MEETING MUNCHIES REFUEL ATTENDEES WITH CREATIVE AND TASTY SNACKS {22}
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WINTER
2020
A OF Tale TWO
Ski Towns
EXPLORING THE 5 SENSES
Aspen & Snowmass Village share a valley but offer different vibes
How to incorporate sight, smell, touch, taste & sound
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EASY FOR YOU. EXTRAORDINARY FOR THEM. Seamless planning, exceptional service and inspiring activities only the mountains can offer. Your guests will make memories that last a lifetime, and you’ll wonder how it all came together so easily.
FIND YOUR EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME AT VAIL RESORTS
VAI L R E SO RTSM EETI NGS.COM
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Winter 2020 COLORADO MEETINGS + EVENTS MAGAZINE: IN THIS ISSUE
FEATURE
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Feast for the Senses How to integrate the five senses into meetings and events and make a serious impact. By Beth Buehler
DEPARTMENTS 6 EDITOR’S LETTER
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By Hannah Cullen
22 MEET & EAT Shake up break time to tantalize taste buds and create conversation. By Kimberly Lord Stewart
26 DESTINATION Aspen and Snowmass are linked by the same ski company and complement each other’s many strengths. By Beth Buehler
56 PEOPLE PROFILE Dez Kelly was a molecular biologist until she followed her passion for cake decorating. By Kassidy Tarala
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Snowmass Base Village
26 P H O T O S : A N G E L A H O WA R D P H O T O G R A P H Y ; B E N J A M I N M S K I G E N ; F R O M T H E H I P P H O T O ; J E R E M Y S WA N S O N
20 TABLESCAPE This Christian Louboutininspired vignette is a celebration of sole.
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GRAND ENOUGH FOR YOUR
BEST PEOPLE AND THEIR
P H O T O S : A N G E L A H O WA R D P H O T O G R A P H Y ; B E N J A M I N M S K I G E N ; F R O M T H E H I P P H O T O ; J E R E M Y S WA N S O N
BIGGEST IDEAS.
Meetings and events take on a special energy at The Broadmoor. Our magnificent Colorado setting will inspire your people. Our world-class golf, spa, dining and more will refresh them. The unique venues and activities of our Broadmoor Wilderness Experience properties will challenge them and change their perspectives. Our 185,000 square feet of meeting space is flexible enough to meet your most demanding requirements. And amidst it all, The Broadmoor’s legendary tradition of quality and service will ensure your event is a success. Contact us today and start planning your meeting now at broadmoor.com. 855.696.5804
BROADMOOR.COM
1 LAKE AVENUE, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80906
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Winter
2020
Dorado Beach
A 100th Anniversary Toast
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pg 10
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MEETING NOTES
INDUSTRY UPDATE
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
9 SELF-SERVE Two companies bring the bar to hotel rooms. By Kassidy Tarala
44 INFOGRAPHIC CWT Meetings & Events’ 2020 Future Trends Report projects growth in the industry. Research courtesy of CWT
38 COLORADO MEETING/EVENT VENUE SHOWCASE Gather ideas for great spaces to consider.
10 SIGNATURE DRINK Centennial Cocktail, courtesy of C Lazy U Ranch, Granby
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12 EXPERT ADVICE Avoid team-building junk food for executive retreats. By Scott Miller 18 BEYOND THE BORDER Puerto Rico is back and better than ever after Hurricane Maria. By Beth Buehler
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46 REGIONAL NEWS Venues, people, association news and more 54 SNAPSHOTS MPIRMC Awards Gala & Auction
MEETING MUNCHIES REFUEL ATTENDEES WITH CREATIVE AND TASTY SNACKS {22}
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MEETINGSMAGS.COM
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WINTER
A OF Tale TWO
Ski Towns
EXPLORING THE 5 SENSES
How to incorporate sight, smell, touch, taste & sound
Aspen & Snowmass Village share a valley but offer different vibes
2020
ON THE COVER
Cliffhouse at Aspen Snowmass boasts panoramic views. Photo by Catherine Aeppel
P H O T O S : D O R A D O B E A C H ; M O L LY J O H N S O N ; DA I RY B LO C K
The Alley at Dairy Block
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THE COLD WAR WAS FOUGHT ON ICE. It’s 1980. Lake Placid. Our boys are up against the reigning champs. It’s not just an underdog story. It’s a story of our country. Of the indomitable spirit we were founded on, the spirit inside us all. Get ready to believe in miracles again at a place that preserves them forever.
P H O T O S : D O R A D O B E A C H ; M O L LY J O H N S O N ; DA I RY B LO C K
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO OPENING 2020 USOPM.ORG
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EDITOR'S LETTER
Expecting Another Great Ski Season WHAT WAS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS at the 56th annual meeting of Colorado Ski Country
Beth Buehler, editor CONTACT ME AT BETH.BUEHLER@TIGEROAK.COM
After a flight with pilot Robin Guinan at Snowmass Balloon Festival.
USA? As usual it was the announcement of skier visits for the past season (2018-19) at its 23 member ski resorts, which experienced a 13 percent increase over the prior year’s total and nearly 12 percent above the five-year average. Combining that with publicly available information from Vail Resorts’ five ski areas in Colorado, CSCUSA confirmed a new statewide record of 13.8 million. Skier visits are the metric used to track participation in skiing and snowboarding. A skier visit represents a person participating in the sport of skiing or snowboarding for any part of one day at a mountain resort. Wouldn’t it be interesting to know how many of these skier visits were tied to a corporate, nonprofit or association meeting, event or incentive trip? All regions of Colorado received significant snowfall throughout the 2018-19 ski season with the northern, central and southern mountains all blanketed in white, plus there were new lifts, restaurants, lodging properties and activities that helped contribute to customer satisfaction. As someone who lives in a Colorado ski town and skied my home mountain of Crested Butte along with Steamboat Springs, Winter Park, Keystone, Monarch Mountain and Snowmass last season, I can confirm that conditions were terrific and improvements impressive. Let’s hope for the same thing through the state again this season. What continues to impress me about ski resorts is how they have built up their summer and fall seasons by offering groups, tourists and locals reasons to hang out on “the hill,” which used to be considered off-seasons but no longer. I visited Snowmass in December 2018 for the grand opening celebration of the new Base Village and September 2019 for a weekend of participating in festivals (Snowmass Balloon Festival, Cidermass and Septemberfest) and enjoying Lost Forest Adventure Park, hiking trails and a Blazing Adventure Sunset Dinner. Both were equally great, just different. The hard question now is: When should I book a group event in a ski town? Things to consider are what kind of activities and seasons pair well with your group, what is your budget, how many people will be in attendance and more. Ski towns are definitely year-round these days offering all sorts of great options. And in winter, there’s plenty to do besides skiing and snowboarding by the way!
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WINTER 2020
+ co.meetingsmags.com EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR SENIOR EDITOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
EDITORIAL INTERNS
Beth Buehler Morgan Halaska Megan Gosch Kassidy Tarala Julianna Fazio Hannah Cullen, Scott Miller, Kimberly Lord Stewart, Kassidy Tarala Hannah Cullen, Dinneen Graff
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
Justin Clark, Visit Aurora • Candace Duran, Halcyon • Adam Douglas, Peak Beverage • Kevin Hedican, Hermes Worldwide, Inc. • Brady Johnson, C Lazy U • Jason Lusk, CMP, VISIT DENVER • Amanda Nelson, AKN Events Elri Nieuwenhuizen, Occasions Catering • Victoria Rosenblatt, Andavo Meetings & Incentives • Sharon Schoeffield, Copper Mountain Resort • Todd Seymour, Wellshire Inn • Nicole Steed, Lamont Associates • Sidney Stoper, J&S Audio Visual • Terri Taylor, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP • Marsha Temple, Colorado Automobile Dealers Assn. DESIGN DIRECTOR ART DIRECTORS PRODUCTION DIRECTOR PROJECT COORDINATOR
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TOP 8 REASONS TO CHOOSE
COLORADO SPRINGS Colorado Springs is a year-round meeting destination boasting mild temperatures, more than 300 days of endless blue skies and stunning natural scenery. Discover first-tier amenities, an array of properties and unique venues.
We believe in keynote speakers that would rather spark an idea than follow an agenda. Attendees who seek a balance between PowerPoint and play. Conventions that are anything but conventional. We don’t believe in “planners.”
We believe in visionaries.
01
It’s Colorado Springs - Conventions that are anything but conventional.
02
Complimentary services - From personalized site visits to attendee items, VCOS offers award-winning guidance.
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Climate - Mild year-round climate and sunshine create the perfect environment, even in off-season.
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Fantastic accommodations - Over 14,500 city-wide rooms and 450,000 square feet of flexible meeting space.
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Easy access - The convenient Colorado Springs Airport offers over 65 arrivals and departures daily.
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One-stop - VCOS is a single source for all your event planning needs during the planning process.
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Personalization - Enjoy hands-on service through each step of the selection and planning process.
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Support System - Enlist assistance for services, activities and other event details when the time is right.
ENVISION YOUR MEETING VisitCOS.com/meetings Kathy Reak Senior Director of Convention Sales Kathy@VisitCOS.com 719.685.7632
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PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION
Meeting Notes SIGNATURE DRINK
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EXPERT ADVICE
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BYO BARTENDER
In-hotel wine, beer and cocktail taps are bringing the bar right to your room. The hotel bar is a fun, convenient option to unwind after a long day of meetings. With companies like Plum Wine and PourMyBeer, hotels are now taking it one step further by bringing the bar to your room. That’s right, throw on that plush robe and slippers because you no longer need to leave the room to get a drink.
P H OTO S : P LU M W I N E ; P O U R M Y B E E R
Plum Wine
Since opening its first in-room taps in 2018 at the Four Seasons in Silicon Valley, Plum Wine has been bringing wine, beer and spirits to guests’ rooms in 22 hotels across the United States. The Plum amenity houses up to two bottles of wine that can be preserved for up to 90 days using argon gas. “Similar to a Nespresso machine, when a guest wants a glass of wine or spirit in the convenience of their hotel room, they just press a button,” says founder David Koretz. Koretz says meeting and event planners can customize Plum to their attendees’ liking by offering a unique experience to sample many local wines and pair them with the hotel’s menu. “It’s all about exceeding guest expectations. Guests today aren’t just looking for a bed to sleep in; rather, they crave an experience that allows them to indulge and feel catered to. They crave an experience that exceeds what they can get at home,” Koretz says.
THE LATEST
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BEYOND THE BORDER
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A Plum canister, which serves more than 1,000 pours, uses cloud and artificial intelligence to identify the label of a bottle of wine, beer or spirit, and it automatically sets the perfect temperature for each bottle.
PourMyBeer
With self-pour taps in hotel lobbies across the United States and Canada, PourMyBeer offers guests the opportunity the pour their own wine, beer, kombucha or cold brew and bring it back to their rooms. “Guests can use their room key to get a beverage of their choice any time they want and pour it by the ounce. For example, some hotels can have bars only open for a few hours a day, limiting their beverage sales. This is not an issue with self-pour technology, which allows the guest to access the beverages around the clock,” says Marketing Manager Tana Rulkova. PourMyBeer allows guests to access only two drinks at a time, but if a guest requests more, hotel staff can give their keycard access to two more. Though PourMyBeer has the capability to install a tap in each individual guest room, Rulkova says it is more cost efficient and lower maintenance for hotels to serve these kegged beverages in a tap located in the lobby for all guests to use. “We want to offer an easy-to-deploy mobile dispense solution to hotels that they can activate for events or just everyday use in the lobby,” Rulkova says. —Kassidy Tarala
Get Connected PLUM WINE | plum.wine
POURMYBEER | pourmybeer.com
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PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION
GREAT IDEA»
CONFERENCE ROOMS WITH A VIEW: MOTOR COACHES
H
ow did three smaller Colorado towns— La Junta, Trinidad and Walsenburg— host a conference like the 2019 Southern Colorado Tourism Summit? The solution was taking attendees on the road and using transfer times as conference sessions.
SUMMIT SNAPSHOT
Centennial Cocktail Congratulations to C Lazy U for wrapping up its centennial celebration in 2019. Here’s a toast to another 100 years. INGREDIENTS: —2 oz. Golden Moon Apple Jack —.75 oz. lime juice —1 oz. grenadine —2 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
Courtesy of C LAZY U RANCH, GRANBY
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DIRECTIONS: Combine all ingredients in a shaker tin with ice. Shake and strain into a martini or coupe glass. Garnish with homemade Apple Jack fruit roll-ups.
INSIGHTS
“Our conference room with a view concept was a big success. It was amazing to me how quiet the inside of the motor coach was and even though there was Wi-Fi on the bus, no one was on their phone as we traveled between venues,” confirms Debra Malone, member of the summit planning committee. “There were small video screens for the viewing of videos and PowerPoints that were used for some of the on-bus presentations, and we brought on our own portable, cordless microphone.” socotourismsummit.com
P H O T O : M O L LY J O H N S O N P H O T O
SIGNATURE DRINK»
The gathering kicked off with an evening reception at Koshare Museum in La Junta on April 3. It was all aboard the following morning at 7:45 a.m., and the 1.5-hour ride to Walsenburg gave passengers the chance to see the beauty of the low mesas and gulches in southeast Colorado and learn more about the geography, wildlife and history through speaker Tony Gurzick from Colorado Parks & Wildlife. After two sessions and lunch in Walsenburg, the hour trip to Trinidad involved passing near the site of the Ludlow Massacre, a conflict resulting from a labor strike by coal miners. Carolyn Newman, a retired school teacher and past president of Huerfano County Historical Society, presented a dramatic interpretation of the famous Mother Jones and brought the tragedy to life. In Trinidad, the A.R. Mitchell Museum of Art was utilized as a venue for a break, session and Taste of Trinidad, and attendees had the opportunity to explore downtown and hop aboard a trolley to see three local attractions. On the nearly two-hour ride back to La Junta that evening, attendees were treated to “Saga of the Santa Fe Trail” by Rick Wallner, the retired chief of interpretation and visitor center services at Bent’s Old Fort. The summit wrapped up the following morning at Otero Junior College in La Junta.
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Distinctive DISTINCTIVE Spaces & LIMITLESS Limitless SPACES& Adventure ADVENTURE
Surrounded by the splendor of the majestic Colorado Rockies, Surrounded by the splendor of the majestic Colorado Rockies, Viceroy Snowmass offers more than 9,000 square feet Viceroy Snowmass offers more than 9,000 square feet of striking indoor and outdoor options for any size event or of striking indoor and outdoor options for any size event or celebration–all wrapped in nature’s grandeur with year-round celebration—all wrapped in nature’s grandeur with year-round activities and unparalleled amenities.
P H O T O : M O L LY J O H N S O N P H O T O
activities and unparalleled amenities.
viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/snowmass/meetings_and_events www.viceroysnowmass.com
130 130WOOD WOODROAD ROAD SNOWMASS SNOWMASSVILLAGE VILLAGE COLORADO COLORADO
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970 923 8024 970-923-8023
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PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION
EXPERT ADVICE»
AVOID TEAM-BUILDING JUNK FOOD
It may fill the need to do something together, but the nutritional value to the individual and team is low. B Y S C O T T M I L L E R ORGANIZATIONS TAKE TIME out of important face-to-face retreats to
personal or team level. In some cases, these events can support or reinforce behaviors the organization is trying to avoid.
ens, giant inflatables, silly hats and costumes simply get in the way of adult learning and can cause resentment. Professionals appreciate and value well-spent time together. When they see the lack of seriousness in the environment, the messaging is “this is just for fun, it will not lead to anything effective.”
Defining Success
Leveraging Fun & Competition
Talk to any midlevel or senior leaders about the most impactful retreat they have attended, and they will point to key aspects of an event where they learned and retained something behaviorally about how they personally, as an individual or as part of a team, could be better. They will talk about how it was seamlessly aligned with company values and mirrored how they work in the real world. They refer to an experience or project in which they had a stake in the success or failure in front of peers or superiors. As you dig deeper, you will hear them discuss how they received valuable feedback from peers, mentors, executive coaches or skilled facilitators. Most of what is being sold to you as team-building is void of any of these key learning aspects.
Team-building can be fun and effective, but the fun must be purposeful fun and pointed at a larger learning objective. The fun should come from participating in an interesting, professional-looking challenge and overcoming it. It should involve seeing measured improvement as a team and feeling like you have a valuable role in the success of the team. To professionals, this type of purposeful fun has a much higher value than asking them to dress up in costumes. Competition can be leveraged in effective team-building, after all it drives humans to want to succeed. Competition in this context, should be directed toward a performance goal in which the entire organization is working together to beat an external challenge. Competition and purposeful fun drives individual and organizational behaviors. In either case, the key to nutritional team-building is discussing and unpacking behaviors that are aligned or contrary to organizational values. Getting the most of that time together is the goal of every learning and development professional and meeting planner. You invested in the time, travel, facility, décor and elaborate meals. Follow through on that investment by giving attendees a nutritious team development experience that is aligned to company values, drives change and has lasting positive impact for the individual and organization.
engage in what many organizations refer to as “team-building.” Buyer beware, as much of what you are seeing is team-building junk food. As a learning professional for 25-plus years, from new-hire orientation programs to senior team development at some of the Fortune 100 companies around the world, I feel it is important to the integrity of the development industry to help buyers understand the teambuilding junk food craze. Now don’t get me wrong, I understand the value of simply getting together outside of the usual work environment to have a shared experience and some good old-fashioned fun together. Colorado, like the rest of the West, has amazing venues for retreats with endless options for stimulating activities. Giving your participants a more robust taste of the local environment, like a raft experience, rock climbing or hiking together is a great way to create a lasting memory. Let’s just be careful how we label it. These outdoor experiences, like the many themed parties, scavenger hunts and competitive games, all too often are sold to meeting planners and clients as a team-building even to make the buyer feel as though they are not simply splurging on fun. The low nutritional value starts with the lack of aligning the event design to learning objectives.
The Hidden Truth Many team-building events originated as simply an activity or game with guides or instructors who lack corporate facilitation experience. As a result, very little pre-meeting design thinking or purposeful learning objectives are imbedded. The event becomes riddled with inauthentic observations, objectives that contradict company values, and haphazard debrief questions. In the end, this lack of development experience detracts from the overall enjoyment of the experience and leaves the participant with nothing nutritional on a
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Warning Signs Team-building junk food is usually pretty easy to spot. Look closely at the website and materials provided. In the pictures, you will typically see colored team shirts, hats, vests or bandannas as ways to separate teams. This is a sure sign of competition, pitting one part of your organization against another. Competition is not necessarily a bad thing, but internally focused competition should not be the core methodology when trying to build a team. Another common warning sign is the use of props. Items such as balloons, rubber chick-
SCOTT MILLER IS A SENIOR PARTNER AND PRINCIPAL AT ACTION LEARNING ASSOCIATES, A COLORADO-BASED CONSULTING FIRM WITH OFFICES ADDITIONAL IN CALIFORNIA AND FLORIDA. actionlearning.com; 970.349.0490
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PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION
UPCOMING CONFERENCES»
20th Annual MIC of Colorado Conference
THE LATEST»
Top 10 Dining Trends for 2020
BENCHMARK HAS RELEASED ITS LIST OF TOP DINING TRENDS for 2020 as observed by executive chefs and culinary experts at the global hospitality company’s 80 luxury hotels, resorts and restaurants, including Garden of the Gods Resort and Club in Colorado Springs, Tivoli Lodge and Manor Vail Lodge.
NO. 1 C ANNABIDIOL (CBD) | Coffee shops and restaurants in many U.S. cities now have an array of CBD oil-infused menu offerings aimed at attracting customers interested in trying new eco-friendly, plant-based ingredients. CBD is a naturally occurring, nonpsychoactive compound found in the resinous flower of cannabis and is known to reduce pain, stress and anxiety.
also are exploring unique fruit flavor varieties, including bergamot orange, yuzu, calamansi, citron, makrut lime, pomelo, Meyer lemon, blood orange and ugli fruit.
NO 6 OAT MILK | Oat milk has emerged as the golden child of alternative milks. It’s terrific in coffees, and companies are launching other oat milk products as alternatives to dairy.
NO. 2 PL A NT ECOSYSTEM | Some individuals are making a dietary switch into the plant-based ecosystem and seeking plant-based food alternatives to meat and dairy. The art of cooking and food invention are recreating meat and dairy flavors from non-meat and non-dairy products like soy, peas, cashews and almonds.
NO. 7 SPARKLING WATER | Sparkling water demand
NO. 3 HE ALTH Y SNACK S | There are new products
NO. 8 BRIGHT & BOLD | In terms of flavors and colors, consumers are looking for bright, bold, appealing hues. Color generates emotional appeal, and it may be as important as taste.
on the snack-food market providing healthier alternatives to chips, with ingredients like chickpeas, beets, quinoa and kale.
continues to be driven by consumers who are concerned about sugar but still looking to satisfy cravings for carbonation. Consider offering sparkling water beverages that feature unique flavors and low alcohol (or no alcohol).
NO. 4 JACKFRUIT | The newest go-to meat substitute is jackfruit. Already being used as an alternative for barbecue pulled pork, jackfruit is a Southeast Asian fruit that is a great source of iron, calcium and B vitamins.
NO. 9 TR ACE A BILIT Y | Consumers are demanding
NO. 5 FRUIT FORWA RD | Unique fruit flavors, such
NO. 10 UGLY PRODUCE | Consumers are finally
as cactus, are taking mixology by storm … more specifically, spiny cactus fruits such as prickly pear and dragon fruit. Consumers
accepting misshapen, bruised and ugly foods as totally edible. How can hotels and restaurants follow suit?
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sustainability in all forms. Whether it’s swapping out Styrofoam and plastic for paper or bamboo or buying ingredients from local sustainable sources, sustainability is a big focus.
Event Service Professionals Association Annual Conference WHEN: Jan. 10-12, 2020 WHERE: Westin Denver Downtown, Denver QUICK OVERVIEW: ESPA is dedicated to elevating the event and convention services profession and preparing members for their roles in innovative and successful event execution. Keynote speakers will discuss leading with confidence, overcoming adversity to reach goals, and evolving for success. There also will be leadership tracks and mobile workshops that take attendees out of the ballroom and into the destination to learn about downtown safety, sustainability, CBD in the hospitality industry, and frontline hospitality training. Breakout sessions are focusing on international meetings, sports events, human trafficking, ethics, and developing client relationships. espaonline.org
P H O T O : I S T O C K . C O M / L A U R I PAT T E R S O N
BBQ pulled jackfruit taco
WHEN: March 10-11, 2020 WHERE: Colorado Convention Center, Denver QUICK OVERVIEW: The Meetings Industry Council (MIC) of Colorado Educational Conference and Trade Show is produced by 13 member organizations and serves as the signature event for meetings and events professionals in the Rocky Mountain Region and the West. Keynote speakers include Judi Holler (also conference emcee), Simon Bailey and Vinh Giang. mic-colorado.org
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Make your event flourish!
P H O T O : I S T O C K . C O M / L A U R I PAT T E R S O N
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10th & York Street botanicgardens.org
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PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION
OUTDOOR VENUE SPOTLIGHT»
ALLEYS TO ACTIVATE
With the introduction of two newer hotels in downtown Denver and Fort Collins, The Maven and The Elizabeth Hotel both by Sage Hospitality, the alleys are among the star attractions and have demonstrated their huge potential as outdoor venues. In fact, downtown Fort Collins puts a high priority on its alleys by utilizing murals, painting utility boxes and sometimes having pianos there to play as well.
THE ALLEY AT DAIRY BLOCK, DENVER
Where: Behind The Maven and Denver Milk Market, part of the Dairy Block development. Example Uses: From film screenings and weddings to art shows and fundraisers, The Alley at Dairy Block has hosted a wide variety of events in 2019. On Sept. 28, The Intergalactic ‘90s Block Party for Colorado nonprofit Big Green drew more than 500 people, while the second annual Fall Flannel Festival on Oct. 20 attracted more than 1,000 families. Corporate events have included parties for Denver StartUp Week and the SeriesFest Opening Night. Music lovers have been discovering new bands at multiple Sofar Sounds concerts held in The Maven’s 2,300-square-foot Windsor space, which opens onto The Alley.
The Alley at Dairy Block
Where: Adjacent to The Elizabeth Hotel alongside The Magic Rat. Example Use: The Downtown Fort Collins Business Association showcases Old Town’s alleyways with its Hidden Spaces Series, which are family-friendly celebrations that include art, music, refreshments and games amongst the artwork, architectural enhancements, garden patios and landscaping of downtown’s improved alleys. On Sept. 20, 2019, Old Firehouse Alley hosted the third and final Hidden Spaces event for 2019 that featured all sorts of activities against the backdrop of live music by Justin Roth and Guerrilla Fanfare Brass Band on The Magic Rat’s patio at the hotel.
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Old Firehouse Alley
P H OTO S : B O O K E N D P H OTO G R A P H Y; M I K E A R I A Z
OLD FIREHOUSE ALLEY, FORT COLLINS
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P H OTO S : B O O K E N D P H OTO G R A P H Y; M I K E A R I A Z
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PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION
El San Juan Hotel
Old San Juan
Dorado Beach - A Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Condado Vanderbilt Hotel
IMPROVED & OPEN FOR BUSINESS
Hurricane Maria had a devastating impact on Puerto Rico in September 2017, but the island is back and better than ever. B Y B E T H B U E H L E R Puerto Rico isn’t part of Colorado Meetings + Events’ usual coverage area but shares traits like mountains, water, friendly residents and a spirit of determination. That’s great, but why mention a Caribbean island in our pages? Because the meetings and events industry across the globe continues to amaze me with its commitment to support each other, and it’s important to share the news that Puerto Rico is welcoming groups again and is in terrific shape to do so. I was curious about how the island was recovering and was invited to see for myself in 2019, along with two other journalists and approximately 15 meeting planners and clients who were looking at venues, lodging properties and experiences for groups. Discover Puerto Rico and several destination management companies and hotels put together an ambitious
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itinerary in San Juan that had us dining on the beach and within the walls of San Cristobal Fort, taking a cobblestone tour of Old San Juan with surprises along the way, and a piña colada mixology class and salsa dancing lesson at Mall of San Juan. Visiting properties that feature meeting and event space and were in various stages of
renovation (totally finished, about to start and nearly completed) was a highlight. The hotels were incredibly creative in providing innovative welcomes, inspired food and beverage, and meaningful tours by staff. We stayed at the classy El San Juan Hotel and enjoyed time at Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve; Caribe Hilton Hotel; Condado Vanderbilt Hotel; St.
P H OTO S : E L S A N J UA N H OT E L ; D I S COV E R P U E R TO R I CO ; CO N DA D O VA N D E R B I LT H O T E L ; D O R A D O B E A C H - A R I T Z - C A R LT O N R E S E R V E
BEYOND THE BORDER»
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P H OTO S : E L S A N J UA N H OT E L ; D I S COV E R P U E R TO R I CO ; CO N DA D O VA N D E R B I LT H O T E L ; D O R A D O B E A C H - A R I T Z - C A R LT O N R E S E R V E
Regis Bahia Beach Resort; and Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Resort. Puerto Rico Convention Center wasn’t on the schedule, but this venue with a sleek, modern design and 600,000 square feet of total space is the largest meeting facility in the city and one of the greenest with a 20,000-panel solar array and numerous other initiatives focused on sustainability. PRCC is the anchor of a fast-growing Convention Center District with hotels, restaurants and the forthcoming District San Juan complex, located just across the street. At District San Juan, there will be more than 140,000 square feet of meeting space, and attendees will be able to sip rum at a microdistillery, dine and dance the night away to live music on an outdoor stage. One big bonus of Puerto Rico meetings is that American citizens don’t require a passport to enter the bilingual island, where the U.S. dollar is the currency. Plus, there are all sorts of fun activities in San Juan like relaxing on the beach, exploring El Yunque National Rainforest and playing golf. Golfers in the group who want to experience where the pros play, The Resort at Coco Beach, a Hyatt affiliated hotel with two 18-hole courses, is a top pick. A sampling of other ocean-view golf resorts near San Juan includes TPC Dorado Beach, Royal Isabela, St. Regis Bahia Beach, Palmas Athletic Club, Costa Caribe Golf & Country Club, and Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Golf and Beach Resort. Puerto Rico also satisfies food and beverage aficionados. From Puerto Rican Street Food Tours to multicourse meals at five-star restaurants, everyone can find their culinary sweet spot. San Juan is the birthplace of the piña colada, and the island’s BACARDÍ factory is a popular stop for tropical libations as well as history and tasting tours and mixology classes. Located just across the bay from Old San Juan, there also is a Bottle Your Own BACARDÍ experience. This is just a sampling of the many options for groups in Puerto Rico!
Get Connected DISCOVER PUERTO RICO discoverpuertorico.com
a great state for meetings... naturally Destination Colorado is your statewide resource for great meeting destinations. destinationcolorado.com
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TABLESCAPE DESIGNER SHOWCASE
A CELEBRATION OF SOLE
ILEA and NACE Designer Showcase puts its best fashion foot forward with a Christian Louboutin-inspired vignette. BY HANNAH CULLEN PHOTOS BY FROM THE HIP PHOTO
T
he event and catering industries accepted the challenge to create vignettes inspired by well-known fashion designers for the 14th annual International Live Events Association (ILEA) Denver Designer Showcase. This was the first year that ILEA partnered with the Denver Chapter of the National Association for Catering & Events (NACE), knowing it would bring a whole new level of opportunity to the table. “Think of it as a pocket-size table arrangement that tells a story,” says Donnah Phipps, owner of Poised Events and immediate past president of ILEA Denver as she explains the concept of a vignette. Phipps and her team developed a vignette that resembled a birthday party inspired by Christian Louboutin. “We wanted someone notable and knew that no one would have chosen a shoe designer [as their inspiration],” says Phipps. The designer’s trademark red-bottomed shoes set the creative process in motion and gave way to the red look and feel of the Louboutinthemed tablescape. Guests were greeted by draped, sheer red fabric and metal mannequin forms toting black shopping bags and wearing strands of pearls. The tablecloth, a white sequined fabric, was set with black-mirrored charger plates, black satin napkins and a runner of red roses that cascaded to the ground with pillar candles in between. More red roses and high-heeled shoes were placed strategically throughout, making the whole scene look like a shoe lover’s dream. A black-studded backdrop and a catwalk for attendees to show off their footwear was accompanied by shoe-shaped cookies and framed Louboutin illustrations that hung from the walls in white frames. Clear crystal chandeliers helped brighten the space and accentuated the iridescence of the glassware, translucent chairs and sequins. The showstopping cake, designed to look like a Christian Louboutin shoebox, was both stunning and delicious. Phipps says, “It’s always fun trying to theme food to an event; the designer from Greens Point Catering took some descriptive words and came up with her interpretation.” Squid ink risotto with smoked tomato jam skewers, crispy roasted cauliflower with romesco sauce, and cherry hopped soda were just a few of the tantalizing eats and treats available. Get ready for next years’ Designer Showcase on Feb. 11, 2020!
Vendor Partners ALLWELL RENTS allwellrents.com
LIGHTING AND DESIGN BY SCOTT lightinganddesignbyscott.com
CHAIR COVERS & LINENS linenhero.com
PLATYPUS PAPERS platypuspapers.com
COLORADO PARTY RENTALS cpartyrentals.com
POISED EVENTS poisedevents.com
DIY DESIGN INSPIRED BY YOU diydenverflowers.com
ROYALTY SWEETS & TREATS royaltysweetsandtreats.com
GREENS POINT CATERING greenspointcatering.com
YOURS TRULY CUPCAKE yourstrulycupcake.com
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MEET & EAT SNACK FOOD
MAKE BREAKS COUNT
Shake up snack time to tantalize taste buds and create conversation. BY K I M B E R LY L O R D S T E WA R T
YOU’VE SEEN THAT LOOK BEFORE. A few hours after attendees have been in a meeting, their eyes start to glaze over, heads nod, arms stretch, and watches or phones get checked. Yes, it’s time for snacks and a mental break to freshen up the brain cells. Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel
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ager for Antlers at Vail. “They enjoy selecting, trying and discussing the different flavors.” Served in movie theater cardboard to evoke happy movie house memories, flavors include bacon cheddar, ranch, jalapeño nacho, chocolate caramel and classic movie theater butter. “The flavoring possibilities are endless; we can even work with event organizers to create a customized signature flavor,” adds Barry Robinson, Antlers’ catering chef from Caterers of Vail. He recommends also serving a fresh, raspberry-watermelon lemonade with melon balls and mint on a toothpick for that extra pop of fresh fruit flavor and color.
Beyond-the-Norm Catering The Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce hosts a meeting called 12 at 12, where member businesses have a private meeting with the Chamber president in a casual setting. “We wanted our members to feel welcome, as if they were having a fun casual conversation with friends,” says Chad Beane, who coordinates member engagement. “But we also wanted them to feel appreciated with a catered meal.” The Chamber chose Roasted Beet catering, owned by Shannon R. Jaeger, as the caterer for 12 at 12. Jaeger caters the way she cooks for her family, which means scratch made,
P H OTO S : B E N JA M I N M S K I G E N ; C R E A M
In truth, meeting breaks are a golden time for networking and catching up on everyday life with colleagues. So how do you make those precious 15-30 minutes tasty and memorable? We’ve gathered ideas about healthy, local and highly interesting treats so groups have something to look forward to when snack time rolls around. Indulgent food has a place, but healthy should be a top priority for meeting breaks. “Conference attendees like popcorn for an afternoon break because it’s a light and healthy snack that has that extra DIY element that makes it fun,” says Cherie Paller, sales man-
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P H OTO S : B E N JA M I N M S K I G E N ; C R E A M
farm-to-table, organic and local food raised by northern Colorado farmers and ranchers. Among Roasted Beet’s most popular meeting break items are rosemary-spiced cashews, puff pastry and parmesan cheese straws, and fig and herb toasts with a charcuterie board of wild boar, chorizo and cheeses from Fox and Owl in Fort Collins.
CREAM ice cream sandwiches
Add Some Sizzle For afternoon breaks, consider “eatertainment” with Catering By The Inventing Room in Denver. Chef Ian Kleinman and his wife, Stacey (director of everything), put the spectacular, pop and fun into food. “For afternoon breaks, people ask us for the entertainment value to break up the monotony and bring in a breath of fresh air,” says Stacey. Mocktail bars are a great afternoon refresher, including yuzu blackberry sorbet with gold dust on the glass rim or choose a flavor and color to match the company logo. How about frozen mochas with exploding whipped cream? If you haven't seen exploding whipped cream, it's kind of like a middleschool science project that tastes awesome. “A whipped cream canister shoots flavored cream (such as chocolate or butterscotch) into a bowl of liquid nitrogen, which freezes and gives it a crunchy texture,” says Stacey. “Put it in your mouth and a plume of smoke comes out.” Another favorite is always the nitro popcorn in flavors like white cheddar, chile relleno, salted caramel and chocolate cinnamon. While you might think it’s just a snack, creatively displayed food can change the mood of a meeting. “I like food to tell a story, to allow guests to engage and interact,” says Scott Skomal, executive chef of Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel. An afternoon chocolate dipping station is an irresistible way to help guests interact for example. Skomal and his team prepare the bonbons ahead of time but set some aside for guests to finish. They also have been known to set up makeyour-own-milkshake stations with peaches and Olathe corn ice cream or hazelnut chocolate ice cream with made-to-order fries for dipping. For morning breaks, Skomal and
S PA R K G U E S T S ’ TA S T E B U D S GAME BREAK. Turn on the televisions during football, baseball or basketball season for attendees to check game scores on breaks. Serve soft pretzels with cheese sauce, popcorn, peanuts, pigs in a blanket, assorted candy bars and root beer. Courtesy The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa, Avon, Vail Valley. marriott.com
OLD-FASHIONED PICNIC IN THE PARK. House-made mini ice cream push-ups; grilled cheese with sourdough bread and goat, cheddar and pepper jack cheeses; soft pretzel bites with mustards and dipping sauces; and vintage bottled soda from Rocky Mountain
Soda Co. Courtesy Le Méridien + AC Hotel Denver Downtown. marriott.com
A LITTLE SOMETHING SWEET. CREAM, which stands for Cookies Rule Everything Around Me, offers ice cream sandwiches in a rainbow of customizable flavors, including Double Chocolate Chip Cookie with Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, Sugar Cookie with Very Berry Strawberry Ice Cream, Peanut Butter Cookie with Chocoholic Ice Cream, Salted Pecan Caramel Cookie with Cin-Ful Churro Ice Cream, White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookie with Banana Walnut Ice Cream. Courtesy CREAM, Denver. creamnation.com
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MEET & EAT SNACK FOOD
S N A C K N AT I O N
Americans have become a nation of snackers. Three square meals are a thing of the past. As many as 94 percent of Americans snack at least once a day. Up to 50 percent of Americans snack two to three times a day. This is important to remember when planning meals during meetings. For a meeting, this can mean having two morning breaks, followed by the same in the afternoon. Who are these snackers? Millennials are the biggest demographic. They snack to stay nourished and focused and to get a boost of energy. What do they want from snacks? More than one-third want healthier foods. For your next meeting, make sure you have a variety of snacks that provide protein for stamina, healthy ingredients for energy and a nice variety to attract attention and break up the boredom. Antlers at Vail
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Don’t forget desserts like truffle brownie cheesecake and make-your-own s’mores with panna cotta, whiskey fruit compote and house-made grahams with a flaming bowl of whisky to toast the marshmallows. Pick up party trays and hot dishes on-site or make arrangements for a buyout. The restaurant is perfectly sized for 24 to 30 people.
Ethnic Tastes Don’t forget ethnic foods like Mexican or Indian to wake up people’s taste buds. Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant, with multiple Front Range locations, has small plate noshes such as guacamole, salsa, queso and chips; peel-and-eat shrimp diablo with a warm dipping sauce; and, of course, street tacos. The Rio can provide staff, delivery or you can pick up. Biju’s Little Curry Shop in Denver is ideal for meeting attendees who want to add a bit of spice to their day. Popular hand-held items include fried pastry samosas with warm lentils, chopped greens, crunchy bits and chutneys; chili lime tots with vindaloo ketchup; or eggplant tacos. The restaurant can cater and deliver, or you can pick up for groups of 20 or more.
Americans especially love to snack, both in between meals and in place of meals, which means choosing inventive, healthy and satisfying snacks may be as important as meal planning for your next meeting.
Get Connected ANTLERS AT VAIL antlersvail.com 970.476.2471 BIJU’S LITTLE CURRY SHOP littlecurryshop.com 303.292.3500 CHOCOLATE LAB chocolatelabdenver.com 720.536.5037 CATERING BY THE INVENTING ROOM inventing-room.com 303.885.2802 RIO GRANDE MEXICAN RESTAURANT riograndemexican.com 970.224.1009 ROASTED BEET roastedbeet.com 970.672.9768 SHERATON DENVER DOWNTOWN HOTEL sheraton.marriott.com 303.893.3333
P H O T O S : A N T L E R S AT VA I L
company serve aebleskiver. These enticing bite-sized Danish pancakes can be sweet with lemon curd and strawberry rhubarb or savory with Colorado elk and jalapeño cheddar or Tender Belly serrano bacon. “The creativity of the culinary team at the Sheraton is second to none,” says Jessica Rife, senior events manager at E Source. “We have had our annual conference there since 2016, and each year they continue to outdo the previous on our food and beverage experience. We’ve had breaks with donut towers, flavored popcorns, gourmet cupcakes, artfully displayed veggies with dips, the list goes on. Even the most basic break is turned up a notch, and there is always something for everyone.” If your group has a passion for chocolate, check out Denver-based Chocolate Lab. Owner Phil Simonson turned his husband’s truffle recipe into a restaurant, where nearly everything—savory or sweet—has chocolate as a key ingredient. Stuffed medjool dates with gruyere, milk chocolate, applewood smoked bacon and chocolate balsamic are an addictive morsel perfect for an afternoon treat. Vegetarians will adore the cauliflower with dark chocolate and picada sauce and Brussels sprouts with Thai chili glaze and cocoa ribs.
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WHERE NATURE INSPIRES From team-building retreats to nationwide conferences, YMCA of the Rockies has facilities for groups of all sizes. Our two locations in Colorado, Estes Park and Winter Park, offer cabins and lodges. Lodging, meals, meeting spaces and activities are included in your conference, group, or retreat booking.
ColoradoConferenceCenters.com
P H O T O S : A N T L E R S AT VA I L
800-777-9622
CO.MEETINGSMAGS.COM
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DESTINATION ASPEN & SNOWMASS
The iconic Maroon Bells near Aspen
ONE VALLEY, TWO APPROACHES
It’s fun to host a group in one town and dip attendees’ toes in the other so they can experience the best of both Aspen and Snowmass Village. BY BETH BUEHLER
LOCATED JUST 9 MILES APART, Aspen and Snowmass Village are renowned winter playgrounds and supremely vibrant communities in summer and fall. They are cut from a different cloth and interwoven
Together, they share a horizon of 14,000-foot mountains, a roster of year-round mountain activities and Aspen Skiing Company, the owner and operator of the valley’s four ski areas: Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, Aspen Highlands and Snowmass.
Aspen H I S T O R Y: Starting out as a summer hunting camp for the Ute Indians, Aspen’s first white settlers, mostly miners, arrived by 1870 in search of silver. Aspen rapidly became home to more than 12,000 miners and their families, but the repeal of the Sherman Silver Act of
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1893 caused the population to plummet to less than 1,000. By the late 1940s, both skiing and modern-day founders, Walter and Elizabeth Paepcke, arrived in town. The Paepckes had a vision for a community that embodied mind, body and spirit and prompted a civic and cultural renaissance that is still alive today as “The Aspen Idea.” A C C O M M O D AT I O N S : 50 properties R E S TA U R A N T S : 80+ F R O M A P L A N N E R : Downtown Colorado, Inc. held its IN THE GAME annual conference on
April 9-12, 2019 in Aspen, utilizing a variety of venues to host more than 250 attendees during receptions, happy hour, sessions and Colorado Challenge Studio Workshops, including Limelight Hotel Aspen, Jewish Community Center, Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES), The Post Brewery, Design Workshop and PR Studio, and overflow accommodations at Molly Gibson Lodge, Hotel Aspen and The Gant. Dine-around sessions provided attendees a chance for participants to dive deeper into subjects covering Aspen’s business support, historic preservation, and planning and
P H O T O S : A S P E N C H A M B E R R E S O R T A S S O C I AT I O N ; ( O P P O S I T E ) D A N B AY E R
with different vibes that also manage to complement one another.
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Plato’s at Aspen Meadows Resort’s Walter Isaacson Center.
BY THE NUMBERS
ASPEN FOUNDED: 1880 FIRST OFFICIAL SKI RUNS: late 1930s ELEVATION: 7,908 feet TOWN SIZE: 3.66 miles ACRES OF SKIABLE TERRAIN: ASPEN MOUNTAIN (675), BUTTERMILK (470), ASPEN HIGHLANDS (1,040) YEAR-ROUND POPULATION: 6,700 SNOWMASS VILLAGE FOUNDED: 1977 FIRST OFFICIAL SKI RUNS: 1967 BASE ELEVATION: 8,606 feet ACRES OF SKIABLE TERRAIN: 3,332 YEAR-ROUND POPULATION: 2,900
mobility initiatives at local restaurants including Mezzaluna, The Pyramid, Mi Chola, Hops Culture, The Red Onion and Su Casa. Meanwhile, tours showcased many of Aspen’s amenities including the award-winning pedestrian mall, Aspen Art Museum, Wheeler/ Stallard Historical Museum and Bauhaus architecture at the Aspen Institute’s Aspen Meadows Resort. The history pub crawl also was a highlight along with a preconference session in Glenwood Springs that focused on the Grand Avenue Bridge project, a bus tour with lunch that visited downtown Basalt, and a post-conference historic ski tour. “Our conference stands out compared to most because we showcase the host community to share all of the assets and amenities with interactive sessions that are out in the town. DCI participants were out of their seats engaging with one another and seeing the city of Aspen first hand,” says Executive Director Katherine Correll. “Aspen was a perfect host for IN THE GAME with such a beautiful setting, quality of restaurants and
retail, rich history, quality of planning efforts, and incredible partners that make this community truly unique.” W H A T ’ S N E W : W Aspen and The Sky Residences opened in August 2019 and is the first alpine property in North America for W Hotels Worldwide. Located at the base of Aspen Mountain, W Aspen features 88 guest rooms, 11 residences, two meeting rooms, a 12,000-square-foot rooftop bar and pool, Living Room restaurant, and 39 Degrees cocktail bar. Aspen Art Tours is the first free professionally guided walking tour of the community’s art galleries and studios. It’s a unique opportunity to learn the stories behind the art. JAS Center will be Jazz Aspen Snowmass’ new permanent home in the Aspen core for JAS Café performances, jazz education programming and private events starting in 2021. A new center dedicated to the work of Bauhaus artist and Aspen icon Herbert Bayer is planned for the Aspen Institute campus.
The new center will exhibit Bayer’s work from a private collection, the Aspen Institute’s holdings and pieces on loan from museums. An opening date is yet to be determined. Walter Isaacson Center at Aspen Meadows Resort on the Aspen Institute campus was unveiled with a new look and name in 2018 after a 10-month, $13 million renovation. Designed by Herbert Bayer and opened in 1958, the building was completely updated and expanded to include the Madeleine K. Albright Pavilion and Bren and Mel Simon Terrace above. The Walter Isaacson Center also is home to the hotel’s front desk, three dining outlets and several outdoor patios. Hunter Loft, Aspen’s newest venue offering 3,700 square feet of contemporary event space, is located one block from the Aspen gondola and can accommodate up to 200 guests. The Little Nell is celebrating its 30th anniversary with interior renovation of the living room, lobby, après-ski bar Chair 9 and Ajax Tavern and commemorative events and happenings throughout the 2019/20 winter season.
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DESTINATION ASPEN & SNOWMASS
The 3,300-plus acres of skiing at Snowmass offers something for everyone.
Hotel Jerome unveiled a two-part addition and restoration project that included the Aspen Times building next door, the courtyard in between the two, and a new Suites Building in 2018. The Aspen Times building underwent exterior improvements and now features a speakeasy, Bad Harriet, and an entertainment venue. EXAMPLES OF PROPERTIES WITH MEETING & E V E N T S P A C E ( I N C L U D I N G S Q U A R E F O O TA G E ) : St. Regis Aspen Resort – 32,500 Aspen Meadows Resort – 22,000 Aspen Ice Garden – 16,000 The Little Nell – 14,800 (including Sundeck and Aspen Mountain Club) Hotel Jerome – 13,100 Wheeler Opera House – 6,400 Limelight Hotel Aspen – 5,600 The Gant – 5,500 Aspen Art Museum – 3,200 Aspen Shakti Shala – 2,300
I D E A S F O R A C T I V I T I E S : Snowmobile into the White River National Forest or through a historic mining ghost town with T-Lazy-7 guides; raft, kayak, stand-up paddleboard or go on a jeep adventure with Blazing Adventures; concert at the famous Belly Up Aspen. Aspen Mountain is the backdrop for downtown Aspen.
F O O D E X P E R I E N C E S : Horse-drawn sleigh ride to Pine Creek Cookhouse; Cooking School of Aspen classes and team-building; private cellar tasting and dinner at element 47; FOOD & WINE Classic.
H I S T O R Y : Ute Indians hunted, fished and gathered food around the valley 800 years ago, and the first non-natives explored the Elk Mountains as early as 1853. The area was settled primarily as a ranching community by the beginning of the 20th century, and Snowmass opened to skiers in December 1967. A C C O M M O D AT I O N S : 32 properties R E S TA U R A N T S : 30+ W H AT ’ S N E W : Snowmass Base Village was the most significant ski resort project in Colorado for the 2018-19 ski season. The new $600 million development debuted in December 2018
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P H O T O S : A S P E N S K I I N G C O M PA N Y ; ( O P P O S I T E ) J E R E M Y S WA N S O N
Snowmass
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P H O T O S : A S P E N S K I I N G C O M PA N Y ; ( O P P O S I T E ) J E R E M Y S WA N S O N
Bird’s-eye view of the Snowmass Balloon Festival
an abundant amount of hotel rooms close by,” notes CDLA Marketing Director/Event Planner Glenna Donegan.” Evening activities typically involve planning for a group of 450. “Our Thursday night opening reception event will be at The Westin’s backyard, where the outdoor concert series will be our background music. Our Friday night event will be at Elk Camp on the top of the mountain and the Saturday closing reception at Limelight Hotel Snowmass,” she says. Additional activities on the itinerary are golf at River Valley Ranch in Carbondale, family fun at Lost Forest. Overflow lodging includes the Limelight, Viceroy Snowmass and Wildwood Snowmass. EXAMPLES OF PROPERTIES WITH MEETING & E V E N T S P A C E ( I N C L U D I N G S Q U A R E F O O TA G E ) :
and features Limelight Hotel Snowmass (99 hotel rooms, 11 condominiums and 2,000 square feet of function space) and a spacious public plaza with an ice rink surrounded by fire pits, a five-story climbing wall, shops, restaurants and luxury residences. Skating and skate rentals are free all winter. The Collective, a community center, continues the expansion of the base area with a new restaurant focused on healthy eating, Mix6, as well as MoxiBar for inventive cocktails, craft beers and wine. “The Collective Lounge is ideally suited for live music, corporate meetings and events, banquets, birthday parties, reunions and more, and the Snowmass Game Lounge offers a unique interactive space featuring an Xbox video game area, a foosball table, a pingpong table, neon-lit pinball, lounge space and more,” says Plaza and Events Manager Dawn Blasberg. “The rink is available both winter and summer with opportunities to host skating parties, markets, concerts, art shows, birthday parties, corporate gatherings, weddings, receptions and dinners.” Sam’s, a new Italian restaurant located at 10,620 feet at the top of Sam’s Knob
on Snowmass, is a modern Italian concept offering diners sweeping views of the Elk Mountains. The $2.5 million remodel features an open bar area, live-action kitchen, fireplace and deck, and slipper room so guests can remove their ski boots and dine in comfort. The on-mountain adventure center Lost Forest debuted in summer 2018 and features Breathtaker Alpine Coaster, Canopy Run Zipline Tour, Treeline Trial Challenge Course, Rugged Ascent Climbing Wall, and Aerial Approach Disc Golf. Viceroy Snowmass Resort & Spa has undergone a major refresh over the past three years including all public spaces, a new restaurant concept, the pool area and most recently a redesign of all guest and residential spaces completed in 2019. F R O M A P L A N N E R : Colorado Defense Lawyers Association is holding its second event, an annual conference, in Snowmass on July 30-Aug. 1, 2020 at The Westin Snowmass Resort and Snowmass Conference Center. “The layout of the conference center works really well for us because of the number of vendor tables, size of general sessions, and plenty of breakout rooms. There also is
Base Village Event Lawn – 26,000 Viceroy Snowmass – 24,000 Snowmass Conference Center – 18,000 Base Village Conference Center – 8,000 The Snowmass Club – 8,000 Stonebridge Inn – 6,100 The Westin Snowmass Resort – 6,000 Wildwood Snowmass – 4,500
I D E A S F O R A C T I V I T I E S : Dog sledding and dining with Krabloonik; horseback rides with Snowmass Creek Outfitters; Snowmass Free Concert Series in summer and Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series in winter; Snowmass Rodeo; Ullr Nights and Farm-to-Table Dinners at Elk Camp; and ACES Snowshoe Tours. F O O D E X P E R I E N C E S : Free Snowmass S’Mores at Snowmass Base Village in winter; dining on-mountain at Lynn Britt Cabin and Gwyn’s High Alpine; beer pairing dinner at The Artisan Restaurant; Backcountry Sunset Dinner and jeep ride to Burlingame Cabin with Blazing Adventures.
Get Connected ASPEN CHAMBER RESORT ASSOCIATION aspenchamber.org | 970.925.1940 ASPEN SKIING COMPANY aspensnowmass.com | 970.300.7681 SNOWMASS TOURISM gosnowmass.com | 970.923.2000
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ARE YOUR EVENTS FEASTS FOR THE SENSES? A look at the big five & more P H OTO : F R O M T H E H I P P H OTO
BY B E T H B U E H L E R
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P H OTO : F R O M T H E H I P P H OTO
THE INTERNATIONAL LIVE EVENTS ASSOCIATION DENVER CHAPTER EMBARKED on a series that had members exploring the five senses of sight, smell, touch, taste and sound, along with the sense of style (ILEA’s Designer Showcase) and a “sixth sense” Halloween gathering, from July 2018 to June 2019. The series wrapped up with a Feast for the Senses gala and sparked an idea for Colorado Meetings + Events to examine if and how meeting and event planners are intentionally integrating the five senses into their gatherings and how it’s working. Here’s what we found out.
Connecting Thread for Association Meetings ILEA Denver was onto something when fashioning a year’s worth of meetings and events focused on the senses, giving members and guests something to look forward to and speakers and sponsors a theme to plug into. While sometimes the talks morphed into something more industry related versus the actual sense or the theme had to be stretched when a speaker cancelled the morning of a meeting, three gatherings dialed directly into the theme. The kickoff event was Dinner in the Dark, a sensory depravation experience at Quebec Place at Fairmont. The event description promised an enticing evening: dining without sight on food prepared by Fresh Tracks Catering. “What will you notice? Will your sense of smell or hearing shift? Does the food taste differently? This type of experiential event is something many clients are interested in.” For the September meeting, Tiffany Rose
ILEA Denver’s Dinner in the Dark with cuisine by Fresh Tracks Catering
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Performers from Borillo Entertainment at ILEA Denver’s Feast for the Senses
throughout the night. “The incredible food, entertainment and décor kept guests engaged throughout the event. The texture of the linens, menu, bright colors on the stage, touching history boards and sparks from the entertainers all played to the different senses,” says ILEA Denver President Sabina Fechisin.
Goodyear, who owns and operates The Sentologist and Yours Truly Cupcake in Denver, worked closely with Green Points Catering to create four unique spaces at GrantHumphreys Mansion featuring décor, scent and cuisine that complemented one another. For example, in the spring room, notes of white tea, green leaf and jasmine harmonized with ricotta toast topped with peas, walnut and pesto. The fall room featured an Amish harvest scent featuring cloves, cinnamon and
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dried fruit paired with a fall salad and cotechino with polenta. As a fun add-on for the Halloween season, ILEA played off people’s sixth sense by hosting an evening of fun at Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms with creepy cocktails, spooky snacks, a corn maze and mental illusionist Peter Donello. Also, a sense of style gathering in January looped in ILEA’s popular Designer Showcase, and a Feast for the Senses gala in June took guests on a memorable journey
“I integrate the five senses for meetings and events by thinking of the event as an immersive experience that tells a story. Once I know the goal and target audience of any given occasion, I work within the decisions that have been made regarding theme and décor, weaving together the choices with the lighting, music and food. Finally, I incorporate scent as the pièce de résistance,” shares Goodyear, who founded her second business The Sentologist in 2018. “By incorporating all five senses in a cohesive way, planners can reach their audience on the most intimate of levels to create lasting memories.” Goodyear was hired by Dovie Lopez of ACCESS Colorado to create a unique scent experience for one of her largest events. “I used a scent called Winter Tree to enhance the Into the Forest theme. Coupled with over-the-top décor and bespoke catering, the scent was the keystone to transporting the more than 700 guests from a hotel into a forest,” she says. While sight, sound and sometimes catering fit into the overall theme of an event, Goodyear suggests that touch and smell are the two elements most often forgotten. “Social and themed events generally do a good job of
P H OTO S : F R O M T H E H I P P H OTO ; (O P P O S I T E ) A N G E L A CO L E M A N
Weaving the Senses Together
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P H OTO S : F R O M T H E H I P P H OTO ; (O P P O S I T E ) A N G E L A CO L E M A N
CASE STUDY:
A Corporate Event Tapping the 5 Senses Angela Coleman, corporate manager of events and meetings based in the Denver office of KPMG LLP, describes how she integrated the senses into an evening event for KPMG partners and spouses.
SIGHT:
at least activating the senses cohesively; corporate meetings and trainings is where there is the most room for improvement. … For example, I’ve used fragrances with lots of citrus and top notes for early morning meetings because they are bright and invigorating. When creating a more relaxing atmosphere and borrowing from the principles of aromatherapy, I use calming notes of lavender and jasmine.” An added bonus is that scent can be a fairly inexpensive way to enhance the experience and influence the mood and vibe of a space. While all events—from a one-year-old’s first birthday party to the Olympics—engage all five senses, Goodyear suggests there is a lack of strategic thought behind integrating the senses in a way that better engages the guest. “In my experience and research, scent activation is rarely considered during the planning phase. Arguably, our sense of smell is what makes us human, and it is the sense most closely tied to memories.” She recommends considering how a venue smells, as newer venues can smell of recent building materials while older venues gather scents of their own over the years. Next, when choosing florals and food, give credence to the aromas they produce. Yours Truly Cupcake, Goodyear’s other business, was founded on the idea that they don’t sell cupcakes but an experience beyond just taste. “With a background in marketing, I was always interested in telling a story through touch, taste and smell using our signature bitesize desserts and display design as inspiration,” she explains.
Although it was admittedly a bit risky to host our executive-level guests in a nontraditional venue like 23rd Avenue Sculpture Studios, everyone was blown away! They appreciated the authenticity of the venue and the rough-aroundthe-edges team of metal workers who assisted with their projects. We also had a great mix of metal and wood tables, copper mugs for cocktails, and colored glassware to add to the look.
SOUND:
Attendees heard an energetic live band mixed with the sound of sparks from the metalworking station and the chefs torching the four-course dinner.
TASTE: Catering by Design wove the theme in throughout the “torched” menu, including a torched romaine salad for the first course accompanied by grilled baguette bruschetta; braised octopus for the second course; torched butter-poached New York strip loin as the main course; and a brúléed mulled wine poached pear with burnt honey ice cream for dessert.
TOUCH: I include “feeling” in this sense, as in the heart. We incorporated a corporate social responsibility (CSR) element into the evening, which was KPMG’s Family for Literacy, a firm-wide initiative that focuses on lifelong literacy and getting millions of books into the hands of underprivileged youth across the nation. More than $4,500 was raised through a live auction and by selling the beautiful centerpieces Décor by Design created, and 23rd Avenue Studios made the metal stakes of kiddos’ profiles reading. Another element of touch was that the guests could touch everything. It’s not very often you get to hold a blowtorch and create something magical out of metal! SMELL: There was a great mix of scent in the air throughout the evening: melting metal and burning sparks, along with delicious torched, braised, brúléed food items.
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“We like to create unexpected ways to retrieve our treats sparking the sense of touch, whether that’s pulling a dessert off of a display, unhooking the treat or pulling a string to retrieve a hanging snowflake cookie. We use sugar to stimulate taste and smell by creating confectionary surprises, such as the melt-in-your-mouth quality of freshly spun cotton candy with an adult twist of alcoholinfused sugar.” Goodyear adds, “Creating these immersive sensory experiences enliven a brand and allow guests’ imaginations to expand into lasting memories.”
Demonstrating the Senses at Work With offices in Denver and Salt Lake City, Utah, Eclectic Hive sponsored design and décor for a Wedding International Professionals Association (WIPA) Utah Chapter event in
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July 2019. “We went in the direction of sensory experiences to showcase how you can be creative at an event and get guests talking more,” explains Jillian Burnham, a designer working from the firm’s Utah office. The three sensory experiences Eclectic Hive incorporated included a wine-themed hand scrub station, blind wine tasting/smell test and wine stomp. “We chose to incorporate winethemed sensory experiences because this event was held at La Caille in Salt Lake City, a highend French restaurant and winery. It also helped create excitement around the new harvest they were promoting that evening,” Burnham says. Chapter members were greeted with a cocktail hour that incorporated the blind smell test and hand scrub station. “The purpose of the hand scrub was not only to get their hands feeling clean and beautiful before sitting down for dinner,” she says, “but to also get the guests
talking to each other and getting to know each other on a better level beyond your typical ‘How is business going?’ conversations at your average cocktail hour.” Eclectic Hive provided various essential oils, spices, fruits, salts, sugars and more for guests to create their own concoction in individual bowls meant for mixing and scrubbing. They then went to the rinsing station, where an assistant poured water over their hands and provided a fresh towel. For the blind smell test, guests were provided blindfolds and a glass of La Caille wine, while the winemaker conducted a smell test using a kit that contained approximately 100 vials of essences to help detect “notes” in the wine. After dinner and the educational portion of the program, La Caille served dessert while Eclectic Have put out half barrels of grapes. “By now, the guests are loosened up,
P H O T O S : A N G E L A H O WA R D P H O T O G R A P H Y
Clockwise: Eclectic Hive incorporated a wine stomp, wine-themed hand scrub and washing station, and blind wine tasting into its event.
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P H O T O S : A N G E L A H O WA R D P H O T O G R A P H Y
Sensible Questions to Ask Wesley Guzman, vice president of E5 Events, provides a list of important things to consider when incorporating all the senses into events. What is the RESONANCE of the event or program? What do you want your guests to hear that will resonate with them and clearly relay the message of your brand? What is going to make your event VISIBLE ? What are your attendees seeing at the event or program that conveys the overall vision of the event? How will the event still be visible even after it is concluded? Guests need to feel the event to ensure success. What is TANGIBLE at the event? From the takeaway to the lounge vignettes, guests should be able to feel the vibe of the event.
having fun conversation, and get to remove their shoes and stomp the grapes together,” Burnham explain. “It provided a good laugh to end the night on, not to mention the footrinsing station so they left with exfoliated and clean hands and freshly rinsed feet.”
Well-Rounded Guest Experiences Eclectic Hive and Goodyear also joined forces with Denver-based Imprint Events Group on a DMC Network client happy hour event in July 2019. Nicole Marsh, CMP, DCMP, a partner at Imprint, says they “stumbled on the idea [of utilizing the senses] as we were pushing ourselves to include a variety of unique elements, and then somehow tie them back together.” Heather Basch, CMP, director of accounts— destination services for Imprint Events Group, adds, “Creating an event with the theme of the five senses forced us to look at the event from
the perspective of engaging the whole person with each event element … For example, catering is not just about how good food can taste, but how the food looks on the plate you’ve chosen, how it smells paired with the floral centerpiece or room fragrance, the sound of it being cooked and the feel of the passed appetizers. Lounge vignettes not only complement the theme with their color and style but how the texture of the fabric plays into guest interactions.” Held at Skylight, a 4,000-square-foot event space in Denver’s Santa Fe District, the Celebrate the Senses event was a sensory extravaganza with a sixth sense of intuition and perception mixed in. For sight, Marsh suggests “visually intriguing décor or surprise elements that make someone pause to look longer.” For instance, instead of a ho-hum range of culinary treats,
The ESSENCE of the event is key. What is the essence of the event or program? Is it the aroma of fresh pine trees at a holiday event? Is it the sizzling BBQ on the grill? The essence sets the tone of the event even before it is seen. What is the SAPIDITY (taste) of your event? What are the guests eating or drinking that connect all the other senses that we are igniting? As much as décor or entertainment, the menu and bar options should be well thought out and working to enhance all other elements of the event. Is it a themed menu? Is it a menu inspired by a specific time or place? The taste of the event should be just as remarkable and identifiable as the visibility of the event.
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From a Planner’s Perspective Devon Binder, CMM, CMP, who owns Denver-based Red Door Alliances, attended the DMC Network client event, notes that clients in her portfolio typically are not thinking about tapping all the senses. “We are more trying to figure out how to deal with the increasing cost of A/V and food and beverage while still providing a good experience without increasing the cost of the conference.” However, she believes that hotels could carve out a niche by assisting with integration of the senses. “I am not saying that it should all be on them, but if they had some ways to assist I think they would shine and could stand out some … something like a sense menu.” Angela Coleman, a corporate manager of events and meetings based in the Denver
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office of KPMG LLP, says that as her attendees continue to become more savvy, there is a desire for more experiential events. “Every fall, I plan an event for my partners and their spouses, and they love it when I push them a little out of their comfort zone. They don’t want to just attend an event (insert boring, rinse and repeat dinner, drinks and networking), they want an interactive evening.” This past fall, Coleman went all out with an event held at 23rd Avenue Sculpture Studios, a metal working art space in the city’s Sloan’s Lake neighborhood. The studio is willing to do private buyouts and clear out the metal working equipment and torches. Guests pre-registered by selecting one interactive activity, such as plasma cutting, metal working, stained glass, terrarium creations, chocolate truffle rolling, etc. “They loved it! It was a perfect September evening that included a beautifully set table and amazing food, with the backdrop of a gritty studio (complete with toolboxes and equipment hanging on the walls). We were so grateful to partner with Catering by Design for our creative ‘torched’ menu, tablescapes and a couple of the interactive stations,” Coleman says. “I think one of the reasons that our guests enjoyed the evening so much was due to incorporating all five senses.”
Renaming the Senses for Events “E5 Events’ philosophy is to ignite the senses with every event and program. Just as we all have the five senses, we believe that each event should also have its own five senses that relate to the client’s brand and also the guest demographic,” explains Wesley Guzman, vice president of E5 Events, a destination management company that is part of Centennial- based Epicurean Group. E5 Events has renamed the five senses to better fit an event setting, and Guzman provided several examples to illustrate. VISIBILITY (SIGHT): At Empower Field at Mile High, E5 had the Thunderstorm Skydiving Team land at the stadium in front of 5,000 guests. Immediately following a spirited performance by the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders, the “voice of God” suggested that guests look up and witness three skydivers beginning to descend at 12,000 feet and carrying companybranded flags.
RESONANCE (HEARING): Just as hearing a song can take people back to a certain place and time, a certain sound can be a reminder of a specific event experience. “One example of how we love creating resonance is by crossing musical styles for entertainment. A hip-hop cellist is definitely memorable. A group of stylish classical musicians playing a mash up of Bach and AC/DC or Beethoven and Britney Spears is creating a memory that will resonate for a very long time,” Guzman says. SAPIDITY (TASTE): His favorite example of sapidity is a Star Wars-themed event featuring food stations that intertwined the intergalactic theme. Guzman says, “All stations were on point, but my favorite part was the dessert buffet that was inspired by Cloud City in ‘The Empire Strikes Back.’ The wide array of desserts was all white and fluffy, including mini-milkshakes topped with white cotton candy and housemade Snowballs. And as for the housemade Italian sodas, we created the Boba Fizz, Jawa Juice and, of course, VaderAid.” TANGIBILITY (TOUCH): At an event held at Lynn Britt Cabin in Snowmass, E5 Events brought in a wolf expert to educate guests about wolves and conservation. “The best part was the visit from Spirit, an actual wolf that guests could interact with, pet and even hug. Throughout the evening, guests could not believe they were touching an actual wolf and were able to take photos for proof!” ESSENCE (SMELL): Guzman notes that an essence that “highlights the event without overpowering it is a fine line but with the right focus, it takes the event to another level.” For example cinnamon sticks and apple cider exude winter, pumpkin spice hints at fall, a campfire conjures up summer and rain’s clean smell is calming in spring. How is the meetings and events industry doing in regard to integrating the senses? Guzman observes that gatherings tend to focus mostly on the visual aspect and are more indifferent to the menu, entertainment, etc., which is a missed opportunity. “If we are not igniting all five senses, then there is an element of the event that your guests may miss and not have the full experience all hosts and sponsors want attendees to walk away with.”
P H OTO S : (O P P O S I T E ) E 5 E V E N T S ; A M A N DA T I P TO N
The Inventing Room provided a color appetizer station and dessert station with floating truffles, Willy Wonka’s edible wallpaper, and white chocolate caviar and edible flowers. Hearing was ironically in the form of silent disco headphones so music and content could run simultaneously. The three channels on the headphones, each displaying their own color, provided attendees a way to find other participants who were on the same channel. The entertainment, DJ Jordan & Troika, offered a cellist’s take on hip-hop beats backed up by a professional DJ. For touch, Eclectic Hive presented its popular build-your-own scrub station with a variety of organic ingredients, and Goodyear discussed scenting events at an educational session. One of Imprint Events Group’s newest entertainment options, The Shades, examined the sixth sense of intuition and perception. The Shades are Imprint’s twist on The Bumbys, which don’t have the ability to speak but they are always watching and observing. The key to presenting a sensory gathering is taking an intentional approach regarding “how you are going to engage and stimulate the attendees with each sense throughout their experience,” says Basch. “I don’t think clients are actively thinking about it, but attendees can certainly feel it when they are at an event, as it becomes a more wellrounded experience.”
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P H OTO S : (O P P O S I T E ) E 5 E V E N T S ; A M A N DA T I P TO N
Get Connected E5 EVENTS e5-events.com 720.488.2152 ECLECTIC HIVE eclectichive.com 303.295.0519 ILEA DENVER ileadenver.com 720.432.0544 IMPRINT EVENTS GROUP imprintgroup.com 800.432.1492 KPMG LLP kpmg.com 303.382.7925 RED DOOR ALLIANCES reddooralliances.com 303.946.2522 THE SENTOLOGIST thesentologist.com 202.812.1218
A blindfold dinner by E5 Events highlighted essence and sapidity (above), while Spinphony provided resonance to a gathering (below).
YOURS TRULY CUPCAKE yourstrulycupcake.com 303.638.3528
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Daniels Great Hall at The Cable Center.
C Lazy U Ranch offers an exciting getaway during the winter months.
Explore the Denver Botanical Gardens winter wonderland during the Blossoms of Lights.
VENUE SHOWCASE The Cable Center Welcome to the Cable Center. Elegant, light-filled and breathtaking, this completely unique and perfectly elegant venue offers a high-tech, high-impact setting that makes weddings, special events, and corporate meetings unforgettable. The architecture is stunning inside and out, with floor-to-ceiling windows that capture beautiful, natural light. As you walk into the Daniels Great Hall, you’ll be greeted by a 40-foot, 32-screen video tower surrounded by our iconic globeinspired terrazzo floor. The Cable Center offers a variety of
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beautiful, high-tech, functional spaces, along with unparalleled amenities and service. The Daniels Great Hall boasts flexible table and seating setup options—theater style, formal table rounds, or cocktail reception. Our video tower serves as an impressive digital backdrop to any stage set, enhancing speeches and presentations. Our flexible, multipurpose meeting spaces and 200-seat theater make meeting planning and execution a breeze. The Cable Center is conveniently located in central Denver, adjacent to the University of Denver campus, directly
across from a light rail station, and just minutes away from downtown and Cherry Creek hotels.
C Lazy U Ranch C Lazy U is an authentic Colorado experience for winter meetings and events. C Lazy U Ranch is known for its western hospitality, adventurous activities, fine dining and luxury accommodations. Guests have experienced the ranch for over 100 years and most Coloradoans see ranch destinations synonymous with warmer weather when horses run through meadows and guests fly-fish, hike and
P H OTO S : ( TO P ) T H E C A B L E C E N T E R ; ( B OT TO M L E F T ) C L A Z Y U R A N C H ; ( B O T T O M R I G H T ) D E N V E R B O TA N I C A L G A R D E N S
Colorado is brimming with a variety of spaces to host meetings and events.
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Where Business Meets
Adventure
Plan your next event at VisitEstesPark.com
Group Contact - Eric Lund Ph. 970-586-0500 x 1231
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Denver Botanic Gardens Nature itself is the most dramatic and memorable setting. Situated on 24 acres in Denver’s Cheesman and Congress park neighborhoods, Denver Botanic Gardens is an ever-changing landscape of native, exotic and tropical plant displays. The Annuals Garden and Pavilion is the perfect setting for dinners, dances and outof-the-box meetings. In the summer, a profusion of colorful flowers explodes around the edges of this garden, and waterways glow with water lilies. In colder months, it’s a great spot for a gourmet
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Infinity Park Event Center
Elitch Gardens' water park
hot drinks bar and appetizers. Multiple rental sites, both indoor and outdoor, can be combined to create the ideal site for any event. A popular choice is the West Terrace, a tented space with twinkle lights and misters that overlooks Monet Pool. It can be combined with the Orangery for both an indoor/outdoor option. Or book Marnie’s Pavilion, an indoor, two-story space with a waterfall and exotic orchids. In December, this space overlooks Blossoms of Lights. Enjoy dinner by one of our award-winning caterers and then head into the frosty air to see a winter wonderland draped in a million glittering lights with stunning displays and interactive features. Or bring your retreat to Mitchell Hall— which has a proscenium stage, sound and lighting capabilities, and can accommodate a projector—and then take a docent-led or behind-the-scenes tour. An important event calls for an impressive setting. Whatever the occasion, it will be unforgettable at the Gardens.
The courtyard at Hotel Colorado
Elitch Gardens Located in the heart of Denver, Elitch Gardens is Colorado’s only world-class combination theme and water park. A huge, summer-long party is about to hit Denver as Elitch Gardens’ honors its history as one of the oldest consecutiveoperating amusement parks in the United States in 2020 when it turns 130 years old. The park will honor its past while embracing the future, providing quality family fun that has entertained Colorado for generations. There’s something for everyone, with 54 rides and attractions, including 14 pint-sized adventures, thrilling roller coasters and an entire water park. This year, there’s more entertainment than ever before with exciting new family shows, Dive-In Movies, a free summer concert series and three stunning fireworks extravaganzas that will light up the Denver skyline, plus Fright Fest in October! And don’t miss the breathtaking views of Denver atop the 20-story Observation Tower or while plummet-
P H O T O S : ( T O P ) I N F I N I T Y PA R K E V E N T C E N T E R ; ( B O T T O M L E F T ) E L I TC H G A R D E N S ; ( B OT TO M R I G H T ) H OT E L CO LO R A D O
bike. Don’t let these assumptions deter you from choosing a luxury winter ranch destination for your next retreat or teambuilding event. C Lazy U is just as exciting in the winter months and in a way it’s a hidden treasure that only shrewd Colorado residents know about. Finding an authentic winter guest ranch destination is not an easy thing to do. Throw in a need for elevated meetings and it is even more complicated. Most ranches are very remote and hard to get to. C Lazy U is short drive from Denver outside of Winter Park making it an ideal retreat location for two- to four-night getaways. The ranch is well-equipped for smaller executive retreats, company takeovers or incentive trips with 40 individual guest cabins and on-site meeting rooms. The best part about C Lazy U Ranch is that we take all the planning headache out of the hands of the group. The ranch’s inclusive rates provide lodging, gourmet dining, a base meeting package and endless activities throughout the 8,500-acre property. Unlike other mountain destinations that may be flooded with tourists on a ski vacations, C Lazy U Ranch is a small exclusive retreat destination where your group is the only focus and you can truly relax, disconnect from distractions and engage with your team all while having an amazing winter experience.
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ing 200 feet on the Tower of Doom. Elitch Gardens is open April 18 through November 1.
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Hotel Colorado The Historic Hotel Colorado was built in 1893 and is a Colorado icon! Conveniently located in Glenwood Springs, right off Interstate 70 and directly between Aspen and Vail, this full-service conference hotel is an ideal location for groups and meetings. We offer over 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and a professional conference service staff. Come experience why we’ve been a Colorado icon for more than 125 years. The Hotel Colorado has been host to presidential dinners, corporate strategy sessions and dignitary balls for more than a century. Now your group will be treated to the utmost care and professional expertise while planning your meeting or event. Hotel Colorado arrived in Glenwood Springs during a thrilling time in the history of America’s West. With its European fashioned hot springs and spa, the resort surfaced onto a land of prosperity; to serve the wealthy, to house the ailing, to offer a playground to society’s elite. Today's guests enjoy the hotel's historic ambiance while experiencing all of the area attractions in the Roaring Fork Valley has to offer!
Infinity Park Event Center
More than 10,000 sq. ft of newly renovated meeting space
Contact us to learn more about our Meeting Planner Perks! salesteam@thehotelcolorado.com 970-928-3785
Glenwood Springs, CO
Infinity Park Event Center makes your event awe-inspiring. Its 8,600-squarefoot International ballroom is perfect for receptions, galas, banquets, award shows and corporate events. With 360 degrees of crystal-clear screens, color wash and high ceilings, every seat in the ballroom is the best in the house. The event center offers multiple video packages and provides technical staff to help you create your vision for the perfect event. In addition to the ballroom space Infinity Park Event Center offers many other meet-
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Aerial view of Visit Estes Park.
ing spaces like conference rooms, a stadium and festival plaza that hosts charity walks, picnics and music events. Right in the heart of Cherry Creek, Infinity Park Event Center is conveniently located to nearby hotels, restaurants and entertainment. With free parking, your choice of caterer and flexible dates and plans our staff is passionate and ready to help you with your unique event.
Winter time is magical in Estes Park, holiday lighting adorns the town streets, the air is crisp and the feel of fresh crunching snow under your feet lets you know that winter is here. Rocky Mountain National Park is adorned with a coat of velvety white snow that makes the majestic mountain peaks look like friends overlooking the town. For groups, the winter provides the lowest possible rates for lodging, dining, and entertaining. There is plenty to do, including winter sports like backcountry skiing, ice climbing, hiking and snowshoeing, or just strolling downtown shops and enjoying a tasty treat at one of the confectionaries. Enjoy live entertainment every week and special events on the weekends including BigFoot Days, Winterfest, Whiskey Warm Up and more. Estes Park is its convenient to Denver International Airport, just one hour and 20 minutes away and an easy drive. Featuring more than 80 meeting loca-
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P H O T O : C O U R T E S Y O F V I S I T E S T E S PA R K
Visit Estes Park
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tions, full-service hotels to mountain chalets, Estes Park is waiting for your next group event. The Visit Estes Park team looks forward to supporting you! Home to many of Estes Park’s signature events. Some of the more popular activities include wildlife viewing, shopping in a walkable downtown community, highquality food and beverage, local distilleries, breweries and a mountain winery.
GET CONNECTED THE CABLE CENTER 720.502.7527 cablecenter.org C LAZY U RANCH 970.887.3344 bjohnson@clazyu.com clazyu.com DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS 720.865.3551 botanicgardens.org
P H O T O : C O U R T E S Y O F V I S I T E S T E S PA R K
THE NEXT LEVEL OF THE
ELITCH GARDENS THEME AND WATER PARK 303.595.4386 elitchgardens.com HOTEL COLORADO 970.945.6511 hotelcolorado.com
OUTSIDE THE CITY
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VENUES ALONG LAKES AND RIVERS
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CHANGE DIRECTION Grand County’s beauty
FRESH POW
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See what’s new for 2018 in food, décor, technology and venues
Flip to page 30 to meet the Impossible Burger, a plant-based patty that replicates meat.
Then keep it coming.
BREAK FOR MINDFULNESS
Pushing pause during meetings recharges attendees
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INFINITY PARK EVENT CENTER 303.248.7100 events@infinityparkeventcenter.com
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Industry Update ASSOCIATIONS 46
AWARDS 48
SNAPSHOTS 54
OUTLOOK: GOOD
CWT Meetings & Events’ 2020 Future Trends Report projects growth in the industry. RESEARCH COURTESY OF CWT
“The need for live events is becoming more relevant than ever before,” says Kurt Ekert, president and CEO of CWT, with up to 30 percent of marketing budgets expected to be spent on live events in 2020. “Faceto-face meetings are critical to establishing connections between brands and their customers and employees, especially during times of uncertainty. Knowing how to manage risks globally while putting together an authentic and measurable experience for all participants will be key for success in this space in the coming year and beyond.” In its eighth installment, CWT Meetings & Events’ 2020 Future Trends Report identifies key developments in the industry.
PEOPLE PROFILE 56
BY THE NUMBERS AVERAGE LEAD TIME
59 days PERCENTAGE OF SPEND ON FOOD & BEVERAGE
42%
AVERAGE MEETING DURATION
3 days USE OF ATTENDEE REGISTRATION WEBSITES
61%
COST PER ATTENDEE PER DAY
2019: $234 2020: $253 (+8% year-over-year)
AVERAGE GROUP SIZE Digitalization: Mobile devices are adding new functionality with apps to create a higher degree of personalization for attendees.
Shifting demographics: Millennials are poised to be the largest group of business travelers from 2024 onward. Generation Z is right on their heels and can claim to have never known a world without the internet, smartphones and apps. This younger group is all about experience, authenticity and participation.
Authenticity: People are craving experiences that feel authentic, where travelers can immerse themselves in a destination like locals. This explains the growing attraction of off-the-beaten track destinations.
Socially and environmentally responsible incentives also rank high for 2020, fueled by the next generation that views climate change as an increasingly pressing issue.
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73
ATTENDEES There continues to be a focus on the impact of the millennial generation (aka Generation Y, those born between 1980 and 1995). The influence of this generation will continue to strengthen the industry as they are expected to form the largest group of business travelers across the world from 2024 onward. Centennials (aka Generation Z, those born from 1996 onward) are starting to enter the workforce. According to Mediakix Research, their influence due to their age is so far limited but that will rapidly change over the next decade as their population reaches 2.56 billion globally by 2020.
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INFOGRAPHIC
Destinations on the Rise
GLOBAL
The global meetings and events industry is estimated at $840 billion and growing. “The overall growth trajectory in the meetings and events industry is rising at a steady 8 percent rate, which is encouraging,” says Derek Sharp, senior vice president and managing director, CWT Meetings & Events.
NORTH AMERICA
Demand for meetings and events in North America is continuing to increase, but the pace of growth has fallen. Despite these headwinds, the U.S. economy continues to be strong with event sizes rising, including many companies in the tech sector that have moved to consolidate their smaller meetings into larger events. “More than ever, political events have a direct impact on companies’ quarterly and annual outlooks. Some industry segments are pulling back (such as agriculture due to the trade situation) and being a bit more cautious,” says Tony Wagner, vice president, Americas & South Pacific Regions of CWT Meetings & Events.
Destinations on the rise are locations offering better value rates than firsttier cities. They are also becoming more attractive due to an increase in facilities including new hotels and venues.
Top 10 Cities 1. NEW YORK, NY 2. SAN FRANCISCO, CA 3. CHICAGO, IL 4. ATLANTA, GA 5. TORONTO, CANADA 6. SAN DIEGO, CA 7. SEATTLE, WA 8. ORLANDO, FL 9. DALLAS/FORT WORTH, TX 10. LAS VEGAS, NV
CREATIVE EVENTS CWT identified 20 microtrends that are set to shape the year ahead when planning an event with a creative twist. Here are 5:
Dating apps for networking: Tinder-style apps will help event attendees break the ice.
Diversity: Greater diversity of presenters can bring an inspiring new slant to content and connect with the full range of attendees.
Venues that tell a story: Unusual venues that reflect the aims of the event are booming. Think spectacular views, historic spaces, or even an underwater event.
Read the full report at cwt-meetings-events.com/futuretrends.
First is best in seating: Early arrivals can grab the plush, expansive armchairs close to the speakers, while space at the back is for highboy chairs and stools.
Instagrammable cuisine: Food must be Instagram-worthy— shared in real time to an audience of hundreds or even thousands at once—to pass muster in 2020.
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REGIONAL NEWS
ASSOCIATIONS»
MPIRMC SALUTES MEMBERS & PARTNERS Meeting Professionals International Rocky Mountain Chapter (MPIRMC) recognized several individuals and organizations at its 2019 awards gala held earlier this year at Wellshire Event Center. Congratulations! Planner of the Year Tiffany Carson, CMP Colorado Society of CPAs Supplier of the Year Nancy Maffucci Bowlero Corporation Rising Star Genevieve Belou Hotel Boulderado Outstanding Committee Chair Angela “Fig” Wirkler Boulder CVB
Meeting and Hospitality Award of Excellence (under 50 in attendance) Hyatt Regency Aurora - Denver Conference Center
QUICK GLIMPSE» W H AT ’ S N E W I N C O L O R A D O
Things to Do/Attractions
Accommodations
Denver Zoo introduced Harmony Hill for its
Gravity House, a new ski-in/ski-out boutique
two rescued grizzly bears, Tundra and Kootenai. Harmony Hill is set up to help visitors better understand how to live in harmony with wildlife.
property in Breckenridge, offers ongoing insider experiences ranging from outdoor excursions to social programming and has 60 distinctly curated rooms.
Hotel Colorado has started presenting Walk Back in Time Historic Tours in partnership with The Glenwood Springs Historical Society and Frontier Museum. Character portrayers share unique and haunting stories of Hotel Colorado’s history.
Kinship Landing, opening in downtown Colorado
Springs in 2020, is a boutique property that specializes in authentic and engaging local travel experiences. Highlights are a community space to talk about adventures and lockers for gear storage.
Flying W Ranch has reopened in Colorado Springs
after a complete loss during the Waldo Canyon Fire in 2012. The western chuck wagon supper and dinner theater has a new venue and features tasty BBQ and performances by the Flying W Wranglers.
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Copper Mountain will welcome a new hotel in 2020. The four-story hotel is slated to have 127 guest rooms and suites and an outdoor patio with fire pits and hot tubs along West Ten Mile Creek.
President’s Award of Excellence Keith and Freddie Templeton Rocky Mountain Event Consultants Industry Partners of the Year Hermes Worldwide, Inc. and Visit Aurora Industry Legacy Award in Honor of Sandy Gerety Patty “Trixie” Farmer University of Denver Member Milestone Award Recipients First place – Paula Herrera, Thallo Second place – Ginny Davito, Thallo and Chandra Braeger, VISIT DENVER
P H O T O S : G R AV I T Y H O U S E ; ( O P P O S I T E ) A U R E L I E S L E G E R S P H O T O G R A P H Y ; T H E S O U R C E H OT E L + M A R K E T H A L L ; E R I C S P R I N K L E
Meeting and Hospitality Award of Excellence (over 50 in attendance) Red Rocks Amphitheatre/ Aramark
Gravity House
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P H O T O S : G R AV I T Y H O U S E ; ( O P P O S I T E ) A U R E L I E S L E G E R S P H O T O G R A P H Y ; T H E S O U R C E H OT E L + M A R K E T H A L L ; E R I C S P R I N K L E
Transfer Warehouse
The Source Hotel
VENUE»
COMMUNITY SERVICE»
SUSTAINABILITY»
HISTORIC TELLURIDE WAREHOUSE NOW AN EVENT SPACE
Days Enhance Hospitality Curriculum at MSU of Denver
The Source Hotel Awarded LEED Silver Certification
Frank and Gina Day have presented a $1.5 million gift devoted to hospitality leadership curriculum enhancements at Metropolitan State University of Denver. The gift establishes the Day Leadership Academy at MSU. The couple built a hot dog stand into an empire that included Old Chicago, ChopHouse and Rock Bottom. Today, Concept Restaurants, Inc. merges hospitality and food across the country and includes well-known institutions like Denver’s Humboldt Farm, Fish, Wine, Ignite Kitchen + Cocktails and Stout Street Social and Boulder’s Spruce Farm & Fish, License No. 1 and The Corner Bar.
Opened in 2018, The Source Hotel in Denver’s River North (RiNo) neighborhood has received LEED Silver certification for its environmental performance and sustainable design from the U.S. Green Building Council. Owner Zeppelin Development constructed the 92,000-square-foot building with sustainability in mind along with other recent projects such as the nearby Zeppelin Station that earned a LEED Gold rating. thesourcehotel.com
Transfer Warehouse, located in the heart of Telluride’s Arts District, has been transformed into an indoor and outdoor venue for events, art exhibits and more after an extended period of ups and downs since its completion in 1906. The flexible space with multiple floors has started hosting events such as dinners and exhibits for the 2019 Art + Architecture weekend. The main floor is the most flexible with ample space for community events, receptions, small concerts, innovative performances and pop-up studio/exhibits for local artists. telluridearts.org/warehouse
Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Distributes $250,000 in Gifts
ASSOCIATIONS»
SOCO HSMAI DIVES INTO LOCAL HISTORY
Don Moon, speaker and member of the Southern Colorado Chapter of Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), assumed the persona of Charles Stockbridge, the late 1800s mayor of Colorado City. At the chapter’s October meeting, Moon introduced the group to the unique sites and history that shaped the Colorado Springs of today.
Located across the street from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Center presented its first-ever gift of $250,000 to the Fitzsimons Aurora Medical Campus Foundation, Inc. on Oct. 21, with eight campus entities as the recipients. In May 2016, the hotel formed the foundation with a mission to support campus programs related to patient care, research and education. The funds have been contributed to and accrued by this 501(c)(3) through a percentage of food and beverage sales at the Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Center as well as $10 per room night booked through the Medical Campus Special Rate Plan.
SUPPLIERS»
Ignight Entertainment Launches Event Services With a desire to electrify the space between performer and guest, Coloradobased Ignight Entertainment announced and showcased its new entertainment services at a launch party on Sept. 12 at Temple Nightclub in Denver. With hundreds of DJ sets and wedding receptions on his resume, founder Mike Handby recognized an opportunity to bring a diverse spectrum of performers such as B-boy hip hop performers and LED ballerinas and events together. Ignight Entertainment now can provide DJs, musicians, costumed dancers, concert lighting, and bespoke concepts to corporate gatherings, weddings, private events, parties and more. ignightentertainment.com
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REGIONAL NEWS
AWARDS»
Zeppelin Station Receives Design Excellence Award American Institute of Architects (AIA) Western Mountain Region presented a Design Excellence Merit Built Award to Zeppelin Station, a 100,000-square-foot creative workplace and culinary concourse completed in 2018 and designed by Dynia Architects. Zeppelin Station was built to better connect Denver’s River North (RiNo) neighborhood, known for its diverse and active community of artists and innovators. The lower levels have a market hall featuring retail tenants in fashion and design industries as well as street food vendors, two bars and a full-service restaurant. Above the market hall, three floors of office suites have roll-up garage doors that provide access onto green roof terraces. zeppelinstation.com
Gill Presented Heart of Hospitality Award At a celebration held at The Broadmoor on Aug. 24, employee Gary Gill received a $10,000 grant and Heart of Hospitality Award from The Above and Beyond Foundation. The award celebrates hospitality professionals who excel in their roles, dedicate themselves to elevating the customer experience and provide the highest level of service. Gill began his career with The Broadmoor in June 2014 as a telephone operator in the PBX office. Mary Jo Valentine Blythe founded The Above and Beyond Foundation after decades of work within the hospitality industry and realizing that an industry-wide foundation to support hospitality professionals did not exist. taabf.org
HOTELS & RESORTS»
HALCYON INTRODUCES WELLNESS PASSPORT
Last summer, Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek rolled out its Wellness Passport, a new guest program offered in partnership with some of the nation’s premier fitness studios including barre3, Corepower Yoga, Rise Nation, SoulCycle and Tru Fit Athletic Club. The passport is available at check in and offers Halcyon guests one complimentary fitness class per day of their stay, giving them the opportunity to mix up their workouts within Denver’s Cherry Creek community. halcyonhotelcherrycreek.com
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Hyatt Hotels Corporation has unveiled plans for Thompson Denver that is expected to open in 2021 and will be the first Thompson Hotels property in Colorado. Ground has been broken at 1600 Market St. in LoDo. Developed by T2 Hospitality, the 11-story, 216-room boutique hotel is designed as a modern-day chalet. Upon entry, guests will immediately be taken by the oversized hearth fireplace, which extends from lowerlevel meeting space through the lobby floor. A wide array of meeting and event space is planned along with 15 luxury suites, including the signature Thompson Suite with an oversized terrace and dedicated entertaining space. A grab-and-go café will transition into a bar and lounge in the evening, plus there is a 90-seat, ground-floor signature restaurant and a sixthfloor indoor/outdoor terrace offering 140 seats for dining and drinking, a sunroom and courtyard that will be an openair area during warmer months, and a library and whiskey room with a custom-designed pool table and fireplace. thompsonhotels.com
P H O T O S : H A L C YO N ; ( O P P O S I T E ) S H E R AT O N D E N V E R D O W N T O W N H O T E L ; T H E B R O W N PA L A C E H O T E L & S PA
Hyatt Announces Plans for Thompson Denver
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P H O T O S : H A L C YO N ; ( O P P O S I T E ) S H E R AT O N D E N V E R D O W N T O W N H O T E L ; T H E B R O W N PA L A C E H O T E L & S PA
Face-Lift for Iconic Glenwood Springs Hotel
M A J O R R E N O VAT I O N S
Sheraton Denver Downtown Undergoing Major Upgrade Denver’s largest hotel, Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel, officially kicked off a massive $80 million renovation in August 2019 with completion expected in April 2020. The property, a longtime anchor on the 16th Street Mall, is undergoing a total transformation from its 133,000 square feet of meeting space and 1,231 redesigned guest rooms to new, world-class culinary and beverage experiences. Denver HS-EF Court Place, LLC, a joint venture between High Street Real Estate Partners and Eagle Four Partners, purchased the Sheraton Denver Downtown in September
2018 and developed the renovation plan to coincide with Marriott International’s relaunch of the Sheraton Hotels and Resorts brand. Drawing inspiration from the grandeur and light of I.M. Pei’s original design, the new porte-cochere, lobby entry and signature bar will create a striking statement at the east end of 16th Street Mall. The interior design incorporates various design elements and materials inspired by the beatnik movement of the early 1960s, a time of exuberant growth and cultural change in the United States. The design of the plaza lobby evokes the spirit of the traveler with canvas, leather and darkened metal finishes.
Hotel Colorado is undergoing major renovations over a three- to five-year period under the leaderships of new owners, Aspen’s Melville family. The Melvilles purchased Hotel Colorado in May 2018 and also own two other longtime Colorado properties: the Mountain Chalet Aspen and Cristiana Guesthaus in Crested Butte. Staying true to the 126-year history of Hotel Colorado while implementing stateof-the-art improvements takes a fine balance of creativity and ingenuity. The first phase involved improvements to meeting and event spaces, all on the main floor. Exciting discoveries have been made in the function spaces like original fireplaces and pine hardwood floors. Future improvements include adding a full air-conditioning system and more parking and upgrading the hotel’s restaurant and guest rooms. hotelcolorado.com
Cascade Dinner the evening prior. Only 32 guests enjoyed white glove service, Moët served four ways, Dom Perignon and a four-course
menu prepared by executive chef Rodney Herwerth and enjoyed next to the two-story high champagne tower. brownpalace.com
Champagne Celebrations Kick Off Holidays at The Brown The spectacular multilevel atrium at The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa bedazzled with sparkling lights, massive Christmas trees and opulent chandeliers is a picture-perfect backdrop for holiday festivities, including the 32nd annual Champagne Cascade held on Nov. 24. The annual event features a visit from Santa and a swordsman using Napoleonic sabers to sever the bottlenecks of champagne bottles that are poured into the uppermost glass of a two-story high, 6,000-plus glass pyramid. As the champagne begins flowing at noon, it cascades into the glasses below, creating a spectacular display for the hundreds of spectators. A portion of the ticket price from the event was contributed to Make-A-Wish Colorado. For the first time, The Brown Palace also hosted an exclusive Champagne
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REGIONAL NEWS
Tru and Home2 Suites by Hilton Denver Downtown Convention Center Anderson’s Cabin at Bachelor Gulch
Winter Experiences at The RitzCarlton, Bachelor Gulch
New Dual-Brand Hotel Opens in Downtown Denver Stonebridge Companies opened the 382room, dual-branded Tru by Hilton Denver Downtown Convention Center and Home2 Suites by Hilton Denver Downtown Convention Center for business on Nov. 1. Located at 801 15th St., the 22-story property features 176 Tru by Hilton rooms and 206 Home2 Suites by Hilton suites; the streetlevel Tempo Bar; 3,300 square feet of meeting space with windows; and other shared amenities such as a fitness center, parking garage and light-filled lobby with areas for guests to work, play games, eat and lounge. In addition, there is a complimentary breakfast bar.
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Tru and Homewood Suites by Hilton Denver Airport Tower Road
Two fun packages available for meetings and events include “Board Room to Shuffle Board” with Home2/Tru arranging a tournament that includes an emcee, printed bracket, and food and beverages provided by Tempo and “Brainstorm with Brain Food” with the chef and bartender from Tempo creating stations where attendees can learn to create (and then enjoy) popular bites and cocktails from the restaurant. After the activation, guests take home a housemade bite for the morning and bottled cocktail to enjoy later. trubyhilton.com; home2suites.com
Dual-Branded Hilton Launches Near Denver Airport Downtown Denver isn’t the only sector of the metro area to welcome a new Hilton dual-branded property. Tru by Hilton Denver Airport Tower Road and Homewood Suites by Hilton Denver Airport Tower Road added
186 new guest rooms at 6951 N. Yampa St. near Denver International Airport in August. Owned by DIA Yampa Street Development, LLC and managed by Baywood Hotels, the dual-branded property offers complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport and has meeting space that can accommodate up to 90, two distinct dining options, a fitness center, outdoor grill area and indoor heated saline pool. Complimentary breakfast is served. trubyhilton.com; homewoodsuites3.hilton.com
New Hyatt House for Aurora Denver-based BMC Investments has broken ground on a 140-key, extended stay Hyatt House hotel that includes 2,000 square feet of meeting space and 8,000 square feet of ground-level retail and restaurant space at the Fitzsimons Medical Campus in Aurora. Vision Hospitality Group, also an investor in the project, will manage the property.
P H O T O S : T H E R I T Z - C A R LT O N , B A C H E L O R G U L C H ; M AT T N A G E R ; H I LT O N ; ( O P P O S I T E ) E M I LY T E AT E R
The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, with ski-in/ ski-out access to Beaver Creek Mountain, is opening a new restaurant this winter season. SAKABA features sushi and composed raw fish dishes and offers indoor and outdoor seating. Also not to be missed are the Moët champagne and raw bar après ski experience located on the outdoor terrace and private dining experiences in the woods at Anderson’s Cabin, once the home of John Anderson, one of the seven bachelors of Bachelor Gulch that first settled in the area. Another memorable winter outing for guests and groups are daily snowshoe adventures with official canine ambassadors Bachelor and Scout. Guests also can bring their own pups! ritzcarlton.com
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P H O T O S : T H E R I T Z - C A R LT O N , B A C H E L O R G U L C H ; M AT T N A G E R ; H I LT O N ; ( O P P O S I T E ) E M I LY T E AT E R
FOOD & BEVERAGE»
Le Bilboquet Makes Denver Debut
Uncorked Kitchen Introduces Catered Event Space
Founded in New York City, Le Bilboquet has opened a location in Denver’s Cherry Creek North district. The 6,000 square-foot, natural light-filled space recalls the style of a charming French bistro with blue velvet banquettes, a variety of other seating options for guests (including an outdoor patio), terrazzo floor, lounge area with a fireplace and pewtertopped bar, and 400-square-foot private dining room that can host groups of up to 32. The interior decor features a rotating collection of paintings and photography by locally and nationally acclaimed artists and fresh-cut flowers and plants by Honeycomb & Co. There are Colorado spins to Le Bilboquet’s menu that focuses on simple, classic French cooking under the watchful eye of Executive Chef Cyrille Holota and Chef de Cuisine Ben Ashworth, formerly of Denver’s Bistro Vendôme. Also look for rotating local beers on tap, signature cocktails and an extensive wine list featuring French and American selections. Erin Kamlet, formerly of True Food Kitchen, brings her leadership expertise to the local team as general manager. lebilboquetdenver.com
In addition to offering all sorts of cooking classes and wine tastings and events, Uncorked Kitchen & Wine Bar in Centennial has added a new catered event space. The Cellar Room holds up to 24 and features a private patio, 70-inch flat-screen TV, sound system and extensive catering menu. The newly renovated space is ideal for luncheons, dinner parties, cocktail receptions and specialty wine and food pairing events. Tableside beverage service and bar packages are available. uncorkedkitchen.com
TAG Restaurant Group Introduces Event Space Troy Guard’s TAG Restaurant group has introduced COMMISSARY to serve as a chic, blank canvas for events of all sizes and styles in Denver’s RiNo neighborhood. Meeting and event planners can shop menus from Guard’s medley of eight dining concepts in The Mile High City. For example, groups looking to host a reception with noshes like TAG’s taco sushi have the option to order off the private dining menus from flagship, TAG, while parties looking to hold a fine dining affair might choose
courses from Guard and Grace steakhouse. COMMISSARY can host 76 guests for an indoor seated dinner, 150 guests for a cocktail reception, and 300-plus guests when Colorado weather permits the opening of the four-bay, floor-to-ceiling garage doors. There also is an open-concept kitchen, 18-seat bar plus 20-person lounge, and 75-seat patio. The venue also gives Guard and his executive culinary team the opportunity to expand their guest chef series, test pilot new concepts, offer cooking classes and host pop-ups.
Cook Street School of Culinary Arts Moves Location Founded in 1999, Cook Street School of Culinary Arts, a professional and recreational cooking school, has moved from its location in Lower Downtown Denver to 43 W. 9th Ave. The Broadway location provides new opportunities with a bigger space and reconfigured layout, including more meeting and private event space. Recreational classes, offered yearround, invite food and wine enthusiasts and amateur cooks alike to expand their abilities and creativity in a fun, hands-on environment while an accelerated professional training program provides an opportunity for mature students seeking intensive study in food and wine. Culinary competitions and wine and beer tastings also are fun options for groups. cookstreet.com
Golden’s First Food Hall Opens
Le Bilboquet
Tributary Food Hall & Drinkery, an all-day collective of local, independent food and drink artisans, opened Aug. 2 in the heart of downtown Golden. The brainchild of chef Daniel Asher and restaurateur Josh Dinar, who have previously collaborated on Boulder’s River & Woods, LoHi’s Ash’Kara Unorthodox Cuisine and Broadway Market’s Mother Tongue, Tributary is designed to be both a comfortable gathering place and convenient location for to-go foods that can be ordered on a phone or computer and picked up at a garage window. Reserve the community table for a group celebration or business gathering, relax on the four-season covered patio, or belly up to a counter seat at a favorite kiosk.
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REGIONAL NEWS
PEOPLE NEWS»
Planners Perras has been named meeting architect by Kinsley Meetings. Perras discovered her talent for event planning through a workstudy program at Clarkson University. After completing her MBA, she moved to Colorado where she managed fundraising events for several nonprofits before joining the Littleton-based company. Alicia
F&B Alexis Martinez is now exec-
Warwick Denver Introduces Clever New Restaurant
After updating guest rooms in late 2017, Warwick Denver has completed the second phase of its renovation with a new concept restaurant, Gattara, featuring classic Italian cuisine with a modern twist by executive chef Thomas Newsted. Located in Denver’s Uptown neighborhood, the restaurant is inspired by its Old-World Italian namesake with a modernized cat-lover feel from the artwork and wallpaper to the names of cocktails. The 5,500-square-foot dining space features copper accents, community tables and updated color scheme, and an expansive patio with fireplaces and couches provides both a lounge and dining experience. Newsted brings 20 years of expertise from establishments like TAG Restaurant Group, Vail Resorts and Kevin Taylor’s Restaurant Group and also will oversee the culinary direction for the hotel’s meeting and events business. gattararestaurant.com
Fresh Dining Options at Denver Art Museum Denver Art Museum (DAM) has announced two new dining concepts set to open in June 2020, coinciding with the first reopening phase of the Martin Building, after an extensive multi-year renovation, and launch of the new Anna and John J. Sie Welcome Center. The museum’s operating partner, Culinaire International, will operate all museum food services, including The Ponti, Café Gio and Denver Art Museum Catering. The Ponti: Through a collaboration with James Beard Award winner and celebrated Denver chef Jennifer Jasinski, the concept of
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The Ponti was born. The Ponti, named in honor of famed Italian architect and original Martin Building designer Gio Ponti, combines art and dining and will feature a locally sourced and inspired menu that has an emphasis on vegetables, ancient grains and heirloom legumes complemented by handmade pastas, fish and meat. Located on level one of the Sie Welcome Center, The Ponti has an expansive outdoor terrace as well as indoor public and private dining spaces that span 3,715 square feet. Café Gio: Located across the main hall from The Ponti, Café Gio is focused on quick-service casual dining and features a 1,273-square-foot interior space and 1,088-square-foot terrace.
Jonathan Martin has been
appointed executive chef of Great Wolf Lodge Colorado Springs, bringing more than 25 years of culinary experience to his new role overseeing all food and beverage operations and developing seasonal menus for the 311-room resort. Before joining Great Wolf Lodge, Martin started his culinary career working for hotels in the Washington, D.C. area and later was employed as a chef in the racing industry and worked in movie and TV catering in Hollywood.
Sales Curtis Robison has been
hired as director of national sales—trade shows and exhibits by The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. The new position was created due to
P H O T O : WA R W I C K D E N V E R
FOOD & BEVERAGE»
utive chef at Denver Marriott Tech Center after most recently serving as senior sous chef at Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel. He started his culinary career as a busboy at Arizona’s Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, where he quickly was elevated to chef de cuisine before being hired as executive chef by Loews Denver Hotel. Martinez is creating new menus for all of the food and beverage outlets at Denver Marriott Tech Center, including the hotel’s 50,000 square feet of meeting space.
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P H O T O : WA R W I C K D E N V E R
the resort’s new 125,000-plus square feet of exhibition space and associated breakout rooms that are slated to debut in spring 2020. Robison most recently spent six years as a senior sales executive with Gaylord National in National Harbor, Maryland, specializing in convention, trade show and exhibit sales to groups of more than 300. Prior to Gaylord National, he worked as senior convention sales manager and business development sales manager at Hiltons of Washington, D.C.
Directors & VPs Rachel Brown is the new
executive director for Visit Durango, bringing eight years of tourism experience to the organization. Her experience includes working with Visit Oakland, Visit Fisherman’s Wharf and her own marketing agency, Left Right Marketing. The executive director works alongside the Durango Area Tourism Office board, staff, community and industry partners to attract visitation and support sustainable economic growth for Durango and La Plata County.
PLACES TO BE, PLACES TO SEE, HERE TO PLAY! Denver's Most Unique Venue
Mary Gunderson is the new
director of club and spa at the Vail Athletic Club & Spa at Vail Mountain Lodge, a 18,000-square-foot facility. Gunderson has been a Vail Valley spa leader for more than 20 years and previously served as spa director at Four Seasons Vail and Allegria Spa at Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort & Spa. Shauna Sandage has been
appointed vice president of hotel operations by Denverbased Stonebridge Companies to support Stonebridge Companies’ team of more than 3,100 associates and portfolio of 62 hotels nationwide. She has worked with Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt and IHG brands, most recently serving as director of operations and revenue management at KWB, LLC.
Conveniently located with access to the lightrail • ElitchGardens.com For a personal site tour, call 303.572.4531
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SNAPSHOTS MPIRMC GALA
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Members of Meeting Professionals International Rocky Mountain Chapter embraced a country-western theme at the annual gala and auction held at Wellshire Event Center in Denver. Dancing to the tunes of Tennessee Whiskey was among the highlights. See the award winners on page 46. 1. MPIRMC President Joyce Reilly announces Keith and Freddie Templeton as the President’s Award for Excellence recipients. 2. Tennessee Whiskey. 3. Reese Lee and Ellen Collins. 4. Lucy Shemilt Murphy and Tiffany Carson. 5. Joyce Reilly and Todd Seymour present Nancy Maffucci with the Supplier of the Year award. 6. James and Elle Westphal. 7. Danny Findley, Kristin Hutton, Steven Okuley and Jessica Reisfelt. 8. A taste of the West even in the photo booth. 9. Jack Davito, Hugo Hellberg and Kevin Hedican. —Photos by All Digital Photo & Video
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MPIRMC Annual Awards Gala & Auction
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SUBMIT YOUR EVENT PHOTOS To have your meeting or event photos featured here, contact the editor at beth.buehler@tigeroak.com.
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Meetings in Another Altitude Many begin their days early with energizing general sessions and breakout meetings, but end early so that their attendees can experience all that is Snowmass Village. Summer and fall bring long days and mild temperatures that are perfect for hiking up wildflower trails, or heading down on a mountain bike, or getting your groove on at an outdoor concert. Whether your speed is taking a balloon ride or whitewater rafting, we have it here in Snowmass Village. Book a meeting from May through December of 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and choose from the following concessions: 20-50 Total RN: Pick from 3 of the below concessions 51-100 Total RN: Pick from 4 of the below concessions 101+ RN: Pick from 5 of the below concessions • • • • • • • •
14 day cut-off date Complimentary one-hour reception of beer, wine and 3 passed hors d’oeuvres $5 rebate per consumed room night Two (2) complimentary one-hour massage or facial Complimentary Resort Fee 75% allowable attrition reduction (Group must provide hotel with 2 years pickup history) Complimentary Meeting Space with Banquet Food and Beverage minimum attained (to be determined by sales manager based on room nights and space needed) Gift Certificate for a one-night stay with breakfast for two (value of $400)
Contact Resort Sales Office at sales@westinsnowmass.com or at 970-923-8270 to book your meeting! ©2019 Marriott International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Preferred Guest, Bonvoy, Westin and their logos are the trademarks of Marriott International, Inc., or its affiliates. For full terms and conditions, visit westin.com/snowmass. Contract needs to be signed by 3/31/20
2020 Readers’ Choice Best of Awards Party
S AV E T H E D AT E
March 9, 2020 The Cable Center, University of Denver 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. CO.MEETINGSMAGS.COM
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PEOPLE PROFILE DESIREE KELLY
CAKE: IT’S IN HER DNA From biology to cake decorating, Desiree Kelly proves there’s little she can’t do. BY K A SSIDY TA R A L A
Get Connected THE MAKERY CAKE CO. themakery.com | 720.270.4042
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P H OTO : T H E M A K E RY C A K E CO.
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esiree Kelly (or “Dez,” as she’s often referred to) was a molecular biologist until she decided to follow her passion for cake decorating—and her major sweet tooth—and opened The Makery Cake Co. in 2006. Today, she turns cake into champagne bottles, superheroes, graduation caps, designer purses and more. But it all started with a more traditional confection: her sister’s wedding cake. “I actually never got to make her wedding cake! She decided not to marry him. But this newly found talent of mine was just so much fun. It was also very rewarding. You just saw the love and joy radiate from people when you showed them what you made for them,” Kelly says. “Plus, I was already in the midst of getting my MBA. One of my professors stressed how you should look for an ‘unmet need’ and service it. So that’s what I went for.” Kelly and her team have baked some crazy creations, especially for meetings and events. “I have worked with all types of events providing specialty cakes, from Chamber of Commerce fundraisers (highheel shoe and two 3D purse cakes) to high school fundraisers for soup kitchens (empty soup can cake) and for buildings/ landmarks (Anderson College of Business at St. Regis University, the capitol building when Hickenlooper was running for governor, and the Aurora Highlands Clock Monument),” Kelly says. Also fun for groups are Kelly’s teambuilding activities. “There is something fun about executives sitting around the conference table decorating cakes! Our most popular event is a competition between teams to incorporate business themes/tag lines/initiatives and logos into a cake. After we are done, we donate the extras to shelters for the homeless.”
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P H OTO : T H E M A K E RY C A K E CO.
20th AnnuAl
March 10-11, 2020 Colorado Convention Center www.mic-colorado.org
#micco2020
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What?!? We’re Changing it up Again?
Judi Holler - Tuesday Opening Keynote and Conference Emcee
Judi Holler is a keynote speaker, best selling author, and a professionally trained improviser and alumni of The Second City’s Conservatory in Chicago, Illinois. Judi studied and performed improv theatre at night while working full time by day in the meetings industry in sales and marketing for companies like Marriott, Omni, and Starwood Hotels before starting her company, HOLLA! Productions, in 2013. Judi has a passion for the meetings industry and is proud to work with Meetings Mean Business® to advocate for the undeniable value that business meetings, trade shows, incentive travel, exhibitions, conferences and conventions bring to people, businesses and communities. Judi’s book on Fear, titled “Fear Is My Homeboy®: How to Slay Doubt, Boss Up, and Succeed on Your Own Terms”, was recently endorsed by Mel Robbins calling it: “relatable, relevant and most importantly ACTIONABLE!”
Simon T. Bailey - Wednesday Opening Keynote Simon T. Bailey is a Breakthrough Strategist whose life’s purpose is to teach 1 billion+ people how to be fearless and create their future. Simon has been named one of the top 25 people who will help you reach your business and life goals by SUCCESS magazine, joining a list that includes Brene Brown, Tony Robbins, and Oprah Winfrey. He is the author of ten books including his most recent release, Be the SPARK: Five Platinum Service Principles for Creating Customers for Life. His Building Business Relationships course on Lynda.com on LinkedIn Learning has been viewed by more than 864,000 people worldwide. His Goalcast video, released Father’s Day 2018, has over 70 million views.
Vinh Giang - Closing Keynote With only 6 months to graduate, Vinh Giang left his degree in commerce and law to become an online magic teacher ultimately building a hugely successful online business, 52kards, which now serves over 800,000 students all around the world. This earned him the award of Top Young Entrepreneur in Australia. Vinh Giang’s real magic journey began when he finally understood what Robert Houdin (an amazing magician) meant when he said: “A magician is an actor playing the part of the magician.” Once Vinh understood the meaning behind this quote, he focused all his energy on studying the art of performance and not the art of presentation. He has spent the last 15 years mastering the art of performanceenhanced communication, helping thousands of professionals worldwide to learn these skills.
2020 MIC Program Agenda* Tuesday, March 10, 2020 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Business Connections (Trade Show) Set-up 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
CMP Boot Camp
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Mindfulness Center Open House
2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Planner Only Education
3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Business Connections (Trade Show) with Planners, Sponsors & Exhibitors Only
4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
MIC Opening Keynote
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Opening Night Reception & Business Connections (Trade Show)
* as of 12.1.19 and subject to change
Wednesday, March 11, 2020 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Registration & Breakfast 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Opening Remarks and Keynote 9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Business Connections (Trade Show) 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. First Concurrents, Speaker Showcase & Solution Circles 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. Lunch, Awards & Networking 1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Second Concurrents, Speaker Showcase & Solution Circles 2:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Business Connections (Trade Show) & Dessert O’Rama 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Closing Keynote
Group Contact - Eric Lund Ph. 970-586-0500 x 1231 COMEWI20.indb 3
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EVENT SPACE for all
SHAPES AND SIZES
6 Exhibit Halls with 584,000 sq.ft. of space on one level 63 meeting rooms with 100,000 sq.ft. of meeting space on one level
2 ballrooms and 85,000 sq.ft. of space on one level 5,000 Bellco Theatre with cut down capability Free Wi-Fi and Charging Stations
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To inquire or book, call or email Rich Carollo at 3o3.228.8022 or rcarollo@denverconvention.com
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