Combining a breathtaking mountain setting and close proximity to Denver (located 90 miles west of Denver), world-class facilities are located right in the middle of it all at Copper Mountain. This is where productivity and play meet.

The 16,000 sq. ft. Conference Center at Copper Mountain is at the center of it all and is considered the area’s cornerstone meeting venue; it can accommodate general sessions and breakouts to large banquets, weddings and events. Several flexible meeting spaces are also located throughout the villages, including in the Center Village (Pine Rooms at Village Square, The Pavilion, Jack’s, Passage Point Board Room, plus Mountain Plaza Peak Rooms and Board Room), in the East Village (Copper Station) and in the West Village (Union Creek). To make things even more convenient, all of these are connected by a free village transit system, making transportation easy and affordable! Surrounding the meeting facilities is condominium lodging, so attendees can take a short walk in the clear, fresh air to any conference, meeting or event. Coffee shops, boutiques, ski slopes and a golf course (touted the highest course in North America!) are also within easy reach.

Actually planning a meeting or conference at Copper Mountain can be easy, since their professional conference sales staff has years of experience and many have achieved the meeting industry accreditation of Certified Meeting Professional (CMP). Copper Mountain manages the facilities and catering, and a professional audiovisual company is on-site to assist with those meeting needs.

And when it comes to weddings, situated with 360-degree views of the majestic Tenmile Range, Copper Mountain provides four spectacular ceremony settings. From the naturally decorated mountaintop celebrations to the dramatic interiors of the intimate chapel, Copper Mountain offers unforgettable venues with unsurpassed service. Lasting memories continue with an abundance of reception venues ranging from the sky-high view of the more traditional Grand Hall to the more rustic charm of JJ’s Rocky Mountain Tavern and the mountain elegance of C.B. Grille.

Book a meeting, special event or wedding at Copper Mountain today to enjoy beautiful scenery in an unforgettable atmosphere. Click here for Copper Mountain’s current special offers.

For more information on Copper Mountain, click here. For more information on Copper Mountain Resort, click here.

Click here for more information on the Colorado Springs Marriott.

Hold a meeting between Nov. 28 and Dec. 15 and receive the following from Vail Marriott Mountain Resort and Spa: room rates from $169 a night, double Marriott Rewards® Points (up to 100,000), complimentary wired for business internet access, complimentary valet service for your car, 25% attrition and a complimentary welcome reception upon arrival night.

Click here for information on Vail Marriott Mountain Resort and Spa.

Intellectual and Creative Groups Call Aspen Meadows Resort Home For Meetings and Workshops This Summer

Aspen Meadows Resort is host to some of the United States and World’s most intellectually stimulating and creative group events and workshops. Included in this summer’s lineup are the Aspen Environmental Forum, a partnership with National Geographic; Aspen Writers’ Foundation; Aspen Ideas Festival; Fortune Brainstorm TECH and the Aspen Security Forum.

“We are quite proud to host these diverse and prestigious conferences and events this summer,” says Doug Crawford, Director of Sales at Aspen Meadows Resort. “While it appears that our summer is full, there are a few dates open for new meetings or retreats. Companies looking for an inspiring and peaceful place that meets and exceeds their needs will find great success in our beautiful corner of Aspen.”

Remaining group and meeting openings at Aspen Meadows Resort are June 13-17 and July 23-27, 2011. These dates are available starting at $399 per person per night which includes all of the amenities featured in the Aspen Meadows Modified Meetings Package. Rates are all inclusive, with the exception of dinner, and include:

· Run of House Suite
· Hot Buffet Breakfast and Lunch
· Dedicated general session room
· Continuous morning and afternoon refreshment breaks
· Ergonomic chairs
· Standard audio/visual package
· Your personal Conference Planner to assist with pre-planning and on-site services
· Complimentary roundtrip airport transfers
· Complimentary wireless internet access in the suites
· All service charges and Gratuities

To book a reservation at Aspen Meadows Resort for either session, call 970-925-4240 or visit www.aspenmeadows.com.

For more information on Aspen Meadows Resort, click here.

The Grand Junction Visitor & Convention Bureau has hired Stefanie Loesche-Maher as their new Denver Contract Sales Representative. Stefanie was formerly the National Director of Sales for Beaver Run Resort and had been with the organization for over 10 years. The Denver Contract Sales Representative promotes Grand Junction as a meetings and convention destination throughout the state of Colorado. Contact Stefanie at sales@gjcity.org or at 720-346-5139.

The Grand Junction Visitor & Convention Bureau has also recently announced that The Doubletree Hotel Grand Junction has changed its name to The Doubletree by Hilton Grand Junction. To book a meeting or event there, contact Linda Caldwell at linda.caldwell@hilton.com or at 970-241-8888.

Click here for more information on the Grand Junction VCB. Click here for more information on The Doubletree by Hilton Grand Junction.

If meeting planners book a meeting at The Inverness Hotel before June 30th, they will receive 5% off the master bill, one complimentary room per 40 rooms and an upgrade for five VIPs per meeting or event. American Express points can also be earned through this offer.

*Must spend a minimum of $10K to receive 5% off the master. Meeting must be booked by 6/30/11 and consumed by 12/31/11. Blackout dates and restrictions apply. Only valid for new bookings. For more information, please contact Group Sales at invsaleseleads@destinationhotels.com or at 303-397-7100.

The Inverness Hotel and Conference Center, located near Denver, creates an unmatched meeting experience with 60,000 sq. ft. of IACC‐certified space, exceptional hotel amenities, exquisite conference dining and expert planning assistance.

Click here for more details Inverness Hotel and Conference Center.

Location, location, location isn’t just a real estate mantra: when it comes to planning a wedding to remember, choosing the setting is one of the most important decisions a couple will make. Gateway Canyons, a resort built by visionary John Hendricks– founder of The Discovery Channel — is just one hour southwest of Grand Junction, Colorado. It is a place of unmatched natural beauty in scenic canyon country, and built as a place where dreams can be launched, promises made and kept, and life’s biggest moments shared and celebrated.

The journey of a lifetime is the journey of the heart, and a wedding at Gateway Canyons marks an auspicious beginning to one of life’s greatest adventures. Gateway Canyons was conceived and designed as a place for people to gather, share and celebrate, and never more so than for a wedding.

“The scenery at Gateway Canyons is breathtaking and makes any event here special, particularly a wedding, but it’s our trained and friendly staff that makes it spectacular,” said Denise Wall, Gateway Canyons Event Planner. Wall and her staff can assist couples in planning all the details of their Gateway Canyons wedding, including choosing an onsite indoor or outdoor location, reviewing menu and catering options, and setting up accommodations for the wedding party.  Gateway Canyons events staff can also offer reliable resources for wedding photography, cake and flowers.

Depending on personal preferences, couples can choose from venues and settings that range from dignified formal– to Colorado casual– and from grand to intimate. Bride and groom take center stage at the new Mission Bell Amphitheater, an outdoor venue that can hold as many as 300 guests. Summer through fall, nature in all its seasonal glory is the backdrop for events held here. Canyon views, reflective ponds, and even a meandering stream are a few of the visual delights.

Beautiful natural settings are abundant at Gateway Canyons; another outdoor, picture-perfect location for weddings is the Cottonwood Terrace. This shady alcove is close to a brook and an ideal place to tie the knot and stage post ceremony events for smaller groups. For horse-lovers or couples looking to add western style ambiance to their special day, The Stables at Gateway Canyons is Colorado ranch elegance at its finest. The well-groomed horses that call The Stables home aren’t shy about posing for wedding photos either.

For more formal receptions and banquet events there is the newly opened Palisade Event Center, named for the geological formation that dominates the Gateway Canyons landscape. A combination of interior spaces and outdoor patios provides brides and grooms with many possibilities for creating the wedding reception of their dreams, while an extensive chef-created banquet menu allows them to tailor the selections to both taste and budget.

Gateway Canyons also helps couples and wedding parties indulge in pre-wedding pampering. The newly opened spa offers guests a menu of relaxing massage and nurturing facial treatments that will help brides (and grooms) remain tranquil and smiling through all the nuptial festivities. Stylists at Gateway Canyons’ new hair salon can also assist with manicures, pedicures, and hair styling for brides and bridesmaids so everyone can feel their most confident and beautiful on the big day.

The wedding party and guests will find Gateway Canyons’ 54 rooms comfortably elegant. Guests can choose either the Dolores River Inn or the deluxe Kiva Lodge which features private outdoor patios. All the units have easy access the large outdoor swimming pool and hot tub. The Adventure Center can arrange hiking, biking, horseback riding and many other seasonal activities. Rehearsal dinners are easily accommodated at the Paradox Grille, and for less formal meals, casual dining is available at the Kiva Café and the Paradox-To-Go deli and coffee bar located inside the Outpost General Store.

For many people the greatest journey is the one they share with the love of their life. For more information about planning a wedding at Gateway Canyons, please contact the Gateway Canyons 970-931-2655 or www.gatewaycanyons.com/gather/weddings.

The Sebastian – A Timbers Resorts Hotel & Residence Club, is scheduled to debut in December 2010 as Vail’s newest boutique resort and residence club. Having established an unrivaled reputation for creating extraordinary resorts throughout the world, Timbers Resorts brings the experience and cachet to reposition and enhance this special property, adding its trademark touches to the 100-room hotel and 38-unit private residence club.

“We continue to search for one-of-a-kind locations around the world and are very happy to add The Sebastian and this great partnership with Ferruco Vail Ventures to our portfolio of properties,” said David

A. Burden, CEO & Founder of Timbers Resorts. “We are expanding our brand into hotel and restaurant management in hopes that by controlling the management of all aspects of the resort, we can truly ensure the highest quality of standards that our Owners and guests have come to expect from Timbers Resorts’ properties.” Luxury hotelier Michael Oprish was hired by Timbers Resorts and appointed General Manager of The Sebastian to direct and oversee all daily operations and ensure the highest level of standards are maintained. Formerly with The Bernardus Lodge in Carmel, California, Oprish brings more than 25 years’ experience in the luxury hotel and travel industry and has covered all aspects of resort operations and management, providing a keen sense into sophisticated service and exceptional experiences for Owners and guests.

Design and construction is currently underway for enhanced dining, spa and residential accommodations with an eclectic confluence of chic and high mountain comfort. The pool and surrounding terrace area are currently under renovation with an anticipated opening of July 4, 2010. The Sebastian plans to introduce the new amenity spaces with a December 2010 opening. Bloom, The Sebastian’s premier destination spa, is being transformed with additional treatment rooms and an expanded menu of services by the acclaimed spa consultant team of Francis & Alexander out of San Francisco. The new Frost Bar will offer a selection of small bites and throwback cocktails for Owners, guests and the Vail community in a contemporary setting. The Library will serve as a welcoming place to gather year-round with plush seating and intriguing reads. Market, an artisan deli and provisioner, will be the source for sundries and to-go items, as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner for Owners and guests. Drawing on the trend of farmto-table cuisine firmly rooted throughout the gourmet capital of Napa Valley, the Food & Beverage team is conceptualizing the design and philosophy for the new restaurant.

Easily accessible from Eagle Vail Airport, The Sebastian will serve as a unique and chic social hub in Vail for Owners, hotel guests and the local community. The 100 guestrooms will offer comfortable, private quarters in which to relax when not wining, dining and taking part in the excitement of one of Colorado’s most celebrated towns. All rooms exude comfortable elegance, appointed with custom-designed furnishings and fabrics. Group travel planners will find a brand new 7,000-square-foot conference center and meeting facilities with expert support staff and the latest infrastructure.

The Private Residence Club will be comprised of 38 residences with two different offerings. A four-week membership will start at $310,000 and a Founder’s Club eight-week offering will start at $580,000. Both offerings will include membership in Timbers Collection, which is comprised of a host of perks and privileges from travel partners to reciprocity among resorts in the Timbers Resorts portfolio. Timbers Resorts is enhancing the ownership experience with increased activities ranging from wine tastings to cooking classes to poolside barbecues. Details on the Private Residence Club will be released later this summer.

As Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center approaches its fifth anniversary, the 1100 room property garners three prestigious travel industry awards:  AAA Four Diamond Award, Orbitz “Best of Stay” and Expedia’s Insiders’ Select 2010.

AAA Four Diamond Award

AAA has granted Hyatt Regency Denver the Four-Diamond rating for excellence.  This rating’s fundamental hallmarks, according to AAA, include “an extensive array of amenities combined with a high degree of hospitality, service and attention to detail.”  Hyatt Regency Denver joins the ranks of an elite group of Colorado hotels to achieve the AAA Four Diamond status and has done so every year since its opening in 2005.

2010 Orbitz “Best of Stay”

Orbitz “Best of Stay” Award winners were selected based on the overall numeric score by Orbitz travelers.  Reviews and scores for each hotel are collected only from Orbitz customers who have booked and stayed at the hotel.

Expedia Insider’s Select 2010

Expedia Insiders’ Select list is an annual award recognizing the very best hotels available in Expedia’s global marketplace as judged by the experiences of Expedia’s customers.  Based on more than one million hotel reviews submitted by Expedia travelers, hotels on the list were identified as consistently delivering superior service, an exceptional guest experience and notable value.
Only a small percentage of the top-ranked hotels earn these awards.

Ed Bucholtz, Hyatt Regency Denver general manager, said, “To receive these three awards from industry leaders of this caliber shows consistency on the part of our staff.   We know they are highly focused and we appreciate their efforts and attention to detail in delivering an exceptional guest experience.”

Colorado Meeting Destinations | Colorado Event Planner

In May 2010, in honor of its 25th anniversary, Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs began a complete $20 million renovation. The renovation commenced with the Mountain View Restaurant Terrace, which will receive luxurious new furnishings and a large fire pit to further enhance this large outdoor gathering area, where groups can enjoy stunning views of Cheyenne Mountain.

All 316 guestrooms, as well as the resort’s five suites, will also receive all new high-end furnishings, linens and fixtures, as well as new flooring and bathrooms will be completely re-done. Rooms will also be equipped with new top-of-the-line electronics, including flat screen TVs and iHome Mp3 clock radios. The room design will have a residential feel, and be refreshing and crisp, intended to carry the breathtaking views from the outside in.

Take a Virtual Tour of Cheyenne Mountain Resort

The resort’s myriad of meeting spaces will all be equipped with new carpeting, wall coverings and furnishings, and all technologies will be updated, including sound systems, lighting, rear projection screens and more. Other areas, including the resort pool, Sundance Terrace, Grand Rivers Terrace, Cheyenne Kids Club space, Will Rogers Lounge and Pineview Restaurant will also be part of the renovation, receiving new furniture and more, and landscaping will be updated as well.

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