MEETING NOTES

CANADA

VANCOUVER CONVENTION CENTRE CELEBRATES 10TH BIRTHDAY

The West Building of the Vancouver Convention Centre, known for its beautiful water views, opened its doors in April 2009 and has hosted more than 5,500 events. The addition of the structure tripled the facility’s capacity, enabling the convention center to welcome more than 9 million guests from around the world to gatherings such as major citywide conventions, consumer and trade shows, private meetings, banquets, fundraisers, community events, special events, public celebrations, and film and TV shoots. Vancouver Convention Centre is the world’s first double LEED Platinum certified convention center. vancouverconventioncentre.com

ELEVATED TREE WALK EXPERIENCE PLANNED FOR SQUAMISH

Sea to Sky Gondola’s mission is to make it easy for people to connect with the great outdoors. In keeping with that philosophy, the organization plans to erect an accessible, architecturally stunning tree walk that winds 34 meters into the sky, offers soaring 360-degree views and provides access for guests of all ages and abilities. The elevated trail experience starts at Summit Lodge and leads guests on a 2.5-kilometer return trip through the trees and over wetlands along Panorama Ridge. The new structure is the first of its kind in North America and designed to thoughtfully integrate into nature. The Squamish-based tourism attraction opened in 2014. seatoskygondola.com

Maple Leaf Adventures Vancouver Convention Centre

Sea to Sky Gondola Tree Walk

Maple Leaf Adventures Introduces Cascadia

A Canadian ecotourism pioneer, Maple Leaf Adventures, has launched the 138foot catamaran Cascadia in British Columbia to provide luxury expeditions along the region’s beautiful western coast. Owners Kevin Smith and Maureen Gordon were inspired by the increasing demand for transformational experiences in unspoiled regions, which is a great fit for incentive trips. Accommodating up to 24 guests, Cascadia is designed to offer a more intimate and authentic experience, one aligned with the scale of the coastal inlets and the communities that guests will visit. Regular itineraries include Haida Gwaii, Great Bear Rainforest, Vancouver Island, southern British Columbia’s fjords, and wine cruising through the Gulf Islands. mapleleafadventures.com

meeting NOTES

CALIFORNIA

WHAT’S NEW IN TUOLUMNE COUNTY

To take a look at the happenings in Tuolumne County, we’ll zoom in on three areas: Yosemite National Park, Gold Country and High Sierra. visittuolumne.com

Yosemite

Groups looking for the ultimate Yosemite adventure can catch a bird’s-eye view of Yosemite National Park with Yosemite Flights Tours. With flights out of Columbia airport, choose from packages that range from sunset flights to soaring over El Capitan and Half Dome. Or check off two national parks at once with a morning flight over Yosemite while en route to Death Valley. yosemiteflighttours.com

At Yosemite Pines RV Resort and Family Lodging in Groveland, sleep in new Conestoga wagons for the ultimate rustic and unique Old West experience. However, don’t fret because there are modern features like Keurig coffee makers and air conditioning. yosemitepinesrv.com

Tuolumne Trails offers rustic conference rooms with views of the Tuolumne River Canyon, cozy accommodations, trails to hike, agility courses, hay rides, and a heated pool. While the summers at this camp are filled with special needs programs, the fall, winter and spring offer some of the finest times to book a retreat or meeting. tuolumnetrails.org

Gold Country

Inner Sanctum Cellars expanded its footprint in Tuolumne County with the acquisition of the Columbia Nursery and Florist property in Columbia. With the purchase came a small café that is reopening with a tasting room for Inner Sanctum Cellar wines and an events venue. The owners envision the property to be everything from a wedding venue to a music venue with the wines and winery being at the center. innersanctumcellars.com

High Sierra

Black Oak Casino Resort has launched its new outdoor concert venue, Westside Pavilion, with summer concert series that kicked off in summer 2018 with world-renowned acts like Justin Moore, Smokey Robinson and Rick Springfield. blackoakcasino.com

Event Spotlight:

CLIF CAMPOVELO NAPA VALLEY

Hosted by food visionary and “Top Chef Masters” winner Chris Cosentino and produced by Ride Napa Valley, CLIF CampoVelo Napa Valley is an annual three-day weekend blending the best of the culinary, cycling and wellness worlds. Cosentino, along with 20 other chefs, pro cyclists, winemakers and other notable people lead the weekend that encompasses myriad activities designed to support Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition and Chefs Cycle for No Kid Hungry. The third annual weekend, held April 26-28, included dinner under the stars at Tamber Bey Winery in Calistoga that benefitted No Kid Hungry, a campaign for national anti-hunger organization Share Our Strength.

The menu for the benefit dinner was an inspiration from regional flavors with ingredients supplied by local farmers and complemented by a selection of wines by Tamber Bey and Clif Family and beers from Mad Fritz. The event was limited to 80 guests. Since 2017, CampoVelo has raised more than $35,000 for Chefs Cycle. campvelo.com

COLORADO

New Gondola Transportation at Glenwood Springs Attraction

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park has introduced its newest feature, the Glenwood Gondola that replaces the Iron Mountain Tramway that opened in 2003. The gondola features 44 detachable cabins that move continuously, so the ride is faster and smoother and less susceptible to weather-related closures. The mountaintop theme park in Glenwood Springs was closed for several months during the gondola construction so the grand reopening was a kickoff for a full slate of summer events, including the attraction’s 20th anniversary celebration and 15 Music on the Mountain concerts, which run through early fall. To thank the community for its patience while the park was closed, free annual gondola passes were offered to residents from Basalt to Glenwood and from Eagle to Parachute. More than 17,000 people signed up! glenwoodcaverns.com

Steamboat Springs Adds Homewood Suites

With 84 suites, the new Homewood Suites by Hilton Steamboat Springs brings more extended stay options to the popular hiking and skiing destination. Developed and owned by Gray Stone LLC and managed by K Partners Hospitality USA, the property offers a combination of studio, one- and two-bedroom accommodations that are handy for groups and feature fully equipped kitchens and separate living and sleeping areas. Additional amenities include a heated indoor pool, game room and fitness center. homewoodsuites.com

meeting NOTES

MONTANA

BIG SKY WELCOMES FIRST MAJOR HOTEL

Wilson Hotel Big Sky Residence Inn by Marriott opened the end of May 2019 and is named after Wilson Peak, one of the most prominent of the Spanish Peaks overlooking Big Sky. The hotel has 129 guest accommodations (a mix of spacious studios, one- and two-bedroom suites); 3,000 square feet of meeting space; a steakhouse-style American restaurant; and The Wilson lobby bar. The hotel’s Town Center location is just steps from shops, restaurants and nightlife and a complimentary shuttle ride from the ski lifts at Big Sky Resort. Groups and guests also can unwind in the outdoor heated pool and whirlpool and 24-hour fitness center.

A team of veteran hospitality executives is at the helm, including General Manager Mandy Hotovy, Assistant General Manager Minsun Robillard and Director of Sales Dan Moller. Wilson Hotel Big Sky Residence Inn is owned by Lone Mountain Land Company and managed by Urgo Hotels & Resorts. marriott.com

OREGON

Mt. Hood Skibowl

Mt. Hood Home to Three Diverse Ski Resorts

Only 90 minutes from Portland International Airport, groups can ski with locals, enjoy a beer at a craft brewery, spend the night in a mountain resort and follow snowshoe trails through old growth forests on Mt. Hood. These three ski resorts offer a wealth of entertaining options. mthoodterritory.com

Timberline Lodge & Ski Area, a National Historic Landmark, is the only ski-in, ski-out lodge in the state. The resort’s operator has expanded with the purchase of Summit Ski Area, the second oldest continually operating ski area in the United States with a location below Timberline in the town of Government Camp. Summit’s interior is being remodeled, but the single chairlift, family-friendly and affordable vibe, which is ideal for getting the basics of skiing or snowboarding before heading up to more challenging runs at Timberline, is being preserved.

Mt. Hood Meadows has more than 2,150 acres of skiing and implemented a new ticket pricing system last season that is similar to how airline ticket pricing works. The demand for lift tickets will dictate the prices. During off-peak days, Meadows will drop ticket prices with the goal of enticing people to ski during those times, helping alleviate congestion and crowds.

Mt. Hood Skibowl has the largest night skiing terrain in the United States with 36 lit runs. Plus, the resort’s Cosmic Tubing features more than 600,000 LED lights, laser light shows, black lights, colored lights, music and two handy conveyor lifts.

SUSTAINABILITY KEY TO MONTEREY COUNTY TOURISM & EVENTS

Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau (MCCVB) has joined two initiatives to further its goal of ensuring that Monterey County is one of the world’s leading sustainable destinations.

The first is with Positive Impact, a global not-for-profit that provides education and collaboration opportunities to create a sustainable event industry and a vision to address the role of plastics in the industry.

Measuring success is also critical, prompting MCCVB to join the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDSIndex) initiative, an alliance focused on helping destinations, convention bureaus and businesses promote sustainable practices. The GDS-Index does this by measuring and comparing sustainability strategies, policies and performance of participating destinations and by sharing best practices from around the world. seemonterey.com/sustainable

meeting NOTES

NEW MEXICO

RETREATS & BUYOUTS AT FOUR SEASONS RESORT

Rancho Encantado

Whether groups are adventure-seeking, spiritually driven or automotive enthusiasts or planners are looking for a memorable incentive trip, Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado in Sante Fe is offering various retreat and buyout opportunities. The property has 57 acres to play and meet on and 13,000 square feet of event space, as well as Adventure Architect Hans Loehr who is charged with creating unique itineraries and serving as a guide to the land, cultures, history and heritage of the Santa Fe area.

Adventure: The community’s most scenic spot is at the top of the Ski Basin, where there are breathtaking views at 12,000plus feet and great options for hiking and downhill and cross-country mountain bike rides.

Spiritual: The EQUUS Experience is a self-discovery and leadership development framework that engages partnership with horses to inspire lasting change and breakthrough learning in individuals and organizations. Groups also can embark on a five-hour trek that begins with a traditional Native American smudging ceremony in the resort’s on-site teepee, followed by a trip across Ancestral Pueblo lands with a local guide, yoga in the pumice hoodoos around Abiquiu and a light hike to a lake for lunch. Automotive: The spectacular scenery and stunning New Mexico drive routes are ideal for groups that want to drive their own fun cars or rent one of the resort’s Mercedes-Benz vehicles to explore the open highways.

YOGA-RITA & TEQUILA NATURE WALK

Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa, located on the Santa Ana Pueblo between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, is offering new team-building activities for groups and recently completed a $3.3 million renovation of 12 indoor meeting spaces. During Yoga-rita, the resort’s in-house yogi leads a customized 30-minute class for all skill levels before attendees enjoy one of the resort’s signature margaritas. During the new Tequila Nature Walk, groups explore the trails that run through the Bosque cottonwood forest and learn about the flora and fauna and the resort’s Bosque restoration project while visiting multiple pop-up tequila stations. At each station, guests learn more about the tequila selection, including its unique flavors and distilling methods.

LA POSADA DE SANTA FE INDUCTED INTO HISTORIC HOTELS OF AMERICA

The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Historic Hotels of America program recognizes and celebrates the finest and most significant historic hotels and recently inducted 27 additional hotels into membership, including La Posada de Santa Fe.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and with 157 guest rooms and suites, La Posada de Santa Fe was built in 1881, has 7,687 square feet of meeting and event space, and is known for its long practice of exhibiting and selling original local artwork. The hotel’s Gallery Collection is a professionally curated celebration of painting and sculpture from the American Southwest. historichotels.org; marriott.com

UTAH

Salt Lake Selected to Host ASAE’s Great Ideas Conference

Three years after hosting the annual meeting of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), Salt Lake has been selected to host the organization’s Great Ideas Conference in 2020, 2021 and 2022. It’s the flagship event for association professionals who gather from across North America to connect, learn and collaborate. The approximately 500 attendees will be based at The Grand America. visitsaltlake.com; gic.asaecenter.org

Bring Puppy Love to Meetings

In between meetings and during conference breaks at Montage Deer Valley, the property’s Bernese mountain dogs, Summit and Monty, can be booked for endless puppy kisses and bounds of energy, allowing for a much-needed pick-me-up. Attendees return to meetings confident and energized for the day. The dogs also are available for daily meet-and-greets with all hotel guests in the main lobby at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Pendry Park City

SALT LAKE BREWERY TOUR PASS INTRODUCED

Sample, enjoy and experience Salt Lake’s craft beer scene with Visit Salt Lake’s new Salt Lake Brewery Tour Mobile Pass. The self-guided tour introduces beer lovers to the area’s craft ales, lagers, porters and ciders made by 12 top breweries and brewpubs with the added bonus of receiving $5 off at each of the participating breweries. A one-day Brewery Tour Pass is $15 and is valid for 24 hours after its first use; the three-day Pass is $20 and valid for 72 hours; and the 90-Day Pass is $30 and valid for 90 days. visitsaltlake.com

Pendry Park City to Open in 2021

In the heart of Canyons Village, a new ski-in/lift-out resort is slated for winter 2021 completion. Pendry Park City will feature 150 guest rooms and suites and more than 7,000 square feet of indoor meeting space, along with a 4,000-square-foot ballroom. Other key features include the only rooftop pool and bar in the area, a spa and recreation facility, and a Japanese-American restaurant with mountain fare. pendryhotels.com/park-city

meeting NOTES

WASHINGTON

Property Spotlight:

SKAMANIA LODGE

Situated in Washington’s protected Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area, Skamania Lodge in Stevenson is now part of the Benchmark Resorts & Hotels portfolio. Set on 175 densely forested acres and owned by Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, the property is renowned for its Cascadian-style architecture, state-ofthe-art conference center built to IACC standards, authentic Northwestern cuisine, and awe-inspiring views. skamania.com

Lodging: The 258 rooms and suites, fresh from an $8 million renovation, have a modern look and feel that echo the Pacific Northwest. Guests also can choose from four 713-square-foot luxury treehouses complete with expansive decks, indoor/outdoor fireplaces and outdoor fire pits.

Function Space: Skamania Lodge’s 22,000 square feet of conference space includes 23 meeting rooms, exhibit spaces and banquet facilities. Conference space ranges from 250 square feet for intimate gatherings to a 7,000-square-foot ballroom that can hold up to 500. A new $1.6 million event location, Riverview Pavilion, features 2,500 square feet of covered outdoor space.

Activities: With 175 forested acres, a sampling of on-property outdoor adventures includes the Canopy Zip Line Tour; Aerial Park with 19 platforms, more than 22 elements and a climbing feature; recently refurbished Gorge Loop Fitness Trail with five stations; and a new axe throwing activity. Additional highlights are four miles of hiking and nature trails, bikes for guest use, and outdoor tennis, basketball and volleyball.

WHAT’S NEW IN OLYMPIA & BEYOND

In 1896, Olympia Brewery Founder Leopold Schmidt believed that to make a good beer, he had to use first-rate ingredients. Situated above Tumwater Falls, the artesian spring water is said to have been a key component in what became one of the Northwest’s most iconic brands. Today, a variety of craft breweries are paying homage to the region’s roots, and the recently opened Well 80 Brewery sits on one of the artesian wells.

A newly launched, self-guided bike tour, Biking Beyond, takes visitors along the Yelm-Tenino Trail that stretches 14 miles through the rural communities of Yelm, Rainier and Tenino along the former Burlington Northern railroad line. Available in both digital and print format, the guide was created to assist guests in finding points of interest ranging from recreation to top spots for sipping, exploring and dining. Views of farmland, wetlands, wildlife and Mount Rainier make the ride enjoyable for all abilities. Cyclists can bring a bike or borrow one for free, courtesy of the Tenino Yellow Bicycle Project. bikingbeyond.com

A variety of tours show, taste and tell visitors the Olympia story. Plan an excursion on the Thurston Bountiful Byway, a 60-mile self-guided agritourism adventure where guests can sample and bring home craft beverages and fresh fare from the sources. Other choices include selecting a craft beverage of choice and exploring the area on the South Sound Craft Crawl, opting for the South Sound Wine Trail and sipping at six wineries, or indulging in the South Sound Coffee Trail that focuses on craft coffee in Washington’s capital region.

There also is plenty of charm and interesting things to do in the small towns around Olympia. In Tenino, check out a nationally-renowned sanctuary for displaced wolves at Wolf Haven International and find hand-carved sandstone treasures, watch them being made and make your own at the Stone Carver’s Shed. In Yelm, head to the scenic grounds of Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm and stop by the posh Uptown Lounge. experienceolympia.com

WYOMING

The Farm at Brush Creek Up & Running

Brush Creek Ranch, a luxury ranch in Saratoga, unveiled its latest addition in June. The Farm at Brush Creek offers nine immersive food, beverage and event experiences, including a Cheyenne Club luxury dining restaurant, Brush Creek Brewery, Brush Creek Distillery, Brush Creek Cellar and Tasting Room, Spirits Vault, Medicine Bow Creamery, bakery, event barn and extensive greenhouse system. The Farm has panoramic views of the surrounding Medicine Bow National Forest and Bennett and Kennaday peaks. Brush Creek Ranch has been a cow camp and hay-producing ranch since the early 1900s, and meetings and retreats for up to 200 can be hosted. brushcreekranch.com

Jackson Hole’s Snow King Resort Acquired

A Florida-based real estate private equity firm, KDG Capital, has purchased Snow King Resort in Jackson and plans to invest $5 million in capital improvements. David Kingston has been named general manager, bringing 25 years of senior leadership experience. BENCHMARK, a global hospitality company continues to operate and market the 203-room hotel located at the foot of Snow King Mountain just minutes from the center of Jackson Hole. Approximately 16,000 square feet of meeting space is available at Snow King Resort. snowking.com

Caldera House Opens in Teton Village

Teton Village has a new eight-suite luxury retreat and members-only alpine club known as Caldera House that is located only steps from the tram at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The owners set out to create a place that celebrates the destination itself and the local legends that inspired it. The $100 million property also features a spa, ski shop, lockers, lobby lounge, café, and gourmet Italian fare by local chef Paul O’Connor at Old Yellowstone Garage. General Manager Pamela Lenci has more than a decade of experience running one of the world’s most acclaimed heli-ski lodges, and her team can help guests and groups book a wide range of signature experiences tailored to their individual interests. calderahouse.com

Your outside side wants a meeting with a view.

With 30+ lodges, more than 70,000 square feet of meeting space serviced by venues like the Westin and Viceroy, direct flights to Aspen Snowmass just 6 miles away, and endless fun year- round, Snowmass is an unforgettable setting for your meeting, event or corporate summit.