These interviews are part of a series that highlights new hires within the industry. Have you recently started a new role or do you know someone who has? Submit your ideas to lauren.pahmeier@tigeroak.com.
Donna Horii was recently named the national group sales manager for The Charter at Beaver Creek.
1. What are you looking forward to most in your new role?
So far, webcams and Zoom meetings have been an essential part of 2020. While digital options are functional placeholders for meetings, chatting with a coworker over Skype doesn’t always set up a team for success. Human connection is vital to team building, and hosting safe, small meetings is a great way to revitalize teams after months of working from home.
Kimpton Hotel Born sits next to the train tracks of Denver's Union Station, the city’s transportation hub. In tandem with the hustle and bustle of city life, Hotel Born projects a Rocky Mountain feel with alpine-modern spaces that exude warmth and rusticity, which is exactly what groups and visitors want when they come to Denver.
Denver native Keisha Makonese’s passion for planning events dates way back. Her latest gig as director of sales and corporate events at Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum began nine years ago. In this role, Makonese helps oversee an average of 150 private events at Wings Over the Rockies each year, from making meetings for 20 people to annual dinners for 2,000 fun and interactive experiences.
Bigsby's Folly Craft Winery & Restaurant
Here's who has been crowned the winners and runners-up of the Colorado Meetings + Events Best of 2020 readers' choice awards. Congratulations!
Best Brewery/Distillery/Winery with Event Space
Bigsby's Folly Craft Winery & Restaurant
Antlers at Vail hired Kim Rediker as the new assistant general manager. Rediker will replace former assistant general manager Magda King, who was promoted to general manager after Rob LeVine’s retirement.
Rediker has lived in Vail since 1992 and has experience working in Vail hospitality at places like Simba Run Resort, the Inn & Suites at Riverwalk and Tivoli Lodge.
When traveling for work or leisure, the culinary scene is a big part of the experience for many. Benchmark Hospitality’s executive chefs and culinary experts at the company’s 40 hotels, resorts and restaurants, including Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs, identified dining trends for this year.
1. Small Plates – Served any time of day and through expo-style cooking, including show kitchens, action stations, EVO grilling and mobile kitchens, small plates get gobbled up.
What happens when you get 15 experts from around the state together at blanc in Denver and discuss the state of the meetings and events industry for an afternoon? Thoughtful conversation, idea sharing, camara- derie and some aha moments, along with a candid discussion about impacts of the legalization of marijuana in Colorado, were all highlights from Colorado Meetings + Events Editorial Advisory Board meeting this spring.
Year in Review
With a scratch kitchen, three bars and entertainment options like bowling, table tennis, 1980s arcade games and pinball, Skee-Ball, shuffle board, corn hole, marbles and darts, Punch Bowl Social is currently thriving in Denver, Austin, Portland and Detroit. The 24,000-square-foot location in Denver, formerly a Big Lots, is popular for corporate outings and events and recently debuted two private karaoke rooms with more than 5,000 songs to choose from.
Repurposing injects a healthy dose of artistic flair while sparing the bottom line.
