< Previousincluding three awarded one star. Several hotels come online this year, including Populus at Civic Center Park in the heart of downtown, the first car- bon-positive hotel. The 13-story, 265- room hotel will feature event space, multiple F&B venues and a rooftop deck and bar. The hotel will be carbon posi- tive thanks to the sustainable design and construction, as well as substantial ecological efforts offsite, including an initial commitment to planting 70,000 trees — offsetting an embodied carbon footprint equivalent of nearly 500,000 gallons of gas and removing additional carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Denver’s former Kimpton Hotel Born has been rebranded as the Limelight Hotel, a brand familiar to anyone who has spent time in Aspen, and a new Kimpton Claret Hotel has opened in the south Denver area. COLORADO SPRINGS Down in Colorado Springs, The Broadmoor is one of the country’s pre- eminent resorts and a perennial favor- ite of all kinds of groups. Libby Junker, senior vice president of international implementation at Anytime Fitness, says the resort met the needs of the company’s November Biennial Confer- ence with 2000+ attendees. The group took over almost all of The Broadmoor, as well as six overflow hotels. “As a franchised business, having the opportunity to bring our club own- ers and staff together is critical to not only educate on future brand initiatives but also to celebrate the success of each of the club owners and staff,” Junker says. “Our clubs are located in all 50 states and over 40 countries. There- fore, we look for destinations that are a place our attendees not only desire to visit but can travel to with ease.” The Broadmoor was an ideal loca- tion for the conference. “It offered the perfect amount of meeting space for our event,” Junker says, “plus beautiful accommodations and all on a campus that allowed our attendees to enjoy the mountain views.” Additionally, attend- ees had two airports to choose from. “Most U.S. cities have direct flights to either Denver or Colorado Springs,” Junker notes, “and international travel- ers could fly in via Denver.” Junker worked directly with The Broadmoor and says the resort’s staff “truly became one with our planning team.” She also calls The Broadmoor’s service absolutely incredible. “The Broadmoor is second to none! We will look for every opportunity to come back and visit again!” N.R., director of marketing with a global law firm, brought a group of 230 to The Broadmoor for the 2024 partners’ retreat. “We loved Colorado Springs and The Broadmoor,” she says. “The hotel is luxurious and inviting and the amenities and service are topnotch. The nearby hiking and other activities were also wonderful.” The choice of The Broadmoor as the setting for the meeting had much to do with its location. “We chose The Broadmoor because it stood out as being incredibly unique but still acces- sible, which isn’t the norm with resorts anymore,” N.R. says. The group used much of The Broad- moor’s conference space and brought in AV as well as a local DMC to help with design and décor. She says it was, “a seamless process.” In addition, the group leaned on Visit Colorado Springs for help with items for the welcome bags. “We will be back at The Broad- moor. The service and amenities are incredible. The property is meticu- lously maintained and the planning team at the Broadmoor is amazing.” Still, N.R. advises, “You will also want to use a great DMC to incorporate those really memorable elements into each event you plan.” The city of Colorado Springs also has a lot going on that groups should know about. Hotel Polaris will open this fall at the north gate of the U.S. Airforce Acad- emy with 375 guest rooms and spec- tacular views of Colorado’s mountains. Its location alone makes it worth con- sidering for all kinds of meetings. It lies just 26 miles from the Colorado Springs airport, 78 miles from Denver Interna- tional Airport, 10 miles from Garden of the Gods park, 15 miles from downtown Colorado Springs, 50 miles from metro Denver and just 20 miles from Ameri- ca’s Mountain, Pikes Peak. But also of note is the fact that it will have 26,000 sf of indoor meeting space, including a 12,000-sf ballroom featuring ample Courtesy of Libby Junker Courtesy Rendering Anytime Fitness’ Co-Founder and CEO Chuck Runyon at their conference held at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs last year. Hotel Polaris will open this fall at the north gate of the U.S. Airforce Academy with spectacular views of Colorado’s mountains. 50 June/July 2024 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.comnatural light. Additionally, the vener- able Mining Exchange hotel under- went a renovation and has reopened with 128 re-designed guest rooms and additional upgrades. The spectacular 117-room Garden of the Gods Resort & Club, set at the edge of the naturally spectacular Garden of the Gods park, has wrapped up a $40 million renova- tion to guest rooms, dining venues, the spa and the resort’s more than 22,000 sf of indoor and outdoor space, including unique boardrooms and meeting spaces with audiovisual and business services. Drawing inspiration from the ethereal surrounding landscapes, groups from 10 to 300 can take their Colorado meetings and events to new heights. The city is renowned as an Olympic training center and groups meeting this summer can take advantage of a cele- bration of the Paris Olympics in the city and at the stellar United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum through Sep- tember 8. The museum will host daily activations, as well as athlete meet- and-greets, among other events. AURORA & BEYOND Although Denver and Colorado Springs may be among the Centennial State’s best-known meeting destina- tions, in reality they are just two of many. The city of Aurora, adjacent to Denver, has its own attractive meeting assets, not the least of which is Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, a destination unto itself with 1,387 rooms, more than 500,000 sf of meeting space, a spa and a water park. The hotel may seem to have everything, but it recently added a new amenity — the experiential Topgolf Swing Suites. And more will be new when the resort completes phase two of a major enhancement project this year, including the “re-concept” of three of its five restaurants, a remodel of the Grand Lodge and a new event pavilion increasing the resort’s already substantial function space. Also new in Aurora is The Benson Hotel & Faculty club located in the heart of the Anschutz Medical Campus and Fitzsimons Innovation Commu- nity, making it ideal for smaller meet- ings, particularly those relative to the health and medical industries. Finally, for those who have their sights on a mountain meeting, it’s hard to beat Vail. The mountain town offers easy access from Denver, a slew of impressive restaurants and hotels to suit every bud- get. Recently on scene is a Marriott Resi- dence Inn in West Vail, which includes a small amount of meeting space that could work well for a board retreat or other compact gathering where a moun- tain destination is preferred. The bottom line is this: Wherever you choose to meet in Colorado, inspi- ration and options abound. From lux- ury mountain resorts to cosmopolitan hotels and dude ranches, to hidden gems, the Centennial State checks all the boxes with postcard places. C&IT TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | June/July 2024 51 Colorado Spngs Meet in the middle. Halfway to just about anywhere and tucked into the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is the backdrop to thousands of meetings and events each year. You handle the agenda and we’ll take care of after-hours “breakout sessions’ at local breweries and rooftop patios. You’ll never compromise when you meet in the middle. VisitCOS.com/meetFlorida Planners Find Success in the Sunshine State DESTINATION UPDATE S un-loving planners of corporate and incentive travel are often drawn to the Sunshine State, and Florida does not disappoint. With 1,350 palm-fringed miles of shoreline — the largest coast in the lower 48 — a welcoming climate, and lots of visitor- friendly amenities, Florida is often at the top of the charts for meetings and events. From the Emerald Coast in the northwest corner of the state to Orlando, the most-visited destination in the U.S., to the Latin vibe of vibrant Miami, Florida’s combination of sunny weather, fantastic beaches, natural beauty, exceptional facilities, nautical recreation, theme parks, and logistical convenience allows business and pleasure to mix, creating a vacation-like ambiance. BY CYNTHIA BARNES AND MARITZA COSANO Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale is one of the busiest cruising ports in the country. Florida’s Sports Coast is ideal for all kinds of sporting activities like fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. 52 June/July 2024 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com Courtesy of Florida’s Sports CoastRosen Shingle Creek boasts a championship golf course designed by the Arnold Palmer Design Company. Florida’s beautiful beaches are perfect for outdoor events like this brunch at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Bonita Springs. TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | June/July 2024 53 Photo by Anthony J. Rayburn / Visit Lauderdale Courtesy Photo Courtesy of Rosen Shingle CreekFort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale is poised to dramatically increase its appeal to travel planners, with a significant expansion of the Broward County Convention Center and the construction of the Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel, both of which are slated to open next year. The East Expansion Building will feature 400,000 sf of ballrooms, exhibit space and a kitchen that will service the entire 1.5 million-sf convention center. The 29-story, 801- room hotel will offer an 120,000 sf of space, including ball- rooms and meeting rooms, multiple restaurant options, an amenity deck, rooftop bar and an array of luxury offerings including a six-acre outdoor plaza with amphitheater, art installations and a spectacular waterfront view. Just across the 17th Street Bridge, the iconic Pier Sixty- Six Resort is finishing up a more than $1 billion renovation, and the spiffed-up landmark will welcome guests back this fall. The revolving lounge atop the space age, mid-century modern hotel was a favorite with celebrities like Frank Sina- tra and Cary Grant, and will soon be turning heads again with craft cocktails and unparalleled ocean views. “Our property in particular holds over 28,000 sf of com- pletely refurbished luxurious meeting space with three ballrooms ranging from 5500 to 9500 sf, with 14 to 23-foot ceilings in our grand ballroom,” says Brett Boering, execu- tive director of sales & marketing for Pier Sixty-Six. “And with the Omni opening, you’ll have two luxury options within the convention center. It really is changing the face of Fort Lauderdale.” Hollywood Immersed in the lively rhythm of Hollywood, Florida, there’s Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, inviting event planners and their attendees to check in and rock out! Known as the Guitar Hotel, with 638 luxury guest- rooms and suites, it is designed to resemble back-to-back guitars, complete with guitar faces and brightly lit strings. This masterpiece reaches 450 feet into the sky, outlined with floor-to-ceiling glass panes — an architectural marvel that redefines the South Florida skyline. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is located 15 minutes from Fort Lauderdale’s beaches and 30 minutes from Miami. It offers three towers with a total of 1,271 rooms, ranging from 430 to 4,000 sf, and boasts 120,000 sf of meeting space for a luxuri- ous and versatile stay. Event spaces at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood are meticulously designed to accommodate both small intimate gatherings and large-scale events. Equipped Following a $1B renovation, the historic Pier Sixty- Six Resort is slated to open by the end of the year. Attendees will get a birds-eye view of the area from the futuristic revolving lounge on the top. The Omni Fort Lauderdale, which will open next year and be connected to the expanded Broward County Convention Center in the heart of Fort Lauderdale, is inspired by Florida’s diverse landscapes. Courtesy Photo Courtesy Photo 54 June/July 2024 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com Take center stage on your next event and escape the everyday in a truly extraordinary getaway with limitless possibilities. Contact our Sales Team today to learn more and book your group. 800.937.0156 | HardRockHolly.com | #GuitarHotel DISCOVER YOUR RHYTHM. © 2023 . If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call 1-888-ADMIT.IT. FINE-TUNE YOUR NEXT MEETING. 22-SHRH-01208_MayJune AC&F ad_Rev2.indd 15/20/2022 4:43:07 PMTake center stage on your next event and escape the everyday in a truly extraordinary getaway with limitless possibilities. Contact our Sales Team today to learn more and book your group. 800.937.0156 | HardRockHolly.com | #GuitarHotel DISCOVER YOUR RHYTHM. © 2023 . If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call 1-888-ADMIT.IT. FINE-TUNE YOUR NEXT MEETING.with state-of-the-art audio visual facilities, the venues cater to events’ every technical need. Miami With world-famous beaches, plentiful domestic and international air connections, a technicolor arts and culture scene, and more than 64,000 hotel rooms, Greater Miami and Miami Beach check all the boxes on any event planner’s list. This vibrant, cosmopolitan desti- nation is also known for its collection of art deco buildings and rich Cuban influence. The city is home to many diverse neighborhoods and cultures that bring community and soul to Miami as a whole. It also has numer- ous outdoor activities, parks and museums, and nearly 10,000 restau- rants. With high-adrenaline activi- ties, health and wellness, nightlife and sports — including Intel Miami and the Miami Heat, planners can make Miami whatever destination they want it to be. In addition, the Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) has been completely rei- magined following a $640M renova- tion that includes a 60,000 sf Grand Ballroom, two parks, and more than $10M in art. A leader in sustainability, MBCC is LEED Silver certified with GBAC accreditation and recently received the Events Industry Council (EIC) Foundations Certificate for Sustainability and Social Impact. The Miami Beach Convention Center features restaurants, a botanical garden, entertainment and the beautiful beach within walking distance. Filled with natural light, the center delivers high-tech and high-touch amenities like no other convention center. For groups wanting to embark on an outdoor adventure, Oleta River State Park, Florida’s largest urban park, offers the perfect setting for mountain biking and kayaking. Located along the scenic Oleta River and Biscayne Bay, the park also includes the Oleta River Outdoor Center, with beautiful outdoor ven- ues, a wide selection of fun activities, catering, and on-site experts to make every event a success. South Walton In addition to Gulf of Mexico’s turquoise waters and 26 miles of silky white sand beaches, South Walton lures visitors with quaint beach communities, a lively arts scene and plenty of shopping. Residents in the Southeast find the Panhandle particularly attractive, as it’s an easy day drive from Mem- phis, Houston, Atlanta, New Orleans, Louisville and Charlotte. Nashville’s Associated Equipment Company returns to South Walton repeatedly, trusting the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa to take care of the 300 guests they invite to a weekend event. “The resort is right down the walkway from Baytowne Village, that’s a very huge and a positive draw for our guests,” The resort is right down the walkway from Baytowne Village, that’s a very huge and a positive draw for our guests. JOY HECKMAN Marketing & Special Events Manager, Associated Equipment Company Courtesy Photo Courtesy Photo Courtesy Photo South Walton’s 26 miles of white sand beaches on Florida’s Gulf Coast create a perfect backdrop for meetings. The Miami Beach Convention Center underwent a $640M renovation, providing a world- class, state-of- the-art event venue. The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino has become a landmark destination. 56 June/July 2024 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com Steer conversations. Chart new courses. Plan productive meetings in a naturally inspiring place. Spark innovation and creativity throughout Fort Myers’ islands, beaches and neighborhoods. Gather teams at a convention center, conference resort, historic landmark, golf course, or an open-air restaurant. Ready to connect? Fill out an RFP at MeetInFortMyers.com. MARGARITAVILLE BEACH RESORT FORT MYERS BEACH Elevate your next event with Gulf views, flexible spaces and great vibes. Plan your coastal retreat now! margaritavilleftmyersbeachresort.com | 239-899-4001Steer conversations. Chart new courses. Plan productive meetings in a naturally inspiring place. Spark innovation and creativity throughout Fort Myers’ islands, beaches and neighborhoods. Gather teams at a convention center, conference resort, historic landmark, golf course, or an open-air restaurant. Ready to connect? Fill out an RFP at MeetInFortMyers.com. MARGARITAVILLE BEACH RESORT FORT MYERS BEACH Elevate your next event with Gulf views, flexible spaces and great vibes. Plan your coastal retreat now! margaritavilleftmyersbeachresort.com | 239-899-4001says Joy Heckman, marketing & special events manager for Associated Equipment Company. Packed with restau- rants, shops, galleries and nightlife, the Village of Baytowne Wharf is chock-full of festivals, events and entertainment throughout the year. “This is at least the fourth time we’ve used Sandestin,” Heckman continues. “So, we are very familiar with the resort and clearly, they’ve done a great job over the years of taking care of us.” Fort Myers There’s a reason why people want to be on “island time.” It’s the kind of laid-back feeling that comes with the sun on your face and the wind in your hair. Event planners looking to host their events in Florida’s West Coast will find Fort Myers to be the perfect place to escape on a tour boat to Cabbage Key or Useppa Island for lunch, or cross a bridge or two to quiet Pine Island or Sanibel and Captiva Islands, with their quaint villages and famous shelling. Island hopping around Fort Myers is both peaceful and exhilarating – an experience planners and attendees alike will never forget. New meetings scheduled thru Dec. 31 and before Dec. 31, 2027, are eligible for Fort Myers’ Island Incentive Offer. When planners book an event throughout Fort Myers’ islands, beaches and neighborhoods with a mini- mum of 10 rooms on peak nights and 150 total room nights, they can save up to $5,000. Ray Sarracino, communications director for the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, loves the weather and the walk- ability of Fort Myers, his adopted hometown. “Downtown Fort Myers is a very walkable little city with a number of res- taurants and retail outlets,” he says. “It’s just generally a very pleasant experience for people when they come down from an area where the weather’s a little worse. The destination is a gracious host, and generally, it’s a guaranteed good time. You have to be really unhappy if you can’t have a good time in the winter in Southwest Florida, in Lee County in particular.” The city has seen a number of improvements in the past few years that have made it more appealing to larger groups. The newly opened Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach has 254 rooms and versatile event venues with more than 5,000 sf of indoor space and 15,000 sf outdoors. Downtown, the 243-room Luminary Hotel has 37,000 sf of meeting space. The Luminary also manages the city’s Caloosa Sound Convention Center & Amphitheater, which is adjacent to the the hotel and divisible into five rooms with various configurations to accommodate up to 3,000 attendees. Luminary Hotel is located on the banks of the Caloosa- hatchee River in the heart of a historic and bustling down- town, which hosts concerts, festivals and events. Event planners can take their events al fresco and compose the perfect gathering for their attendees, who will have plenti- ful diversions right outside the hotel’s doorstep, from fine dining, shopping and attractions. Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach offers plenty of indoor and outdoor meeting space, and an opportunity to mix and mingle under the Florida sun. The Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Destin, FL, offers attendees a beautiful view of the Gulf of Mexico. Courtesy Photo Courtesy of Hilton 58 June/July 2024 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com MIRAMAR BEACH • SEASCAPE • SANDESTIN • DUNE ALLEN • GULF PLACE • SANTA ROSA BEACH • BLUE MOUNTAIN BEACH GRAYTON BEACH • WATERCOLOR • SEASIDE • SEAGROVE • WATERSOUND • SEACREST • ALYS BEACH • ROSEMARY BEACH • INLET BEACH South Walton meetings always feel more personal. Truly unique venues and accommodations blend eff ortlessly with incredible dining, nightlife, and natural beauty, making teambuilding a pleasure. Discover all the amenities and start planning at MeetInSouthWalton.com. PLEASURE DOING BUSINESS VSW411-9 — Corporate & Incentive Travel (June 2024), Full Page Brand Ad Final.indd 14/19/24 12:04 PMMIRAMAR BEACH • SEASCAPE • SANDESTIN • DUNE ALLEN • GULF PLACE • SANTA ROSA BEACH • BLUE MOUNTAIN BEACH GRAYTON BEACH • WATERCOLOR • SEASIDE • SEAGROVE • WATERSOUND • SEACREST • ALYS BEACH • ROSEMARY BEACH • INLET BEACH South Walton meetings always feel more personal. Truly unique venues and accommodations blend eff ortlessly with incredible dining, nightlife, and natural beauty, making teambuilding a pleasure. Discover all the amenities and start planning at MeetInSouthWalton.com. PLEASURE DOING BUSINESSNext >