Colorado Meetings + Events Winter 2019

COLORADO ILLINOIS MEETINGS MEETINGS++EVENTS EVENTS////SPRING WINTER 2011 2019

+ TEAMS IN TANDEM MEETINGSMAGS.COM

Discover // W I NaTtrio E Rof 2price 019 points for effective team-building

TEAM-BUILDING // EVENT BRANDING CO.MEETINGSMAGS.COM

Charming Crested Butte puts the “Butte” in beautiful {page 24}

S E AW E L L B A L L R O O M

YOUR EVENTS DESERVE A PROMOTION

There’s a big reason why businesses of all sizes come back to the Seawell Ballroom year after year for their meetings, parties, fundraisers and presentations: our team will always have your back. From setting up your AV equipment, troubleshooting any issues and being there to help every step of the way, our job is to take the weight off your shoulders so you have the confidence to get down to business.

B O O K YO U R E V E N T T O D AY ! denvercenterevents.org 303.572.4466

SO MANY WAYS TO MEET, ALL IN

ONE MAGNIFICENT PLACE.

Only The Broadmoor offers so many distinct venues and experiences of all sizes and types. From impressive trade shows to executive dinners. From grand reception halls to eclectic lakeside cocktails at sunset. From state-of-the-art meeting rooms to secluded brainstorming sessions at Cloud Camp 3,000 feet above the main campus. You’ll find all of it and more within our 185,000 square feet of meeting space, connected by a thread of quality, service and meticulous attention to detail. And in 2018, The Broadmoor celebrated its Centennial year, an impressive milestone for this iconic destination. Visit broadmoor.com and contact us today to explore the wonderful possibilities.

8 7 7. 9 0 0 .16 2 7

BROADMOOR.COM

1 LAKE AVENUE, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80906

escape the

bored room

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PICK YOUR PERK! 2019 SUMMER INCENTIVE INCLUDE GONDOLA RIDES, GOLF OR WELCOME RECEPTION.

VAILRESORTSMEETINGS.COM/KEYOFFERS 800-362-3392

Winter 2019 COLORADO MEETINGS + EVENTS MAGAZINE: IN THIS ISSUE

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FEATURE

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Event Branding Think like a marketer, using branding to guide event design and boost attendance.

By Beth Buehler

DEPARTMENTS 6 EDITOR’S LETTER 22 TABLESCAPE Finding Neverland won both the People’s Choice and President’s Choice awards at the ILEA Designer Showcase.

FEATURE

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TeamBuilding Trio

Curated activities at various budget levels that bring people together.

By Eric Peterson

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By Jenna Barbari

24 DESTINATION Funky and free-spirited Crested Butte etches itself into attendees’ memory banks as a place to refresh and play while getting ample work done. By Beth Buehler 64 PEOPLE PROFILE Mathew Yamali’s recipe for freedom, travel, food and happiness led to Roll It Up Sushi Truck. By Beth Buehler

P H OTO S : F R O M T H E H I P P H OTO ; T R E N T B O N A ; A L L É E P H OTO G R A P H Y; C B S T A DV E N T U R E S

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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 of 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. activities and unparalleled amenities.

viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/snowmass/meetings_and_events www.viceroysnowmass.com

130 130WOOD WOODROAD ROAD SNOWMASS SNOWMASSVILLAGE VILLAGE COLORADO COLORADO

SALES SALES DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT

970 923 8024 970-923-8023

Winter

2019 Aspen Meadows Resort

MEETING NOTES 13 PEERSPACE This online marketplace pairs planners with creative, one-ofa-kind meeting spaces.

By Megan Gosch

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14 GET TO KNOW GOLDEN This charming former gold rush town is located near Denver in the foothills of North and South Table Mountains. By Jenna Barbari 16 SUPPLY WISE Five supplier hacks for trade shows learned after standing on both sides of the booth.

By Hugo Hellberg

17 SIGNATURE DRINK Steamboat Sipper, courtesy of Pablo’s Coffee, Denver

18 EXPERT ADVICE Never forget that the meetings and events industry is selling more than just a space or a service.

INDUSTRY UPDATE Mila

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48 INFOGRAPHIC The USA is ranked the No. 1 destination in Eventex’s Top 20 Destinations for Meetings and Events Index.

Research courtesy of Eventex

Chris Segal

CO.MEETINGSMAGS.COM

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

+ TEAMS IN TANDEM MEETINGSMAGS.COM

Discover // W I NaTtrio E Rof 2price 019 points for effective team-building

TEAM-BUILDING // EVENT BRANDING

Crested Butte’s downtown is even more quaint with a coat of freshly fallen snow. Photo by

COLORADO ILLINOIS MEETINGS MEETINGS++EVENTS EVENTS////SPRING WINTER 2011 2019

ON THE COVER

Charming Crested Butte puts the “Butte” in beautiful {page 24}

40 FOOD & BEVERAGE VENUE STANDOUTS Impress attendees with Colorado’s culinary prowess.

50 REGIONAL NEWS Venues, people, association news and more.

62 SNAPSHOTS MPIRMC Golf Tournament; NACE Denver On Alert

P H O T O S : D A N I E L B AY E R ; PA B L O ’ S C O F F E E ; R A C H E L A D A M S

By Anthony Poponi

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.

800-777-9622

ColoradoConferenceCenters.com

Land of Opportunities 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 in August, September or October 2019 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 50% 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 Nicole Kubitza at nicole.kubitza@westinsnowmass.com or at 970.923.8214 to book your meeting! ©2018 Marriott International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Preferred Guest, SPG, 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 December 31, 2018.

CO.MEETINGSMAGS.COM

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What’s your favorite local event? www.elevatedcatering.com 303.520.0789

”

co.meetingsmags.com EDITOR

MANAGING EDITOR SENIOR EDITOR DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

EDITORIAL INTERNS

Beth Buehler

Crested Butte Wildflower Festival

Morgan Halaska Megan Gosch Julianna Fazio Hugo Hellberg, Eric Peterson, Anthony Poponi Jenna Barbari, Holly Fritz, Brianna Smiley, Josephine Wermi

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Robin Berhost, Biscuits & Berries • Tiffany Carson, CMP, Colorado Society of CPAs • Justin Clark, Visit Aurora Candace Duran, Halcyon • Heather Gibson, Marriott International • Kevin Hedican, Hermes Worldwide, Inc. Hugo Hellberg, CMM, CMP, H2 Performance, EventWaves • Bill Hume, Omni Interlocken Resort Jason Lusk, CMP, VISIT DENVER • Amanda Nelson, AKN Events • Sharon Schoeffield, Copper Mountain Resort Sidney Stoper, J&S Audio Visual • Terri Taylor, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP Cynthia Vannucci, Ph.D., CHME, CHSP, Metropolitan State University of Denver SENIOR MANAGING ART DIRECTOR ART DIRECTOR JUNIOR ART DIRECTOR PRODUCTION DIRECTOR PROJECT COORDINATORS CIRCULATION DIRECTOR SUBSCRIPTION MARKETING SPECIALIST

Elevated Catering

EVENT MANAGER ACCOUNTING MANAGER CREDIT MANAGER ACCOUNTANT

unparalleled customer service uncompromising quality innovative cuisine.

DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER WEB DEVELOPMENT MANAGER WEB ADVERTISING COORDINATOR

Courtney Nielsen Traci Zellmann Taylor Severson Dianne Talmage Brittni Dye, Alex Kotlarek Jeremy Wieland Rebekah Gregorich

Colorado Renaissance Festival

Kelsey Copeland Pat Schossow April McCauley Katie Bodin Kristin Mastantuono Sandy Powell Angela Beissel

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER– NATIONAL SALES Bob Haddad 303.617.0548 bob.haddad@tigeroak.com

Denver Arts Week

California Meetings + Events • 303.617.0548 Illinois Meetings + Events • 312.755.1133 Michigan Meetings + Events • 586.416.4195 Minnesota Meetings + Events • 612.787.3148 Mountain Meetings • 303.617.0548 | 425.429.8200 Northeast Meetings + Events • 586.416.4195 Northwest Meetings + Events • 425.429.8200 Texas Meetings + Events • 469.264.7657

Reprints: For high-quality reprints of 500 or more call 1-800-637-0334 or email reprints@tigeroak.com.

Specializing in corporate events, social gatherings and weddings.

For address changes, ordering single copies, cancellations, or general questions about your subscription please contact customer service at 1-800-637-0334 or customerservice@tigeroak.com Colorado Meetings + Events accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or artwork; they will not be returned unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

TI G E R OAK M E D I A

FOUNDER & CEO PRESIDENT CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

R. Craig Bednar Tony Bednar Barb Steinhauser Susan Isay Jim Younger

900 South Third St., Minneapolis, MN 55415 Phone: 612.548.3180 Fax: 612.548.3181

info@elevatedcatering.com 8

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Published quarterly Colorado Meetings + Events, Winter 2019 © 2019 Tiger Oak Media. All rights reserved.

Printed in the U.S.A.

TOP 10 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.

1 2 3 4 5

It’s Colorado Springs - A top destination, attendees will be thrilled with such a beautiful backdrop.

Complimentary services - From custom site visits to attendee items, the CVB offers award-winning guidance.

Fantastic accommodations - 14,500 city-wide rooms and 450,000 square feet of flexible meeting space.

Easy access - The Colorado Springs Airport is close to downtown with a variety of non-stop options.

One-stop - The CVB staff is a convenient singlesource for all your event planning needs.

PLAN YOUR MEETING

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COLORADO SPRINGS AIRPORT

Personalization - Enjoy hands-on service through each step of the selection and planning process.

Support system - Get assistance for services, activities and other event details when the time is right.

Climate - Mild year-round climate and sunshine create the perfect environment, even in off-season.

Expertise - Connect with a seasoned staff, intimately familiar with the choices in the area.

Promotion - Tap into destination assets, relationships, PR support, welcome bags and other tools.

Kathy Reak, Senior Director of Convention Sales

Kathy@VisitCOS.com | Direct: 719-685-7632

EDITOR'S LETTER

Collecting Experiences ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS I’ve noticed during my 14 years as editor of Colorado Meetings +

CONTACT ME AT BETH.BUEHLER@TIGEROAK.COM

Sampling desserts at Tamayo in Denver

Find, Friend, Follow

Find us online at co.meetingsmags.com, and make sure to “like” us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram to stay in the loop between issues. /COMEE TINGSMAGS

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@COMEE TINGSMAGS

/MEE TINGSMAGS

/MEE TINGSE VENTSMAGS

P H OTO : A M Y L E M O N

Beth Buehler, editor

Events is how meetings, conferences and any type of group gathering have become experiences—or they need to be headed in that direction! People crave experiences that tie into the venue, destination and purpose for the gathering.

I frequently travel around Colorado and the U.S. Mountain West on media trips, as these excursions connect me to ideas about what experiences and venues we should be covering in this magazine and Mountain Meetings.

A trip to Durango in September highlighted craft beverages produced in the area, including tastings and behind-the-scenes tours at Honey House Distillery, Sutcliffe Winery, Durango Craft Spirits and Fenceline Cider and attending Ska Brewing’s 23rd anniversary party featuring 35 guest breweries. The culinary side of the excursion focused on restaurants that have plugged into the local foods movement such as Ore House Steakhouse in Durango, Farm Bistro in Cortez and Olio Mancos in Mancos. Mix in activities like seeing a dig led by Crow Canyon Archeological Center, riding the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad to Silverton, and stand-up paddleboarding at Durango’s Lake Nighthorse (see mention on page 54), and it was a cocktail of memorable moments for the six participating journalists.

I also like to attend national and international industry gatherings held in our state such as the International Live Events Association’s annual ILEA Live this past August. While there is more about this Denver gathering in the event branding story starting on page 34, there were opportunities for attendees to interact with the chefs at Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel through a preconference workshop “Chopped Kitchen.” Also, the opening reception at nearby History Colorado Center provided a glimpse of Denver’s neighborhood districts through food stations. Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum served as a terrific backdrop for the Esprit Awards gala and showcased Colorado’s amazing fall weather with a cocktail reception on the patio.

While staying at the Sheraton, I had the good fortune to taste several Colorado products the food and beverage team have sourced and are integrating into the property’s culinary program and utilizing for welcome and VIP amenities. Taking part in the Sheraton’s test kitchen experience and visiting the hotel’s new secret speakeasy were especially fun and will be part of an upcoming Meet & Eat article.

We’re also all about offering experiences and showcasing new venues at the magazine’s annual awards celebration. Colorado Meetings + Events Best of 2019 will be held at Mile High Station in Denver and its new sister property Ironworks (see page 58) on Monday, March 11. As usual, the event is the kickoff for Colorado Meetings Week and is followed by the Meetings Industry Council of Colorado’s Educational Conference and Trade Show on March 12-13 at the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver. Register online for both. Hope to see you there!

START THE CONVERSATION 719.284.5100 | CoSpringsSales@greatwolf.com 9494 Federal Drive • Colorado Springs, CO 80921 | greatwolf.com/meetings

GROUPS & MEETINGS

Kimpton Hotel Monaco Denver Is Your

Downtown Event and Meeting Basecamp Dine: Award-winning Panzano cuisine with Executive Chef, Nic Lebas Relax: Newly-renovated rooms Luxuriate: Four diamond, world-class service Access: Colroado Convention Center, Union Station, 16th St. Mall, dining & entertainment districts

1717 Champa Street | Denver, CO 80202

303.296.1717 | monaco-denver.com | #MonacoDenver

PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION

Meeting Notes CVB SPOTLIGHT

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SUPPLY WISE

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SIGNATURE DRINK

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EXPERT ADVICE

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Get Connected PEERSPACE peerspace.com team@peerspace.com

Uncovering Off-Site Gems

New platform helps planners discover unconventional meeting spaces.

P H O T O : P E E R S PA C E

AS

meetings and events trend toward out-of-the-box, interactive experiences in nontraditional venues, planners are on the hunt for new and creative locales. Enter Peerspace, the Airbnb-style space sharing platform that pairs planners with unconventional and underutilized venues that fuel more effective meetings.

“Peerspace was founded on the idea (and research shows) that location is key when it comes to meeting productivity,” says Rony Chammas, co-founder and chief product officer of Peerspace. “Meeting in a unique or comfortable space with features like natural light, plants or interesting artwork or architecture can boost inspiration and productivity. It’s all about finding those one-of-a-kind, unexpected spaces to help your team meet more creatively.”

Those looking to break away from windowless conference rooms and drab ballrooms can find hidden gems in the local art galleries,

lofts, photography studios, warehouses, museums and even movie set locations listed on the platform.

Users simply scroll through Peerspace’s online marketplace (which currently hosts more than 8,000 listings in 46 states) to find the perfect space for hosting anything from workshops and corporate retreats to team-building events and fitness classes. Venues are Peerspace reviewed and approved and include a detailed description of the space, guest capacity, rental price and user reviews, as well as high-quality photos (Peerspace offers professional photography for high-potential listings). Venues can be booked online at the click of a button.

“We’ve made finding and booking a space as simple and streamlined as possible so planners can actually enjoy that process of discovery,” says Chammas. “We want to make discovering and working in new and unique spaces easy and exciting.” —By Megan Gosch

CO.MEETINGSMAGS.COM

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PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION

CVB SPOTLIGHT» Downtown

GET TO KNOW...

Golden

BY JENNA BARBARI

Population: 17,800 Location: The charming former gold rush town is located in the foothills of North and South Table Mountains and the Colorado Rockies, just 20 minutes outside of Denver.

Transportation: Golden is easily accessible by car or bike from all directions and connects with Denver via RTD’s light rail service from the West Line. Denver International Airport is only 40 minutes away.

Vibe: Clear Creek draws locals and visitors alike to the center of Golden and allows for outdoor activities of all kinds. Hannah Button, spokesperson and community marketing manager for Visit Golden, describes the

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community as unique, lively and authentic.

Pastimes & Venues: For groups interested in exploring the great outdoors, check out the trails along Clear Creek Path and Chimney Gulch Trail. Attendees will enjoy kayaking down Clear Creek or a visit to Lookout Mountain. The Foothills Art Center includes many frequently changing exhibits and gathering space, and the American Mountaineering Museum is another one-ofa-kind option.

Hotels & Inns: Under new ownership and recently renovated, The Dove Inn exudes a quaint, Victorian feel while the brand new, 124-room Origin Red Rocks provides both convenience and style with a location only 10 minutes from Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Table Mountain Inn is a popular meeting and event location because of the multitude of indoor and outdoor spaces, and The Golden Hotel overlooking the creek offers over 6,500 square feet to host groups.

Restaurants: Button recommends Abejas, known for its frequent menu changes and fresh

ingredients, for something a bit fancier. Miners Saloon captures the history of the town and is the “go-to” location for happy hour. Bridgewater Grill is located at The Golden Hotel and has a large outdoor patio while Sherpa House has “great, authentic Himalayan food.”

Breweries: Golden is home to Coors Brewery, the largest single-site brewery in the world, but it’s also home to six craft breweries—most with beer gardens. Mountain Toad Brewing has frequent food trucks and an outdoor patio. Colorado Plus Cidery recently opened on the west side of downtown.

How the CVB Helps: Visit Golden has a meeting planners section on its website, complete with information about all venues in the area. There is also the option to submit a meetings request for proposal form that the Visitor & Conference Services Committee will review and contact properties to provide quotes.

Get Connected VISIT GOLDEN | visitgolden.com

P H O T O S : I S T O C K . C O M / @ M I L E H I G H T R AV E L E R ; T H E D O V E I N N

The Dove Inn

March 12-13, 2019 Meetings Industry Council of Colorado Educational Conference and Trade Show

Colorado Convention Center www.mic-colorado.org #micco2019

Tamie Evans - Tuesday Opening Keynote and Conference Emcee She is quirky chic and, WOW, she can speak!

Genuine and funny, motivational speaker Tami Evans specializes in crucial content with heaps of humor!

Her eloquent and engaging keynote programs are perfect for national conventions and conferences, for Associations & Organizations, teacher in-service programs, kick-off meetings, lunch & learn sessions, and more! You will be taken on a fast paced, interactive adventure, filled with plenty of learning and laughter.

Peter Sheahan - Wednesday Opening Keynote As founder and Group CEO of Karrikins Group, Peter Sheahan is known internationally as a top-rated keynote speaker, innovative business thinker and thought leader.

With staff in more than 23 cities across seven countries, he knows firsthand the challenges of growing a business in these rapidly-changing times.

Peter has advised leaders from companies as diverse as Apple, Microsoft, Hyundai, IBM, Pfizer, Wells Fargo, and Cardinal Health. He is the author of seven books, including Flip, Generation Y, Making it Happen, and the recently released Matter: Move Beyond the Competition, Create More Value, and Become the Obvious Choice.

Peter has delivered more than 2,500 presentations and keynotes to over 500,000 people in 20 different countries, and he has been named one of the 25 Most Influential Speakers in the World by the National Speakers Association, and is the youngest person ever to be inducted into their industry Hall of Fame.

Mark J Lindquist - Closing Keynote Mark has performed live for over 3 million people in 22 countries and 46 states throughout his career.

He has performed for Grammy winning artists, Academy Award nominated actors, foreign dignitaries around the world as well as staffers at the White House. Mark has been featured on CNN.com, C-Span, The Washington Post, The Washington Times, The Dallas-Fort Worth Star Telegram, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Miami Herald, The Houston Chronicle and the Korea Today Newspaper (Seoul, South Korea).

Mark has shared the stage with former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno, Senator John McCain, Magic Johnson, Edward James Olmos, Grammy Award winning artists Rihanna, Brooks and Dunn and Brandy, Academy Award nominated actor Liam Neeson, The Band Perry, Craig Campbell, Dierks Bentley, Darius Rucker, CEO Bob Nardelli (Home Depot), Steve Case (AOL/Time Warner), Ken Thompson (Wachovia), Jeff Swartz (Timberland) and Ben and Jerry (Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream).

2019 MIC Program Agenda Tuesday, March 12, 2019 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Trade Show Set-up 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Mindfulness Center Open House 2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.: Planner Only Education 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.: Trade Show with Planners, Sponsors & Exhibitors Only – (Suppliers not exhibiting or sponsoring not included)

4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.: 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.:

MIC Opening Keynote Opening Night Reception & Trade Show

Wednesday, March 13, 2019 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.: Trade Show/Solution Circles 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: First Concurrent/Solution Circles 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.: Lunch, Awards & Networking 1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.: Trade Show/Solution Circles/Second Concurrent 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Third Concurrent 3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.: Closing Keynote

PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION

SUPPLY WISE»

5 SUPPLIER HACKS FOR TRADE SHOWS Lessons learned from the MIC of Colorado Educational Conference & Trade Show

BY HUGO HELLBERG, CMM, CMP

Focus on smart networking » Build trust among your clients and prospects by having a nonsalesy approach. Your clients/prospects are much more likely to be interested in your product or service if you take the time to first listen to their story. » The networking expands beyond the on-site interactions. If possible, start the conversation with attendees before the show. And there’s no excuse to not continue the conversation after the show since you should have a list of quality leads by then. At the very least, send a personalized thank you email/letter, and if someone you met is local, schedule follow-up coffee meetings. » Find an efficient way to collect leads onsite, ideally one that is built into your booth activity. Reach out to the event organizer to see what leads tools they’re offering. » Network outside your booth. Attending sessions and functions provides a valuable opportunity to network in a more casual and nonsalesy way.

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» Host your own event(s) during the show, such as receptions and breakfasts, but avoid competing with events already included in conference schedule.

W H AT I L E A R N E D A S A S U P P L I E R …

Knows the audience

» Plan our own schedule better to stay energized during the entire show.

» Most exhibiting companies can increase their ROI by bringing staff that can relate to the audience and effectively engage with them. » Invest time in educating booth staff.

Reach out to the event organizer to see what resources they have. » First impressions last. It goes without saying that booth staff needs to act professionally inside and outside the booth. The way staff interacts with attendees determines how your brand is perceived.

Design an interactive booth » Offer an activity and/or giveaway that creates a buzz and brings more attendees to your booth. » In addition to the booth space investment, you should include a generous budget line item for this activity/giveaway. » Ask the event organizer for advice, and they’ll usually be happy to share strategies and best practices.

Get educated while attending » It’s critical from a supplier’s perspective to stay up to date on planners’ trends, issues, challenges and opportunities. This makes it easier to relate to their pain points, and you’ll be in a better position to offer a strong value proposition.

Work as a team » One of the biggest mistakes is to engage with booth staff only the day(s) of the show.

» Have more staff at our booth to make sure we can take advantage of attending sessions. It’s a great opportunity to casually network with clients and prospects.

» Schedule more one-on-one meetings with attendees during the conference.

» Schedule at least two pre-event meetings and at least one post-event meeting with all booth staff and invite them to be a part of the entire planning process. » Set SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound) with your team. » Research and identify the show’s goals and audience. » Become familiar with the show’s schedule and flow of attendees, so you’re prepared for the high and low traffic times. » Well in advance, set up the structure and tools for collecting leads, importing them to a customer relationship management (CRM) platform and designing the post-event communication plan.

There’s no better way to strengthen your business than to build a strong and trusted network and ideally a community around your brand. There are few shortcuts to make this happen but attending trade shows and face-to-face events gives you a terrific ROI, when done well. When not done correctly, it can be a huge waste of money and resources.

I hope to see you at the 2019 MIC of Colorado Educational Conference & Trade Show on March 12-13, 2019 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver.

HUGO HELLBERG, A DENVER-BASED ENTREPRENEUR AND EVENT STRATEGIST, IS CO-FOUNDER OF EVENTWAVES. THIS NEW CLOUD-BASED PLATFORM HELPS PLANNERS COLLABORATE, STAY ORGANIZED AND DESIGN MORE POWERFUL MEETINGS AND EVENTS. EVENTWAVES.COM

P H O T O : ( O P P O S I T E ) PA B L O ’ S C O F F E E

I

’ve had the pleasure of serving the meetings and events industry for more than 15 years and attended the Meetings Industry Council (MIC) of Colorado Educational Conference & Trade Show as a planner from 2010-2017. This past year was the first time I participated as a supplier, and I learned pretty quickly that it’s extremely valuable to have experienced both sides. It gave me an appreciation of the roles we all play and a better understanding of the flow of information.

This conference is known for designing an engaging experience for all participants. The 2018 gathering was another great example of how you can plan a trade show with high energy while maximizing the value for both suppliers and planners. I’ve identified the following five hacks to help improve the experience for exhibiting companies and increase their return on investment at any conference.

Learn about our Think Outside meeting offer and explore the possibilities!

SIGNATURE DRINK»

Steamboat Sipper

G AT E W AY C A N Y O N S . C O M | 9 7 0 . 9 3 1 . 2 4 5 8 | G AT E W AY, C O

Courtesy of Pablo’s Coffee, Denver INGREDIENTS —5 oz. Crawdaddy’s Cold Brew Coffee —1 oz. sweetened condensed milk —1.5 oz. bourbon —dash orange bitters —orange peel DIRECTIONS Add cold brew, sweetened condensed milk and bourbon to a Collins glass. Stir until sweetened condensed milk is incorporated.

Add crushed ice. Dash bitters on top and garnish with orange peel.

CO.MEETINGSMAGS.COM

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PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION

EXPERT ADVICE»

HAPPINESS FOR SALE

Take the opportunity to weave more happiness into clients’ lives and your every day.

BY ANTHONY POPONI

HAPPINESS IS WHAT WE SELL IN THE EVENT PLANNING REALM. starts with your head and goes down to your toes.

Laughter Let’s start with your head—these crazy brains of ours—and the simplest form of happiness: laughter. If you hire on-stage talent with a comedic touch, you’re dosing people with endorphins. Though laughter is simple, don’t undervalue it. When laughing, your brain releases endorphins and it makes us feel good. Laughter is healing, and studies document reductions in stress, blood pressure and improved recovery rates when injured or ill.

Make time for laughter and reap the benefits!

Recognition & Connection Event planners help clients achieve their professional and often financial goals, and our brains love accomplishing tasks and reaching goals. When we reach a goal, we’re rewarded by a positive neurochemical called dopamine that makes us feel good. Set realistic goals and celebrate accomplishments to feel the dopamine flow.

Most of us appreciate being recognized by colleagues or clients for a job well done. When organizing a gathering to hand out awards, accolades, bonuses and recognition, our brains release another positive chemical called serotonin. Improving our status makes us happy, and serotonin gets the credit for the positive feeling we get from recognition.

My favorite neurochemical is oxytocin, which you may know as the “love drug” or even “hug drug.” Connection is something most humans deeply crave and connecting makes us happy. Real and authentic bonding around a shared cause or value makes our brains release oxytocin, and we feel good. The good news with all of these neurochemicals

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is that we are in control and have the ability to change our habits to release more happy chemicals in our lives. Check out the book “Habits of a Happy Brain” by Dr. Loretta Breuning for more tools.

Gratitude & Community Dr. James Doty, who I adoringly call the crying neurosurgeon, is the founder of Stanford’s Center for Compassion Altruism Research and Education. Doty has compiled the incredible scientific findings backing the significant health benefits received when we are kind, compassionate and grateful. Lead with your heart and everyone wins, including you. If you don’t have a daily gratitude exercise check out the sidebar for a simple tool. Also look up Doty’s podcast at JamesRDotymd.com.

Our journey from head to heart ends with your toes, which we’ll refer to as our community. Research by Dan Buettner (“Blue Zones of Happiness”) and Richard Florida (“Who’s Your City?”) dive into the results of studies on happiness, and your community is a huge source of happiness. The right community offers you access to people who become an inner circle of trusted confidants, allows you to find your partner, and provides the freedom to live out your values and have pride in your life. All of these play into living a measurably happier life.

If you’re involved in events, you have the

Tips to Improve Your Happiness ACCOLADES – Celebrate your accomplishments big or small each day for a boost of serotonin.

CONNECT – Happier people gather socially, and oxytocin makes us feel good in groups we trust.

TO DO – Break bigger tasks into chunks and check off completed items on your to-do list for a dopamine boost.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5 – Be grateful for life’s gifts. Set an alarm each day at 12:34 and express gratitude for 5 things in your life from the simple to the large.

LAUGH – Have your favorite comedian or funny movie clip, comic book (Calvin and Hobbes is my personal favorite) or blog around for a spurt of endorphins.

extraordinary opportunity to engage clients and their audiences in so many of these elements of head-to-toe happiness. Event spaces and gathering places play a huge role in creating happiness, and the opportunity for you to start the cascading effect of happiness is huge.

Never forget what you’re selling is more than just a space or a service.

ANTHONY POPONI IS THE OWNER OF HUMORE.US (HUMOROUS) EVENTS IN CRESTED BUTTE AND COUPLES HIS COMEDIC CREATIVITY ON STAGE AS AN EMCEE, KEYNOTE, MODERATOR AND AUCTIONEER. HUMORE.US

P H O T O : ( O P P O S I T E ) V I S TA V E R D E G U E S T R A N C H

Yes, you read it right, happiness! I describe happiness as something that

Vista Verde Guest Ranch

EXPERIENCES»

TASTE OF THE WEST

Spend a day or a week in settings inspired by the true American West with one of these four ranches in the Steamboat Springs area.

Located at the base of the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness and the Continental Divide on 38 acres, Elk River Guest Ranch hosts up to 15 guests in the summer, fall and winter. Horses are the heart and soul of the ranch, while other ranch activities take advantage of the natural surroundings such as hiking, mountain biking, fishing, kayaking and rafting right out the back door. Rates are all-inclusive in summer and can be lodging only during other seasons. elkrivergr.com

The Home Ranch, a Relais & Chateauxaffiliated guest ranch, offers multi-sport adventures, horseback riding vacations and Orvis-endorsed fly fishing. The property also features well-appointed cabins, swimming, hiking and yoga during summer months and cross-country skiing, tubing, sleigh rides and backcountry skiing in the winter. Pork, herbs, flowers and much more are raised onsite and used extensively in the ranch’s culinary program. homeranch.com

Vista Verde Guest Ranch blends AAA Four Diamond amenities and authentic western hospitality. Authentic log cabins with master suites are a highlight along with activities such as a horse program, fly fishing, mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, stand-up paddleboarding, photography, yoga, rafting, kayaking, and culinary adventures. Rates are allinclusive. vistaverde.com

Only 14 miles from downtown Steamboat Springs, Saddleback Ranch is a fourth generation, 8,000-acre working cattle ranch that is perfect for a day trip. Choose from horseback riding, sleigh rides, snowmobiling, ATV tours, hunting, tubing and cattle drives. saddlebackranch.net

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PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION

CELEBRATION»

Madeleine K. Albright Pavilion

VENUE SPOTLIGHT»

Aspen Meadows Resort - Walter Isaacson Center

T

he Reception Center at Aspen Meadows Resort on the Aspen Institute campus not only has a new look, the iconic Bauhaus-style structure has a new name. The Walter Isaacson Center was unveiled in June 2018 after a 10-month, $13 million renovation. The original Reception Center, designed by Herbert Bayer and opened in 1958, is now dedicated to Walter Isaacson, who served as president and CEO of the Aspen Institute from 2003 to 2018.

Deemed a historic structure Aspen’s Historic Preservation Commission, the original structure still stands intact, but the interior was completely updated and expanded to include the Madeleine K. Albright Pavilion that opens on three sides to the natural surroundings and the elevated Bren and Mel Simon Terrace above. The Walter Isaacson Center is home to the hotel’s front desk, three dining outlets and several outdoor patios. Throughout the building, an abundance of art by Herbert Bayer is now featured, and a large marble outdoor sculpture was acquired from the Denver Art Museum in 2018. aspenmeadows.com

ANNIVERSARY»

NACE DENVER CELEBRATES 10 YEARS

The National Association of Catering & Events gathered on Sept. 11 at the Denver Botanic Gardens to commemorate the NACE’s 10th anniversary and provide a glimpse into the future. A panel of several founding members—Monica Cheeks of Hyatt Hotels, Cal Cheney of All Digital Photo & Video, Amanda Michalek of AORN and Brandi Pressgrove of Reckon Creative—discussed how the chapter got started, favorite programs from the past and how networking through NACE has helped grow their businesses and more.

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Several organizations are collaborating on events from January through August 2019 for “celebrate bauhaus100: aspen,” which commemorates the impact of the Bauhaus art movement on Aspen. The theme “Our Legacy, Our Future/WorkPlay-Create” reflects Aspen’s Bauhaus heritage, primarily as it relates to Herbert Bayer, who was a student and a teacher at the Bauhaus, relocated to Aspen in 1946 to design the Aspen Institute and lived in the community until 1976.

Photographer Ferenc Berko also was a Bauhaus student and key in the transformation, photographing for the Aspen Institute, Aspen Music Festival, Aspen Skiing Company and others during the renaissance of modern Aspen.

A few highlights include the Bauhaus Ball on June 6 at the Wheeler Opera House with a Bauhaus-inspired costume contest, Bauhaus films and more; the Aspen Institute Bauhaus Program Seminar on Aug. 4-7; and regularly scheduled tours of the Aspen Institute/ Aspen Meadows Resort campus. bauhaus100aspen.org

P H O T O S : D A N I E L B AY E R ; B R A D L E Y VA N H E R B S T ; ( O P P O S I T E ) L A R R Y P I E R C E / S T E A M B O AT S K I R E S O R T

ASPEN SALUTES BAUHAUS CENTENNIAL

Taco Beast

ACTIVITIES»

WHAT’S NEW FOR SKI SEASON

Ski areas around Colorado are introducing several new amenities and events to elevate the guest and group experience. Here are a few highlights from Ski Country USA. The new Moonlight Mountaintop Yurt dinner series in Ridgeview Café at Cooper near Leadville features a ride to the mountaintop after hours in a warm, cozy snowcat. Seven dates are available. skicooper.com Copper Mountain is debuting a new base area restaurant, Downhill Duke’s, a prime spot to take in some sun and enjoy lunch or après cocktails on the south-facing patio. coppercolorado.com Echo Mountain Resort has a new tubing hill with a covered conveyor lift for those who love to play in the snow. echomountainresort.com Groups can rent East Mountain at Granby Ranch and have full access to the night skiing terrain from 5-9 p.m. granbyranch.com The new Inferno Mountain Coaster at Purgatory Resort is available yearround and traverses nearly a mile. purgatoryresort.com Steamboat Resort has added two dining experiences: Timber & Torch, a new base area restaurant and bar experience, and the Taco Beast, an on-mountain, roaming snowcat food “truck.” steamboat.com

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TABLESCAPE ILEA DESIGNER SHOWCASE

Faith, Trust & Pixie Dust

Peter Pan and Wendy vignette delivers happy thoughts at ILEA Denver Designer Showcase.

BY JENNA BARBARI

G

P H OTO S : A L L É E P H OTO G R A P H Y

roups of industry pros combined their collective brainpower to create vignettes that encapsulated famous couples at the annual International Live Event Association (ILEA) Denver Designer Showcase in April 2018. Competing teams chose Kim and Kanye VIP Backstage, Chip and Joanna’s Market, Finding Neverland - Peter Pan and Wendy, and Saif & Kareena’s Sangeet Night as their themes.

The groups transformed 20-foot-by-20-foot spaces into worlds that represented the couples. Finding Neverland won both the People’s Choice and President’s Choice awards. The team’s captain, Julie Gambrell, showroom manager for Chair Covers and Linens Denver, says the event was fun since “there were no limits on our imagination. Normally you have to cater to a client’s needs, but in this case we had complete creative liberty with project.”

Fun Productions designed the group’s shadow box booth, which included the use of luminescent paint and provided an opportunity to create a shadow wall. Visitors could pose for pictures in front of the paint, and the flash from the camera created a temporary silhouette, which reminded team members of Peter Pan and his mischievous shadow.

“The whole idea behind Finding Neverland is if Peter Pan and Wendy got married and went back to host a dinner party in Neverland at the Lost Boys’ tree house,” explains Gambrell. The vignette stood out because of the tiny and subtle details throughout the room, such as feather-shaped place cards at the table, small vials of Tinker Bell’s pixie dust, overgrown moss, and vintage pieces.

The team believed that Wendy would have incorporated small touches into the boys’ hideout, creating a unique blend between playfulness and elegance.

The menu included cleverly named dishes such as Mr. Smee’s Sliders, Peter’s Pan (mini cast-iron skillets filled with vegetarian tikka masala), and Tink’s Tarts.

While the team was incredibly pleased with the outcome of the project, they agreed that the best part was being able to transport visitors not only to Neverland but back to their childhoods, too. “One woman even teared up and told me that she was going to go home to watch the movie again!”

Gambrell reflects. “Knowing that our design was able to generate that kind of emotional response is so special.”

The 2019 Designer Showcase will be held on Jan. 15. ileadenver.com

Vendor Partners

DIY DESIGNS INSPIRED BY YOU diydenverflowers.com

ALLÉE PHOTOGRAPHY allee-photo.com

FUN PRODUCTIONS funproductions.com

ALLWELL RENTS allwellrents.com

LIGHTING AND DESIGN BY SCOTT lightinganddesignbyscott.com

BORRILLO ENTERTAINMENT borrilloentertainment.com

THE MAKERY themakery.com

CHAIR COVERS AND LINENS linenhero.com

PLATYPUS PAPERS platypuspapers.com

COLORADO PARTY RENTAL cpartyrentals.com

RELISH CATERING relishcateringco.com

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DESTINATION CRESTED BUTTE

RELAXED & FRIENDLY VIBE

Crested Butte stands out as a destination that delivers distinct experiences, mind-blowing beauty and genuine customer service. B Y B E T H B U E H L E R

FONDLY KNOWN BY COLORADOANS AS “THE BUTTE,” Crested Butte is frequently described using expressions like funky, free-spirited, colorful and off-the-beaten path. Much of the town has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974, and the foresight has paid off in a way that has kept the town ultra-charming.

There also is loads of open space surrounding the community, again due to a decades-long effort by locals to preserve the area’s ranching heritage and keep places to play plentiful.

The town’s namesake peak, Crested Butte Mountain, towers above the community at 12,162 feet, is home to a ski resort, and is only 3 miles from Crested Butte by road or a paved recreation path. The biggest news for

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the area is Vail Resorts’ purchase of Triple Peaks, LLC, the parent company of Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR), in October.

Another major happening that will impact the community’s future and provide new

options for groups is the expansion of the Crested Butte Center for the Arts in town. The facility is growing to 31,000 square feet with flexible seating for more than 300, multipurpose meeting spaces, classrooms, art studios,

P H OTO S : C B M R ; (O P P O S I T E ) T R E N T B O N A /C B M R

Colorful Elk Avenue in downtown Crested Butte plays off the town’s rich spirit.

YOUR EVENT DESERVES A VENUE THAT HAS IT ALL.

THE MISSION BALLROOM A revolutionary concert and event experience.

Sleigh ride dinner to Uley’s Cabin

a visual arts gallery, a culinary instruction and catering kitchen, a new outdoor stage, dance studio spaces and state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment. The targeted completion date is June 30, 2019 for phase one and July 1, 2020 for Opening in Denver’s RiNo Arts District September 2019. all three phases, including the existing building and outdoor stage.

“We plan to rent all of the spaces in the new building for meetings and events for anyone who wants to use them,” says Executive Director Jenny Birnie. “The theater can be WWW. AEGSPECIALEVENTVENUES.COM configured in many different ways, anything AEG Presents offers 5 distinct event venues in the Denver area. from raked seating with 380 seats to a flat floor We understand that memorable events are not attended, they are for a gala celebration.” experienced. When you book an AEG Presents venue, you gain a partner Other venue options in town include with expertise in producing unforgettable experiences including Corporate Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum, Events, Award Shows, Meetings, Concerts, Receptions, and Galas. a large covered pavilion at Rainbow Park, JENNIFER ROBINSON Big Mine Ice Arena, and space for tented JEROBINSON@AEGPRESENTS.COM events at the Town Ranch. Lodging in 303.906.3507 Crested Butte is on the smaller side with inns featuring no more than 33 rooms and two quaint bed and breakfasts.

Larger groups head to Mt. Crested, whereCHANGE DIRECTION Trend FORECAST most stay at Elevation Hotel & Spa, Lodge at Mountaineer Square and Grand Lodge for the full-service convenience and availability of meeting and event space. Mountaineer Square Conference Center accommodates Off the Beaten Path groups from 20 to 500. The 9,000-squareSUBSCRIBE FOR FREE foot facility is operated by CBMR and is and receive quarterly issues chockful occasionally used in combination with the of regional content.

21,000 square feet at Elevation and several smaller meeting rooms at Grand Lodge.

HIT THE Veggies, Majesty ROAD PLEASE For a meal or reception, Butte 66 has indoor MEETINGSMAGS.COM/SUBSCRIBE OUTSIDE THE CITY

means Traveling to the suburbs planners more options for

HOLIDAYS EXTENDED

RAISING THE BAREXPERIENCE ECONOMY IS EMERGING THE NEXT LEVEL OF THE

WATERSIDE

VENUES ALONG LAKES AND RIVERS

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Plan seasonal office parties into 2018

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and activities chart

Do you love it?

2018

MEETINGSM

Grand County’s beauty

FRESH POW

Area ski slopes make winter easier to bear

18 WINTER 20 A G S . C O M //

the course

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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FALL

2017

SMALL BUSINESS THEIR OWNERS SHARE SUCCESS STORIES (38)

CREATIVE EXPRESSION Minnesota abounds (47) with artsy venues

FEELS LIKE HOME

little things at Find comfort in the and inns (28) these small hotels

SAME BUT DIFFERENTwith

Travel to local cities familiar names

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SPRING

2018

$6.00 USA

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BLANK CANVAS

for Art galleries make inspiring event spaces

PLANNERS GONNA PLAN of

Wear the shoes 4 different industry professionals

Explore the vast wilderness of Ketchikan, Alaska

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VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN PACK A RESTAURANTS FLAVORFUL PUNCH

ADVENTURE ABOUNDS

and maintaining Pro tips on building vendors relationships with

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SUMMER

2017

MOTOR MODERNIZED MOTELS A COMEBACK COURTS ARE MAKING

PRIVATE DINING GATHER IN GALVESTON ISLAND CITY ABOUNDS IN THIS

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ELEVATE EVENT EXPERIENCES AT THESE 5 MOUNTAIN RESORTS

RESTAURANTS OFF INTERSTATE 35 OFFER GREAT EATS & CONVENIENT ACCESS (48)

In Case of Emergency

Pro tips to prepare you for (41) the worst-case scenario

STAY IN STAMFORD

town This Connecticut from elicits high praise meeting-goers

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DESTINATION CRESTED BUTTE

The Umbrella Bar at Ten Peaks (above); CSAE’s annual conference utilized Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s outdoor spaces (right).

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journalists and 12 staff to test out the Kia Stinger AWD sports sedan. Accommodations and most of the group’s meals were organized through CBMR. “We chose Crested Butte because it had rarely been used, and it’s in an incredibly scenic location and cold enough in February and March to ensure we could build and maintain an ice-driving track. It was also less expensive than other venues with no compromise in quality of programming or service,” says Neil Dunlop, product and technology communications manager.

In addition to time spent at the ice track, the group enjoyed on-mountain activities like skiing and snowboarding and time in Crested Butte to shop, dine and sightsee. “Our group especially enjoyed the dining experience at Uley’s Cabin, including the snowcat transport,” he notes.

“Crested Butte’s incredible location and natural beauty are obvious, but it also provides a laid-back experience and top-notch service, which don’t always go hand in hand,” Dunlop says. “Sometimes in remote locations it’s necessary to compromise service expectations, but Crested Butte delivered service with all the sophistication (and less attitude) of other big city tourist destinations.”

The Colorado Society of Association Executives (CSAE) chose June 2017 to host approximately 150 attendees at its annual conference in Mt. Crested Butte. Meeting spaces

BY THE NUMBERS

1880 YEAR INCORPORATED – CRESTED BUTTE 1973 YEAR INCORPORATED – MT. CRESTED BUTTE 12,162 feet ELEVATION OF CRESTED BUTTE MOUNTAIN 1,547 acres SKIABLE ACRES AT CBMR 750 miles SINGLETRACK MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS IN THE VALLEY 300 inches AVERAGE SNOWFALL 55 kilometers GROOMED CROSS-COUNTRY SKI TRAILS 2.6 miles LONGEST SKI RUN – PEAK TO TREASURY

at Mountaineer Square Conference Center and Elevation Hotel & Spa were utilized, and participants selected from various lodging options at the ski area base.

An opening reception with a music festival theme was held at the Ten Peaks tent and patio, and the First-Timers Meet Up took place at the base area’s covered outdoor pavilion. Being outside also was a highlight for lunch and a Certified Association Executive (CAE) breakfast, both held at Butte 66, because “people truly enjoyed the view of the lift as they sat outside to eat and the fresh, mountain air and sunshine,” says CSAE Executive Director Joan “JT” Tezak. “It was a welcome complement to intense learning indoors.”

CSAE rotates its conference around the state and “attendees were not only delighted

P H OTO S : C B M R

seating for up to 160 in the dining room and a spacious deck that overlooks the slopes. The on-mountain Ten Peaks complex includes the glass-enclosed Umbrella Bar and a large event tent and is surrounded by expansive meadows of wildflowers and 360-degree vistas. The rustic-yet-elegant Uley’s Cabin is a cozy place to savor lunch inside or après ski by the outdoor Ice Bar in the winter or take a sleigh pulled by a snowcat there for a gourmet dinner.

The picturesque Mountain Wedding Garden just up the road and a nearby covered pavilion are ideal for receptions and smaller gatherings. Head another 3 miles or so to the historic mining town of Gothic, where groups can rent the relatively new billy barr community center at Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL), a summer scientific research station. The event center and dining hall holds up to 196 theater-style and 128 for meals and is available to groups in September and October. In August, there are options for smaller groups of six to 30 available when activity at RMBL starts to slow down. A large tent outside the community center and smaller meeting spaces in other buildings also can be booked.

During winter months, auto manufacturers like Kia, Mercedes and Aston Martin have brought media and clients to Crested Butte for driving products on ice tracks custom built on a local ranch. Kia Motors America hosted a nearly week-long media program with 40

but also surprised by the welcoming atmosphere of the community; the outstanding diversity and quality of culinary venues in the town; and the beauty of the wildflowers and scenic views,” she notes.

Plus, the CBMR team organized a variety of experiences. “Crested Butte had it all from spa treatments that were so welcoming to biking and hiking—and the zip-line tour also was highly successful,” Tezak says. Scientists from RMBL led a wildflower tour that gave participants the opportunity to smell a bumblebee. “People were so impressed and will never forget!”

She concurs with Dunlop that Crested Butte excels in delivering a relaxed atmosphere without commercialization. “It was more relaxed, quiet and respectful of attendees who simply wanted a break from city life in the mountains. People in Crested Butte truly take time to care and roll out hospitality in a way that will never be forgotten by this group.”

Get Connected CRESTED BUTTE MOUNTAIN RESORT skicb.com | 970.349.4397 CRESTED BUTTE/MT. CRESTED BUTTE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE cbchamber.com | 970.349.6438 GUNNISON-CRESTED BUTTE TOURISM ASSOCIATION | gunnisoncrestedbutte.com

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NATURALLY INVITING Mystic Lake Center is the newest event and convention center in the Twin Cities. Featuring more than 70,000 square feet of dedicated meeting space, Mystic Lake Center can accommodate groups of any size for meetings, corporate events, galas and more. It proudly joins Mystic Lake Casino Hotel to form the only full-service resort in Minneapolis and St. Paul—making it one of the largest hotels in the metro. ®

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DISCOVER MINNESOTA

The Twin Cities metro is one of the most vibrant urban destinations in the Midwest. Attractions include four professional sports teams, Prince’s Paisley Park, First Avenue nightclub, Mall of America and many more. Explore the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” for infinite outdoor adventures including hiking, swimming and boating. ®

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OWNED & OPERATED BY THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY © 2019 SMSC Gaming Enterprise

TeamBuilding Trio FOSTER COLLABORATION THROUGH TRICYCLE RACES, SCAVENGER HUNTS AND COLORADO’S GREAT OUTDOORS.

By Eric Peterson

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H

OW DO YOU CATALYZE TEAMWORK? HOW DO YOU CONTRAST INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE WITH GROUP SUCCESS? HOW DO YOU UNLOCK POTENTIAL? THESE ARE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT NEED TO BE ASKED BEFORE EMBARKING ON A TEAM-BUILDING PURSUIT IN COLORADO OR ANYWHERE. THESE ACTIVITIES OFTEN BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER BY GETTING THEM OUT OF THEIR COMFORT ZONES.

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P H OTO S : C B S T A DV E N T U R E S ; (O P P O S I T E ) H I G H R O L L E R U S A

Scrabble Scrambler with CBST Adventures

“Team-building can be a tricky subject,” says Kelly Layton with Operation Altitude, a Colorado-based destination management company (DMC) with offices in Vail and Denver. “People’s perceptions of team-building can vary widely, but most often clients just want to get together for a group activity— often with some competitive elements.”

She suggests a few parameters to guide activity selection, including size of the group, season, location and time frame. “When organizing group team-building events, there are important factors we assess to determine the foundation of the activity, including the group’s profile and what they want to accomplish, group size, location and time available for the activity.

Budget is also a primary consideration that is often underlooked,” says Layton.

The choice of activity is vital, as are the little details to tie it back to the specific group. Setting is another key, and Cheyenne Mountain Colorado Springs, A Dolce Resort offers an enviable one for groups. Lauren Hines, business development manager at Imprint Group, a Denver-based DMC, is one of the resort’s team-building masterminds.

“All of our team-building is completely customizable,” says Hines. “They’re storyboarded and given to our clients beforehand.”

The owner and CEO of CBST Adventures, Jay Irwin, bought the company with offices in Golden and Breckenridge after a backcountry epiphany. “I went out backpacking about four years ago,” he recalls. He took a dip in a crystal-clear mountain lake and “came up with this vision of working with teams.” He imagined a group “on the river, working on team dynamics after a raft trip.”

Irwin took a year off from his technology career and ultimately followed his calling by buying CBST, and the company has since led more than 250 outdoor-oriented team-building and “experiential leadership” events at numerous Rocky Mountain locations, including Steamboat Springs, Aspen and Crested Butte.

He references the book “The Oz Principle”

by Roger Connors, Tom Smith and Craig Hickman and its roadmap on the “journey from ignorance to knowledge, from fear to courage, from paralysis to powerfulness, from victimization to accountability.”

Budget-Friendly Activities For about $75 per person, Cheyenne Mountain Resort’s 18-hole golf course is the perfect backdrop for an after-dark activity known as Glow Golf. The premise is self-explanatory: You’re golfing at night with glow-in-the-dark balls, and fairways and pins are similarly illuminated. “Attendees really appreciate it,” says Hines.

“The resort has a great golf course.”

The minimum group size is 20, and teams can expect to play for one to three hours. “It’s very flexible, and we can also add in other challenges, like a putting contest or a hole-inone contest,” says Hines.

Irwin says CBST’s minimum is around $150 per person for a short team-building challenge, and the activities near the lower end have less customization but are largely built around the same ideas as the higher-end offerings. These kind of events are usually good for groups of 12-35 or more people.

He highlights the Scrabble Scrambler, involving rock climbing on a cliff or wall and a word puzzle. “We say it’s a combination of brains and brawn,” he explains. After a timed climb, participants create words from Scrabble tiles that are relevant to the coursework they are studying.

Operation Altitude’s Layton suggests camaraderie-building activities like creative group games or dynamic location-specific scavenger hunts for a price point of $35 to $100 per person. She describes both as good activities yearround and “very scalable” in terms of group size. “Everything we do is very customized.”

Customized game shows offer an effective and fun group activity vehicle to get people working with and talking to each other. “If they are restricted to an indoor space such as a ballroom with a large number of people, these types of interactive game shows offer an inexpensive way to highlight meeting content, brand messaging or other key elements while getting teams to work together,” says Layton. “The experience is enhanced with a game emcee, DJ, décor, prizes and integrated game consoles.”

Mid-Priced Options “Our most popular team-building activity at Cheyenne Mountain Resort is an Amazing Race,” says Hines. “It takes place all through

High Roller USA TEAM-BUILDING ON THREE WHEELS

Matt Armbruster started riding a Big Wheel tricycle on organized rides for groups between restaurants and bars in Boulder in the 1991. His Big Wheel Rally evolved into a fundraiser for St. Joseph’s neonatal intensive care unit. In 2011, Armbruster started a Kickstarter project, High Roller, to manufacture adult-sized Big Wheels after dozens of tricyclists asked, “Where do I get one that fits me?”

He put together the company to do just that and has since shipped more than 1,000 High Roller Big Wheels. The Lafayettebased company also offers races, relays and “Beer, Big Wheels & Bowling” triathlons for groups of 20-500 or more. The triathlon begins with sucking a beer from an ice-cube tray with a crazy straw before moving on to Big Wheel racing through a slalom course and street bowling. A fullday event starts at $3,000 and goes up to $25,000 for the entire group (depending on group size).

“I call the High Roller the great equalizer,” says Armbruster. An event with GameStop involved the CEO and CFO along with lower-level employees. “It immediately brought everyone to the same level.”

He relishes watching people’s reactions. “It is a time machine.

I watch them regress to seven years old. It’s an immense amount of joy. It takes them back to their best memories ever of their favorite toy ever.”

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The Amazing Race underway at Cheyenne Mountain Colorado Springs

Escape Room on the Move

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the property, through the aquatics center, the meeting space, the golf course, and even the hotel rooms.”

The rooms are the site of a popular event where teams compete to clean up a hotel room in the least amount of time. “People get pretty competitive, surprisingly so,” says Hines.

Best for groups of 20-400, an Amazing Race requires about two hours and runs $150 per person for groups with 40 or more people.

The resort’s private 35-acre lake and aquatics center allow for a few more options than normal. “We use paddleboats or stand-up paddleboards in timed challenges to go out on the water and come back,” she adds.

For about $250 per person, CBST offers more customization than its entry-level activities. This tier typically involves a half-day (and occasionally a whole day), several activities and groups averaging 25 people. “We learn about their company,” says Irwin. “We learn about their people.”

The itinerary might include a Race Walk with teams walking on boards attached to ropes while coordinating steps to work togeth-

er or Cherry Picking, where balls are passed around and placed in baskets using ropes and bicycle tubes. The latter involves teams of five (four wranglers and one director). After the first round, participants have to start wearing blindfolds or are banned from talking to add a different wrinkle to the challenge.

For groups working with a higher budget (over $200 per person) Layton often recommends including activities that are indigenous to the Rocky Mountains such as Jeeping, rafting, rock climbing, cattle roundups, skiing or mountain biking. Depending on location and season, Operation Altitude also offers customized, moderately competitive activities like Cowboy Ranch Olympics or geo-tracking challenges.

There is also the option of delivering the activity to the group at a hotel or another venue. “If the budget is tight, we can bring these elements on-site and avoid costly transportation costs and focus the budget on the team-building to maximize impact.”

She adds, “Another significant trend has been incorporating philanthropic opportunities into

P H O T O S : B U S T O U T C O L O R A D O ; C H E Y E N N E M O U N TA I N C O L O R A D O S P R I N G S , A D O LC E R E S O RT

BUSTOUT COLORADO

After working in education for nearly 20 years, Russell Jenson opened his first escape room in 2014. Now there are about 20 such rooms in Denver, where customers search for carefully placed clues to ultimately escape the room in a set amount of time.

Jenson saw teamwork in action, complete with “engagement, communication, leadership,” and realized an escape room was an ideal vehicle for corporate team-building.

“This is what companies struggle with every day,” says Jenson.

In 2015, Jenson built Bustout Colorado, a unique mobile escape room with a 1960s prison theme.

He’s since worked with hundreds of companies. “We don’t do birthday parties,” he emphasizes. “We focus on corporate teams.”

By bringing the room to a corporate client, it makes it logistically simpler to spend a day with teams of six to seven co-workers working to get free from the room in 45 minutes. About one in five teams accomplish the tricky task. Part of the secret sauce is “putting the right people on the right teams,” says Jenson.

Bustout staffers watch on closed-circuit television and lead a “45-minute decompress” to discuss the experience. “We ask in advance: ‘Do we have permission to ask the hard questions?’” he says.

Meanwhile, another team enters the escape room during the decompress and as many as eight teams can participate in a day. The price varies from $99 to $199 per person, and the minimum group size is 18 participants.

A team-building huddle at Cheyenne Mountain Colorado Springs

a team-building format. We typically work with smaller, local organizations that allow participants to have a meaningful experience while making a significant impact. Each experience can be customized based on the group.”

Premium Approaches At Cheyenne Mountain Colorado Springs, the Build A Canoe activity offers a vehicle for collaboration at the resort’s pool. “[Teams] are tasked with building a floatable device,” says Hines, “and get it from point A to point B on the water surface.”

The two-hour activity typically runs $175 per person (a higher price point for Cheyenne Mountain) and is best for groups of 50 to 150 participants. It starts with a customizable trivia challenge where correct answers win currency that can be used on materials for the boat. The catalog includes cardboard and duct tape as well as pool noodles, inflatables and paddles.

Once built, the watercraft is put to the test.

“It has to float,” says Hines. “It has to go from point A to point B with a person on it.”

CBST’s top-tier activities are typically allinclusive, two- to four-day events for small executive groups and run $1,000 or more per person, per day. Each day is built around numerous activities, including the ones mentioned in the budget and mid-priced tiers, and a wide range of experts to help facilitate team-building. “We’re bringing in highly certified people, people with master’s degrees in psychology or 25 years in HR,” says Irwin.

A premium activity often offered to these groups is called GPS Lifeline. “We train two people to use the GPS unit,” says Irwin. “We send out their team all attached to a rope. The rope is very symbolic.”

Each team plants eight oranges and marks their location with the GPS unit, returns and sends the second team out on a quest for the fruit. Irwin says a CIO of a major company recently told him, “That was the best teambuilding exercise, because there were so many metaphors we could utilize.”

Irwin notes, “I want more time with the customer. I don’t want to race this. I prefer a full day over a half day. I prefer four days

to a day. I want to make a transformation in people’s lives.”

Regardless of location, group size and budget, team-building is all about the team and the desired outcome, whether it’s better communication, collaboration, trust or all of the above. It’s not about success or failure but making progress together.

Get Connected BUSTOUT COLORADO bustoutcolorado.com | 720.217.9679 CBST ADVENTURES cbstadventures.com | 303.495.2620 CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN COLORADO SPRINGS, A DOLCE RESORT cheyennemountain.com | 719.538.4000 HIGH ROLLER USA HighRollerUSA.com | 720.989.1969 IMPRINT GROUP imprintgroup.com | 800.432.1492 OPERATION ALTITUDE opalt.com | 970.827.5200

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ILEA Live.

BRAVO BRAND It’s not just one of those random marketing terms, branding can help make or break your event.

By Beth Buehler

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for

U.S. Olympic Training Center

A Fortune 100 company celebrated top performers at this event coordinated by Andavo Meetings & Incentives.

ING I

t’s easy as meeting and event planners to get wrapped up in the logistics of a meeting, all the nitty-gritty. Instead of getting too laser-focused on the “what,” a recent report by AMEX Meetings & Events “Focus on the Why: How Branding Principles Can Guide Your Event Design” emphasizes the importance of also thinking like a marketer.

To dive a little deeper into the topic, Colorado Meetings + Events sought out two industry pros in the state and looked at the ILEA Live 2018 conference held in Denver.

PLUG INTO PERSONALIT Y When working with clients, Greenwood Village-based Andavo Meetings & Incentives

approaches it from “a goal-oriented standpoint,” says Creative Director Victoria Rosenblatt. “We look at the ultimate goal of the event and build something to fit that.”

A big part of that is integrating a brand.

“The personality of a client can come through in the activations they choose, such as food and beverage,” she says. Planners have started enlisting the talents of coffee artists and pastry chefs to incorporate logos and themes on coffee, pastries and macaroons for example.

“These are the memorable experiences versus necessary ones; it’s gone from cocktail napkins to food branding.”

Andavo Meetings & Incentives is working with a DJ group in Los Angeles that is hosting its first-ever conference. The client does not

want it to feel like a “normal” conference but instead be “playful and capture the personalities and creativity of the attendees.” In place of big, blocky name badges on lanyards, identification will be QR temporary tattoos that can be scanned with the event app, encouraging interaction while building in the event branding.

A telecommunications company that Andavo worked with a few years ago has a brand that is known for being a little loud and carefree. To get their conference going at the early hour of 8 a.m., Andavo booked a DJ so there was “music instead of coffee waking people up,” Rosenblatt says. Plus, branded sunglasses and boas were handed out. “We injected energy into something that can be mundane and tied into the company’s brand personality.”

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Another client wanted one key visual piece for a large prefunction area that would prompt attendees to take photos and post them on Instagram. Andavo designed a huge photo wall made out of boxes that were 2.5-feet tall and printed with different designs on each side, so that they could be switched around throughout the gathering. One side had logos and another side featured images of mountains to inspire. “It was budget-friendly and surprising,” she says. “Find opportunities for décor to be used in a couple different ways.”

On the higher end side of things, she is drawn to bringing technology into event branding, especially video mapping and augmented reality. A 3D hologram of a CEO thanking people for participating distributed through an event app is sure to surprise,

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and clear Lucite tables combined with video mapping can be an interesting alternative to tablecloths and centerpieces. “The images can change while guests are sitting there and go from a logo to an art piece when talking about creativity to little bulldozers when talking about construction,” she proposes.

K N O W YO U R B R A N D The International Live Events Association chose Denver as the destination for its 2018 annual conference, ILEA Live, held at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel from Aug. 16-18. The graphic identity for the meeting changes every year but always falls under the brand umbrella that “ILEA Live is about the business of experiential creativity,” explains ILEA Marketing and

Communications Manager Ande Leslie.

“When coming up for look for the 2018 conference, we wanted something that reflected ILEA’s personality: fun, creative, values relationships, thinking outside of box,” she says.

The resulting logo and associated graphics were colorful and lighthearted and “embraced who we are versus destination-based marketing,” adds Leslie, noting that they looked for any way possible to tie the look into the conference such as the website, event app, videos, speaker presentations, signage and more. The graphics also spilled over into social media with Facebook profile photo frames, Facebook live stream videos and Snapchat filters.

“We really tried to take a holistic approach in carrying out the theme with pre-event and on-site marketing,” Leslie says.

P H O T O : A N D AV O M E E T I N G S & I N C E N T I V E S

Branding was a big focus in the powerful and colorful stage design at the Out & Equal Summit.

ILEA’s overall brand was the driving force for educational tracks and the overall experience for 505 attendees. Keynote speakers were from parallel industries and discussed how their business principles cross over into the event world. “One was from an architectural company, and he talked about their work and forced attendees to think outside the box.

ILEA Live is different than other conferences where you expect speakers to be specific to a topic or industry,” says ILEA Live Event Manager Shannon Cavanaugh.

Another was William Espey, a brand visionary for Chipotle Mexican Grill, who encouraged event professionals to create a complete brand experience that captivates customers and leaves them craving more.

“Your event is a product of who you are.

Branding is really important for products, services and events. This year we were really able to embrace that and communicate that this is the international conference of ILEA, who we are in the industry and what that means,” Leslie emphasizes.

The conference planning team shared the branding approach with the local volunteer committee made up of ILEA Denver members, sponsors and vendors for décor, A/V and signage to ensure all elements of the event had a consistent feel. “When choosing vendors, make sure they understand your vision and the best way to achieve that vision in all areas,” Leslie says. For example, in the Tech Hub, Cloud Touch had large, freestanding kiosks that integrated the conference branding, and A Custom Look Events showcased its stationary and portable photo booths, taking digital photos that were emailed to attendees with an ILEA Live frame.

The graphic identity for 2018 ILEA Live launched in December 2017. “People liked the colorful and fun approach versus the location marketing done in 2016 and 2017. That’s how we came up with the merchandise piece, deciding to test drive some merchandise featuring the 2018 look,” Leslie says.

However, the destination was clearly woven into the messaging and itinerary to get people excited about visiting Denver and Colorado,

PINPOINTING THE “WHY” OF A GATHERING To successfully brand an event, planners first must understand the why, according to AMEX Meetings & Events’ report “Focus on the Why: How Branding Principles Can Guide Your Event Design.” Here are the three recommended steps for implementation.

IDENTIFY THE DESIRED OUTCOMES – Why are you having this event? » Determine the objectives. » Define desired behavior change. » Describe measurable and intangible goals.

GET TO KNOW YOUR PARTICIPANTS – How do you want them to feel? » Understand how attendees will connect with the why. » Utilize the attendee demographic information you have on hand. » Dig deeper into the emotional and creative aspects. » Utilize mood boards, word sheets and pre-event surveys.

CHOOSE THE FUNCTIONAL ATTRIBUTES – What will bring the experience to life? » Consider the elements that are needed to meet the objectives, from invitations and registration to the on-site experience. » Think through the wow elements that create the emotion of an event. » Pre- and post-event efforts are just as important as what happens on-site.

with the opening reception held at History Colorado Center downtown. Upon arriving at the opening reception, attendees received a branded menu guiding them through a culinary adventure with three food areas highlighting skiing and the Rocky Mountains, Red Rocks Amphitheatre and the music scene, and the artsy River North Arts District.

“I think the look was really successful,” says Leslie, adding that the conference planning team will replicate the approach for ILEA Live 2019 scheduled for Aug. 8-10 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Cavanaugh agrees: “We were able to nail it this year with what we were able to accomplish.”

AN EMOTIONAL CONNEC TION Colorado Springs-based Forté Events Inc. brands every event, from nonprofit fundraisers to corporate training programs. “For example, when we have done nonprofit events, we look for an idea to brand the event so that over time people know that the idea/concept is that nonprofit,” says CEO Tami Forero.

“An internal event for a corporation is harder

because people have to go … they are more jaded because they already have lots going on personally and professionally.”

Several years ago, Forté Events was hired multiple times by a Denver nonprofit to help with a fundraising event that had lost attendees and money. “They are a mental health organization that is not a name brand, so they felt they had a few hurdles to overcome. One, it can be difficult to make a mental health event fun or sexy and two, they compete with more known organizations for attendees and dollars in Denver,” she explains. “They were doing a comedy-themed event called Laugh Out Loud that had some big planning flaws, but we liked the idea overall. We just wanted to do it better and make comedy events synonymous with their organization ... branded.”

The Forté Events team put the Laugh Out Loud theme on steroids and created a unique theme under that same brand each year to keep the comedy idea fresh. “For example, the first year the theme was A Carnival of Classic Comedy (The 3 Stooges, Lucille Ball, Groucho Marx, etc.), which was a big hit with lots of attendees and sponsors. The next year

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MEETING & EVENT BRANDING TIPS Victoria Rosenblatt, Andavo Meetings & Incentives

» Step back and visualize the meeting or event from an attendee experience. What would I want to see? Would signage help me? » Make branded décor items multipurpose. » Sometimes planners are so focused on the event itself that the prehype excitement is forgotten about. Nudging and reminding that this really great event is coming up can be really special. Send invitations to a mystery dinner that are scratch cards and require special glasses to read.

Ande Leslie, International Live Events Association

» In 2018, we worked really well with our vendors to be on same page with what we were trying to accomplish. » It really is about collaboration and a process. As new sponsors pop up, how can we work with them? Locals help make the location come alive Along with the sponsors and vendors, it forms a creative circle. » Define the goals and responsibilities of staff and volunteers. It took out a lot of the confusion about who was doing what when.

Tami Forero, Forté Events

» For nonprofits, don’t go too heavy on mission and why people should support the cause in the pre-stages of event branding, instead focus on the reason this is a cool event and why people should attend. At the event, go heavier on message and mission.

» On the sales side, come up with a branding idea; go online to find photos for color, entertainment, type of venue, food, speakers, etc. to give your client a visual idea. Then, verbally describe how and why it will work and the emotions that will be evoked.

was British comedy and included participation from the British Consulate in Denver,” Forero shares. “We used lots of specific branding techniques to ensure this client owned comedy-themed fundraising events in Denver, and it worked.”

From the start, Forero knew that everything related to Laugh Out Loud had to be “super branded” and have the same look,

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from the save the date, invite, sponsorship kits, website, social media and décor. A Carnival of Classic Comedy was held at Comedy Works South at the Landmark, with all three floors featuring carnival-style décor. Upon arrival, guests were greeted by actors portraying comedians, received buttons and Groucho Marx glasses instead of the usual nametag, could grab a bite to eat

from containers filled with popcorn and themed snacks, and enjoy their first cocktail in a freight elevator bar.

The results? More than 300 showed up for A Carnival of Classic Comedy, and Forero attributes the stellar turnaround to solid branding and the nonprofit’s hard work to re-energize the event’s sponsorship outreach.

The corporate side of meeting and event branding can be tougher, she says, but providing good communication on the front end and delivering when attendees get there is key.

And, don’t forget that corporate groups also like creative themes.

Forté Events organized a leadership excellence training series for Conagra Foods that

P H OTO S : F R O M T H E H I P P H OTO ; F O R T É E V E N T S

» An event branding idea has to help solve a problem (e.g., boring training, fundraising, press coverage, encourage employees). We can’t fix a problem in one event, but we can help people see what is possible.

Left to right: Planners of 2018 ILEA Live found unique ways to utilize the event logo; the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs was ideal for one part of a Conagra Foods leadership excellence series.

featured three modules and three meeting locations in three different states. “We had to do a lot of branding and pump people up,” Forero shares.

For the Colorado Springs session, a natural location was the U.S. Olympic Training Center, and the theme (Leading Others) plugged into sports. The coaches and athletes helped participants consider what a “corporate athlete” looks like and how to build stronger teams. “While here, everything was about the athlete, nutrition, psychology, world-class athletes and coaches, budget, and how to build the best team but in the corporate sense,” Forero says. “At the Olympic Training Center, we find that leaders will have an epiphany

about themselves and want to go back and be a better leaders.”

The Omaha session was held at the Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum and focused on the theme of Leading Self. “We talked about leadership in different ways.

With each program we had to brand differently to make it understood what they were going to learn,” Forero explains.

“If we are the creative industry, branding shouldn’t be hard. We should be a bunch of Elon Musks running around changing the world or we’ll be just logistics people; we need to rise up. There needs to be an emotional connection,” she emphasizes. “As an industry, we have so much to look forward to and create,

and that includes branding. Here’s what it is going to feel, look and smell like … We have to sell and produce that.”

Get Connected ANDAVO MEETINGS & INCENTIVES andavomeetings.com | 720.398.5504 FORTÉ EVENTS forteevents.com | 719.266.4214 ILEA LIVE ilealive.com | 800.688.4737

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION New menu tasting event at Beaver Run Resort

Kimpton Hotel Monaco culinary spread

Beaver Run Resort's cheeseburger sliders Cocktail service at Kimpton Hotel Monaco

Beaver Run's chef Eddie preparing hors d'oeuvres

Boasting curated, innovative menus, experienced catering and service staff, and award-winning chefs, these premier Colorado venues offer a food and beverage experience your guests will savor.

Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center At Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center, culinary endeavors are elevated to a new level. After revamping its food and beverage operations ahead of the 2018-2019 ski season, the slope-side location is offering all new, family-friendly menus at its five on-site restaurants.

When you attend a group meeting, event or conference at Beaver Run, you will be met with the convenience of a deli/ market, three après-ski spots for cocktails and comfort food, and a full-service, upscale steakhouse offering locally sourced game—all under one roof.

In addition to a variety of dining options just steps from your room, Beaver Run Resort’s exemplary culinary team

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is dedicated to providing the utmost experience in banquet dining for large groups and conferences. From energizing breakfast options to full-course dinner receptions, rest assured knowing your conference attendees will be wined and dined in the Rocky Mountains.

Kimpton Hotel Monaco Denver Kimpton Hotel Monaco Denver is centrally located in downtown Denver, making it the perfect venue for your meeting and event needs. The hotel boasts 4,000 square feet of flexible meeting space in five rooms, giving you all kinds of options for everything from C-level sit-downs to an all-hands-ondeck meeting of the minds.

Win over the stomachs and minds of your guests with catering from Panzano.

The restaurant is both a favorite of Denver locals and an award winner, so you’ll be sure to find something for everyone. Panzano’s catering provides: a customizable menu based on your event’s needs, a top-notch, experienced catering and serving staff, menu items paired with selections from the restaurant’s list of wines, spirits, beers and custom Panzano craft cocktails.

For groups looking for more experiencedriven offerings, Monaco Denver offers a lively Ravioli Cook Off that’s certain to bring excitement (not to mention laughs) to your event. The chef-driven competition allows teams to battle it out to create and cook the best ravioli. Not only will your group walk away with a unique team-building memory, they’ll also receive commemorative aprons and a bottle of wine for the winning team.

P H O T O S : ( A B O V E L E F T, B E L O W L E F T & B E L O W C E N T E R ) B E AV E R R U N R E S O R T ; ( A B OV E & B E LOW R I G H T ) K I M P TO N H OT E L M O N ACO D E N V E R

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Take in the views on the terrace at Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus

Meetings can also amp up their happy-hour game by participating in one of Monaco Denver’s hands-on mixology classes. Panzano’s lead bartender will guide your group to create signature cocktails.

Techniques and tricks of the trade will be shared prior to enjoying your creation.

Children's Museum of Denver From sweeping views of the city to the larger-than-life art installation scaling a 3½-story climber, the Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus is designed to inspire your guests with whimsy and imagination.

For indoor events, their refined and customizable spaces come with a wraparound terrace, captivating views of downtown Denver and Elitch Gardens, and a beautiful kitchen for guests or caterers. For outdoor soirees, the expansive plaza is the perfect place to host everything from a casual barbecue to a formal dinner illuminated by the lights of the city.

And, to give your event those perfect final touches, the Museum has relationships with some of the best caterers in town. Not only do they offer a wide array of food and services, they know how to

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incorporate the Museum’s unique spaces to take your event to the next level.

Added bonus? You can add on their world-class exhibits. Let your guests create in The Art Studio, launch rockets and throwback with the giant Lite Brite in Energy, or zip through the air in Joy Park— experiences you won’t find anywhere else.

Not to mention, they have amenities like free parking, full A/V and others.

Take in the views. Create a masterpiece. Release your inner child. Visit mychildsmuseum.org for more information, or contact rentals@cmdenver.org or 303.561.0116 to book a tour today.

the ART, a hotel “The artist must create a spark in order to start a fire” —Auguste Rodin This is the motto that FIRE Restaurant & Lounge, located on the 4th floor of the ART, a hotel, embraces daily to offer an enhanced dining experience in an architectural glass wonder, overlooking Broadway in the heart of Denver’s Golden Triangle.

Curated seasonal menus diversify to feature the freshest ingredients year-round.

Refined American dishes infused with subtle touches of global flavors entice the

Smoked Manhattan at the ART, a hotel Grilled octopus and shaved fennel salad from FIRE Restaurant & Lounge at the ART, a hotel

appetite of the guests, as they experience different aromas with each meal.

Paired with the warm, vibrant ambiance of the different areas that combine to form FIRE, one can create unique moments and choose to enjoy different atmospheres; a crafted beverage by the captivating FIRE sculpture on the terrace, or a more intimate setting in a cabana with a personal fire pit.

No matter the preference, FIRE Restaurant & Lounge adapts to any desired scene, much like its moniker, and provides an exclusive setting for all guests.

C Lazy U Ranch C Lazy U Ranch’s storied history has always embraced a curated culinary excellence. Beginning in 1919, guests of the ranch became accustomed to enjoying an elevated dining experience after a day of adventure. This was evident in one the ranch’s original slogans: “all-youcan-eat steak and apple pie,” which was truly an innovative offering at the time, attracting people to the ranch from far and wide. Not a lot has changed in 100 years; the ranch still serves up all the steak and apple pie you can eat, amongst many other delicacies.

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Sophisticated spaces at the Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus

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C Lazy U Ranch rustic dinner table setting

Denver Place dining area

Executive chef Dennis Kaniger has been with the ranch for almost a decade, meticulously creating an ever-changing menu with his culinary team. This includes a daily four-course dinner presentation, which is co-created by a handful of sous chefs and a pastry chef who prepares daily fresh-baked breads and pastries.

As an added benefit, the ranch’s Level II Sommelier, Elise Blann, pairs each dish with the perfect wine and always has a recommendation from the ranch’s over 400-bottle wine list.

The recently debuted Latigo Banquet Room and the Adega Wine Room are the perfect locations for a private event or tasting experience. Guests and groups alike are drawn to the ranch for the diverse, unique dining offerings and locations. The inclusive nature of the property also serves as an added benefit to planning large events by eliminating complicated logistics. C Lazy U Ranch is

“Outstanding facilities, lodging and service”

open year-round and welcomes smaller groups or larger buyout private events.

Denver Place Denver Place is a dynamic event venue located in the heart of downtown Denver, offering exquisite cuisine and catering by Mila and Zocalito.

Mila is a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant from Denver’s acclaimed Kevin Taylor Restaurant Group (KTRG). Mila boasts colorful cuisine including house-made pasta, pizzas, fresh seafood, salads, crudo and more. Highlights include porchetta, branzino and Colorado lamb sausage pizza.

Mila features a 16-seat bar, 48-seat wine cellar and 2,000-square-foot 100-seat outdoor patio offering additional seating and event spaces.

Zocalito Latin Bistro is home to chef Michael Beary, who brings the authentic ingredients and true flavors of Oaxaca, Mexico to America. Over the years,

With over 40,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, ample onsite amenities, a slope-side location nestled

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“The location to downtown is ideal”

between Mountain and Main street and an exemplary team, a Beaver Run conference stands out from the rest.

“The Beaver Run staff is what sets them apart”

We’ve got the meeting planner testimonials to prove it.

Go online, call, or email for more information.

“Group outings at the Jack Nicklaus golf course are world-class”

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970-453-8780 Groups@beaverrun.com BeaverRun.com

“On-site amenities like The Spa make for an extraordinary experience” CO.MEETINGSMAGS.COM

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Beary has traveled widely in the Oaxaca region and now works directly with farmers and food artisans who supply him with everything from rare chile peppers to roasted grasshoppers. Zocalito features a 1,600-square-foot restaurant and 50-seat patio for enjoying inspired dishes and cocktails.

Denver Place is proud to partner with these celebrated restaurants and chefs to offer exceptional service and cuisine to Denver Place events and patrons.

Hotel Teatro The Nickel at Hotel Teatro offers hotel guests and locals alike a unique dining experience in the heart of Downtown Denver, with menus that incorporate the highest quality ingredients from local purveyors. Menus are comprised of dishes that may be familiar but are produced with distinct style with freshness.

Guest favorites include customizable charcuterie offerings, barrel-aged cocktails, an extensive wine list, Colorado craft beer and shareable dishes that

allow guests to explore all that the chef curated menus have to offer.

In addition to being a popular dinner destination, The Nickel also offers a fun brunch experience on the weekends, featuring a bottomless bar cart with charcuterie bloody marys, fresh fruit mimosas and most popularly, cereal milk white Russians. Sweet and savory offerings like rotating hashes and pancake stacks.

Breakfast is served in The Study at Hotel Teatro daily, alongside Coda Coffee, brewed fresh throughout the day at the hotel’s barista bar.

In 2018, The Nickel received many awards including being named “Best Hotel Restaurant” by Denver Westword and “Best Hotel Restaurant in Colorado”

by MSN.

Mishawaka Amphitheatre This historic Poudre Canyon destination’s menu extends the noteworthy atmosphere of the venue’s surroundings to the food and drink selections, giving guests a variety of choices for intention-

al, and delicious, dining.

“The Mish is a distinctive and decidedly local establishment surrounded by natural beauty,” says Louie Leber, Mishawaka Amphitheatre food and beverage manager. “We pride ourselves on offering a menu that elevates that experience.”

Many visitors arrive before or after participating in the abundance of outdoor activities available along the wild and scenic Poudre River. “Our menu is carefully curated to appeal to hearty appetites and health-conscious customers alike, always keeping in mind the natural elements that make the Mish memorable,” says Leber.

Whether it’s the beautiful riverside venue, historic Dance Hall, or private meeting room, the Mishawaka is the perfect place for your company’s event or meeting. Wade in the river or trek over to their private island in the Poudre (ask about camping for up to 25 in conjunction with your event). Projection system and screen are available in the

Seasonal vegetables at The Nickel

The Nickel at Hotel Teatro barrel-aged Negroni

Hotel Teatro's The Nickel

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Mishawaka Amphitheatre

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Pueblo Convention Center steak plate

Picturesque riverside restaurant and a beautiful setting for your: Weddings / Birthdays Work Retreats / Company Parties Family Reunions And More

Denver Zoo dining

dance hall. The venue is closed every Tuesday and Wednesday during the off season, but for a small fee it will open to allow you the whole place to yourselves, with their staff on-site so you can relax and let them handle the work.

P H OTO S : ( A B OV E ) P U E B LO CO N V E N T I O N C E N T E R ; ( B E LOW ) D E N V E R ZO O

Pueblo Convention Center The Pueblo Convention Center menu has traffic-driving signature dishes that the well-traveled and well-fed customer can’t stop craving. Executive chef Tony Wise and sous chef Charlie Roberts have created a menu that utilizes high quality, in-the-moment ingredients and flavors from a dynamic network of top-shelf vendors to spark patrons’ appetites.

Ditch convention and eat exquisite with a black pepper-crusted rubbed prime rib, a chicken breast prosciutto or a pan-seared fresh salmon filet glazed with a strawberry coulis topped with a grilled pineapple salsa.

Discover unique moments at the Pueblo Convention Center. Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a lavish ceremony, all of the details will be taken care of so that you’ll be left with lasting memories. The elegant atmosphere, upscale amenities and experienced staff coupled with its idyllic location along Pueblo’s historic Riverwalk make for an unprecedented event experience.

Denver Zoo The zoo is for rent. Seriously, it really is.

Rent the entire Denver Zoo for your next private event, social gathering, black-tie gala or company appreciation party.

You (and up to 5,000 of your closest friends) will have exclusive after-hours access to 80 acres of Denver’s most visited attraction. Watch a private zipline tiger feeding, get a front row seat to watch the wonder of our all-male elephant show or smile uncontrollably during the cutest sea lion show you have ever seen. Your night wouldn’t be complete without a playful ride on the carousel, a picturesque zip around the park on the train, or an unbelievable virtual reality ride in their 4D theater.

The zoo hosts private events up to 5,000 guests during an after-hours experience. Relax in the comfort of the indoor/outdoor pavilion featuring amazing culinary selections from their awardwinning chef, taps and taps of Denver’s finest selection of micro beers, and upgrade your experience with one-of-akind animal meet-and-greets.

If their animals just aren’t entertainment enough, get the zoo rockin’ with your favorite band, a decked out 70’s VW photo booth and their kid-popular s’mores dessert station.

Visit denverzoo.org for details.

13714 POUDRE CANYON HWY BELLVUE, CO 80512 (888)THE-MISH INFO@THEMISHAWAKA.COM For hours of operation and full concert calendar visit:

WWW.THEMISHAWAKA.COM ★

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Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park catering

Located in the heart of Denver and celebrating 128 years of fun, Elitch Gardens is Colorado’s only theme and water park. The park is a family-friendly meeting space open April through October. Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park’s atmosphere is naturally themed in a fun and entertaining way, perfect for groups of 10 to 10,000.

With indoor and outdoor meeting space, thrilling rides, live entertainment, and breathtaking city and mountain views, yours will be an event to remember. Choose from four separate private areas in the Mountain Grove Pavilions, the elegant Trocadero Theatre, the expansive Elitch Arena with capacity for 8,600 people, or a partial or full park buyout.

Food is part of the fun at Elitch Gardens. Exclusive catered picnics can include tasty treats like deconstructed cinnamon rolls, chicken and waffles, kobe beef sliders, pulled pork nachos, redhot drunken wings and flatbread pizzas.

Elitch Gardens will tailor your event exactly to your needs and create a truly one-of-a-kind experience. The park brings people together beyond the usual venue. There’s something for everyone, with 54 rides and attractions, including 14 pint-sized adventures, thrilling roller coasters, an entire water park, exciting 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.

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P H O T O : E L I T C H G A R D E N S T H E M E & WAT E R PA R K D E N V E R

Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park

Inspiring your meetings to create true

Masterpieces

GET CONNECTED BEAVER RUN RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTER Breckenridge 970.453.6000 beaverrun.com CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF DENVER Denver 303.561.0116 cmdenver.org C LAZY U RANCH Granby 970.887.5926 clazyu.com DENVER PLACE Denver 303.243.3823 denverplace.com DENVER ZOO Denver 720.337.1442 denverzoo.org ELITCH GARDENS THEME & WATER PARK Denver 303.595.4386 elitchgardens.com FIRE RESTAURANT & LOUNGE AT THE ART, A HOTEL Denver 720.709.4431 thearthotel.com/dine-drink/fire KIMPTON HOTEL MONACO DENVER Denver 303.296.1717 monaco-denver.com MISHAWAKA AMPHITHEATRE Bellvue 970.481.9466 themishawaka.com THE NICKEL AT HOTEL TEATRO Denver 303.228.1100 hotelteatro.com; thenickeldenver.com PUEBLO CONVENTION CENTER Pueblo 719.542.1100 puebloconventioncenter.com

1201 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203

303.572.8000

WWW.THEARTHOTEL.COM

Come for the boutique charm, stay for the award-winning restaurant, four-star guest experience and unique meeting spaces

r Visit us online at hotelteatro.com 1100 Fourteenth St., Denver, CO 80202 303-228-1100 | sales@hotelteatro.com

CO.MEETINGSMAGS.COM

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Industry Update RECOGNITION 50

1. USA (760)

PEOPLE NEWS

60

SNAPSHOTS 62

PEOPLE PROFILE 64

1. USA » 2. UNITED KINGDOM » 2. NETHERLANDS » 4. AUSTRIA » 5. ITALY » 6. POLAND » 7. BELGIUM » 8. RUSSIA » 9. IRELAND » 10. FRANCE » 11. PORTUGAL » 12. SLOVAKIA » 12. SPAIN » 14. GERMANY » 15. INDIA » 15. CZECH REPUBLIC » 17. TURKEY » 17. COSTA RICA » 17. ISRAEL » 20. FINLAND »

2. NETHERLANDS (670 - tie)

2. UNITED KINGDOM (670 - tie)

BEST OF THE BEST USA ranks as No. 1 destination in Eventex Top 20 Destinations for Meetings and Events Index.

Top 20 Destinations for Meetings & Events

(760) (670) (670) (540) (480) (410) (400) (380) (330) (270) (170) (150) (150) (140) (110) (110) (100) (100) (100) (80)

Rank DESTINATION (Score)

Research courtesy of Eventex

THE EVENTEX AWARDS, founded in 2009, celebrate the most innovative, creative and effective events from around the world. Since its inception, more than 1,000 entries from over 85

Full rankings

countries have competed in the awards.

In this year’s ranking of destinations, Eventex named the USA

4. AUSTRIA

as its No. 1 destination for meetings and events as the country

(540)

stands out as the destination with some of the best brand activations and experiential and corporate events. This is a growing trend as the U.S. Bureau of Labor predicts that the event industry will grow by 44 percent from 2010 to 2020, exceeding most growth predictions for other industries.

For a full list of winners visit: eventex.co/winners-2018; eventex.co/all-stars/destinations; eventex.co/all-stars

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5. ITALY (480)

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The index takes into account the number of wins over the past two years and allocates a weighted score for gold, silver, bronze trophies and participation.

Gold is worth 100 points, silver is worth 50 points, bronze is worth 30 points, participation is worth 10 points.

INFOGRAPHIC

USA’s 2018 honors included:

BEST FESTIVAL (THIRD PLACE)

Magical Winter Lights Houston People Generation, Inc.

BEST EVENT (THIRD PLACE)

Dodge Demon Launch at the New York Auto Show George P. Johnson Experience Marketing

BEST INTERACTIVE OUTDOOR EVENT (THIRD PLACE)

BEST SPORTING EVENT (SECOND PLACE)

2017 FISA World Rowing Championship Opening Ceremony BadAss Media & Meetings

BEST GALA (THIRD PLACE)

Fortune 500 International Sales & Marketing Conference

Temple University Hospital 125th Anniversary “Acres of Diamonds” Gala

Russell Harris Event Group

BEST TECH EVENT (THIRD PLACE)

BEST POP-UP EVENT (THIRD PLACE)

Yext, Inc.

Tolo Events

ONWARD17

Bone Appetit

Tolo Events

BEST PRODUCT LAUNCH (WINNER)

Dodge Demon Launch at the New York Auto Show George P. Johnson Experience Marketing

Three U.S. companies appeared in the Top 20 Event Organizers & Agencies

11.

IM CREATIVE (230)

18.

18.

EXPERIENCE WILLOW LLC

THE OVAL OFFICE BVBA

(150)

(150)

The index takes into account the number of wins over the past three years and allocates a weighted score for gold, silver and bronze trophies. Gold is worth 100 points, silver is worth 50 points, bronze is worth 30 points.

NE.MEETINGSMAGS.COM

49

REGIONAL NEWS

RECOGNITION»

Colorado Lands Three ILEA Esprit Awards

More than 500 International Live Events Association (ILEA) members from around the globe gathered at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel on Aug. 16-18 for the ILEA Live conference. A highlight of the annual gathering is the Esprit Awards held this year at Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum. Three Colorado event pros brought home Esprit awards, and five more were among the nominees. ilealive.com

Award Recipients

Nominees

» Best ILEA Volunteer Collaboration (Team Entry): Wonka’s Gum Ball – An Awards Gala Julie Gambrell, Linen Hero; Danielle Hassell, Catering by Design; Carol Lathrop, CMP, IMES Events; Allison Dunning, CBA, Balloon Art by Merry Markers » Best Event Design/Décor under $25,000: The Birthday Bash – A Celebration of Wedding Professionals Allison Dunning, CBA, Balloon Art by Merry Markers » Best Event Solution: Destination Change – An Incentive Trip Surprise Deana Mitchell, CMP, DMCP, CCSE, Realize Colorado, a Global DMC Partner

Hilton Garden Inn Boulder

Boulder Hotels Land Dual-Brand of the Year Boulder’s Hiltons on Canyon—the Embassy Suites by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Boulder on the corner of 28th Street and Canyon Boulevard—were recently honored as the Dual-Brand of the Year in the Hilton North American Development Awards. The awards recognize the passion, creativity and innovative spirit of Hilton developers that are committed to quality projects, meet or exceed brand standards and have an impact on the local community. The project was developed by Sage Hospitality and NAI Shames Makovsky and designed by Johnson Nathan Strohe, all based in Denver. Opened in November 2017, the Hiltons on Canyon feature two fivestory buildings offering a combined 376 guest rooms, and 8,435 total square feet of meeting and event space. embassysuites3.hilton.com; hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com

Realize Colorado Lauded as U.S. Partner of the Year Global DMC Partners, a global network of destination management companies (DMCs), recognized several award recipients in August at its 2018 Connection held in Warsaw, Poland. Realize Colorado, with offices in Denver and Telluride, was selected from a pool of more than 65 DMC members as a 2018 Partner of the Year, along with Shackman Associates New York and Tropical Incentives in Mexico. Partner of the Year awards are presented to the highest-achieving DMCs, with each winner required to exceed specific selection criteria based on creativity, quality, operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and active involvement within Global DMC Partners.

MPIRMC Salutes 2018 Award Winners Baldoria on the Water in Lakewood hosted the Meeting Professionals International Rocky Mountain Chapter’s annual awards gala. The theme for the evening was a Tour of Italy. A silent and live auction raised money for the chapter and MPI Foundation. mpirmc.org Planner of the Year: Debbi Beldon, Experient Supplier of the Year: Todd Seymour, Wellshire Event Center Rising Star: Rebecca Sosa, Homewood

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Suites by Hilton and Hampton Inn & Suites Denver Downtown Convention Center Outstanding Committee Chair: Nancy Scholes, Medical Education Resources Meeting & Hospitality Award of Excellence (over 50 in attendance): The Broadmoor Meeting & Hospitality Award of Excellence (under 50 in attendance): Embassy Suites

by Hilton Boulder President’s Award of Excellence: Board Member Supporters

Industry Partner of the Year: Allwell Rents Industry Legacy Award in Honor of Sandy Gerety: Ellen Collins, CMP, HMCC, Vail Resorts

Member Milestone Award Recipients

» First place: Carolyn Riggs, CMP, Agile Events » Second place: David Lambert, Allwell Rents » Third place: Elizabeth Kretchmer, CMP, CMM, HMCC, Strategic Meeting Manager, LLC

P H OTO S : V R X S T U D I O S ; (O P P O S I T E ) L I N DA M U R R I P H OTO G R A P H Y

» Best Culinary Innovation: The Kitchen Community – Living Salad Ingrid Nagy, CSEP, Catering by Design » Best Event Filmmaking (Videography): Dawn & Steve’s Rustic Mountain Wedding Chris Orwat, Pure Cinematography » Best Print Marketing/Design Collateral: Pure Imagination Laney Hall, Platypus Papers

Hall of Fame Inductee Tera Greenwood and Dawn Abbott.

ILEA Denver Excellence Awards Gala

Members of the International Live Events Association Denver Chapter gathered at The Hangar at Stanley Marketplace in Aurora to celebrate outstanding event accomplishments. Hats off to the 2018 award recipients! ileadenver.com Best Event Solution: Realize Colorado, Destination Change, An Incentive Trip Surprise Best Event Logistics and Support Services: Realize Colorado, Tour Program: Abnormal Logistics Best Culinary Innovation: Catering By Design, Living Salad Best Entertainment Production: Imprint Group, Beaux Arts Ball Best Corporate Event: Imprint Group, Project Hometown Best Event Design/Décor: Balloon Art by Merry Makers, The Birthday Bash Best Social Event (nonwedding): Balloon Art by Merry Makers, Excellence Awards Gala Best ILEA Event Volunteer Collaboration: Wonka Gum Ball - An Awards Gala Best Print Marketing/Design Collateral: Platypus Papers, Pure Imagination Best Catered Event: Catering by Design, The Kitchen Community - Neverland Garden Best ILEA Team Effort: Platypus Papers, WN 1st Birthday Bash Best Wedding: Total Imagination Events, Tamra + Dustin’s New Year’s Eve Wedding Hall of Fame Inductee: Tera Greenwood Member of the Year: Julie Gambrell Sponsor of the Year: Lighting and Design

by Scott Recruiter of the Year: Jennifer LaGraff

OUR E-NEWSLETTER

AT your FINGERTIPS » LOCAL EVENTS » LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS » PEOPLE NEWS » WEEKLY UPDATES

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51

REGIONAL NEWS

Source Hotel + Market Hall

the unique amenities are a New Belgium beer offered upon check in and an in-room custom canvas shopping bag for use throughout the market hall and adjacent sister property The Source, Denver’s first market hall.

Golden Welcomes World’s First Origin Hotel Origin Red Rocks in Golden, the debut property for Origin Hotel Collection by Mississippibased The Thrash Group, opened its doors in August and is the official hotel partner of nearby Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The 124room, pet-friendly hotel, as well as its Red Rocks Suite, showcases a rotating selection of memorabilia from Red Rocks’ collection and offers shuttle service access to and from the iconic music venue for $15 per person and within a 5-mile radius for free. Hotel highlights include more than 5,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, free parking and bike storage, a gym, and Nomad Taqueria + Beer Garden with private dining space and more than 20 local beers on tap. Denver-based NINE dot ARTS curated Origin Red Rocks’ art collection, which emphasizes the local landscape and music. originhotel.com/redrocks

Origin Red Rocks

HOTELS & RESORTS»

Source Hotel + Market Hall Launches in Style A preview event on Aug. 16 gave attendees a sneak peek at The Source Hotel + Market Hall, which officially opened in Denver’s RiNo Art District on Sept. 1 in Denver. In addition to 100 guest rooms and 2,300 square feet of event space, the new market hall showcases New

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Belgium Brewing Company’s first Denver small-batch brewery, three restaurants, a rooftop terrace with sweeping downtown and mountain views, and a collection of experiential, craft-focused vendors.

The people behind the vision of the project and other special guests spoke about the property going from idea to reality, and guests browsed and sampled food and beverage from Safta, Smōk, The Woods and New Belgium. Among

Snowmass is welcoming a new hotel as the ski season gets underway. The property is the third property in the Limelight brand, joining Limelight Hotel Aspen and Limelight Hotel Ketchum. Located in Snowmass Base Village adjacent to the Elk Camp Gondola, the property features ski-in/ski-out access, 99 guest rooms, 11 private residences, a lobby lounge with bar and restaurant, a conference space, a private dining room, spa pools, and fitness facilities. Colorado’s largest indoor climbing wall, towering at 54 feet high, will dominate the façade of the new hotel. limelighthotels.com

Westin Westminster Wraps up $8.5 Million Upgrade The 370 guest rooms and 60,000 square feet of meeting and event space at The Westin Westminster have undergone a major refresh courtesy of an $8.5 million renovation. The

P H O T O S : I G N I T E I M A G E S ; R YA N D E A R T H ; ( O P P O S I T E ) C L A Z Y U

Limelight Hotel Snowmass to Debut in December

meet. mingle. marry. new décor follows a mountain modern look and features tones of umber, russet, amber, blue gray and teal. Colorado’s abundant prairie grasses and mountainous landscapes were the inspiration behind the colors and patterns.

Guest rooms have new carpet, drapery, wall coverings, paint and Colorado-inspired art, and the 26 indoor function spaces have fresh furniture, carpet, wall coverings and artwork.

Kachina Southwestern Grill also has been updated with new tile, art, furniture and dining room finishes and the outdoor patio space updated. westindenverboulder.com

C Lazy U Ranch Wraps up $10 Million Renovation Just in time for celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2019, C Lazy U Ranch, a luxury guest ranch located on 8,500 acres in Granby, has completed a multiyear, $10 million renovation of the entire property. Since the most recent round of renovations began in 2016, noteworthy upgrades have been made to the Hay Barn (the largest of the ranch’s 8,000-plus square feet of meeting space); Main Lodge, including construction of the adjacent brand new Latigo Meeting Room and Adega Wine Room; and all guest rooms. During its centennial year, the ranch is offering specials for meetings and groups year round, such as Prohibitionera cocktail making classes, weekly firework shows throughout the summer and more. clazyu.com

With sophisticated spaces and beautiful views, make your wedding, meeting or party unforgettable.

Take a tour today!

Contact rentals@cmdenver.org or 303-561-0116.

www.mychildsmuseum.org

C Lazy U Ranch Hay Barn

CO.MEETINGSMAGS.COM

53

REGIONAL NEWS

HOTELS & RESORTS»

Colorado’s Great Wolf Lodge Leads Farm-toFork Dining Concept

Beaver Creek Lodge Joins Autograph Collection

Beaver Creek Lodge recently became the ninth property of the Kessler Collection to become a part Marriott’s Autograph Collection. In tandem with the announcement is a complete redesign that includes new color schemes, artwork and custom-designed furniture and fixtures. The upgrade will transform all 68 guest suites as well as the lobby, Grand Bohemian Art Gallery and Revolution restaurant with mountain contemporary design. Beaver Creek Lodge is located at the base of Beaver Creek Mountain. kesslercollection.com/beavercreek-lodge

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Punch Bowl Social Virtual Reality

ACTIVITIES»

Lake Nighthorse Winning Fans in Durango Situated 2 miles southwest of downtown Durango, Colorado’s newest public lake, Lake Nighthorse, has completed its first fair-weather season and already is a popular spot for groups and individuals to swim, boat, fish and picnic. Stand-up paddleboard and kayak rentals are available at the lake through 4Corners Riversports. Construction began in 2003, and the reservoir was filled to capacity in 2011 to provide water storage for the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain tribes and entities with water claims along the Animas River. The city of Durango annexed the lake in 2018, which opened the lake for recreation. durangogov.org/lakenighthorse; durango.org.

Virtual Reality Gets Social Punch Bowl Social has introduced cuttingedge social virtual reality (VR) at its South Broadway location in Denver. Guests and groups can rent out a VR space and play interactive games while friends or colleagues cheer from the loungelike setting. Like Punch Bowl Social’s popular

private karaoke rooms, the social VR experience comes complete with a dedicated tech support person and a server to take and deliver food and drink orders. Beginners are sure to enjoy popular games such as Fruit Ninja, while more advanced players can rack up points against enemy drones in Space Pirate Trainer. punchbowlsocial.com COMMUNITY SERVICE»

Growing Food Rescue Effort in Colorado Springs The Broadmoor is leading the food rescue charge in Colorado Springs, providing a steady supply of donated food originally prepared for buffets and events in hotels across the city. The program is a partnership with Springs Rescue Mission, the largest shelter for people in need in Colorado Springs. The Broadmoor is the first local entity to provide the shelter with a consistent supply of prepared food, donating more than 3,500 pounds in 2017. The partners are now inviting other members of the Pikes Peak Lodging Association to join the endeavor. broadmoor.com

P H OTO : A M B E R B O U T W E L L

The Great Wolf Lodge brand has introduced a new farm-tofork dining concept through its Barnwood restaurants.

The approach was first implemented at the Colorado Springs property upon opening its doors more than a year ago. Under the leadership of executive chef Hector Gonzalez, the Colorado Barnwood menu features seasonal ingredients, many sourced from local farms located in a 50-mile radius of the resort. Plus, there is an onproperty herb garden right outside the restaurant. greatwolf.com

MAKE YOUR EVENT FLOURISH! Have your event at one of Denver’s treasured landmarks. Twenty-four acres of natural beauty, indoor and outdoor sites for large or small events, award-winning catering options and more.

DAVID LYNN PHOTOGRAPHY

10th & York Street botanicgardens.org

BOOK TODAY! Call 720-865-3551 or email private.events@botanicgardens.org

CO.MEETINGSMAGS.COM

55

REGIONAL NEWS

HOTELS & RESORTS»

Gaylord Rockies Opens Doors in Aurora

New Owner for Sheraton Downtown Denver Denver HS-EF Court Place, LLC has purchased Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel, featuring 1,231 guest rooms and suites and 133,000 square feet of meeting and event space. The new ownership group, a joint venture between High Street Real Estate Partners in Atlanta, Georgia, and Eagle Four Partners in Newport Beach, California, is developing a major renovation plan that will coin-

Gaylord Rockes (rendering)

The Jacquard Hotel & Rooftop

cide with Marriott International’s relaunch of the Sheraton Hotels and Resorts brand. sheratondowntowndenver.com

The Jacquard Debuts The capacity of Denver’s Cherry Creek neighborhood to host groups continues to expand with the opening of The Jacquard Hotel & Rooftop on Oct. 3. The 201-room hotel with 6,900 square feet of meeting and event space was launched by Denver-based

Stonebridge Companies and is part of Marriott International’s portfolio of Autograph Collection Hotels. Among the many highlights are Narrative restaurant led by executive chef Paul Nagan, a large localized art collection assembled by Denver-based NINE dot ARTS, and a rooftop featuring a 75-foot pool with a translucent cover for events and Kisbee on the Roof bar. A Tesla Model X house car provides complimentary transportation. thejacquard.com

VENUES»

Year-Round Music Venue Opens in Frisco

A new 7,500-square-foot concert venue in Frisco, 10 Mile Music Hall, celebrated its grand opening on Oct. 30-31 with performances by Leftover Salmon. At 9,097 feet above sea level, it is the highest year-round music venue in the country and can hold up to 750 guests.

Located near the ski resorts at Copper Mountain, Breckenridge, Keystone and Vail, 10 Mile Music Hall is available to rent and plans to host 100 concerts featuring well-known national touring acts every year, family entertainment, nonprofit fundraisers, theatrical performances and comedy acts. A large rooftop deck overlooking the Tenmile Mountain Range will be open daily during warmer months for lunch, dinner and happy hour, with food from Moe’s Original BBQ and signature drinks.

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P H O T O S : G AY L O R D R O C K I E S R E S O R T & C O N V E N T I O N C E N T E R ; M A R K C O M P T O N (OPPOSITE) WILLIAM ANDERSON

One of the largest hospitality industry projects to break ground in the United States since 2016, Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center is opening in Aurora on Dec. 18. A marquee property for Marriott International, the property is only the fifth Gaylord Hotels resort in the nation and is the largest combined resort and convention center in Colorado with 1,501 guest rooms and suites, eight food and beverage outlets, and 486,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor function space. A large indoor/outdoor aquatic center with slides and a lazy river and the 17-room Relache Spa and Salon are among the many guest amenities.

Colorado details are sprinkled throughout the design and décor, such as a restaurant with a log cabin-esque ambiance, elevators on the lower level that look like old mine shafts, and guest rooms with aspen treeinspired carpets, lumberjack plaid on pillows and hiking and camping maps in the closets. gaylordrockies.com

UNIQUE CELEBRATIONS

HAPPEN HERE Denver's Most Unique Venue

VENUES»

Leadville’s Historic Train Depot Becomes FREIGHT In September, a new event space, FREIGHT, opened in Leadville’s restored railroad feight depot and holds more than 200 guests. During the restoration process every detail was considered such as the chimney being meticulously reconstructed to its former height using historical photos and centuries of graffiti carved into the walls being preserved. At least 15 cabins also are being constructed and will reflect Leadville’s historic aesthetic and industrial past.

Conveniently located with access to the lightraIL i ELITCHGARDENS.COM FOr a personal site tour, call 303.572.4531

Pioneer of Organic Skin Care Opens New Event Center Lily Farm Fresh Skin Care is the first skin care company in the world to build an organic farm center open to the public. Unveiled this fall and located steps away from Keenesburg Wild Animal Sanctuary, the center provides an open viewing of how fresh, natural skin care products are made and serves as a venue for weddings, special events, classes, workshops and retreats for up to 250 guests. Owner Lily Morgan is a seventh-generation farmer, growing the majority of her own skin care ingredients, and is a pioneer of organic skin care in Colorado, establishing her company in 1986.

Join US

&BE the

difference!

Rocky Mountain Chapter of PCMA: Leader in the Meetings and Events Industry

Delivering breakthrough education.

Promoting the value of professional convention management.

Breaking the mold with innovative member driven content.

STAY CONNECTED!

If you have any questions on how to be involved in RMPCMA please contact Kala Travis at kala@imigroup.org or RockyMountain@pcma.org.

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57

REGIONAL NEWS

Mila

Kevin Taylor Restaurant Group Opens Mila The newest concept from Denver’s Kevin Taylor Restaurant Group, Mila, opened within downtown’s Denver Place in September. Executive chef and partner Austin Cueto, a veteran of more than 10 years at KTRG, is at the helm of the Mediterranean-inspired restaurant that features house-made pasta, pizza, fresh seafood, salads, crudo and more. The 6,000-square-foot restaurant features a bright dining room with shimmering glass tiles and a color palette of turquoise, lemon and sand. There is a 48-seat wine cellar and 60-seat outdoor patio that are ideal for groups. miladenver.com

Flagstaff House Restaurant Ushers in Next Generation of Leadership Scott Monette, managing partner and co-owner of Flagstaff House Restaurant in Boulder, recently announced the addition of two new partners. Chris Royster, a past recipient of Zagat’s 30 Under 30 award and a Food Network “Chopped” champion in 2016, has been promoted to executive chef and partner.

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Adam Monette, Scott’s nephew and eldest son of former executive chef and co-owner Mark Monette, is now general manager and a partner. In Colorado, Royster has worked in various roles at Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Three Leaf Concepts restaurants, Zucca and The Huckleberry Café and joined Flagstaff House as sous chef in 2011. Adam Monette has worked in almost every position at the restaurant, serving as the dining room manager for the last six years. flagstaffhouse.com

Jerrod Rosen Launches Rye Society Rye Society, a delicatessen and catering company, has opened its doors at 3090 Larimer St. in Denver’s RiNo neighborhood and specializes in gourmet, made-from-scratch Jewish cuisine using old family recipes with contemporary updates. Owner/operator Jerrod Rosen, a fifth generation Colorado native with a long family history in hospitality, graduated from the French Culinary Institute and honed his hospitality skills at Thomas Keller’s three Michelin-starred restaurant, Per Se, and for Danny Meyer at the award-winning Tabla Restaurant in New York City. Rye Society’s chef consultant is Ryan Leinonen, formerly of

Colt & Gray, Trillium, Root Down and The Kitchen Restaurant Group. Rye Society looks first to local farmers and producers to source ingredients when possible. ryesociety.com VENUES»

Ironworks Event Venue Expands Capacity of Mile High Station The owner of Mile High Station in Denver debuted a new partner venue, Ironworks, this fall. The 1903 building, along with the Mile High Station, makes up the former Midwest Steel and Ironwork complex and includes nearly 7,000 square feet of event space featuring an open floor plan, original turret and large bar.

Together, the two-building complex can hold events, concerts and festivals for more than 2,000 guests with combined indoor and outdoor space. Colorado Meetings + Events Best of 2019 will be held at the complex on March 11 from 6-8:30 p.m. ironworksdenver.co

Equitable Building’s Penthouse Available for Gatherings Balcony West, a new venue located in the penthouse of Denver’s historic Equitable

P H OTO S : R AC H E L A DA M S P H OTO G R A P H Y; M CCO RY JA M E S

FOOD & BEVERAGE»

THE CHARTER AT BEAVER CREEK

Refined meetings in a European-style resort setting.

Ironworks

BeaverCreekGroups@wynvr.com | 866.604.5152 | www.theCharter.com

LION SQUARE LODGE AT THE GONDOLA

A second-to-none meeting experience in an unbeatable Vail location.

VailGroups@wynvr.com | 866.820.6549 | www.LionSquare.com

Building, is now hosting meetings and events.

The balcony overlooks the Denver skyline and features 1,200 square feet of outdoor space.

Inside, the 800-square-foot space has original pine floors and brick walls interspersed with modern throwbacks to the turn of last century such as marble wainscoting, copper tiles and crystal chandeliers. Built in 1892, the nine-story Italian Renaissance Revival structure was Denver’s first skyscraper and has been home to many of Denver’s elite, including Governor Davis H. Waite who lived in the Balcony West penthouse until the governor’s mansion was built in 1894. balconywest.com

Estes Park Adds New Recreation Center Venue One of the latest additions of interest to groups in Estes Park is the 70,000-square-foot Estes Valley Community Center, a $26 million facility featuring meeting and event space, indoor walking and jogging tracks, fitness equipment, a golf simulator, a natatorium with a lazy river and more. The community/multipurpose room has a commercial kitchen and A/V equipment and can be broken down into three sections that seat up to 60 each or 190 as a whole. In addition, the center’s classroom seats up to 21. evrpd.com

info@maxandlivie.com

720.536.8100

www.maxandlivie.com

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REGIONAL NEWS

TRANSPORTATION»

Denver International Airport Reaches 200

Denver International Airport (DEN) has become one of only four U.S. airports to provide service to 206 destinations. In addition to new international flights to Paris and Zurich, DEN has added service to 20 U.S. destinations, including previously unserved cities such as Portland, Maine (PWM), Asheville, N.C. (AVL) and Myrtle Beach, S.C. (MYR). Denver’s domestic network now includes nonstop access to 180 destinations in 46 states and the District of Columbia, just one destination behind Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). DEN’s average one-way domestic fare is $137, 18 percent below the U.S. average. flydenver.com

GMS Timothy Wolfe is the new

complex general manager of The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa and the adjacent Holiday Inn Express Denver Downtown (part of the Brown Palace Hotel complex). With more than 25 years of industry experience, Wolfe most recently completed a seven-year stint as area managing director of Pyramid Hotel Group, overseeing Denver Renaissance, The Antlers Hilton and Lodge & Spa at Cordillera in Colorado and most recently Columbus Marriott Northwest in his native state of Ohio.

Tim Johnson has accepted

the GM position at Gateway Canyons Resort & Spa in Gateway after serving in the same role at Smith Fork Ranch in Crawford for two years. Prior to his time living in Colorado, Johnson was the GM at Sorrel River Ranch Hotel & Spa Resort in Moab, Utah and resort manager overseeing operations at The Resort at Paws Up in Greenough, Montana.

Scott Paradine has joined

Hotel Indigo Denver as GM. He spent the first five years of his 19-year hospitality career as an operational manager before working nine years in sales. Most recently, he was GM at the Fairfax Marriott in Virginia. Prior to his time in

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Fairfax, Paradine was director of sales and marketing at Richmond Marriott in Virginia; associate director of sales at Hyatt Regency Orange County in Anaheim, California; and senior sales manager at Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center.

James Gibson has been

appointed president and CEO of Garden of the Gods Resort and Club in Colorado Springs.

Gibson has more than 30 years of experience in the luxury resort and private club industry, most recently as vice president of operations for Sea Island Resort in Georgia. At Garden of the Gods Resort and Club, he is overseeing the expansion of new room inventory and amenities, growth of Strata Integrated Wellness Center, the grand opening of Vermilion residences and more.

SALES Rebecca Sosa has joined

the dual-branded Homewood Suites and Hampton Inn & Suites in downtown Denver as group sales manager. She has worn many hats in hospitality, from being front desk manager at a high-end Boulder spa and running an off-site catering company to landing her first hotel catering sales position at DoubleTree Westminster. She was on the opening team of The Curtis, a DoubleTree Hotel, served as a catering sales manager at Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center, and worked as business development manager at Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk.

Mark Shine is the new direc-

tor of sales and marketing for Gateway Canyons Resort & Spa in Gateway. Prior to joining Gateway Canyons, Shine was the multiproperty director of sales and marketing for Quorum Hotels’ portfolio, which until recently included Brown Palace Hotel and Spa and the Holiday Inn Express Denver Downtown.

Lauren Ripko is now senior

sales and catering manager for Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. Ripko began her 20-year career in hospitality as a member of the conference services team for a Denver Marriott property and worked various hotel, restaurant, bar, floral design and design studio jobs. Most recently, Ripko founded Quintessential Weddings & Events, a Colorado planning and décor company.

Kimberly Pomerantz and Kami Lynch have been

appointed director of sales and marketing and director of catering sales at The RitzCarlton, Denver. Pomerantz brings 19 years of experience in hospitality, recently moving to The Mile High City from New York, New York, where she cultivated her career for the past 11 years, most recently as director of sales at The Pierre, A Taj Hotel.

Lynch has more than 17 years of hospitality

P H O T O : F LY D E N V E R . C O M

PEOPLE NEWS»

experience with multiple luxury brands and markets and joins the Denver team from The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco. Prior to joining The Ritz-Carlton, she held catering leadership roles at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC, and Four Seasons Hotel Chicago.

DMCS Christin Tubbs is the new

general manager of RMC’s Aspen and Vail offices. She brings 10 years of destination management expertise to the company that is based in Basalt, including numerous management-level positions for The Ritz-Carlton, including sales, meeting planning and event management at various properties in San Francisco, California; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Bachelor Gulch in Vail, Colorado.

FO O D & B E V E R AG E Christopher Medved has

assumed the helm of Nomad Taqueria + Beer Garden at Origin Red Rocks in Golden as executive chef and beverage manager. He brings over 15 years of food and beverage industry expertise from positions at a variety of Denverbased restaurants such as a kitchen manager at Watercourse Foods, chef at City O’ City and Steuben’s, chef de cuisine at Ace Eat Serve, and most recently executive chef at The Campus Lounge.

THE VENUE

Everyone’s

TRYING TO

Get In TO.

Chris Jakubiec is the new

executive chef of range, the restaurant at Renaissance Denver Downtown City Center Hotel. Most recently, he held the same position at Carbon Café & Bar and represented the Colorado Five by cooking at a 2018 Aspen Food & Wine Classic offshoot event. Previously he was executive chef at FIRE at the ART, a hotel and has worked in kitchens across the country from Miami and New York City to San Diego and Washington, D.C.

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 seat Bellco Theatre with cut down capability

Free Wi-Fi and Charging Stations

To inquire or book, call or email Rich Carollo at 3o3.228.8022 or rcarollo@denverconvention.com

CO.MEETINGSMAGS.COM

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

SNAPSHOTS NACE DENVER ON ALERT & MPIRMC GOLF

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NACE Denver on Alert

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The National Association of Catering & Events Greater Denver Chapter filled two vaults and two conference rooms at Renaissance Denver Downtown City Center on Aug. 14 to find treasure in the form of information about the ins, outs and liabilities intrinsic to keeping events safe and secure. The “On Alert: Is Your Event Plan Ready?” gathering featured speakers Pete Hemschoot, Johnson & Wales University, Denver; Adrienne Gardner, The Gardner Effect Event Planning; Ed David, Denver Police Department; and Tony Clapp, Jachimiak Peterson.

1. Brad Porter. 2. The bank vaults (aka meeting rooms) at Renaissance Denver Downtown City Center. 3. Tony Clapp.

4. Kaitlyn Stafford, Amy Handlin, Rachel Anderson and Adrienne Souders. 5. Pete Hemschoot. 6. Suzanne Barlow, Joshua Riggs and Aimee Palifroni. 7. Willie Ripple, Bob Haddad and Cristina Walker.

8. A tasty treat by Chaos and Cream Ice Cream. 9. Sidney Stoper and Ed David.

10. Elizabeth Fahnestock, Adrienne Gardner and Cara St. John. 11. Adrienne Gardner.

12. Rachel Anderson, Kaycee Giroue, Celia Smith, Jessika Mauricio, Megan Gertz, Adrienne Souders and Dianna Price.

MPIRMC Golf Tournament

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The Meeting Professionals International Rocky Mountain Chapter hosted its annual golf tournament at Red Rocks Country Club in Morrison on Aug. 20. The “Team Freeman” consisting of DJ Baca, Derek Barnes, Lee Byrd and Bonnie Yordy placed first, and Darnell Brown, Josh Ebaugh, Jeremy Wilson and Alan Wooldridge, who made up “Team Broadmoor,” landed second.

13. Corn hole fun. 14. Nicole Nguyen and Megan Fox. 15. Hugo Hellberg. 16. Tina Schwab and Amanda Andrews. 17. Dave Mueller and Bruce Horii. 18. Alyson Fetherolf and Kimberly Fisher. 19. The team from Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center.

20. Dana Rains and Amy Evans. 21. Ellen Collins and Cheryl Braucht.

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT PHOTOS To have your meeting or event photos featured here, contact the editor at beth.buehler@tigeroak.com.

CO.MEETINGSMAGS.COM

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PEOPLE PROFILE MATHEW YAMALI

FOOD TRUCK RAMBLING Mathew Yamali’s recipe for freedom, travel, food and happiness led to the Roll It Up Sushi Truck.

BY BETH BUEHLER

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Get Connected ROLL IT UP SUSHI TRUCK rollitupsushitruck.com | 720.949.3455

I L L U S T R AT I O N : T R A C I Z E L L M A N N

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hat happens when a chef and a dining room manager and sommelier start tossing around ideas during a long shift? In March 2016, Mathew Yamali and David Jagodzinski launched Denver-based Roll It Up Sushi Truck, serving restaurant-style sushi and bringing all the supplies and expertise needed to teach groups sushi-rolling at private events.

Yamali grew up in Rochester, New York, and began working as a cook by the age of 14. Two years later, he was hired by California Rollin sushi bar and then worked for Longhorn steakhouse, becoming one of the company’s youngest corporate trainers and helping open restaurants in the northeast.

“After graduating from college with a degree in business management, I decided to live in a van and travel the states and fell in love with Colorado the first time. A few years after being home, I flew back out to visit friends and landed a job as a chef at Perry’s Steakhouse in Centennial,” he says. “I moved with the idea that I was going to start my own business, and I was almost 100 percent sure it was going to be a food truck.”

Writing a list of the 10 most important things in his life, freedom, travel, food and happiness landed in the top four. “All fit very well with a food truck,” he says.

With sushi being one of the few foods that enters his dreams at night, Yamali concluded that if he could put that passion to work Denver would be hooked.

He says, “I dared to dream Coloradans would be OK with eating sushi out of a truck in a landlocked state.”

However, the food truck business “isn’t all cupcakes and rainbows. I work over a 100 hours a week,” he shares.

“Also, I get to take four months off a year, so it’s not all 100-hour weeks!”

COLORADO A G re a t S ta te f o r Me e t i n g s . . . N a t u r a l l y

de s ti n a t i o n c o l o r a d o . c o m

Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center

AREN’T CHOICES GREAT? Pick a Freebie Meeting Offer Award-winning hotels Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center, Grand Hyatt Denver and Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa have teamed to offer a meeting package that allows you to Pick a Freebie. Choose from complimentary coffee for your conference breaks or free WiFi for your general session. A real savings at ideal locations, in the heart of downtown Denver or the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa

— Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center denver.regency.hyatt.com 303 486 4400 — Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa beavercreek.park.hyatt.com 970 827 6650 — Grand Hyatt Denver denver.grand.hyatt.com 303 486 4400 To learn more, contact our Sales Department or visit the Special Events page of our websites.

Grand Hyatt Denver

Pick a Freebie Meeting Package is an exclusive offer and is subject to availability. Guests may choose only one offer per meeting booked: Complimentary coffee for refreshment breaks or free general session WiFi. Restrictions may apply. At Grand Hyatt Denver and Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center, qualifying meetings must take place on or before March 31, 2019 and occupy a minimum of 50 paid rooms on peak night. At Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa, qualifying meetings must take place on or before December 31, 2018 and occupy a minimum of 10 paid rooms on peak night. Enter or ask for offer code: FREEBIE. Offer must be requested prior to finalization of contract. Hyatt reserves the right to alter or withdraw this offer at any time.