planning, they can probably see what a big impact this technology will have on the industry.

Which Programs to Use— Use —And For What purpose The meetings and events experts we consulted offered some on-target recommendations for ai programs they’re using in all areas of their businesses. Here are just a few:

ChatGPT

This is probably the one that’s most familiar to people. As explained by Heather Seasholtz, vice president of operations at CM Event Solutions in Alexandria, Virginia, “It’s ‘generative’ AI, which means that as people ask it questions or give it information, we’re feeding its database.” That reality comes with a caution, says Seasholtz. “If incorrect information is being added, then you may not receive factual information back. Always check your information.” Also, she notes, “ChatGPT 3.5 [the free version] is only loaded with information up to January 2022, so information can be dated. This is especially important if you’re asking about destinations and venues that may have changed ownership or closed after that date.” Additional up-and-comers moving into the generative AI space include Bard by Google, Jasper Chat, and Spark. chat.openai.com Sidebar continued on next page

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Continued from previous page

Facial recognition

From registration to security, this tool is gaining fast traction. Top vendors include Amazon Rekognition and Zenus, which use facial recognition to track attendee engagement and analyze demographic groups. aws.amazon.com | zenus.ai

Matchmaking and collaboration

Large-scale conferences can benefit from fast and accurate ways to pair up attendees based on their interests, experience, and goals. Software programs like Grip sift through social networks to provide hyper-refined matches. And when those matches want to interact, tools like collaboration.ai can create preselected groups and assign them to seating, workshops, and interactive free time to brainstorm together. collaboration.ai | grip.events

Platforms

“There are many platforms leading the way in demonstrating how AI can streamline event management and significantly enhance the attendee experience,” says Hwansuk Chris Choi, a professor at the University of Guelph in Canada. “One is Hubilo, which has a matchmaking feature that’s particularly noteworthy. It uses AI to connect attendees based on interests and professional backgrounds, and its realtime data insights help organizers make informed decisions during an event.” Socio Labs is a platform that amplifies events’ reach and impact through social media by monitoring online conversations and identifying key influencers. “This helps organizers engage with the audience more effectively and measure the social media footprint of their events,” Choi says. hubilo.com | socio.events

Recording and transcribing

Many planners have been using Otter.ai for meeting transcription and automatic meeting note generation. Colibri is another tool for recording meetings, displaying real-time transcription, and generating notes. Tools like Supernormal and Beulr can integrate with productivity tools like Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams. beulr.com | colibri.ai otter.ai | supernormal.com

“In event planning, AI has emerged as a transformative tool, significantly enhancing various aspects of the process,” says Hwansuk Chris Choi, a professor at the University of Guelph’s School of Hospitality, Food & Tourism Management in Ontario, Canada. This technology allows planners to create meetings and events that are perfectly targeted to the specific needs and goals of attendees. Choi noted that planners are currently using it for a host of frequently cumber-some or time-consuming tasks like writing personalized communications, “matchmaking ” like-minded people, selecting collaborative groups, providing instant answers to attendees’ questions, translating languages, conducting return on investment (ROI) analytics, and more.

START NOW AND GO SLOW

“AI is going to change how most of us spend time on the job. It’s better to get your feet wet and at least use the tool daily so you can understand it.”

If all this talk of a brave new world of AI is creating a bit of anxiety for plan— Jan Tolle MacDonald, ners, this might be the right time to manager of global accounts, take a deep breath and talk with some HelmsBriscoe peers who are already using it. “Don’t be threatened by AI, which is why I encourage everyone to get onboard now,” says Jan Tolle MacDonald, manager of global accounts at Scottsdale, Arizona-based HelmsBriscoe. “To stay relevant, it never hurts to stay on top of developments that could shape the work we do. As planners, it’s easy to stay focused on the job at hand, but AI is going to change how most of us spend time on the job. It’s better to get your feet wet and at least use the tool daily so you can understand it.” This is still a relatively new technology, however, so meeting planners should proceed with caution. Gretchen Culver, owner and creative director at Rocket Science Events in Minneapolis, Minnesota, notes, “Given where AI is at right now, it’s important not to completely delegate a task. This technology still needs oversight. AI can create some compelling marketing collateral for your clients, but make sure you proofread to ensure it’s on message. Or, use AI to create the first draft and then fine-tune with your insight and knowledge. Don’t go overboard with AI at the event, either. People are still warming up to the idea and aren’t interested in using technology just for technology’s sake.” Her thoughts are echoed by David Beckett, vice president of business model and performance at Velvet Chainsaw Consulting in Aurora, Ohio, who says, “From smart chatbots for customer service, to lead retrieval intelligence, and for reporting design, AI will have an impact on meetings and events. I think it will be on the operational efficiency front more than the product and sales front. I’m cautious about promises that early adopters and promoters shout about AI, since they tend to be the same people who jumped on cryptocurrency or beacon technologies. We will see more and more use of AI, but you don’t need to get caught up in the shiny object.”

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Culver, like many planners, asserts, “AI will transform every facet of event planning and design.” As she puts it, “It’s a rapidly improving and expanding technology, and it shouldn’t be ignored. People are coming into contact with AI in their daily lives, so why should events be any different? I see it as a tool to alleviate pain points in the planning process and during events. Its customer service abilities are a great benefit not just for attendees, but also for planners. The AI customer service tools have gotten so good that it’s hard to believe a human isn’t the one answering your question.”

BECOMING BETTER WRITERS WITH AI

IMAGE Adobe/pcess609

Probably the single biggest use for AI right now is generating original content. MacDonald says she uses ChatGPT every day, and she has even downloaded the app for on-the-go queries and edits. “At a minimum, I use it to review emails, but I also use it to get new ideas or concepts I might have missed otherwise,” she says. “I have also

used it to review contract clauses, and I have been surprised by its accuracy. But, of course, I still need to edit and verify.” Beckett says that it “can really improve content writing required for session descriptions and titles, to help better connect with the desired audience.” Kastina Morrison, the founder of venue consultant and manager Bigger Picture Solutions in Minneapolis, Minnesota, uses it to help write captions for multiple venue Instagram accounts. “Each venue has a different brand voice, so I ask ChatGPT to provide adjustments in tone.” She finds that it’s been easy to use, noting, “The biggest tip to help in working with it is you have to talk to it like you’re having a conversation. Ask if it can help you with a project and then ask what it needs to help you.” It’s important to also note that AI can provide good starting points for what you want to write, but those responses require an actual human to review and revise the work they produce. As fast and efficient as these tools are, they’re still no match for the experience and authentic voice of a professional planner.

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I N D USTRY U P DAT E Regional News

Wrangling Up Fun D

estination Colorado Meetings hosted its annual Customer Appreciation Event (CAE) in Colorado Springs last September. Members of the organization and their planner guests were treated to a welcome event at the Flying W Ranch with cocktails, appetizers, a dinner, rodeo, and musical performance by the Flying W Wranglers. Upon returning to the host hotel, The Broadmoor, attendees could continue the networking at Play, the resort’s lounge and bowling alley. On Friday morning, CAE participants could choose between a guided hike and falconry at The Broadmoor Seven Falls; a Jeep tour; a downtown food, history, and art walking tour; curling and a tour of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum (USOPM); or a watercolor art class held at the museum. All activity groups met back at USOPM for a farewell luncheon.

Attendees of Destination Colorado Meetings event at Flying W Ranch

destinationcolorado.com

PHOTOS (FROM ABOVE LEFT) Lucky Stars Film, Oliver’s Italian, Hotel Boulderado

SEAN HUGGARD PIVOTS FROM SEAFOOD TO ITALIAN » OLIVER’S ITALIAN IN GREENWOOD VILLAGE is the newest venture of Sean Huggard, known for Shucking Good Hospitality and Blue Island Oyster Bar & Seafood, with locations in Cherry Creek North and Lone Tree. Opened in October, the menu at Oliver’s Italian is a celebration of all things Italian, from authentic Roman-style pinsas and pastas to fresh oysters and clams from the raw bar. The beverage program includes a negroni bar with five variations on the classic Italian aperitivo and sampler options. Housecrafted cocktails, a selection of spritzes and Italian wines, Peroni beer on draft, local beers, and Italian sodas round out the offerings. The restaurant’s 1,200-square-foot enclosed terrace is ideal for group gatherings any time of year and is bathed in natural light during the day and adorned with twinkling lights in the evening. Oliver’s Italian is available for full restaurant buyouts and offers off-site catering. oliversitalian.com Cocktail at Oliver’s Italian

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PHOTOS (FROM ABOVE LEFT) Lucky Stars Film, Oliver’s Italian, Hotel Boulderado