Blogs

Classic Colorado

beth.buehler — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:39:03 +0000

By:

Beth Buehler

Beth Buehler with Chef de Cuisine Korey Sims at the Penrose Room

The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs has long been known as one of Colorado’s venerable resorts. During my growing up years in Greeley, my parents loved attending banking conferences at The Broadmoor, and I mostly associated it with the bee stickers that always found their way home from the Golden Bee, which recently doubled in size and added an outdoor patio. Fun also is at the heart of the new PLAY, where bowling alleys, board games and video games artfully mix with The Broadmoor’s version of bowling food (sliders, sushi, tasty sweets and more).

Rinks to Year-Round Venues

Big Dawgs

Rinks to Year-Round Venues

beth.buehler — Fri, 03 May 2013 20:33:47 +0000

By:

Joe Bedsole

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Image credit:

Alex Fenlon, Crested Butte Music Festival

I like it when towns get creative in taking a resource they already have and turn it into a non-traditional event venue. Castle Rock and Crested Butte are two Colorado towns that have found their fairly new outdoor ice rinks also can be valuable large event spaces for fair-weather months.

Big Dawgs

Industry Rocks It

Big Dawgs

beth.buehler — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 19:55:06 +0000

By:

Beth Buehler

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Image credit:

Povy Atchison

Highland Haven Creekside Inn in Evergreen is launching a new campaign called Big Dawgs. Being a dog lover (my black Lab, Sasha, turns three this week), I found the “Where the Big Dawgs Meet” photo to be quite entertaining so inquired about how they managed to capture the shot.

Industry Rocks It

Photo Finish

Industry Rocks It

beth.buehler — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:50:04 +0000

By:

Beth Buehler

Beth Buehler and Barb Taylor Carpender

Image credit:

Grant Oakes Photography

Two weeks ago was an amazing celebration of the meetings and events industry in Colorado between the magazine’s seventh annual Readers' Choice Best Of Awards on March 25 and Meetings Industry Council of Colorado’s 13th annual Educational Conference and Trade Show on March 27, both in Denver.

Photo Finish

Garden Grapes & Hops

Photo Finish

beth.buehler — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 21:38:42 +0000

By:

Beth Buehler

Paella dinner at Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa

Image credit:

Eclective Hive

One of the fun things about being a magazine editor is reviewing photos to consider for our pages and the cover. Sometimes it takes some scrambling by our art and editorial teams to locate images that will help make a particular layout pop, but I’ve concluded that we have many incredible photographers based in Colorado and are very fortunate that so many events and association gatherings are professionally photographed.

Garden Grapes & Hops

First in the World

Garden Grapes & Hops

beth.buehler — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 22:29:31 +0000

By:

Beth Buehler

Scott Dressel-Martin

Image credit:

Scott Dressel-Martin

Just as we are putting the finishing touches on a feature story about ways groups can tap into Cool Colorado Summers, a notice about Denver Botanic Gardens’ Garden Grapes and Hops garden party on June 7 hits my inbox. Could we maybe just jump to summer right now? March is usually flip flops one minute, ski goggles the next! Warm days, one after another, are sounding pretty good.

First in the World

Good Speakers, Great Meetings

First in the World

beth.buehler — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 22:19:57 +0000

By:

Beth Buehler

Stevie Crecelius, VISIT DENVER

Image credit:

Stevie Crecelius, VISIT DENVER

Being numero uno internationally is something to shout about, and Colorado is rocking it regarding the new international sustainability standard. Colorado Convention Center and Image Audiovisuals are the first event and conference venue and audio visual provider to achieve Level One certification with the ASTM Standard pertaining to the Evaluation and Selection of Venues for Environmentally Sustainable Meetings, Events, Trade Shows and Conferences (E2774-11).

Good Speakers, Great Meetings

More Robust 2013?

Good Speakers, Great Meetings

beth.buehler — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 21:09:18 +0000

By:

Beth Buehler

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Image credit:

Gaston Photography

Recently, a friend invited me to a seminar about women’s health held by a chiropractor who practices in a nearby town. Now it wasn’t exactly the way I wanted to spend a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon, but she presented the information with the right amount of enthusiasm and real-life examples with good information nuggets that it kept the audience engaged and asking questions.

More Robust 2013?

Colorado Reps Attend First CGMP Congress

More Robust 2013?

beth.buehler — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 23:01:33 +0000

By:

Beth Buehler

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Image credit:

Local Table Tours

Now that the holidays are over and January is well underway, it’s time to look at what happened in 2012 and what is being anticipated for 2013. We’re starting to receive year-end data so I’ll share some from the Global Business Travel Association.

Colorado Reps Attend First CGMP Congress

Naughty or Nice?

Colorado Reps Attend First CGMP Congress

beth.buehler — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 20:23:47 +0000

By:

Beth Buehler

Photo: Chele Clark, Mary Williams and Judy Miller.

The Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP) held its first-ever CGMP Congress in Washington, D.C., in November. In order to take part, attendees were required to be among the nearly 800 members who hold the Certified Government Meeting Professional (CGMP) designation, which has been available for eight years.

Naughty or Nice?

Bees & Books

Naughty or Nice?

beth.buehler — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 21:30:28 +0000

By:

Beth Buehler

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Generally, smart companies try to stay on their best behavior all year long but during the holiday season, providing great service is even more critical than usual stresses Ron Kaufman, author of the New York Times bestseller “Uplifting Service: The Proven Path to Delighting Your Customers, Colleagues, and Everyone Else You Meet.” Much like Santa, customers have their own naughty or nice list, and Kaufman recently shared a few tips.

To Stay on the Nice List

Bees & Books

Jam-Packed Denver Itinerary

Bees & Books

beth.buehler — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:36:21 +0000

By:

Beth Buehler

The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa, Rooftop Bees

Image credit:

The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa

The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa in downtown Denver has raised the bar on the urban bee movement with the introduction of a number of innovative offerings that incorporate honey from its own bee colonies. From new signature products and honey treatments in the spa to inventive cocktails, sweet recipes (think honey buttermilk biscuits and honey chocolate crème brûlée), handcrafted beer made by Wynkoop Brewing Company and one-of-a-kind bourbon created by Breckenridge Distillery, the hotel is having some royal fun.

Jam-Packed Denver Itinerary

DMC Trivia

Jam-Packed Denver Itinerary

beth.buehler — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 15:07:37 +0000

By:

Beth Buehler

History Colorado Center, Time Machine

I recently spent a few days in Denver attending meetings and events and checking out new spaces, places, exhibitions and events.

DMC Trivia

Western Slope Wandering

DMC Trivia

beth.buehler — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 19:50:54 +0000

By:

Beth Buehler

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Image credit:

CO M+E Best Of Awards

One thing about this job is that I’m always learning something new. I’ve used the term destination management company (DMC) hundreds times, found it a little hard to understand when new to the industry, and never considered its origins. During the IMEX America tradeshow in Las Vegas earlier this month, there was a press conference announcing the 40th anniversary of the concept of “destination management.”

Western Slope Wandering

Hotel Prices Up

Western Slope Wandering

beth.buehler — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 16:10:32 +0000

By:

Beth Buehler

Saddlehorn Picnic Area

Image credit:

Saddlehorn Picnic Area at Colorado National Monument

Ever played six golf courses in three days? I had that unique opportunity last week while exploring Grand Junction, Palisade, Delta County and Montrose. There is a lot of great golf within this stretch of Colorado’s Western Slope, and two of the courses we played, Bridges Golf Course & Country Club in Montrose and Redlands Mesa in Grand Junction, have meeting and event space that is worthy of consideration, including great outdoor patios.

Hotel Prices Up

Meet My Mentor

Hotel Prices Up

beth.buehler — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 19:12:09 +0000

By:

Beth Buehler

Westin Snowmass Resort

Image credit:

Westin Snowmass Resort

After the economy started taking a hit the last quarter of 2008, its seemed like much in the hotel industry was put on hold. I didn’t envy properties in their efforts to hunker down and weather the storm, trying to figure out how to handle rates and RFPs in this new paradigm. Over the past year or so, I’ve again been receiving a fair amount of news about hotel renovations and new construction in Colorado, so it feels like optimism is returning.

Mentors & Road Shows

Blue Bear Farm at CCC

Mentors & Road Shows

beth.buehler — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 22:23:08 +0000

By:

Beth Buehler

Amy Drotar and Allison Kinsley

Image credit:

Justin Edmonds

It seems like the topic of mentoring has come up a lot for me this year. Jane Chaney, who worked for the likes of Ritz-Carlton, Marriott, Disney and the Orlando CVB, who has taught me a lot about the tourism industry in our own state, is retiring in November. Barbara Mack, a professor who shared a wealth of knowledge about reporting, media law and the First Amendment and inspired countless journalists such as me at my alma mater, passed away suddenly last week. Both of these women have impacted my career in subtle and large ways.

Blue Bear Farm at CCC

Hotel Happenings

Blue Bear Farm at CCC

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 15:07:39 +0000

Blue Bear Farm, Evan Semon Photography

Image credit:

Evan Semon Photography

Denver continues to blaze a trail on the meetings and events green scene, now with one of the first farms ever planted on the grounds of a convention center and certainly one of the largest. Basil and beans, peppers and parsnip, radishes and raspberries are just some of the 2,000 plants now growing at the Blue Bear Farm at the Colorado Convention Center (CCC).

Hotel Happenings

Culinary Savvy Lands Conference

Hotel Happenings

Fri, 03 Aug 2012 21:00:06 +0000

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An open house held yesterday helped launch the new 150-room SpringHill Suites by Marriott Denver Downtown at 1190 Auraria Parkway. Food and wine pairings, contemporary jazz, curated art tours and more were part of the celebration.

Culinary Savvy Lands Conference

Pop-Up Movie & Dinner

Culinary Savvy Lands Conference

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 15:33:45 +0000

Skin & Bones Poster

After five year’s of southern hospitality in Kentucky, The International Catering Association (ICA) and Catersource Magazine are taking a mountain-sized leap by bringing their “The Art of Catering FOOD” event and conference to Denver.

Pop-Up Movie & Dinner

CMP Designation Pays Off

Pop-Up Movie & Dinner

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 21:59:17 +0000

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I recently wrote up about pop-up bars, restaurants, art galleries and more. Here’s the latest news on this fun trend. Executive Chef Justin Fields’ passion for gastronomy, recent travels abroad and love for international cinema were the inspiration behind creating a pop-up restaurant series under the stars this summer at The Ritz-Carlton, Denver. Held monthly on Saturday nights, June through September, the hotel’s plaza will be transformed into a dream destination at 5:30 p.m. Guests will be transported into an evening featuring a four-course menu with pairings from 6 p.m.

CMP Designation Pays Off

Ideas Needed for Fall Article

CMP Designation Pays Off

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 14:16:38 +0000

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The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) has revealed the results of its annual salary survey. Earlier this year, U.S. News & World Report ranked the meeting, convention and event planner role as the #1 best business job in 2012. This was confirmed by the PCMA survey as nearly 80 percent of 420 respondents indicated they were satisfied with their career choice.

Ideas Needed for Fall Article

Panflation & Halting an Industry

Ideas Needed for Fall Article

Fri, 18 May 2012 20:45:47 +0000

We just sent our summer issue to the printer, and I predict readers will especially like the feature story “Dirty Jobs – Colorado Meetings & Events Industry Edition.” Not only is it fun to read about what really goes on behind-the-scenes, the photography of the make-it-happen people writer Julie Scheff interviewed is priceless. This story idea was the brainchild of our editorial advisory board.

Panflation & Halting an Industry

Pop-Ups & Miner Diner

Panflation & Halting an Industry

Fri, 04 May 2012 16:17:20 +0000

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A couple of articles have caught my attention recently. Julie Blankenship, one of the magazine’s editorial advisory board alums and owner of B Distinct Events in Boulder, sent this link to a CNN article not long ago about a meeting planner using her knowledge of numerous hotels to help fight sex trafficking. The article also mentions how various hotels have stepped up to the plate on the issue as well.

Pop-Ups & Miner Diner

Tips for International Business Travelers

Pop-Ups & Miner Diner

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 21:35:44 +0000

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One of the trends I’ve been noticing a lot lately are pop-up this and that. There was a pop-up art gallery by Artists of the West Elks this winter in Crested Butte, where I live and work. The Little Nell had a Veuve Clicquot-branded pop-up champagne bar “The Oasis” that was moved around Aspen Mountain, with guests able to find clues about the location on Twitter and Facebook.

Tips for International Business Travelers

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 18:56:52 +0000

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Are you planning or attending meetings and events overseas? Several Colorado enterprises are indeed doing business abroad, so I thought these foreign-market specific tips for business travelers provided by One Hour Translation might be helpful. One Hour Translation has a community of more than 10,000 certified translators worldwide.

Germany

Three Days in Denver

Places to Enjoy Spring Skiing and Boarding

Three Days in Denver

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 20:04:27 +0000

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Teaser:

I always enjoy my three days in Denver each March for the magazine’s Best Of Colorado awards celebration and the Meetings Industry Council of Colorado Educational Conference and Trade Show. If you missed out, put them on your calendar for next year as it’s hard to beat the networking, learning and fun. A big thank you to our Best Of sponsors and partners and congratulations to our readers’ choice winners, Hall of Fame inductees and editor’s picks.

Places to Enjoy Spring Skiing and Boarding

Bucket Lists & Snow Sculptures

Places to Enjoy Spring Skiing and Boarding

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 18:58:35 +0000

Beth on the slopes at Steamboat Ski Resort

It’s been an interesting snow year in Colorado, with storm cycles dumping large quantities on some resorts and not others. Then the next time, the beneficiaries are different, spreading around the white gold. I was fortunate to visit Steamboat Springs after their big snow jackpot recently, returning after a much-too-long hiatus in the winter.

Bucket Lists & Snow Sculptures

Smartphone Soliloquy

Bucket Lists & Snow Sculptures

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:43:12 +0000

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Image credit:

Mountain Light Company

Lately I’ve been determined to do those things that have been on my mind but had not seen any action to date. I started tap dancing again with a great group of women after taking lessons for 11 or 12 years growing up (my 12-year-old daughter is a little mortified that I will be in her dance recital!).

Seeking Your Ideas & Best Of RSVPs

Smartphone Soliloquy

Seeking Your Ideas & Best Of RSVPs

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:59:17 +0000

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Don’t forget to RSVP for our 6th annual Readers' Choice Best Of Awards on the evening of March 6 at Kevin Taylor’s at the Opera in Denver. It’s a great chance to applaud companies and people excelling in the meetings and events industry, network and enjoy great food and entertainment. RSVP at www.co.meetingsmags.com, where you also will find the finalists in all 20 categories posted.

Work is already underway on our summer issue (being billed as our Jobs Issue), and I’d love some ideas for the following stories.

Smartphone Soliloquy

Food Trends for 2012

Smartphone Soliloquy

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:36:53 +0000

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It’s true, I just entered the world of smartphones kicking and screaming. Frankly, it wasn’t work related but associated with having two teenagers in the house.

Food Trends for 2012

Free Fun for Groups in Ski Country

Food Trends for 2012

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:25:32 +0000

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Although many of us are probably trying to get off the holiday “feed wagon,” it’s always fun to talk about food trends. Here’s what the James Beard Foundation predicts will be crossing our plates in 2012. Since farms and gardens are definitely part of my heritage, my favorite trend continues to be locavorism, which Colorado has embraced and helped define.

Free Fun for Groups in Ski Country

Meeting Planner Insights

Free Fun for Groups in Ski Country

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:08:26 +0000

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Image credit:

Beth on a mid-November Nordic ski

There’s always a buzz at the start of ski season. I’ve already crossed the 10 times out threshold on alpine and Nordic skis (helps to live in a ski town!) and am hoping that another good snow season like last year will again provide a welcome boost to the Colorado economy.

Meeting Planner Insights

Smell – An Event Checklist Item?

Meeting Planner Insights

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:05:42 +0000

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Image credit:

Destination Colorado

Teaser:

This year’s panel offered great insights and included three planners from Colorado and two from out of state.

Each fall, Colorado Meetings + Events sponsors Destination Colorado’s Town Hall meeting and helps assemble a panel of meeting planners representing various segments of the industry. This year’s panel offered great insights and included three planners from Colorado and two from out of state:

Smell – An Event Checklist Item?

FAM Ethics & CSR Contributions

Smell – An Event Checklist Item?

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:06:48 +0000

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Image credit:

Beth with her puppy, Sasha, at Henry Lake

Teaser:

What is it about scent that provokes memories, mood and impressions?

What is it about scent that provokes memories, mood and impressions? Smelling chocolate chip pancakes at my house gets kids out of bed for school. Have you recently caught a whiff of the perfume or cologne that a special someone in high school or college wore? Is that a flashback or what? Friends recalled the smell of puppy breath when holding our little black Lab, Sasha, when she joined our family last year. Recently, the smell of the condo we stayed at in Florida reminded me of my grandparents’ house.

FAM Ethics & CSR Contributions

Planner Panel & Surprise Vacations

FAM Ethics & CSR Contributions

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 19:25:21 +0000

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Teaser:

The editor of one of our sister publications, Northwest Meetings + Events, alerted me to an interesting website, FAMTripTV.com. My favorite part of the website is FAM Education, which includes various articles about FAMiliarization trips for planners.

Planner Panel & Surprise Vacations

Best Of Voting Begins & Loveland Rocks

Planner Panel & Surprise Vacations

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:21:39 +0000

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Image credit:

Charlotte Southern

Teaser:

Colorado Meetings + Events is proud to once again sponsor Destination Colorado’s annual Town Hall Meeting on Fri., Oct. 28 at Mt. Vernon Country Club in Golden. We help line up the meeting planner panel, which this year includes

Best Of Voting Begins & Loveland Rocks

Matters of Intellect & Communication

Best Of Voting Begins & Loveland Rocks

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:33:50 +0000

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Teaser:

It’s that time of year when our online Readers' Choice Best Of Awards voting begins. Nominate your favorite venues, attractions, suppliers and more by Nov. 23, and save the evening of March 6, 2012 for the celebration.

Matters of Intellect & Communication

Venues Impact Impressions

Matters of Intellect & Communication

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 20:57:28 +0000

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Image credit:

Aspen Meadows Resort

We all know meeting someone face-to-face is a whole different ballgame than communicating via email, phone or social media. Add in the discussion of strategically chosen readings and the chance to reflect on the concepts surrounded by nature, and you have a unique opportunity to quickly build group dynamics that count.

Venues Impact Impressions

Boots & Brainpower

Meeting Notes 9.9.11

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 14:22:29 +0000

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Teaser:

Do you have industry news you’d like to share on the Colorado Meetings + Events website? We want to hear about promotions, openings, events, new products and association news! Emailkate.smith@tigeroak.com with your announcements.

In case you missed it, our first September e-Newsletter was distributed yesterday.

Venues Impact Impressions

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 18:21:57 +0000

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Image credit:

Jensen Sutta

Teaser:

Have you ever been to an event where the venue just didn’t match up well with the happenings? I’ve had this happen twice this summer, and it really struck me how surroundings impacted my impression.

Boots & Brainpower

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 14:27:40 +0000

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My family and I hike from Crested Butte to Aspen over West Maroon Pass every summer. It’s an 11-mile trek that is an awefest for wildflowers. The weekend before our departure, who did I run into at the Crested Butte Arts Festival but Mike Wolf from Denver-based Unbridled Solutions? He and his wife had laced up their boots and hiked over from the other direction.

Summer Patio Fun

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 13:47:21 +0000

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Image credit:

The Patio at Brick Oven

One of my favorite things about summer is relaxing on my patio overlooking the East River in Crested Butte. Downtown, restaurant decks overflow with locals and visitors, and it seems like strangers become friends quicker when dining or drinking outside. Why is that? The decks with the most charm and size for groups here are the Brick Oven in Crested Butte and 9380 in Mt. Crested Butte.

Westin Riverfront Resort Expands Offerings

Colorado and Denver Outperform National Travel Trends

Westin Riverfront Resort Expands Offerings

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 17:56:03 +0000

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Image credit:

Photos by Beth Buehler

Not only does The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa in Avon have incredible meeting and event spaces of its own, the property has teamed up with the on-site Restaurant Avondale (which handles all of The Westin’s catering) to connect meeting and event planners and brides with two area ranches,

Kessler Canyon Magic

Visiting Glenwood Springs

Colorado and Denver Outperform National Travel Trends

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:38:28 +0000

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Teaser:

Fortunately, a study by Longwoods International indicates that new records for overall visitors, overnight visitation and visitor spending were achieved by Colorado and Denver in 2010.

There continues to be a lot of discussion about how Colorado is doing in the area of business and leisure travel. Fortunately, a study by Longwoods International indicates that new records for overall visitors, overnight visitation and visitor spending were achieved by Colorado and Denver in 2010.

Here are a few highlights:

Colorado

Kessler Canyon Magic

Visiting Glenwood Springs

Kessler Canyon Magic

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 15:57:23 +0000

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Teaser:

I wasn’t at all familiar with the area north DeBeque, east of Grand Junction, until just a few days ago when visiting Kessler Canyon with a group of media from all over the United States.

I took the scenic route over Grand Mesa (believe it or not the lakes are still frozen up high!) and the DeBeque Cutoff (being more careful this time—it was the locale of my first speeding ticket).

Visiting Glenwood Springs

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 16:39:53 +0000

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Teaser:

Colorado Meetings + Events is proud to be a sponsor of the 7th Annual MPIRMC and RMPCMA Golf Tournament being held on June 10 in Breckenridge. Our advertising director, Bob Haddad, will be there to take part in this great event.

Colorado Meetings + Events is proud to be a sponsor of the 7th Annual MPIRMC and RMPCMA Golf Tournament being held on June 10 in Breckenridge. Our advertising director, Bob Haddad, will be there to take part in this great event.

Ideas for Fall & Saddling Up

Fri, 20 May 2011 15:17:08 +0000

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It’s not even summer yet, and we’re starting on our fall issue. In fact, it still seems a bit like winter with fresh snow on the ground where I live at 8,700 feet. There’s still so much snow in the high country that Aspen Mountain is reopening for Memorial Day weekend and Arapahoe Basin may keep the lifts running until July 4! You could probably golf, fish, ski and bike all in one day.

We are working on two stories and looking for ideas and sources. The first is for a Meet & Eat about out-of-the-box boxed lunches, meaning we’re looking for really neat options and great photos.

Tornadoes & Festivals

Fri, 06 May 2011 14:54:22 +0000

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Teaser:

I recently spent spring break in the Midwest seeing familyand friends and attending a reunion at my alma mater, Iowa State University.

I recently spent spring break in the Midwest seeing family and friends and attending a reunion at my alma mater, Iowa State University.

Ranch Time in Grand County

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 21:02:53 +0000

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Teaser:

It was a little bit like being in a bubble this winter, only leaving the Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley three times, and one of those was taking my two 12-year-olds to Montrose to get braces and shop. Yikes! Sorry Colorado economy, but my dollars stayed home this time due to all the amazing powder days.

Best Of & New Hospitality Learning Center

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 16:37:22 +0000

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Teaser:

If you didn’t make it to our fifth annual Best Of Colorado celebration on March 14, you can catch a glimpse through the unique graphic recording by artist Kriss Wittman shown here or the party pics by Allée Photography.

Good Snow & Vibes Warm Winter Season

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 15:58:08 +0000

Teaser:

Colorado has the distinct benefit of having natural beauty, friendly people, a Western flair, amazing destinations and outstanding venues to attract groups such as this and to show them an outstanding time.

I think most if not all of Colorado’s ski towns in particular are experiencing the benefits of great conditions this year and the return of more groups, corporate, ski clubs, etc.

This past week, the International Airlines Ski Federation was in Crested Butte, where I live and work. In a town and resort of this size, it’s not hard to see the impact of a group of this size since they were wearing coats to represent their airlines and many spoke different languages.

Predictions & Awards

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 18:44:43 +0000

Teaser:

Our fifth annual Best Of Colorado readers’ choice awards celebration is fast approaching so RSVP soon.

Our fifth annual Best Of Colorado readers’ choice awards celebration is fast approaching so RSVP soon. It promises to be a great night of recognizing the people and organizations excelling in the meetings and events industry complemented by great food, drink and fun on March 14 at The Cable Center in Denver. A big thank you to our sponsors!

Fun for Groups in Grand County

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:36:34 +0000

Teaser:

It was good to be back in Grand County a few weekends ago in conjunction with the SnowSports Industries America (SIA) Snow Show recently held in Denver.

Snow Show = 19,000 Delegates in Denver

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 02:57:32 +0000

Following a European tradition, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper and Denver Mayor Guillermo (Bill) Vidal rang cowbells last week to kick off the 2011 SnowSports Industries America (SIA) Snow Show, the world’s largest snow sports tradeshow.

Insights from the Governor’s Inaugural Gala

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 18:19:05 +0000

Teaser:

Editor Beth Buehler and Event Guru & Gofer Kelli Kindel share their experiences from the governor's inaugural dinner and dance at the Fillmore.

John Hickenlooper has turned over his reins as mayor of Denver and was inaugurated as Colorado’s governor on Jan. 11.

Hickenlooper knows the hospitality industry and seems to value the economic impact of meetings and events like the Democratic National Convention that he helped bring to Denver in 2008. His leadership should bode well for our industry in Colorado.

State Tourism & Helping Hands

Mon, 03 Jan 2011 16:04:27 +0000

Teaser:

Editor Beth Buehler shares a few updates from around the events and hospitality industry in Colorado.

State Sen. Al White of Hayden, who has fought hard for tourism marketing funding in Colorado for many years, has accepted the job as director of the Colorado Tourism Office.

It will be good to see someone at the helm of this state agency again as the position has been vacant since Kim McNulty left to pursue other interests many months ago.

Winter Wanderings

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 15:38:26 +0000

Teaser:

Editor Beth Buehler reminds everyone about the cost of getting participant's gear to event destinations that involve golf or skiing/snowboarding.

When planning a meeting or event that involves golf or skiing/snowboarding, you have to consider the cost of getting participant’s gear to your destination if they are flying.

Personally, I’d rather use my own clubs and skis instead of spending a day getting used to something different--unless I want to demo new equipment anyway!

Remember the days when you could bring two pieces of baggage for free? I can’t believe the size of suitcase that used to accompany me on trips.

Illuminating Small Wonders & First Tracks

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 21:41:26 +0000

Teaser:

Editor Beth Buehler has a few suggestions for groups looking for something to do in December.

A fun event and unique offer crossed my desk today.

The Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster is launching a new event, Living Lights - Illuminating Small Wonders.

Indoor exhibit enhancements (including a new firefly exhibit), outdoor light displays, seasonal entertainment, live animals, festive food and drinks, and ice carving demonstrations are just part of the fun nightly from 5:30 to 8 p.m., Dec. 11 - 19.

Giving Hunger the Boot & New Four Seasons

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 21:22:35 +0000

Teaser:

Editor Beth Buehler shares her experiences at the annual Network for the Needy Luncheon and visit to the Four Seasons Hotel Denver.

Former Denver Bronco Reggie Rivers provided the laughs, Denver chefs and chefs-in-training from Metro State served up the gourmet fare, and attendees and members of Colorado’s meetings and events-related associations gave the Food Bank of the Rockies a nice boost at the annual Network for the Needy Luncheon at

Time for Snow & Network for the Needy

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 19:26:04 +0000

Teaser:

Editor Beth Buehler checks in with next week's events and a reminder to vote for your favorite vendors, venues and suppliers for Colorado's 5th Annual Readers' Choice Best Of awards.

Last week there were two days of heavy snow in Crested Butte, where I work and live, and many of Colorado’s mountain towns.

I’ll admit that I wasn’t quite ready to get my down parka back on and to start thinking of ski gear, but it’s time--with three ski areas already open and ours kicking off the season the day before Thanksgiving.

Harvesting & Best Of Voting

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 19:31:17 +0000

Teaser:

Colorado Meetings + Events Editor Beth Buehler shares her latest thoughts from the road.

It’s that time again to cast your vote in Colorado Meetings + Events’ 5th Annual Readers' Choice Best Of awards. We’ll announce the winners at a not-to-be-missed celebration in March.

Meetings Matter

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 14:40:54 +0000

Teaser:

Don't forget to RSVP for Colorado Meetings + Events and Destination Colorado's annual Town Hall Meeting on Oct. 29.

After being on the road most of last week for the Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Snowmass and CampExperience in Copper Mountain, I came back feel more connected to people I do business and have friendships with throughout Colorado.

Face-to-face meetings do matter, and these two gatherings that I attend annually bring me back to the office and life at home filled with ideas.

Try Spooky Team Building at The Stanley

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 17:07:58 +0000

Teaser:

It's been 30 years since Stephen King's The Shining was released, and it's time to celebrate ghost hunter-style.

Reflections from Russia

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 21:45:06 +0000

Teaser:

Colorado Meetings + Events Editor Beth Buehler returns from Russia with a number of revelations about its meetings and events industry.

My family and I recently returned from spending two weeks in Russia. Much has changed since I last visited almost 11 years ago. It’s much easier to travel there with more English on signage and menus, but it is still such an interesting “foreign” experience that coming home is an adjustment.

Fall Festivals in Colorado

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 19:40:01 +0000

Teaser:

It's time to get out and enjoy the weather and the bountiful harvests in Colorado.

There's just something about pulling on a warm sweater and heading out to a fall festival that makes me look forward to autumn all year long.

And autumn in Colorado? Fuggedaboutit.

Denver on a Roll

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:51:13 +0000

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Teaser:

I was in Denver on Tuesday and enjoyed several firsts. It started with lunch on The Tavern Downtown's new 6,500-square-foot rooftop complete with misting devices for a warm day and continued with going to my first Colorado Rockies baseball game (which ended dramatically in the ninth inning with the Rockies scoring their biggest comeback win ever) and staying at the Hotel Monaco only nine blocks away.

I was in Denver on Tuesday and enjoyed several firsts.

Looking Into the Future – Puppies & Hotels

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:08:45 +0000

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Teaser:

I have a new puppy, a black Lab named Sasha, now nine weeks old. It has been quite an experience getting her merged into the family, and I wonder what she will be like in the future as right now it seems kind of intense!

It seems like everyone in the meetings and events industry (and the publishing industry, the banking industry, the construction industry...) is wondering what the future will be like.

AmeriCAN Celebration

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 19:45:38 +0000

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Denver & MPI Insights

Tue, 25 May 2010 14:10:15 +0000

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Teaser:

Last week I was in Denver to lead a roundtable discussion at Meeting Professionals International - Rocky Mountain Chapter's May meeting held at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science in an event space with absolutely stunning views of City Park, the Denver skyline and the Rocky Mountains.

Code of the West

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 17:20:53 +0000

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Teaser:

One thing I love about Colorado is that it has held onto the aura of the West.

In Gunnison County, where I live and work, there is no danger of getting in a traffic jam unless there is a cattle drive! My office overlooks ranchland where cattle and horses graze in the summer, and I love watching cowboys at work as I drive along Highway 135.

Predictions for 2010 Industry Landscape

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:10:01 +0000

Teaser:

Face-to-face meetings and events are expected to hold strong out to 2020, but to attract customers will require significant innovation in meeting formats, business models, organizational capability and the use of technology, according to initial findings from Convention 2020.

The forecast was prepared by Fast Future Research with sponsors such as IMEX and International Congress and Convention Association. It also will be a "hypercompetitive" environment.

Upcoming Issue & Trends

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 18:25:40 +0000

Teaser:

It's been a crazy end of season for many ski towns with big snowfalls over the past week.

As the snow has been falling in full force, it has been fun to work on a food and beverage issue for summer. We talked to experts around the state to find out about the latest F & B trends, the state of the meetings and events industry and looked at fun ways to incorporate restaurants in your next gathering through chef's tables, a green restaurant dine-around, progressive dinner itineraries and ultra-cool private dining spaces.

Readers' Choice Video

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:13:34 +0000

Check out this great video of the Readers' Choice Best Of Awards from Zero Sun.

600 Attend Best Of Colorado

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 14:27:07 +0000

Teaser:

Our fourth annual Best Of Colorado awards celebration was quite the party last week and a great time to recognize the achievements of the meetings and events industry in our state.

Soaking in SW Colorado

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 06:00:00 +0000

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Teaser:

I live in a ski town but love to venture out and check out all the great places to hit the slopes in the state.

I live in a ski town but love to venture out and check out all the great places to hit the slopes in the state. A few weekends ago, my family sampled the legendary powder that Wolf Creek always seems to be blessed with. Since there is no lodging at Wolf Creek, you stay on either side in Pagosa Springs or South Fork (we love the Swiss Chalet restaurant in South Fork, by the way).

Meetings Week

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:19:08 +0000

Teaser:

Colorado Meetings + Events is excited to be involved in the first-ever Meetings Week in Colorado, a new concept being spearheaded by the Meetings Industry Council of Colorado (MIC).

Meetings Week kicks off with the magazine's fourth annual Best Of Colorado celebration on March 15 at the Denver Art museum (RSVP here) and concludes on March 19 with Non-Traditional Venue Open Houses in the Denver Metro area.

Green Conferences in Denver

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:39:28 +0000

Teaser:

Starting today, Denver is hosting the Green Meeting Industry Council’s (www.greenmeetings.info) annual Sustainable Meetings Conference through Thursday, Feb. 11.

Starting today, Denver is hosting the Green Meeting Industry Council's annual Sustainable Meetings Conference through Thursday, Feb. 11.

Denver is becoming known as a city that dedicated to being green, and this conference helps further that notion as did all the sustainability initiatives put into play during the Democratic National Convention in August 2008.

Following Germany's Lead?

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

I receive all sorts of press releases from around the world. Since Colorado is such a world-class skiing and snowboarding state, the fact that the check-in hall at Germany's Düsseldorf International Airport will house the world's first airport indoor ski jump in conjunction with TravelSuperMart, Feb. 6 - 7, caught my attention.

Snowboarders and ski-freestylers will perform stunts and jumps up to 30 feet on real snow on a 130-foot-long "slope."

Incentives on the Rebound?

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:17:12 +0000

Teaser:

The Incentive Research Foundation (IRF) recently shared insights from its Incentive Industry Trends 2010 survey, which points to slightly rosier times ahead.

"Our sense is that companies may have been sitting on budgets for the past 10 months or so waiting to see how things were going to play out and whether there was going to be more pushback from the media and community regarding incentives," says Mark Peterman, chairman of the IRF Research Committee. Here's just a few of the findings (find out more at www.theirf.org):

Boulder & Incentives Outlook

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:59:30 +0000

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Teaser:

Is anyone else having a hard time writing 2010 and getting back in the saddle after the holidays?

We're working hard on our Spring 2010 issue to be released at our fourth annual Readers' Choice Best Of Colorado celebration at the Denver Art Museum on March 15. Mark your calendars! Also, our Best Of finalists will be posted soon on this website, so stay tuned.

The Power of Being Positive

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:24:46 +0000

Teaser:

If you live in a Colorado ski town and the snow count is still pretty low by the first weekend in December and there have been a few false-alarm storms of little magnitude, everyone starts getting a little cranky.

Voting & Fun Meetings

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:18:08 +0000

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Teaser:

Don't forget to vote in our fourth annual Best Of Colorado readers' choice awards on this website and spread to the word to your co-workers, clients and colleagues.

Don't forget to vote in our fourth annual Best Of Colorado readers' choice awards on this website and spread to the word to your co-workers, clients and colleagues. The deadline has been extended to Nov. 20, 2009, at 5 p.m. Also, mark your calendars for the big celebration on March 15 at the Denver Art Museum; as always, it will be during the same week as the MIC Conference.

A Song for Keep America Meeting

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:46:12 +0000

Teaser:

This just in from TBA Global, a song for the Keep America Meeting campaign to mark six months of working on this important issue in a fun way.

The company recruited NewSide to record the song and Vice President of Marketing Alison Smith Jenks says, "If you like Saturday Night Live's ‘Lazy Sunday,' this one's for you." Just go to Keep America Meeting's site and click on "Play Our Song."

New Colorado GMIC & Business Travel Predictions

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:16:36 +0000

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Teaser:

Congratulations to the new Colorado Chapter of the Green Meetings Industry Council (GMIC) for holding its first meeting not quite a month ago.

Colorado is proud to be GMIC's second fully-formed chapter and host of the 2010 GMIC annual conference in Denver on Feb. 9 - 11. Watch for photos from this first meeting in the Snapshots section of our winter issue. To join and for more information, click here.

Snow & Credentials

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:46:36 +0000

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Teaser:

What do snow and credentials have in common? Some people may think credentials-those initials behind your name-can be a snow job.

Personally, I think they mean a person has gone the extra mile in their chosen field to continue growing and learning. In the meetings and events industry, I believe the various designations like CMP, DMCP, CSEP and SGMP count for something and they catch my attention when I'm looking for sources to interview. In my field, having a master's degree in journalism and mass communication has definitely opened some doors.

The Value of Face-to-Face Meetings

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:33:12 +0000

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Teaser:

Sometimes it's hard to get everything in order before leaving the office for work travel, but once you're there it can be a real reward.

Sometimes it's hard to get everything in order before leaving the office for work travel, but once you're there it can be a real reward ... especially if it's for CampExperience, a women's retreat held in Copper Mountain and organized by Colorado Meetings + Events 2008 Hall of Famer Betsy Wiersma.

How Social is Your State DMO?

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:45:58 +0000

Teaser:

Have you ever wondered how your state DMO compares to others as far as social media goes?

Well, Dave Serino of Gammet Interactive has put together the "first published comprehensive measurement for destinations' presence on social media sites."

According to Serino, "What I found was, many organizations do some things really well, but there were very few organizations that do everything well."

Federal Policies & Dance Moves

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:23:44 +0000

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Teaser:

Today, seven 10-year-old girls, including my daughter, had a back-to-school party at our house.

They head to 5th grade on Monday...none too soon according to all the moms involved. The beauty of it all is my daughter and her friends are now able to take charge of their own events/parties. They made fru-shi (slices of banana with a small circle of sprinkles in the middle and wrapped in fruit leather) and lots of other fun foods we gleaned from a girls' magazine and had serious fun dancing to Michael Jackson tunes.

Gov Officials Sending Wrong Message…Again

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:57:03 +0000

Teaser:

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that government meeting planners are being told to plan meetings in less "fun" destinations and instead to book in more buttoned-down cities.

Among the destinations blacklisted by certain departments: Las Vegas, Orlando and Reno.

"A Department of Justice spokeswoman said, 'We do have guidance that says avoid locations and accommodations that give the appearance of being lavish or are resort destinations.'"

Green Meetings & Events Standards – Comment on Final Draft

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:20:03 +0000

Teaser:

Now is your chance to provide feedback regarding the final draft of the Green Meeting and Event Practices created by the Convention Industry Council's Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX) Panel. Act quickly to chime in.

Corporate Travel Predicted to Decline 15% in 2009

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:48:23 +0000

Teaser:

Most people who are involved in the meetings and events industry and any destination that serves this market are naturally wondering how this year will turn out. It's pretty much a given that it will be down, but how much?

Sage Hospitality Rewards Volunteers with Half-Price or Free Stays

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:08:45 +0000

Teaser:

Sage Hospitality is offering volunteers 50 percent off (or free) stays for each day they volunteer now through December 20.

Sage Hospitality is offering http://www.sagehospitality.com/specials/giveadaygetanight.htm volunteers 50 percent off (or free) stays for each day they volunteer now through December 20.

The discount is valid at all 15 Sage hotels in Colorado, including the JW Marriott Denver at Cherry Creek in Denver, the Curtis Hotel in Denver, The Westin Westminster in Westminster and 7 local TownePlace Suites by Marriott.

I think hospitality has always been intrinsically involved in the community, and this is an excellent way to strengthen that bond.

Colorado Staying Busy

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:23:39 +0000

As I travel around the state this summer, it seems like Colorado is staying busy. In a recent USA Today article, the Denver metro area and Boulder were two of a handful of communities nationwide mentioned as showing signs of recovery from the recession.

Colorado holding it’s own

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Denver has been on a role landing key meetings and events business in recent years, most notably the Democratic National Convention (DNC), held in the Mile High City almost a year ago.

I had been wondering what the city's numbers for 2008 looked like, a question that was quickly answered by a recent press release from VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Experience Matters

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Last week, I attended the SPIN Leaders Think Tank Luncheon in Denver, one in a series of networking meetings being held across the nation in May and June to bring together senior-level meeting planners.

After having a chance to network and enjoy the hip venue, Kevin Taylor's at the Opera House, we addressed four main topics:

• Will the industry recover or reinvent itself?

• Are Web-based meetings becoming more common and replacing face-to-face meetings?

Experience Matters

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Last week, I attended the SPIN Leaders Think Tank Luncheon in Denver, one in a series of networking meetings being held across the nation in May and June to bring together senior-level meeting planners.

After having a chance to network and enjoy the hip venue, Kevin Taylor's at the Opera House, we addressed four main topics:

1. Will the industry recover or reinvent itself?

Think Tanks & Hot Properties

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:00:00 +0000

This week, I'm heading to Denver for a SPIN Leaders Think Tank Luncheon on June 9, one in a series of networking meetings being held across the nation in May and June to bring together senior-level meeting planners to address challenges that face our industry.

Think Tanks & Hot Properties

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Go Local & Cheer Each Other On

Thu, 21 May 2009 05:00:00 +0000

The hard thing about a sputtering economy is seeing colleagues who you respect and enjoy as friends lose their jobs. Hearing about venues and attractions closing also has an element of surprise, but none to date tops the Ski Train's http://www.skitrain.com announcement that it will be moving to Canada.

Let’s Rally Together

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0000

The one good thing about crises is that people in America know how to band together and rally. The meetings and events and travel industries have done just that as we've been faced with a challenging economy and a strange thought that getting people together as a business or organization is suddenly a questionable practice.