Colorado Meetings + Events Summer 2023

COMING SOON

GATHER WHERE COMFORT MEETS ELEGANCE

@ PARLURDENVER

19

Feature // Four-Season Playground

BY BETH BUEHLER

Colorado is a full-on, year-round destination—get the inside scoop on lodging, activities, attractions, and unique dining experiences

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 Destination Boulder is a unique blend of college-town, quirky, outdoorsy, and sustainable that keeps groups coming back for more

14 Venue Report

Saddle up your team for a ranch retreat that will bring out inner cowboys and cowgirls

24 Industry Update

Discover the latest industry updates and Colorado news

26 Snapshots

The Meetings Industry Council of Colorado Educational Conference & Trade Show unites the industry for two days in Denver

28 People Profile

Tracy Blair helped Denver’s largest hotel maneuver through an $80 million renovation during the height of the pandemic

The lively outdoor terrace at St Julien Hotel & Spa in Boulder

Hiking in Golden

Hermes Worldwide

303-577-7600 | hermesworldwide.com

ermes Worldwide transportation furnishes luxurious, top-ofthe-line, chauffeured car, SUV, limousine, and motorcoach service for groups through offices in Denver and Aspen, and via affiliates in 400 cities worldwide. Both a woman- and minority-owned business, Hermes employs professional, courteous, and experienced meeting planners on its events team who offer impeccable customer service, meeting-planning assistance, and vast expertise attending to the needs of event specialists. In addition to airport-transport services across Colorado, Hermes facilitates everything from brewery tours and motorcoaches for sports events to ski resort shuttles and hourly car service. With expert local knowledge, chauffeurs can answer questions and suggest the best things to do during a visit.

Recognizing that meeting planners need to be mobile, are short on time, and can be called upon at a moment’s notice, Hermes guarantees it will transport groups to their meeting or event on time and in style. With convenient booking online or by phone and an upgraded fleet, Hermes embraces cutting-edge technology and luxury. Reservations can easily be adjusted as requirements change. For airport transfers, drivers always meet groups at baggage claim, allowing groups to relax upon arrival and focus on what matters most: a successful event.

PHOTOS: HERMES WORLDWIDE

meetingsmags.com/colorado

comeetingsmags

Moments of Inspiration

» AS I WAS THINKING ABOUT what has encouraged and inspired me lately, two things came to mind. First, it was a treat to have our editorial advisory board meet in person again in tandem with the Meetings Industry Council of Colorado Educational Conference & Trade Show in Denver in early March. This group has discussed the state of the meetings and events industry, provided feedback on Colorado Meetings + Events , generated story ideas for the magazine, and become a senior-level networking group.

It was a privilege to hear from industry pros about how venues, destinations, food and beverage providers, decor companies, and planners choose to collaborate, develop new business strategies, perfect their crafts, address sustainability, and more.

Second, I am impressed and inspired by what the Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management at the University of Denver (DU) is doing to send trained students and refugees out into the world. The Ready for American Hospitality (RAH) program, in partnership with the Ethiopian Community Development Council’s African Community Center (a refugee resettlement agency), is at the heart of this readiness.

Refugee students are paired with students enrolled in the Fritz Knoebel School’s Human Capital Management course to gain knowledge, skills, food-service industry experience, and a better understanding of work culture and expectations in the United States. Ultimately, this leads to employment opportunities and continued nurturing throughout the integration process—the employment rate after RAH graduation is an impressive 86%.

As part of the program, Fritz Knoebel School students plan the annual Public Good Gala, a fine-dining event in February with RAH students serving as the employee pool. Mentors guide their proteges through the application, hiring, training, and orientation process. Later in the semester, the annual DU Vin Festival in May provides senior-level DU students the opportunity to plan, execute, and coordinate all aspects of the event—including the recruitment and training of RAH students and other volunteers to work the event. The DU Vin Festival includes a five-course food and wine pairing dinner and a grand wine tasting. What inspires you? Take a moment to reflect—it’s sure to bring a smile to your day.

BETH BUEHLER Editor bbuehler@greenspring.com

Editor Beth Buehler at the 2023 Meetings Industry Council of Colorado Educational Conference & Trade Show

meetingsmags.com/colorado

PRESIDENT TAMMY GALVIN

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER – NATIONAL SALES BOB HADDAD

303-617-0548 | BHADDAD@GREENSPRING.COM

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR ALESHA TAYLOR

GROUP EDITOR KATELYN BLOOMQUIST

SENIOR EDITOR TODD R. BERGER

MANAGING EDITOR AVA DIAZ

EDITOR BETH BUEHLER

ASSOCIATE EDITOR AMANDA CHRISTENSEN

EDITORIAL INTERN ELIANA KINZER

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Tara Ames, Spruce Mountain Events | Justin Clark, Visit Aurora | Adam Douglas, Peak Beverage | Ally Fredeen, Stanley Marketplace | Kim Hall-Barry, Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel | Brady Johnson, C Lazy U Ranch | Jason Lusk, CMP, Visit Denver | Chris Koch, Occasions Catering | Tori Rosenblatt, Bear Aesthetics | Todd Seymour, Wellshire Inn | Nicole Steed, Topeka LLC | Terri Taylor, Natera Inc. | Marsha Temple, Colorado Automobile Dealers Association

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

When you are ready to book a conference or meeting in Greeley, Visit Greeley is happy to assist you with your meeting needs Let our local eyes and ears help you find locations, catering and even provide visitor bags. We want to make your event simple to organize and easy to enjoy We are your local experts before, during and after your event From small executive board sessions to family reunions, and conventions for hundreds, we will help make planning your event sucessful.

www

A Vision From the Forest

Virginia Frischkorn, proprietor of Bluebird Productions and Partytrick, asked The Perfect Petal in Denver to create a series of themed party looks using botanicals as the source of inspiration and materials. The results, styled by Frischkorn, were used in a photo shoot to help launch her curated party brand.

For one theme, Kate Nolan, senior event designer for The Perfect Petal, leaned into earthy mushrooms and forest-floor vegetation to create an elevated farm-to-fork tablescape.

“Kate used wood mushrooms and oyster mushrooms paired with toffee roses and forest-floor ferns and cobra lilies,” describes Cindy Ollig, owner and designer at The Perfect Petal. “The votives mimic mushroom caps.”

bluebirdproductions.com | partytrick.com | theperfectpetal.com

MUSEUM ON THE MOVE: CURIOSITY CRUISER

» THE DENVER MUSEUM of Nature & Science is hitting the road with the Curiosity Cruiser, a mobile museum that is easy to spot with its eye-catching graphics and bright turquoise, tangerine, and red color scheme. The pickup truck and energy-efficient electric trailer are staffed by museum educators who lead interactive encounters like Wonder-osity that involves solving a mystery, and Flavorology, which examines the five tastes— bitter, spicy, umami, sweet, and sour—and mixes them with other senses. Another experience called Spicy: Revealed will be unveiled this year.

Like food trucks, the mobile lab appears at random locations or can be booked Friday through Sunday for events, with requests for other days considered on a case-by-case basis. The Curiosity Cruiser travels within a 90-minute radius of the museum, and fees are determined by the type of gathering and time of year. Discounts are available to nonprofit and community organizations.

dmns.org/curiositycruiser

PHOTOS: RACHEL HAVEL; DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE & SCIENCE; (OPPOSITE) XO

The Curiosity Cruiser; Below: Flavorology experience in the Curiosity Cruiser

Cruising to Aspen

Aviation company XO and The St. Regis Aspen Resort are collaborating to provide private aviation and upscale experiences for travel to Aspen. XO members can book a private jet or individual seats on a shared flight via a mobile app or through private aviation advisors, and enjoy elevated service throughout the trip. Through The St. Regis Aspen Resort, XO members have access to preferred room rates, VIP ground transportation, and the resort’s butler service. As part of the Vista global private aviation ecosystem, XO offers a network of more than 2,100 aircraft encompassing the full spectrum of cabin sizes.

flyxo.com | marriott.com

Electric Vehicle-Friendly Scenic Byways

Colorado is halfway toward its goal of electrifying all 26 of its scenic and historic byways. The Santa Fe Trail, South Platte River Trail, and West Elk Loop

scenic and historic byways are the most recent additions to the Colorado Electric Byways Program, a partnership effort between the Colorado Department of Transportation, Colorado Tourism Office, Colorado Energy Office, and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Commission. Colorado Electric Byways must have sufficient charging infrastructure in place for electric vehicle travelers to complete a journey along the byway. For example, the 205-mile West Elk Loop is the longest of the three new additions and includes five charging stations at Blue Mesa Reservoir and in Carbondale, Redstone, Paonia, and Crested Butte. The Santa Fe Trail is 188 miles long and has charging stations in Trinidad, La Junta, and Lamar. coloradobyways.com

INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS HOST ENERGIZING EVENTS

MPIRMC

Meeting Professionals International Rocky Mountain Chapter (MPIRMC) held its annual volunteer recognition event and MPI

After 5:00 gathering on Feb. 2 at Peak Beverage in Denver. The Peak Beverage team led a tequila mixology class for volunteers, and MPIRMC recognized Danny Findley, Casey Foskett, Kristin Hutton, David Lambert, Angel Martinez, Resa Meagher, Molly Mildenverger, Joyce Riley, and Cali Smith for their contributions to MPIRMC. Additional members joined in for MPI After 5:00 with catering provided by Biscuits and Berries and a silent disco organized by Silent Seminars and Image Audiovisuals. mpi.org/chapters/rocky-mountain

NACE GREATER DENVER CHAPTER

Members of the National Association of Catering & Events

Greater Denver Chapter got their hands dirty while networking on Feb. 21 at Dig in Eats in Centennial. Attendees built their own

terrarium accompanied by a live artist demonstration. A charcuterie buffet and gourmet tapas were served with the plants and conversation. nacedenver.com

RMPCMA

Instead of encouraging normal gala attire for its annual All Hearts Auction and Celebration, PCMA Rocky Mountain Chapter (RMPCMA) asked the 120 attendees to dress as famous fathers and mothers (think Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne and Morticia and Gomez from the Addams Family). The fundraiser took place at Hilton Denver Inverness on Feb. 16 and included a cocktail hour, food stations, costume contest, awards, live auction, and After Dark Party at the on-site Breckenridge Brewery Ale & Game House. The event’s proceeds support the association’s commitment to education, with a portion dedicated to the new RMPCMA Leadership Fund, which provides scholarships to attend PCMA Convening Leaders and EduCon. rockymountain.pcma.org

Gourmet Munchies in Fab Flavors

» TOO HAUTE COWGIRLS POPCORN is a Colorado original. Flavors like Blisters On My Buttercrunch, Salted Cocoa Caramel Corn, and Srira-Cha-Cha in single-serve packages are sure to add a burst of flavor and joy to table settings, snack tables, and gift boxes. For a cowgirl-themed event, pair Fistful of Fleur de Sel popcorn with wildflower seeds and a scented candle for memorable party favors. A barbecue is sure to be remembered when guests receive a gift of Have Bacon Will Travel popcorn, a mason jar of trail mix, and a pack of sparklers upon arrival.

Founded by two friends who were living in the mountains, the company was purchased last year by Breanna and Zachary Souffrant of the Sterling-based Colorado Popcorn Co.

coloradopopcorn.com | toohautecowgirls.com

MPI After 5:00 at Peak Beverage

A NACE Denver Networking Event

RMPCMA’s All Hearts Auction and Celebration PHOTOS: (CLOCKWISE) ALL DIGITAL PHOTO & VIDEO; CHRISTIE’S PHOTOGRAPHIC SOLUTIONS; ELEVATE BUSINESS PHOTOGRAPHY

MEETING NOTES Products, Places & Inspiring Ideas

Sky Ute Casino Resort

Uniquely located amid the diverse Four Corners region of southwestern Colorado, Sky Ute Casino Resort is the perfect hub from which to explore the area’s beautiful landscapes. Owned and operated by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Sky Ute Casino Resort lies amid the 1,059 square miles of reservation land. The resort features Las Vegas-style gaming with a family-friendly atmosphere and easy access to Rolling Thunder Lanes and Arcade and Chimney Rock Playground. Historic downtown Durango, Mesa Verde National Park, and Purgatory Ski Resort are nearby. The resort features 140 culturally themed rooms and a 25-space RV park, along with on-site dining at four restaurants including Seven Rivers Steak, Seafood, and Spirits—the only authentic steakhouse in southwestern Colorado.

The Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Chimney Rock Archaeological Heritage Site, and Navajo Lake are all in proximity, with access to skiing, hiking, fishing, and whitewater rafting. Sky Ute Casino Resort is just 20 miles from Navajo Lake, where water sports, fishing, and more are also options. For guests who love biking, nearby Durango is recognized for exceptional mountain biking.

No matter the recreational activity, the Four Corners has something to appeal to all skills and interests.

The resort’s casino is home to hundreds of slot machines, five blackjack tables, a three-card poker table, a roulette wheel, a 200-seat bingo hall, and an on-site SportsBook. The gaming floor has free refreshments and is completely nonsmoking.

For events, Sky Ute features one of the biggest spaces in the Four Corners, the Events Center, as well as three separate breakout rooms for meetings. Planners help design the menu, decorations, theme, and more—all while letting the event staff

do all the work. The Convention Center boasts 19,000 square feet of space, capable of accommodating up to 2,000 people. This space is perfect for conventions, trade shows, conferences, and parties. For more intimate gatherings, the resort houses multiple conference rooms for business meetings and other small get-togethers. Each conference room is equipped with audiovisual equipment with an on-site technician available for assistance. With the numerous spaces and amenities, and various activities, Sky Ute Casino Resort is an excellent home base destination for experiencing southwestern Colorado.

Bolder in Boulder

BY BETH BUEHLER

» BOULDER IS A LOT OF THINGS , but staid and stodgy are certainly not part of the narrative. This is the town that shows up at trade shows with a bright orange, retro Volkswagen van that doubles as a photo booth. Healthy, sustainable, outdoorsy, and vibrant are more accurate descriptors for this foothills college town that continues to grow in capacity to host groups.

“There is something to offer for any group or visitor,” says Angela “Fig” Wirkler, CMP, director of sales for Visit Boulder. “A rich food and beer scene; strong academic, technology, and science communities; an abundance of arts and culture; and more are all located right in nature at the base of the Flatirons.”

The big venue news is happening in the University Hill district, located near the University of Colorado campus. Hill Hotel is slated to open in 2024 with 189 rooms, 9,000 square feet of retail space, and two large outdoor plazas. The 250room Limelight Hotel Boulder is expected to launch in summer 2025 and will have 25,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 15,000-square-foot ballroom. A LEED Gold certification for green building construction is the aim for this property, which aligns with the sustainability goals of Aspen Hospitality, the owner of the Limelight brand.

Boulder Marriott, Hotel Boulderado, St Julien Hotel & Spa, and the dual-branded Hiltons on Canyon (Embassy Suites by Hilton Boulder and Hilton Garden Inn Boulder) are full-service properties that

work well for groups due to an ideal blend of accommodations, meeting and event space, and amenities.

Judy Thayer, an independent meeting and event planner, organized two leadership summits last June for a telecommunications trade association headquartered in Washington, D.C., and is working on a third for 2023. About 70 people from around the country attend the three-day gathering held at St Julien Hotel & Spa,

with optional morning hikes and yoga classes available and off-site dinners held at Flagstaff House or Corrida.

With a prime location downtown near the pedestrian-only Pearl Street Mall, the St Julien has 201 renovated guest rooms and more than 16,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space.

“The initial event [in 2019] used the typical indoor ballroom space, with receptions and meals outdoors when possible,”

A tagline that suggests ‘hip since 1859’ says it all

The Flatirons overlook downtown Boulder.

Thayer says. “The 2022 event took place entirely outdoors, with indoor function space held as backup. The same plan is set for June 2023—weather permitting.”

The beautiful surroundings and conducive atmosphere for networking keep Boulder on the association’s calendar. “Boulder and the St Julien are the group’s only repeat [destination] in my 19 years of working with them,” she notes.

Boulder’s first luxury hotel, Hotel Boulderado, opened its doors downtown with a gala on New Year’s Eve in 1908. The thoughtfully restored lobby is overlooked by a beautiful stained-glass ceiling and a mezzanine level with meeting space. In combination with the conference center that is in a newer addition, the total amount of function space is 10,000 square feet. Private dining is available for up to 30 guests at Spruce Farm & Fish, and License No. 1 is an underground speakeasy-style lounge that can host up to 300.

“We’ve had a lot of unique events in License No. 1, including full buyouts for company holiday parties and a buyout for a Mad Hatter tea party,” says Director of Sales and Marketing Mia Opalka. “With a full buyout, the client is able to bring in their own band and buy out the bar games for the night, which includes our photo booth, jukebox, and Skee-Ball.”

The Outdoor Courtyard at Embassy Suites by Hilton Boulder

Longmont-based Beth Witzak, team director and global account executive for ConferenceDirect, has booked corporate clients at Hiltons on Canyon for quarterly manager meetings and board meetings involving 15 to 25 attendees. Together, the properties feature 376 guest rooms, about 8,400 square feet of meeting and event space, shared courtyards, and a heated rooftop pool. “Boulder worked well for my clients’ meetings because it is easy to get to from all over the country, unique, and has really great restaurants and an amazing, energetic vibe for meetings,” Witzak says.

Her groups enjoy going off-site for dinner in small groups and strolling Pearl Street Mall. For Witzak, a real bonus is working with an experienced destination marketing organization. “Visit Boulder is so wonderful to work with,” she emphasizes. “They are kind [and] accessible, and [are] professionals who are real experts at their craft.”

While The Colorado Chautauqua also offers lodging and meeting and event space, it’s in a category all its own. In 1898, the Chautauqua movement took root in Boulder when a group of Texans chose the town as a retreat. Today, the venue is a National Historic Landmark with groups able to book the Community House, Mission House Lodge, Chautauqua Dining Hall, Auditorium and Auditorium Terrace, the 10-acre Chautauqua Green, and the Picnic Shelter for open-air gatherings. Accommodations are in two historic lodges and nearly 60 cottages, and activities include history tours, mindfulness sessions, yoga, forest bathing, tennis, pickleball, basketball, and cultural events.

From the same era is Boulder Theater, constructed in 1906. Organize a meeting or private concert for your group and

admire historic touches like murals inside and the iconic marquee on the exterior of the building. Other unique spaces downtown include Rembrandt Yard, with two floors of rental space featuring floor-toceiling windows, and eTown Hall, home of a nonprofit, nationally syndicated radio broadcast and podcast, multimedia, and events production company. Located in a renovated church, eTown has several options for booking including a live music venue, cafe and bar, community kitchen, and dining area.

For something beyond the city core, consider Greystone Castle nestled in a 70-acre meadow on Flagstaff Mountain, or The Colorado Mountain Ranch. The ranch has a rustic turn-of-the-20thcentury log lodge, outdoor amphitheater, and barn, and hosts various activities such as a ropes course, horseback riding, archery, lawn games, mountainboarding (a cross between skateboarding and snowboarding), and more.

It’s easy to get out on Boulder’s 300 miles of bike lanes, multiuse paths, and designated bike routes with local outfitters. Beyond Boulder Bike Adventures offers Bike-N-Brews Cruises, Panorama Bike-N-Hike excursions, and

Boulder Theater Auditorium; Left: Grand Assembly function and meeting space at The Colorado Chautauqua

License No. 1 at Hotel Boulderado

PHOTOS: THE COLORADO CHAUTAUQUA; VISIT BOULDER; TIM ROMANO

Bike-to-Farm tours, and can also provide road, mountain, and electric bike tours.

If your group prefers grapes over hops and spokes, connect with Bookcliff Vineyards to practice the art of winemaking while engaging in friendly competition. Attendees learn about mixing varietals and are split into groups to create their own blends and label designs for the bottles they get to take home. For additional team-building choices, Colorado Wilderness Corporate & Teams offers a Wilderness Amazing Race Challenge, Colorado Olympic Challenge, ice sculpting, and other rewarding options.

For something headier, start with a champagne picnic breakfast and soar into the sky with Fair Winds Hot Air Balloon Flights. Or take a 35- to 40-minute scenic drive to Eldora Mountain Resort near Nederland for downhill skiing, snowboarding, and Nordic skiing.

Boulder is proud of its slightly quirky and uber-fit reputation, even poking fun at the moniker “The People’s Republic of Boulder.” It’s a combination that is highly appealing to groups, and like Judy Thayer’s client, they keep coming back for more.

bouldercoloradousa.com

Embrace the West

Colorado ranches are heavenly places to gather with wide-open spaces, rich legacies, abundant activities, and a slower pace of life

» SADDLE UP YOUR TEAM for a Colorado ranch retreat or a day of fun that will bring out inner cowboys and cowgirls. For overnight excursions, ranches are best suited for smallto medium-size groups, but many can host large numbers outside, where the vistas are big, and activities spur the best kinds of networking.

“Oftentimes, the simple act of having a retreat or meeting in a beautiful outdoor setting such as a dude ranch is enough to really engage the participants and brings about a sense of anticipation that might not otherwise come with staying at a hotel or resort,” says Courtney Frazier, executive director of the Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Association.

Most guest ranches host corporate meetings and events during their shoulder season (typically from October through May), and Frazier recommends booking early. “Also, keep in mind [that] our ranches are not hotels, so single-occupancy rooms are limited,” she says.

BY BETH BUEHLER

Activities vary greatly from ranch to ranch but typically range from zip lines, ropes courses, and trap shooting to horseback riding, hiking, biking, fishing, snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, and steer soccer, which Frazier describes as “herding a steer or cow from one side of an arena to another on horseback.”

The Ranch at Emerald Valley, surrounded by 100,000 acres of the Pike-San Isabel National Forest, is part of The Broadmoor-owned Wilderness Experience portfolio and is a 30-minute drive up the mountain from the main resort in Colorado Springs. Located in a scenic valley, it once was the summer retreat of Spencer Penrose, The Broadmoor’s founder.

Today, the all-inclusive retreat melds rustic charm with high-end service, delicious dining, and a wealth of activities. The 13 cabins range from one to three bedrooms and can host a total of 32 guests. Open seasonally from May through October, The Ranch promises fly-fishing, horseback riding,

VENUE R EPO R T Ranches

hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, and kayaking before sipping wine on a terrace, playing lawn games, and gathering around a campfire to make s’mores.

The land that makes up Spruce Mountain Ranch in Larkspur, 30 minutes south of Denver and 30 minutes north of Colorado Springs, has been part of Colorado ranching history since 1871. Tom and Lois Ames purchased what was last known as the Higginson Ranch in 1999 and transitioned it into Spruce Mountain Ranch Cattle Co. and Spruce Mountain Events, a beautiful events venue that can host 10 to 500 in a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces. “Spruce Mountain Ranch can help facilitate training days, team building, dinners, Jeep tours, fishing, tennis, games, live bands, line dancing, and more,” says Tara Ames, owner of Spruce Mountain Events.

Last year, the ranch hosted and organized a dinner and fundraising event that generated $250,000 for Mount Saint Vincent, a pediatric and behavioral health home, and treated 300 guests to a memorable Colorado experience with cigar rolling, whiskey tasting, music, and a live auction. The ranch also holds annual Santa and Easter brunches, with all proceeds benefiting the children’s home.

Located on 8,500 acres of land, C Lazy U Ranch near Granby also features nearly 8,500 square feet of meeting and event space, ranging from a barn and options in the Main Lodge to the Latigo and Patio House meeting rooms. Accommodations include 40 cabins and a fourbedroom luxury home.

It’s the customizable activities that help make C Lazy U Ranch a standout for groups, along with a myriad of options available to all guests, such as yoga, beehive tours, fly-fishing, horseback riding, trap shooting, archery, snowmobiling, ice skating, sleigh rides, and tubing. Teambuilding activities include the ropes course, zip lining, horsemanship and

cattle roping clinics, Amazing Races, or an event already on C Lazy U Ranch’s calendar like the four-day “Ladies and Lassos” Cowgirl Getaway retreat.

Or it might be something imagined by planners, clients, or the C Lazy U team. Director of Sales and Marketing Brady Johnson provided several examples such as a sweat lodge and a bull riding and carnival event for two Young Presidents’ Organizations; a sound bath and silent disco for Mr. Hospitality Miami (a hospitality management group); and Horses and Happy Hour among the ranch’s 200-horse herd.

Colorado Energy & Water Institute (CEWI) has held its annual Western Power Players event at Devil’s Thumb

Ranch Resort & Spa in Tabernash since 2021, with return visits on the schedule for about 135 attendees from across North America this year and next. “Our attendees love Devil’s Thumb Ranch,” says Gena Buhler, director of operations for CEWI. “They appreciate the attention to detail and the experience that we curate at the ranch, and they always want to come back.”

The setting promotes dialogue, encourages in-depth conversation, and permits the group to move around the ranch’s gathering spaces that can hold up to 250 attendees. A morning of outdoor fun is always on the agenda, allowing attendees to try winter biathlon, fat bikes, snowshoeing, horseback riding, Nordic

From Left: Visitors enjoy horseback riding at C Lazy U Ranch; The Ponderosa Room at Spruce Mountain Ranch

“The simple act of having a retreat or meeting in a beautiful outdoor setting ... brings about a sense of anticipation that might not otherwise come with staying at a hotel or resort.”

–COURTNEY FRAZIER , executive director, Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Association

skiing, and more. Days are capped with a good night’s sleep in the ranch’s lodge rooms or cabins.

“[The ranch] allows our attendees to step away from their busy day-to-day lives and focus on the important discussions about the future of energy and water in North America,” Buhler says. “We host our largest gatherings and general sessions at High Lonesome Barn and Broad Axe Barn, and then spread eight breakout sessions across the smaller spaces including the Yager House & Loft, Timber House, Grotto Suraboza, library, executive boardroom, wine room, and even Ranch Creek Spa.”

Situated along the banks of the Big Thompson River about 7 miles west of Loveland, the 3,000-acre Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch has been in operation and owned by the Jessup family since 1946. The property’s indoor meeting space can host up to 80 theater-style or 120 for receptions. For outdoor picnics, it can host around 200 people. The ranch is able to lodge 18 guests with single-occupancy accommodations and 25 if houses and cabins are shared.

“We can include activities such as horseback riding, bass fishing, guided fly-fishing, archery, rock climbing, and shooting, depending on the weather,” says Karen Burbank, dude ranch and lesson programs coordinator. “We have an outdoor heated swimming pool that is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, as well as game courts, a game room, a volleyball pit, and horseshoe pits.”

One option without lodging that should be considered is the 1,400-acre Flying W Ranch, which launched its first horseback riding and campfire dinner experiences in 1953. Located minutes from Colorado Springs, the ranch is situated in the majestic red rock formations that serve as an awe-inspiring backdrop for

rodeos, ax throwing, archery, horsedrawn wagon and carriage rides, and farrier, silversmithing, and Navajo rug weaving demonstrations.

Groups of up to 900 people can be hosted indoors, and a maximum of 5,000 can be served outdoors. Constructed in 2019, the 6,000-square-foot Mountain Stream Lodge expands onto the 3,500-squarefoot Western Plaza and delivers rusticchic charm with handcrafted wood tables, Navajo rugs, a saddle collection, and woodburning fireplaces. Some additional outdoor options include the Ponderosa Pines

Amphitheatre, Southern Lights Patio, Northern Lights Patio, and Red Mountain Valley. The Mercantile and Marian’s Library are smaller indoor spaces with plenty of character.

Flying W Ranch is open year-round for meetings and events, and its well-known chuckwagon dinners complete with music by the Flying W Wranglers are offered from May 25 to Oct. 7. Named the “Western Group of the Year” for 2022 by the Academy of Western Artists, Flying W Wranglers also performs for the Cowboy Christmas Jubilee shows in December.

More Stunning Ranches

» Bar Lazy J Guest Ranch , Parshall barlazyj.com

» Black Mountain Ranch, McCoy blackmtnranch.com

» Latigo Ranch , Kremmling latigoranch.com

» Lost Valley Ranch, Sedalia lostvalleyranch.com

» Rawah Ranch, Glendevey rawahranch.com

» Vista Verde Guest Ranch, Clark vistaverde.com

» Zapata Ranch, Mosca ranchlands.com

What makes Colorado ranches such a memorable option for gatherings?

“The beauty, space, nature, and fresh air,” emphasizes Buhler. “Stepping onto a ranch means that we are supporting local agriculture and farming and are able to host a sustainable event.”

broadmoor.com/wilderness-experiences clazyu.com

devilsthumbranch.com

flyingw.com

sprucemountainranch.com sylvandale.com

Host a private outdoor party accompanied by live music at Flying W Ranch. Below: The Rocky Mountains rise from the Great Plains at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch.

Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel

303-893-3333 | marriott.com

The Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel has long been a gathering place and pillar of the Denver community. With the recent completion of a transformative $80 million renovation, the property is leading the charge to reinvigorate downtown and to be the place for phenomenal group experiences in Denver. Following a long and trusted legacy of the Sheraton brand, this property steps into a new era with energy and spaces that make guests feel like locals and locals feel like guests. Fresh and locally infused food and beverage offerings, a welcoming lobby space, and completely new guest rooms (including 138 suites) make this the perfect hotel to get to know Denver.

The transformation is continuing this year with two more unique spaces and even more planned for the future.

New this year, the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel is debuting Parlur, a unique and flexible off-site group meeting venue that offers both indoor and outdoor space right in the heart of downtown. This one-of-a-kind, 8,000-square-foot setting boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and is located just steps off the 16th Street Mall. Parlur can accommodate a reception for up to 750 guests with an adjacent patio to enjoy the Denver sunshine. Modern design aesthetics and an open floor plan combined with authentic curated group experiences will inspire creativity and collaboration. Sheraton’s highly trained event team will be on hand to plan events and will partner with the food and beverage team to curate menus that break barriers with bold Colorado flavors and completely customizable options. This space

will provide an unforgettable backdrop for weddings and galas or a break from the boring windowless conference experience.

Also new this year, a Topgolf Swing Suite will open its doors to guests. A highly popular concept in other markets, Topgolf Swing Suite’s state-of-the-art technology offers guests a chance to play famous courses around the globe or to have a little fun with a plethora of interactive multimedia options for a lively and engaging group event or for the leisure traveler. Between or during these rounds, guests can enjoy a craft cocktail or bites from 16th Street Commons or the highly acclaimed onsite BEZEL Bar. In addition to Parlur and the Topgolf Swing Suite, the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel has even more plans for inspiring and unique spaces heading into 2024.

FOUR-SEASON

Playground

Colorado’s seasonal nature makes it a colorful chameleon for meetings and events

by BETH BUEHLER

Colorado is a year-round destination. Whether your group meets in spring, summer, fall, or winter, there is sure to be something for every preference—from the climate and activities to venue types and budget parameters. While there are towns or regions that are ideal for a specific season, these places are amazing playgrounds for groups any time of year.

SPRING

Colorado Springs, the state's second largest city, offers the best of both worlds: urban action and beautiful mountains as a backdrop. Spring is a terrific time to visit as the leaves unfurl, flowers bloom, the tallest peaks are still snowcapped, and it’s less busy.

“Colorado Springs has wide-open spaces and stunning natural scenery, giving the feeling of a more resort and retreat-like setting,” says Kathy Reak, vice president of sales for Visit Colorado Springs. “Along with over 55 attractions in the area, it provides the attendee with a memorable and relaxing experience.”

Among the highlights for planners are Colorado Springs Airport, a regional airport that is easy to traverse, and a wealth of topnotch properties throughout the city with appealing accommodations, flexible meeting and event space, and a variety of on-site activities and amenities.

The Broadmoor, Cheyenne Mountain Colorado Springs, and Garden of the Gods Resort and Club stand out for their spacious grounds, golf courses, spas, and huge range of other activities. A major bonus is that lodging at all three properties is varied and spread out versus being condensed in one building. The Broadmoor’s two Colorado Springs

Wilderness Experience properties—The Ranch at Emerald Valley and Cloud Camp— are open May through October.

Great Wolf Lodge is ideal for when families are joining in, and The Antlers, A Wyndham Hotel, and The Mining Exchange, A Wyndham Grand Hotel & Spa, are fine options downtown. On a smaller scale—but equally memorable—is The Lodge at Flying Horse that now has 94 guest rooms and four villas, nearly 7,500 square feet of indoor meeting space, and more than 10,000 square feet of outdoor options after a recent expansion. In addition, there is a spa and 36 holes of golf for groups to play a few rounds.

The “City for Champions” initiative for Colorado Springs is creating a major impact on the community with the introduction of five new venues. Four of the five are already open, including the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, Ed Robson Arena at Colorado College, Weidner Field, and William J. Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center. The first three provide a wide selection of meeting and event spaces to consider. The final project, the new 32,000-square-foot U.S. Air Force Academy Hosmer Visitor Center, is slated for completion in 2024.

ACTIVITIES

» The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway

» The Broadmoor’s Seven Falls

» Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

» Flying W Ranch

» Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center

» National Museum of World War II Aviation

» Rocky Mountain Food Tours

» Space Foundation Discovery Center

BEYOND-THE-NORM DINING EXPERIENCES

» The Airplane Restaurant with a fully intact Boeing KC-97 tanker

» Dinner on the Royal Gorge Route Railroad

» Food halls including Coati, Ivywild School, and The Well visitcos.com

Clockwise from left: A sparkling sunrise over Colorado Springs; White Pine Ballroom at Great Wolf Lodge; A delectable spread with Rocky Mountain Food Tours

SUMMER

Founded in 1859, Golden is the last town in the foothills before entering the Rocky Mountains west of Denver. The huge arch reading “Howdy Folks! Welcome to Golden—Where the West Lives” leads visitors to the center of downtown and is one of the most photographed landmarks in Colorado. Summer is especially lively with free happenings for groups to plug into such as Buffalo Bill Days in July, the Golden Fine Arts Festival in August, Movies & Music in Parfet Park on select Friday evenings July through September, and the Golden Farmers Market on Saturdays from June through early October.

For a taste of local experiences all year long, stroll the Colorado School of Mines campus, attend a show at the Miners Alley Playhouse, and visit the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave, Colorado Railroad Museum, and Golden History Museum & Park. The Colorado Railroad Museum partners with Table Mountain Inn to host groups on-site with the Table Mountain Station available for groups of 50 to 500.

Foothills Art Center, Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum, and Boettcher Mansion also are distinct

ACTIVITIES

» Hiking and cycling trails on Lookout Mountain or North Table Mountain

» Programs and tours at the National Renewable Energy Lab

» Check out bikes at Golden Bike Library—the first two hours are free

» Water sports on Clear Creek

BEYOND-THE-NORM DINING EXPERIENCES

» The Eddy Taproom & Lawn that features live music Friday and Saturday evenings and lawn games

» The Golden Hotel’s Bridgewater Grill for patio dining overlooking Clear Creek

» Tributary Food Hall & Drinkery with outdoor space and various food options

visitgolden.com

venues that are well-suited for group functions. The mountaintop mansion, built in 1917, was thoughtfully restored and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Meanwhile, Table Mountain Inn, The Eddy Taproom & Hotel, Origin Hotel Red Rocks, and The Golden Hotel are the places to head to for comfortable accommodations, indoor and outdoor event space, and dining options all in one place.

Part of Golden’s rich history is a serious beer scene that dates to 1873 with the establishment of Coors Brewery, which is the world’s largest single-site brewery and offers 60-minute tours and samplings. While Coors may be the largest game in town, the craft brewery scene is hopping as well. Have attendees sign up for the Golden Tap Trail, a mobile passport that guides

beverage lovers to 11 breweries, distilleries, and cideries and provides access to special deals. Another option is the Wild West Pub Crawl with Golden History Tours, which also offers Golden Ghosts & Spirits and the Wild West Walking Tour.

“[With] the great outdoor scene (hiking, tubing, fly-fishing, kayaking, and biking), breweries, proximity to Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and the mountains, you cannot find a better location than Golden in the summer,” says Deb Brannon, owner of Golden-based Altitude Events LLC. She also recommends taking time for a walk or bike ride along Clear Creek. “You can start from downtown and take the trail all the way up the canyon. It is absolutely gorgeous [and] not to mention a hoot to watch the tubers go down the creek.”

Clockwise: Expansive views in Golden; The terrace at The Eddy Taproom & Hotel; Outdoor seating at Table Mountain Station PHOTOS: (OPPOSITE) VISIT COLORADO SPRINGS; (THIS PAGE) F4D STUDIO/VISIT GOLDEN; THE EDDY TAPROOM & HOTEL; TIM ROMANO

ACTIVITIES

» Colorado National Monument

» Guided hiking and off-road adventures in Rattlesnake Canyon

» Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range

» Market on Main in downtown Grand Junction on Thursday evenings

» The Museum of the West

» Talbott Farms, grower of fruit and producer of cider and wine

BEYOND-THE-NORM DINING EXPERIENCES

» Caroline’s for classic French fare sourced from local ingredients at Wine Country Inn

» James Beard-nominated Josh Niernberg’s Bin 707 Foodbar and Tacoparty restaurants

» Wine dinners at Maison la Belle Vie Winery in Palisade for groups of 10 or more visitgrandjunction.com visitpalisade.com

FALL

Grand Junction and neighboring Palisade in western Colorado are known for their vineyards, orchards, lavender fields, beautiful vistas, and year-round recreation and temperate climate. Evidently, fall is a standout season to visit due to the grape harvest, Colorado Mountain Winefest in September, and mild temperatures for biking the Colorado Riverfront Trail. For those who prefer others beverage types, there are several craft breweries, distilleries, and cideries as well.

“Grand Junction’s temperate highdesert climate provides for comfortable temperatures year-round, making it a perfect destination to enjoy the outdoors, no matter what season,” says Elizabeth Fogarty, director of Visit Grand Junction. “From canyons to rivers, mountains, lakes, forest, and desert, it’s the perfect climate and majestic landscape that will leave a lasting impression for your conference guests.”

A prime place for larger groups to meet is in downtown Grand Junction, which is the location of the Grand Junction Convention Center with more than 24,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space and four hotels for easy lodging access. Make it a walking conference by using both the convention center and The

Avalon Theatre, encouraging attendees to enjoy the boutique shops, trendy restaurants, and the more than 115 sculptures and murals while strolling the tree-lined district.

The upscale, 60-room Hotel Maverick on the campus of Mesa Colorado University (MCU) is one of the newest properties in town with indoor and outdoor function space, as well as a rooftop bar and restaurant. Five miles from MCU and downtown is the larger DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Grand Junction that has 263 guest rooms and nearly 12,000 square feet of meeting and event space.

Staying and meeting in wine country is also an enticing option. Two Rivers Winery, located in the Redlands area of Grand Junction, has a tasting room, event center, and 10 guest rooms. Wine Country Inn in Palisade can hold larger groups with 80 available guest rooms, a ballroom that can host 150, and 21 acres of vineyards. Its sister property, Grande River Vineyards, is located next door.

The 4.5-acre Maison la Belle Vie Winery is also a standout spot for groups with its vineyard, tasting room, and Amy’s Courtyard event venue that has a barn, gazebo, and large lawn that can host up to 150.

From above: The Devil’s Kitchen patio at Hotel Maverick; A scenic fall winery experience in Palisade; Freshwater paddleboarding in Grand Junction

PHOTOS: HOTEL MAVERICK; VISIT GRAND JUNCTION; (OPPOSITE) SALAMANDER HOTELS & RESORTS; JEREMY SWANSON; SAM FERGUSON

WINTER

One of the attributes that makes Aspen and Snowmass Village so attractive for groups in the winter is the four ski areas within the 9 miles between the two communities. Aspen Highlands, Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, and Snowmass are all owned by Aspen Skiing Co., making it a seamless experience to arrange activities, book lodging, or rent meeting space. Aspen Hospitality is the lodging arm of Aspen Skiing Co., which operates the Limelight hotels in Aspen and Snowmass and The Little Nell, a Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond property in the heart of Aspen.

“Aspen and Snowmass set the standard for luxury in the ski industry,” says Dawn Harker, partner at Imprint Events Colorado Resorts. “With roots in the late 1800s, there is an authenticity to the destinations that is unmatched in North American ski resorts. Not just for skiers and snowboarders, Aspen and Snowmass are home to world-class dining, luxury shopping, and a vast array of winter activities.”

Leave plenty of time on the agenda for attendees to stroll downtown Aspen and Snowmass Village’s base area as browsing the shops, checking out the coffeehouses, and sampling the cuisine at local eateries is half the fun. Other hotels with meeting and event space that will put your team close to the action on the slopes are Viceroy Snowmass, Viewline Resort

Snowmass, The St. Regis Aspen Resort, W Aspen, and Inn at Aspen.

For an excellent property that is not adjacent to a ski hill but is suited for groups, consider Aspen Meadows Resort. Located on a vast 40 acres of land, the resort shares the grounds with the Aspen Institute, an international nonprofit organization committed to creating a free, just, and equitable society. All 98 guest suites are remodeled and are a nod to Bauhaus design, and architect and artist Herbert Bayer’s vision for the property. It’s the latest in a series of notable renovations, which will include improvements to the Walter Isaacson Center and Plato’s Restaurant this fall.

Even in winter, there are a number of outdoor spaces to tap into such as the Fountain Courtyard at The St. Regis Aspen Resort, Nest Bar & Grill at Viceroy Snowmass, and outdoor ice-skating rinks at Snowmass Base Village and Silver Circle Ice Rink in Aspen. “From private events at celebrities’ homes to elevated outdoor adventures, every time you step outside in Aspen and Snowmass, an opportunity for a curated experience presents itself. For the hip and trendy palate, the Aspenx Beach Club is about as cool as it gets,” Harker says. “For a unique dining experience, take a snowcat up Snowmass Mountain to the Lynn Britt Cabin.”

ACTIVITIES

» Alpine coaster, tubing, and Ullr Nights (an evening party to celebrate winter) at Elk Camp on Snowmass

» Guided snowshoe tours with Aspen Center for Environmental Studies

» Indoor and outdoor ice skating

» Nordic skiing

» Snow bikes for the slopes and fat bikes for the trails

» Snowmobiling

BEYOND-THE-NORM DINING EXPERIENCES

» Horse-drawn sleigh rides to Pine Creek Cookhouse in Ashcroft

» Lunch, après ski, or private events at the Sundeck Restaurant on Aspen Mountain

» Snowcat Dinners at Cloud

Nine Aspen Bistro at Aspen Highlands and Lynn Britt Cabin in Snowmass

aspenchamber.org

gosnowmass.com

Clockwise from left: Aspen Meadows Resort; Snowmass Village; Nordic skiing in Snowmass

Carboy Winery Joins 1% for the Planet

» COLORADO-BASED Carboy Winery pledged to donate 1% of all sales from its tasting rooms to support Zero Footprint + Restore Colorado campaign that promotes regenerative agriculture. By contributing part of the annual sales, thousands of 1% for the Planet members have raised over $300 million to support approved environmental partners around the globe. The nonprofit launched in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, founder of Blue Ribbon Flies.

Carboy is Colorado’s first winery to take part in the global movement, joining a list of 51 wineries across the country. Through holistic vineyard management, water conservation, innovative packaging solutions, and tasting room tap systems, Carboy continues to reduce its carbon footprint while creating award-winning wines and operating tasting rooms in Breckenridge, Denver, Littleton, and Palisade. carboywinery.com; onepercentfortheplanet.org

PEOPLE NEWS

The Gant Aspen welcomed Kristen Babich as beverage and events manager. Babich was previously employed by Aspen Ski Co., honing her hospitality experience at multiple restaurants, including Ajax Tavern, Limelight Hotel Aspen, Limelight Hotel Snowmass, and Sam’s.

Chris Luersen , a third-generation hotelier, was selected as the new general manager of The Eddy Taproom & Hotel in Golden by CoralTree Hospitality. He has more than a decade of hospitality experience and spent the last three years working at The Oxford Hotel in downtown Denver, where he was promoted to hotel manager.

Todd Reese was hired as director of food by The Gant Aspen. Over the past 28 years, Reese has worked for many of Aspen’s top restaurants, most recently as general manager of Matsuhisa, where he worked for 18 years.

NEW ELEVATION HOTEL & SPA VENUE HONORS LOCAL RESEARCHER

Under new ownership and located slopeside at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Elevation Hotel & Spa is integrating local touches while transforming the hotel. The newest food and beverage outlet is billy barr, a comfortable lobby lounge serving coffee and breakfast tacos daily from 7-11 a.m., followed by cocktails, sandwiches, charcuterie boards, and more from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The outlet is named for a legendary local naturalist and researcher, and provides a glimpse at barr’s efforts in tandem with Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL), one of the largest and oldest scientific field stations in the world located in nearby Gothic. The billy barr was designed in partnership with architectural firm Winteriors and features memorabilia on loan from RMBL and the Crested Butte Museum. elevationresort.com; rmbl.org

Katie Williams , a seventh-generation Coloradan, has been hired as business travel sales manager by Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver. She brings 12 years of hotel sales experience in the Denver and Washington, D.C. metro areas to the role and most recently worked at The Jacquard in Denver’s Cherry Creek North district.

IMPRINT EVENTS COLORADO LANDS ADMEI AWARDS

The Colorado office of Imprint Events brought home two awards from the Association of Destination Management Executives International (ADMEI) Annual Conference in February at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay in Florida.

The Denver-based company was presented the Best Community or Public Event award for Vail Octoberfest after being contacted only 10 weeks in advance of the annual celebration to produce a series of events. Having never produced a large-scale public festival but bringing extensive logistics management to the table, Imprint Events rallied a team of veteran planners, marketing experts, and operational wizards to create the largest event series in the festival’s history, setting records each weekend.

For a completely different type of gathering, Imprint Events secured the Best Virtual or Hybrid Event award for a global sales conference. The Imprint team was hired to manage production, content creation, and stage design. After several months of planning, organizers weighed the options of postponing the event until the following year due to the COVID-19 omicron variant that was looming at the time. Facing heavy hotel attrition, a decision was made two weeks prior to pivot to a hybrid conference with 750 virtual attendees. Creative solutions such as virtual trivia kept attendees engaged and educated about their company. imprintgroup.com

Toasting New and Old in Fort Collins

» RAISE A GLASS to a classic hotel in business for a century, take up golf in a new type of country club, and sip a pint at one of Fort Collins’ latest brewery additions.

The Armstrong Hotel, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is celebrating 100 years of serving locals, groups, and visitors from all over the world. As part of the centennial anniversary, the hotel hosted a Party Like It’s 1923 event on April 13 to kick off the festivities. Throughout the year, The Armstrong Hotel is revealing new celebratory activities like craft cocktails by the decade and special musical guests in Ace Gillett’s Lounge & Supper Club.

On the flip side, a new golf bar and brewery are beginning their run in Old Town. South Broadway Country Club expanded from Denver to Fort Collins with the opening of a location in Old Town Square. The venue features a full-service cocktail bar, three highend golf simulator bays, and rollup doors that open onto a patio.

Salt Road Brewing LLC opened in the former Prost Brewing Co. space in Old FireHouse Alley. The craft brewery, named for the ancient network of trade routes or “salt roads” used to move goods throughout Europe and Asia, is starting with 10 taps that showcase beer styles from around the world made with Colorado ingredients.

thearmstronghotel.com | saltroadbrewing.com | southbroadwaycc.com | visitftcollins.com

Sitzmark Lodge Debuts Upgraded Fritch Penthouse Suite

Under new ownership after 48 years of stewardship by the Fritch family, Sitzmark Lodge in Vail Village introduced the remodeled Fritch Penthouse Suite. The 2,800-square-foot suite features four bedrooms and three bathrooms and can accommodate up to 13 overnight guests. With vaulted ceilings, open living spaces, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a fully equipped contemporary kitchen, the penthouse is ideal for small group retreats and gatherings and has direct access to a rooftop pool and deck, also available to groups.

Featuring a modern design, the penthouse renovation is a preview of what is to come with a planned interior remodel of the entire 36-room hotel scheduled for summer 2023. “Our goal

is to celebrate the history of Vail and include authentically local components in every room,” says Steve Kisielica, managing partner for Sitzmark Lodge. “Our goal is to keep a certain whimsy that follows the Sitzmark name while elevating the interior design with a European-influenced, mountain-modern look and feel.” sitzmarklodge.com

The Armstrong Hotel lobby; Inset: The hotel lobby staircase in 1923

23rd Annual MIC Conference Unites Industry

The Meetings Industry Council (MIC) of Colorado hosted 850 attendees for the MIC Educational Conference & Trade Show, March 2-3 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. Hosted buyer appointments, as well as a planner and exhibitor lunch were new to the itinerary this year—joining keynote speakers, breakout sessions, exhibit hall time, and an opening reception. Colorado Meetings + Events was the conference’s platinum media sponsor.

1. Annette Alejano-Steele 2. Tristen Doxtader 3. Jared Judge 4. Denise Soler Cox 5. Visit Boulder’s VW mobile photo bus 6. Gretchen Yetzbach, Cory Karalekas 7. Suzanne Hagen, Carla Coleman, Steffani Blackstock, Debbie Bova 8. Simon Melser, Jonathan Richards 9. MIC Leadership Award winner Danny Findley with Chair-Elect Gysella Fillingham and Chair Tiffany Carson

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

Michaela Sanchez

Mariluz Santos Prado

Samantha Lloyd

Alysha Moore

Charlsie Fowler

Jamie Green

Sanja Mihajlov

The Value of Expertise

BY BETH BUEHLER

When a top-to-bottom renovation is underway and a pandemic enters the scene, having an experienced professional in the director of sales and marketing chair proved invaluable for the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel. This person was Tracy Blair, who has been a steady presence in Denver’s hospitality scene for two decades, previously working in the same role at The Westin Denver Downtown.

Blair joined the Sheraton in 2013 knowing a major renovation was on the horizon for Denver’s largest hotel.

“I was thrilled to be a part of bringing the iconic 80-year-old Sheraton brand back to life through a complete brand transformation that would impact all Sheraton properties around the world,” she says. “Because Denver was one of the two halo hotels in the United States, it meant that we, along with the Phoenix Sheraton, were piloting decisions on the ground-floor design and vision, and had a lot of agency over the process.”

While COVID-19 has been extremely difficult for the travel industry, it allowed the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel to complete its renovation with very few business disruptions, despite several supply chain delays. “We took advantage of lower occupancy levels and lack of corporate events to get the work done,” she says. “We never closed our hotel thanks to a strong stable of business we have with the airline industry. … Overall, we were still able to do our grand unveiling [in September 2021] fairly close to our planned date.”

What has kept her in the business?

“Every day is different at this job, and I love the entrepreneurial experience that comes with curating unique experiences and managing our own distinctive property,” Blair notes. “My team and I get to be creative and reimagine the business every day.”

Currently, she serves as a board member for Denver’s Tourism Improvement District and Destination Colorado Meetings and encourages anyone starting out in the hospitality industry to be active in such organizations, gain as much knowledge as possible, and enjoy the ride. “Get involved in the local community, volunteer for things, create your portfolio of experience across as many disciplines as you can, and most importantly—have fun. Ultimately, that’s why we do this job!”

PHOTO: ALYSON MCCLARAN

PEOPLE P R OFILE Tracy Blair

Tracy Blair helped Denver’s largest hotel successfully maneuver the pandemic and an $80 million renovation

Tracy Blair at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel

WE ARE SPOKANE

discover the difference

Spokane, Washington is a mid-sized city with big city amenities. Meeting in our Convention Center District means gathering at a riverfront Convention Center nestled on 100 acres of greenspace — walking distance to rushing waterfalls, the downtown core, and stunning additional facilities. Then when sessions are done for the day, unwind at one of the 120+ restaurants, local wineries, or craft breweries nearby.

Spokane is just a 2.5 hour direct ight from Denver. You will experience the ease of convening in a Northwest city that radiates warmth, history, ambition, and creativity. Let us make planning your next meeting seamless.