< PreviousPLANNER TIPS themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESJULY 2023 Plan & Prepare Meeting Crisis Management Head-On By Maura Keller In her role as event planner, Patricia Foss-Bennie, CMP, director, conferences and publications at Municipal Maryland League, has personally witnessed everything from floods and other weather-related events to the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as protests and picketing, equipment failure, facility issues like staffing shortages and more. “I’ve often explained my job as solving problems one by one daily. Honestly, my experiences have been rather tame com- paratively. The biggest crisis issues are human ones, especially those impacting many, like strikes and labor/travel stoppages or rioting near a venue,” Foss-Bennie says. “But a crisis can be as mundane as when your big banquet dinner isn’t delivered on time, and as you pace by the kitchen entrance, you see some- one at a far table in the back of the room get a pizza delivered as those around cheer. I’ve come to think that the word ‘crisis’ UNSPLASH.COM Treating your coworkers as partners, not adversaries, will make tackling any crisis much easier. Communication is key. n the world of association meeting planning, there are a myriad of disruptive challenges that occur. While most of these disruptions are unpredictable and uncontrollable, evaluating and managing the inherent risk of meetings and conventions is paramount in an age of unpredictability. I 30is applicable only when you are unprepared and fail to act. And at times, we all feel unprepared and have those moments of hesitation, but after the initial shock, most of us bound into our event ‘fixer’ mode.” One specific crisis that Foss-Bennie handled early in her career was when her previous employer’s largest general ses- sion broke and the crowd was quickly moving to the main escalator to get down two levels to the expo. While people were on the escalator, it stopped suddenly. “Thankfully, the people on it were able to hold on and not fall forward, but others were unaware of the problem and still trying to get on. We radioed an all-hands-on deck to help the building team and our security with crowd control and lead people to alternative routes within minutes,” Foss-Bennie says. More recently, a meeting city received five inches of rain in less than one hour. The parking lot flooded and several attend- ees’ cars were damaged unbeknownst to attendees, who were in workshop sessions. Someone came to let staff know that water was leaking through the light fixture in one of the ses- sions, clearly a major safety risk. “Our team, including contractors, the venue team, our staff and leaders and many volunteer members quickly cleared the room, shut down power in the area, reset an alternative meet- ing space with everything needed to continue the session and carried on,” Foss-Bennie says. “ Later, the venue worked to help those with damaged vehicles and repaired the building.” Foss-Bennie’s main crisis management recommendation is to have a written crisis plan specific to every event you have and crafted for each venue you will use. Planners should do what they do best in this realm just as in their events role – play out every potential scenario in your head to get started. “What could go wrong? If it does go wrong, how will you respond? How will you expect others involved to respond. What’s Plan B? Even have a Plan C. Write it all out. Get input from others once you’ve done the thinking and the writing and along the way,” Foss-Bennie says. “To be truly prepared for a crisis, get your team together and drill the plan. That way everyone understands their role, and understands every role, so they are willing to pivot as needed. It’s one thing to have a plan. It’s another to know it and to share it so that everyone not only knows it, but owns it, too.” Becky Fowkes, director, meetings & events, American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), says that, in her experience, external factors that affect travel can quickly result in “crisis” situations for the planning team. “Canceled flights due to weather are a given, but also pilot and crew labor strikes, collapsed bridges, downed power lines on an interstate, etc. can strand speakers and mean drastic changes to a program,” Fowkes says. “We were once noti- fied the week before an event that an entire line of a city’s transit system was going to be under construction the week we were there.” In another situation, an AACRAO member with a long his- tory of active leadership and service in the association passed away unexpectedly weeks before an event. Plans had to be made quickly for communicating the loss to attendees and their co-presenters, a remembrance video was produced, ses- sions were canceled and replaced, a celebration of life recep- tion was planned, buttons in her honor were donated, and trig- gering email communication to her team had to be modified. “It was a very hard time for the team as many of them were personally grieving the loss. The event was an overall success but there were many attendees who were emotional through- out,” Fowkes says. “A foundation has since been established by the board to honor the person who passed away and we’ve improved our operational plan for when we do and do not publish a statement when a member dies.” Certain crisis management techniques have proven suc- cessful. Fowkes suggests association event planners consider the following: • If it’s not’s written down, it doesn’t exist. Scripts, schedules, action plans and decision trees should be readily available to the entire planning team. • Have backup plans for every plenary speaker, such as an executive director or board president. Workshop presenters are a must, as well as an action plan for when breakout speakers cancel. Will canceled sessions result in an empty room or do you have a list of presenters “at the ready” who can step in on a moment’s notice? Do you have a way to quickly communicate changes to attendees? • Prepare pre-written statements for the very worst case scenarios you can think of so that if you are faced with having to inform attendees or 31 JULY 2023 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIES Becky Fowkes Director, meetings & events, American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) We were once notified the week before an event that an entire line of a city’s transit system was going to be under construction the week we were there. UNSPLASH.COM Make sure to have an expert on site to ensure unexpected problems like Wi-Fi suddenly going out can be resolved as quickly as possible.the press, you are not trying to come up with something while overwhelmed by emotion. Pre- pare action plans and decision trees for these scenarios, as well. Scenarios should include significant injury or death of a staff member or attendee, major equipment failure at the venue from a power outage to falling equipment, and a protest of your event or attendee. “It’s also difficult to ‘control the message’ when all in attendance can communicate with each other so quickly via messaging and texting,” Fowkes says. “Rumors can start and can quickly get away from the organizers.” Mistakes To Avoid Each crisis that occurs is unique and brings its own set of challenges. That said, one of the biggest mistakes planners make is thinking that everything will continue to be normal and run smoothly. “Having a written and practiced crisis plan is a mandate,” Foss-Bennie says. Some mistakes she’s either made herself or witnessed include not remaining calm, not asking for help and not recognizing that you have a team. “The venue staff, your colleagues, your vendors and con- tractors and your association’s members are all your partners in your event. Treat them as such, not as adversaries,” she says. “When you create your event crisis plan, ask the venue for theirs and incorporate it. Make sure your contacts have their own crisis plan and a copy of yours as well. Be the prepared leader. You’ll be very glad you did if ever you do have to face a major problem.” Jeremiah Shirk, founder and CEO at Showpiece Solutions, has organized many events, including numerous presidential events, and has deep experience working with Secret Service, police forces and other city plan- ners to ensure event safety. Shirk says one of the major concerns surrounding crisis management at events is not having a proper infrastruc- ture in place to address issues as they arise. “It is crucial to proactively establish a system where you and your team can communicate effectively with clients and stakehold- ers to quickly resolve any problems,” Shirk says. “Failure to do so can result in delayed and ineffective response, leading to potential catastrophic consequences.” That’s why Shirk says it is important to have your infra- structure and processes in place well before the event, ensur- ing seamless event operations. Additionally, ensure that roles and responsibilities are clearly communicated and understood by practicing with tabletop scenario incidents. “This proactive approach will expose any gaps in your systems that can be addressed long before an incident arises, enabling you to focus on the crisis at hand and giving you the flexibility to respond and activate appropriately,” he says. During a past event that Shirk planned, a group of VIPs were not given proper guidance, which caused a delay in the entire program. “However, with immediate communication with stake- holders and partners, we were able to resolve the situation and proceed without any further setback,” Shirk says. “This suc- cess was only possible because of our strong focus on commu- nication and relationship building with outside stakeholders themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESJULY 2023 Prepare evacuation plans ahead of time in case of a worst case scenario. DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM Jeremiah Shirk Founder and CEO, Showpiece Solutions It is crucial to proactively establish a system where you and your team can communicate effectively with clients and stakeholders to quickly resolve any problems. 32during the planning phase. Our transparency and trust helped us overcome this crisis.” Shirk stresses that one of the key mistakes meeting and event planners makes is choosing or forgetting to actually plan for a “crisis” as many individuals live under the false narrative that “it always just works out,” but this approach is flawed. “It’s essential to plan for potential crises instead of ignoring them and hoping for the best. Crossing your fingers won’t keep an incident from happening, and even if things worked out before, there’s no guarantee they will in the future,” Shirk says. Another common mistake is having an inefficient com- mand and control structure, which can lead to confusion and miscommunication during a crisis, making matters worse. It’s crucial to have a well-organized system in place to ensure everyone knows their roles and responsibilities. “Finally, some meeting professionals try to handle the entire response themselves because they never implemented an effective command and control system,” Shirk says. “This ‘do-it-yourself’ approach can be overwhelming and lead to burnout quickly. Instead, delegating tasks based on expertise and capabilities can help address the crisis more efficiently. Planning is critical in crisis management as it helps avoid potential misunderstandings or errors in judgment during an emergency situation while ensuring that everyone involved knows what they need to do.” The Role of Technology Digital and technological advancements within the meet- ing and events space has catapulted the industry into a high- tech realm that engages attendees and streamlines the entire meeting and event experience. Of course, with that technology comes the potential for issues. “Similar to our increasingly complex vehicles, few can be repaired by the amateur’s DIY efforts. If the venue’s Wi-Fi fails, is there an on-site expert to get it back on or will all your presentations that incorporate internet show and tell be toast? Is there an AV tech on site who can quickly reconnect what- ever wiring links the sound between rooms, or to the vehicle broadcasting your streaming from the parking lot?” Foss-Ben- nie says. “Tech is amazing and adds much to how and what we do, but just like everything else we hold responsibility for, we have to ensure that the support is in place with backups as we embrace these new vehicles.” In addition, the reach of video and attendees’ ability to share it with thousands at their fingertips has heightened reputational risk. As a result, Shirk says it has become imperative for both planners and clients to prioritize their response processes and have strategies in place to either prevent negative situations or communicate effectively if crises do occur. “It is essential that they are able to convey messages, such as ‘here’s what happened,’ ‘here’s our response,’ and ‘here’s how we will monitor and adjust moving forward’ to mitigate any potential harm to their reputation,” Shirk says. Looking Ahead In the last few years, meeting planners have had to deal with a wealth of unpredicted crises – namely, with regard to canceled events and the advent of virtual meetings. Foss- Bennie says sanitization, air quality, energy, privacy and digital security will continue as key event crisis plan elements in the post-Covid world. “If the pundits are correct about global warming and its impact on weather and water levels, these will factor into plan- ning. Generic templates exist now for planners’ use in crafting their organizations’ crisis plans and certainly agencies and others can craft a plan for you,” Foss-Bennie says. “I think another evolution we will see more of is that our event crisis plans will become more customized and specific toward our organization and each individual event going forward.” Shirk says the importance of allocating resources to the planning process beyond the realm of communications leads and law enforcement partners is on the rise. “It is key that subject matter experts are involved in identi- fying and resolving potential failure points beforehand. When a crisis occurs, the agility and response of your crisis manage- ment team will determine the success of future events,” Shirk says. “They no longer have a choice not to invest resources into this aspect of proactive planning.” | AC&F | JULY 2023 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIES UNSPLASH “Having a written and practiced crisis plan is a mandate,” says Patricia Foss-Bennie, CMP, director, conferences and publications at Municipal Maryland League. 33DESTINATION REPORT themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESJULY 2023 Colorado A State of Inspiration By Christine Loomis Denver The Colorado Convention Center is poised to complete a long-anticipated expansion, but even as we wait for what’s new, what’s already there is easily meeting the needs of groups and associations. Lesley Martinez, CMP, conference manager, Association of Materials Protection & Performance (AMPP), brought a group of 5,714 to the city in March for AMPP’s annual conference & expo. Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center served as the headquarters hotel and the group used space there and at the convention center. Martinez says the association is fully back to in-person meetings and not using hybrid elements. In terms of the annual conference, they’re back to pre-pandemic registration levels. “As of 2023, we’re back to our pre-pandemic planning methods and site selection,” Martinez adds. “The one big difference for us is the use of technology — we’re recording content onsite to make it available for on-demand viewing post event.” She says Denver is a good fit for AMPP because of its loca- tion and the ease of getting there from all over the world. “We have attendees from all over the North America, as well as internationally, and Denver International Airport’s thousands of daily flights helps get our attendees there with ease.” Addi- tionally, she says that the CVB helped them with site visits, vendor sourcing and promo material. About the convention center, Martinez says, “The layout and space are great for us. There’s plenty of space in the exhibit hall and the layout of the meeting space is perfect. The group- ings help us group industries and meeting types. Additionally, it’s easy to flow through it since it’s a simple square.” As for the hotel, as is often the case, relationship with a brand can make a difference. “When we signed the agreement for 2023, it was around the same time that we signed for our 2022 event, which had the same hotel brand as our host hotel. This afforded us additional amenities we would not have other- wise received. Additionally, the hotel had the needed meeting space, number of hotel rooms, presidential suites and pricing we needed, all within close proximity to the convention center.” C2 PHOTOGRAPHY / COURTESY OF ASPEN MEADOWS RESORT Outdoor venues are perfect when the weather is right. Aspen’s Benedict Music Tent has more than 2,000 seats available. Pictured: Aspen Ideas Festival. olorado will celebrate its 150th birthday in 2026. The Centennial State — named because it became a state just as the nation celebrated its 100th birthday — has always had a lot going for it, including the inspiring grandeur of the Rocky Mountains. Colorado cities, too, offer rich history, art, diversity, global industries from tech and healthcare to military facilities and forces, innovation, entrepreneurship, renowned institutes of higher learning and so much more. There are also hotels, convention centers and venues to meet the needs of any group. C 34The group used several hotel function and conference spaces while onsite. “In doing so, we had the opportunity to work with the hotel’s catering and AV teams, Wi-Fi capabilities and event concierge staff,” Martinez says, adding that all of the staff stood out. “They attended to our needs, handled any issues and provided solutions in a timely and professional manner.” One tip for planners, Martinez notes, is to be prepared for higher labor costs. “Thankfully, we had no issues with any of our vendors or their staff fulfilling their duties, but costs were high, and we had to make adjustments in other areas to stay within budget.” That said, Martinez calls Denver “a really good destination for hosting conferences,” adding, “We worked with topnotch staff at the hotel, convention center and at the CVB. They were on top of our needs and addressing any issues that came up in a timely manner. They were great partners.” Aurora While functioning in many ways as a suburb of Denver, Aurora is a city in its own right, and is a superb setting for meetings for many reasons. It’s home to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, the largest academic health center in the Rocky Mountain Region, and the VA hospital, making it a good choice for medical and pharma meetings. It’s also where Buckley Air Force Base is located, home of the 460th Space Wing, and Stanley Marketplace, a community of 50-plus independently owned businesses with options for dining, shopping, entertainment, work and work- ing out — plus 18,000-plus sf of indoor/outdoor event space, ideal for all kinds of functions. In addition to the food and bev- erage options at Stanley Marketplace, there’s the Central Park neighborhood straddling the Denver/Aurora city lines with a slew of worthy restaurants, some featuring Denver’s top chefs. Also located in Aurora and just a few minutes from Denver International Airport is Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center. Like other Gaylord properties, Gaylord Rockies is a destination unto itself; truthfully, it has everything planners and their groups need — and then some! But the resort does provide shuttle service to a stop just minutes away on Den- ver’s A Line train, which connects downtown with the airport, making it a breeze for attendees to experience the restaurants and amenities of downtown Denver for client dinners, func- tions or free time if they choose. The Air & Space Forces Association held their AFA’s War- fare Symposium (AWS) at Gaylord Rockies recently with 6,600 in attendance. Amanda Grandel, vice president of events & operations, says the group returned to in-person events back in the fall of 2021. The main difference between pre-pandemic meetings and those today, she says, “is that we record and stream more of our sessions than we did pre-Covid.” Destina- tions have not changed and the Air Force Academy’s registra- tion numbers are on the rise. In terms of the group’s smaller meetings, Grandel says they have included hybrid options throughout the year at most. “We also include a virtual option for our larger events through live streaming and video posting within 24 hours of our sessions.” One result of the pandemic appears to be that many groups are now considering more centrally located destinations they hadn’t considered previ- ously. That’s the case with the Air & Space Forces Association. “This event took place in Orlando for over 30 years,” Grandel says. “What really drove us in selecting the location was a move to a more central/west U.S. destina- 35 JULY 2023 themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIES Lesley Martinez, CMP Conference Manager, Association of Materials Protection & Performance As of 2023, we’re back to our pre-pandemic planning methods and site selection. The one big difference for us is the use of technology — we’re recording content onsite to make it available. AIR & SPACE FORCES ASSOCIATION The Air & Space Forces Association held their AFA’s Warfare Symposium (AWS) recently at Gaylord Rockies in Aurora, which has more than 500,000 sf of meeting space.tion, and most importantly, the prox- imity to the local United States Air Force (USAF) and United States Space Force (USSF) bases giving Airmen and Guardians more of an opportunity to attend. AFA also has a longstand- ing relationship with Marriott and a great history with the Gaylord brand. The high level of service they offer, the layout and quality of the meeting space and exhibit hall, as well as the top-rate guest rooms and property facilities made it an easy choice when comparing to other locations. Distance and ease of travel to and from DIA and local overflow properties is a bonus.” Visit Aurora, the city’s CVB, also played a role. “Visit Aurora was amaz- ing at connecting us with overflow properties, as well as temporary staff- ing with Hire Power. They were a wealth of knowledge get- ting us prepared for a new location and showed up in force to support us as we settled into the property to open the show.” In addition to close access to the region’s ASAF and USSF bases and a long history with Marriott and Gaylord, Grandel says the property’s meeting-space size, layout and functional- ity, pricing and guest room availability in close proximity also made Gaylord Rockies an easy choice. She calls the Gaylord staff phenomenal in planning and execution. “They embody the true spirit of Gaylord stars,” she says. Grandel says the flow of the meeting space and size of the full-service exhibit hall were also big factors. “Gaylord Rock- ies meeting space is well appointed and thoughtfully designed to be enhanced by the local surroundings. Each ballroom is accompanied by breakout/office space, which helps when sharing space with other groups. The décor helps reinforce the upscale casual environment of the property with multiple locations for quiet conversation located throughout the public spaces. There is also ample foyer space for displays, registra- tion if you opt not to use the built-in desks and sponsorship opportunities. And we absolutely love the water system in each of the small meeting rooms as well.” Grandel notes that Gaylord’s onsite AV company, Encore, “was fabulous to work with,” adding, “Not only were they able to provide great service and state-of- the-art equipment for our breakout spaces, they also were great collabora- tors with our outside production com- pany that produces our general ses- sion. IT throughout the facility works well, and the Gaylord team is always on call to help troubleshoot any issues. They’ve added some great options for media/sponsorships as well that AFA took advantage of.” The one tip Grandel has for planners considering Gaylord Rockies is related to parking. “If you have heavy drive-ins and parking needs, make sure to communi- cate early and often that space is limited. Encourage ride sharing and budget for shuttles for overflow if possible.” For Grandel and the AFA group, the experience was overwhelmingly posi- tive. “We could not have asked for a better experience,” she says. AFA is signed through 2028 to host the annual symposium in Aurora at Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center. Aspen For many planners, setting a meeting high in the Rocky Mountains provides everything a group needs — not the least of which is scenery and vistas so grand they can’t help but inspire attendees. Away-from-it-all locations also provide an atmosphere in which the frenetic pace of the everyday world is left far behind so attendees can focus on the kind of deep thinking and lofty goals that can propel organizations forward. Aspen is a place that facilitates all that and more. The American Academy of Arts & Sciences held its higher education forum in Aspen in both 2022 and 2023, with about 100 to 120 in attendance. “The relaxed mountain setting helps attendees leave their daily concerns aside and come to the meeting ready to engage deeply with larger issues,” says KJ, events manager for the Academy. Registration levels are back to pre-pandemic levels. “We’ve found that our audiences are so appreciative of the opportu- nity to meet in person after the isolation of the past few years,” KJ says. But the Academy still makes use of virtual and hybrid meetings as well. “Our organization now holds many more virtual and hybrid meetings than ever before. Virtual meet- ings allow us to reach broader audiences and convene more diverse groups that are not limited by geography or travel. We have resumed in-person meetings as well, and with those, we tend to focus more on aspects that are harder to achieve online, such as opportunities for social connection, informal side dis- cussions and conversations over meals.” Hybrid meetings continue to be useful for certain kinds of meetings. “We have held a few hybrid meetings for our gover- nance and programmatic work, which requires all members to participate and provide input on decisions and final products. However, the majority of our meetings are one format — only virtual or only in-person. themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESJULY 2023 The onsite AV company at Gaylord Rockies, Encore, offers state-of-the- art equipment for presentations and events, such as at the 2023 AFA Warfare Symposium Spark Tank, pictured. Amanda Grandel Vice President of Events & Operations, The Air & Space Forces Association The high level of service they offer, the layout and quality of the meeting space and exhibit hall, as well as the top-rate guest rooms and property facilities made it an easy choice. we'll move mountains for you. eager to experience a james beard award-winning restaurant? Visit Aurora’s dedicated team is here seven days a week to deliver the customized services you need to pull off a seamless event. But that’s just one of the reasons we’re one of Colorado’s premier convention, business, and leisure travel destinations. Let’s start talking today. visitaurora.com/meetings 720-484-8902 36we'll move mountains for you. eager to experience a james beard award-winning restaurant? Visit Aurora’s dedicated team is here seven days a week to deliver the customized services you need to pull off a seamless event. But that’s just one of the reasons we’re one of Colorado’s premier convention, business, and leisure travel destinations. Let’s start talking today. visitaurora.com/meetings 720-484-8902The Academy’s Aspen meetings are based at Aspen Meadows Resort, a 40-acre property set along the Roaring Fork River with ample conference space. The resort, now part of the Salamander collection, recently unveiled a significant renovation to its 98 guest suites, as well as meeting and public spaces. Aspen Meadows is also home to the famed Aspen Institute where scholars, thought leaders, creators and others regularly convene to find solutions to the world’s challenging problems. It’s no coincidence that the town, resort and setting support such lofty goals. “As an organization founded on the idea of excellence, we aim to provide our guests with the highest levels of service and quality and Aspen Meadows has delivered. The campus- like setting creates a familiar and collegial atmosphere. The number of rooms and options for meeting spaces are ideal for our group — large enough to accommodate but it still feels intimate. Finally, Aspen’s brand as a destination where important thinkers come to discuss big ideas attracts top-level participants,” notes KJ, adding that they already have a hold on space for 2024. “We will absolutely meet here again. It’s clear that we’re in good, experienced hands. They are always understanding when last-minute changes need to be made and have made themselves available throughout our conference for anything we need, from changing a room setup to printing documents, and so on.” The group uses all of the resort’s hotel rooms, as well as the McNulty Room, Davis Commons and Albright Pavilion, for function and dining space. “Our program was set up in McNulty, with meals in Davis and reception in Albright. We had speakers and panel discussions on a stage with people sit- ting halfway around round tables.” KJ says microphones, slide projection on two screens, some panel recording and a confi- dence monitor met the group’s needs in terms of AV. “We had no trouble with Wi-Fi, and the AV team we worked with was wonderful. They were also very understanding of last-minute changes and walked us through the process throughout the week. We also had a podium, mic and slides during some of the dinners in Davis Commons.” Noting that Aspen can be a challenging destination to get to, KJ recommends having contingency plans for potential limits to travel, but adds, “We’ve had a wonderful experi- ence having our conference here and working with the Aspen Meadows team. The team is willing to offer suggestions and work with you to ensure that your meeting is the best possible experience. Given this exceptional service and experience, we recommend planning early, as it fills quickly.” Colorado Springs One more destination in Colorado to consider is Colorado Springs. The city’s close-in airport is a bonus, but Colorado Springs is also just over an hour drive from Denver Interna- tional Airport. Multiple meetings-friendly hotels and resorts meet the needs of groups with a range of budgets. The historic Broadmoor is the world’s longest-running consecutive Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond resort. This sophisticated locale built in 1918 at the foot of Cheyenne Mountain, has everything a planner could need. They offer more than 315,000 sf of flexible event and convention space and there are numerous settings throughout their 5,000-acre resort that can accommodate events from 20 to more than 1,000 attendees. They also have seasonal wilderness experi- ences from being nestled in the Pike National Forest 3,000 feet above The Broadmoor to fly fishing along a private five- mile stretch of the Tarryall River. In addition, it is home to 20 restaurants, cafes and lounges, two legendary golf courses, a world-renowned spa, 20 distinctive retail outlets and an array of programs. Their onsite Broadmoor Outfitters is available to facilitate tours and team building. Other great locations for meetings in Colorado Springs include the elegant, sophisticated Mining Exchange, A Wynd- ham Grand Hotel & Spa located downtown; Cheyenne Moun- tain Resort; and casual, European-inspired, budget-friendly Kinship Landing with community gathering spaces perfect for small groups looking for something different. Offsite activities range from heading to the summit of Pikes Peak, taking on the rapids of the Arkansas River as it rolls through Royal Gorge or facing the fun and thrills presented at the top of the gorge in Royal Gorge Bridge & Park. Wherever you choose to meet in Colorado, the setting will likely inspire attendees in ways they might not have imagined, whether that’s reaching for the highest goals or creating inno- vative solutions to challenging problems. | AC&F | themeetingmagazines.comASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIESJULY 2023 The Aspen Meadows Resort, which sits on 40 acres and has 22,000 sf of meeting and event space, is home to the Aspen Institute & Aspen Ideas Festival. C2 PHOTOGRAPHY ROOM TO INSPIRE KATHY REAK, CFMP Vice President of Sales Kathy@VisitCOS.com | 719.685.7632 Welcome to Colorado Springs, Olympic City USA, where stunning, wide-open scenery is the backdrop to your next meeting or event. From unique venues and properties to outdoor adventure and delicious dining, Colorado Springs has what you need to create a memorable experience for your attendees. Here, you’ll find room to inspire, innovate and reconnect. The Colorado Meetings & Events Incentive program has been extended, offering a 10% rebate on eligible hard costs. See our website for details. Learn more at VisitCOS.com/meet 38ROOM TO INSPIRE KATHY REAK, CFMP Vice President of Sales Kathy@VisitCOS.com | 719.685.7632 Welcome to Colorado Springs, Olympic City USA, where stunning, wide-open scenery is the backdrop to your next meeting or event. From unique venues and properties to outdoor adventure and delicious dining, Colorado Springs has what you need to create a memorable experience for your attendees. Here, you’ll find room to inspire, innovate and reconnect. The Colorado Meetings & Events Incentive program has been extended, offering a 10% rebate on eligible hard costs. See our website for details. Learn more at VisitCOS.com/meetNext >