Having quality meeting and event space can seal some deals, but attendees like me want to get a taste of the destination and better yet to have some unique experiences mixed in. Don’t discount the partnerships and local knowledge that a hotel’s staff can bring to the table and experiences they can deliver.
On a recent excursion to Beaver Creek Lodge with seven other journalists from around the country, we learned how to shake up two specialty cocktails during a mixology session on the patio of the on-site Rocks Modern Grill and savored a seven-course wine dinner in the Wine Room featuring trout caught and mushrooms foraged by Executive Chef Justin Kalaluhi, who described each course and is an outstanding chef.
The prior evening, we painted in the hotel’s Bohemian Gallery with Lauren Miller, owner of the Alpine Arts Center based in nearby Edwards, surrounded by great art, sipping wine and taking a break for a locally inspired dinner (I’m in love with Jumpin’ Good Goat Dairy’s honey chevre that is made in Buena Vista). I was impressed that our paintings of wine bottles created in only a couple of hours turned out quite well. There is approximately 6,000 square feet of function space at the hotel (including the gallery), which is owned by the Kessler Collection.
Lodging at Beaver Creek’s base area provides attendees with great access to activities, shops, restaurants, nightlife and mingling with other visitors. For interesting local history and information about the flora and fauna along with a nice dose of exercise, take a guided hike with Beaver Creek Hiking Center and then grab the chairlift for a scenic ride and lunch at Spruce Saddle Lodge located right by the Wedding Deck, which also could be a neat location for a small meeting kickoff or intimate concert. A raft trip on the Shoshone section of the Colorado River (fairly easy-going Class II and III water) also was fun and made easy by Lakota Guides, with lunch prepared and served at a park right at the take-out point followed by a beer tasting back in Edwards at their neighbor, Crazy Mountain Brewing Company.
This trip proved that mixing business, learning and memorable moments is possible and a hotel and local partners can team up to expertly deliver all three.
Beth Buehler
Editor
Colorado Meetings + Events
