Issuu

DO GOOD, BE HAPPY

PHILANTHROPY IN EVENTS, FROM BIKE BUILDS TO GARDEN PROJECTS

MEETINGSMAGS.COM

FALL

SHOW STEALERS

BOOK BESPOKE ENTERTAINMENT THAT WOWS ATTENDEES

2026

RIVERSIDE REJUVENATION

INVIGORATE ATTENDEES IN CHARMING GLENWOOD SPRINGS

Setting

THE STANDARD THE ELITE COLORADO CONVENTION CENTER MELDS PRACTICALITY WITH MARVELOUS DESIGN

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M E E T I N G S B E YO N D E X P E C TAT I O N S Elevate your next meeting at Chamonix, with more than 20,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor event space and 300 luxurious guest rooms, including 56 suites. Less than an hour from Colorado Springs, Chamonix offers a distinctive mountain resort experience in historic Cripple Creek. Exceptional dining, a full-service spa, and unforgettable attendee experiences come together in one remarkable destination, with the added energy of vibrant casino gaming. Beyond the resort, scenic rail excursions, historic attractions, and year-round outdoor adventures create unique opportunities for groups to connect, recharge, and explore. Start planning your Colorado meeting today.

CHAMONIXCO.COM/MEETINGS-EVENTS | SALES@CHAMONIXCO.COM

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Contents

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Feature //

Generosity on the Agenda BY BETH BUEHLER

Plug into a wealth of options for philanthropic team building that unites attendees and bolsters regional causes

In Every Issue //

4 Editor’s Note Reinforce your planner toolkit with inspiring ideas, pro tips, and handy products

10 Destination

Long known as a wellness destination, Glenwood Springs is a paradise for groups looking to relax and connect

14 Trend Report

Clients seek custom-tailored entertainment that generates postprogram buzz

22 Industry Update

Get the inside scoop on meetings and events industry news in Colorado

26 Snapshots

MPIRMC members battle it out during golf tournament fun

28 People Profile

After flourishing in leadership roles at similar properties in Florida and Missouri, Donna McGinnis now helms Denver Botanic Gardens

Medtronic employees building skateboards

18 for kids through Longmont-based Can’d Aid The Grand Fountain and pools at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort

10 DO GOOD, BE HAPPY

PHILANTHROPY IN EVENTS, FROM BIKE BUILDS TO GARDEN PROJECTS

MEETINGSMAGS.COM

FALL

SHOW STEALERS

BOOK BESPOKE ENTERTAINMENT THAT WOWS ATTENDEES

2026

RIVERSIDE REJUVENATION

INVIGORATE ATTENDEES IN CHARMING GLENWOOD SPRINGS

Setting

THE STANDARD THE ELITE COLORADO CONVENTION CENTER MELDS PRACTICALITY WITH MARVELOUS DESIGN

On the Cover

The Colorado Convention Center in Denver PHOTO COURTESY COLORADO CONVENTION CENTER

PHOTOS (FROM ABOVE) Can’d Aid, Glenwood Hot Springs Resort

6 Meeting Notes

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» BY THE TIME you read this Editor’s Note, my son will have become a dad for the first time. It doesn’t feel like it was ver y long ago that I watched him and his sister take their initial, tentative steps one day apart; fly down difficult ski slopes as children while adults cheered them on from the chairlift; experience the highs and lows of dating; and head off to college at Colorado universities. September views at the top of a In late May, I had t he pr iv i lege of chairlift in Snowmass attending a baby shower held in South meetingsmags.com/colorado Carolina to celebrate my grandson, River, meetingsmags and his parents, Noah and Makenzy. Just as corporate meetings and events often bring together staff from around the country, the baby shower was a time of connection among family members and friends who were meeting for the first time. For social and business gatherings, planners have the choice of going big or keeping it simple. Both work, but which route you take needs to be a strategic decision from the start. On the Saturday morning of the baby shower, Noah and Makenzy’s new home transformed from a quiet oasis into a beehive of activity. When I went upstairs to get ready, the living room and kitchen were piled with everything from signage and sections of a balloon arch to containers of chicken salad and boxes of custom sugar cookies and mini bundt cakes. Would Makenzy’s sister and friends get everything done by 1 p.m.? It looked chaotic. When I ventured back downstairs over an hour later, I immediately knew they had gone big. It was pure magic, with the theme “She’s About to Pop” and a red, white, and light-blue color scheme artfully woven in throughout. !A large, expertly lettered sign stood on the front porch, while inside, small bags of flavored popcorn lined the entryway, and miniature white roses in Coke bottles were carefully placed throughout the main party areas. A giant calendar to mark a guess of the baby’s birth date and a dirty soda bar complete with recipes added a touch of fun. It was obvious that these women knew how to throw a party. The next time you attend a meeting or event, take a good look around and pay attention to the details. You can tell when people put their hearts and creativity into it. Welcome to the world, little River.

PRESIDENT TAMMY GALVIN

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER – NATIONAL SALES JENNIFER MAX 952-200-4878 | JMAX@GREENSPRING.COM

GROUP EDITOR DANIELLE FIELDS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF TODD R. BERGER EDITOR BETH BUEHLER SENIOR EDITOR LINDEN M. BAYLISS ASSOCIATE EDITORS NOAH MITCHELL, SPENCER WHITE

CREATIVE DIRECTOR TED ROSSITER ART DIRECTORS JOHN JENSEN, TONY WAGNER

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR DEIDRA ANDERSON ADVERTISING COORDINATOR SYDNEY KELL JUNIOR ADVERTISING COORDINATOR ANNIE BERWALD SALES + MARKETING SPECIALIST TAUSHA MARTINSON-BRIGHT

EVENT MANAGER RICK KRUEGER SPONSORSHIP, PARTNERSHIPS + PR MANAGER ELISABETH WULF MARKETING + COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST LUCY MULLEN

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS KATHIE GORECKI ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATE STEPHEN DIAZ AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR GERI WILSON CIRCULATION MANAGER RILEY MEYERS CIRCULATION COORDINATOR MICHELE WOLD

REPRINTS For high-quality reprints of 500 or more, call 612-371-5849 or email danderson@greenspring.com. For address changes, ordering single copies, cancellations, or general questions about your subscription, please contact customer service at 866-660-6247.

9401 James Ave. S., Suite 152, Bloomington, MN 55431 Phone 612-371-5800 Fax 612-371-5801 HOUR MEDIA CEO STEFAN WANCZYK PRESIDENT JOHN BALARDO

The pages between the covers of this magazine (except for any inserted material) are made from wood fiber that was procured from forests that are sustainably managed to remain healthy, productive, and biologically diverse.

BETH BUEHLER

Editor bbuehler@greenspring.com

PHOTO Beth Buehler

The Choice to Go Big

meetingsmags.com/colorado

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PHOTO Beth Buehler

Together is the Whole Point Some venues check the boxes. YMCA of the Rockies gives your group something to look forward to. Flexible meeting space, meals handled, built-in activities, and inspiring scenery make every event feel easier and more meaningful.

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Group Dining Buffets, cookouts, sack lunches, private catering—you choose. We’ll keep the crew fueled so you can focus on what brought you here.

Group Activities Hiking, climbing, archery, team challenges and more. Adventure is always on the agenda at YMCA of the Rockies.

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M EETI N G N OT E S Prime Planner Resources

Five Questions to Ask Speakers Before an Event

The best meetings start with planners inviting speakers into the experience BY MICHAEL KUTCHER

» MOST PRE-EVENT CHECKLISTS PROVIDED TO SPEAKERS cover items like stage logistics, audiovisual setup, timing, travel details, and run of show. These all matter, but planners who create truly memorable events usually go one step further. They don’t just prepare the keynoter for the stage, they invite the speaker into the full event experience. Here are five questions worth asking every speaker before your event:

HOW CAN YOU INTEGRATE INTO THE FULL EVENT EXPERIENCE? The most powerful moments don’t always happen during the keynote. Ask whether a speaker is open to fireside chats, roundtables, sponsor conversations, or being present during networking time. Personally, I prefer to get to know an audience before stepping onstage, so I can look out and see familiar faces. During one event, I had the opportunity to attend an opening reception before the conference. This experience allowed me to meet an attendee named Sarah, whose daughter attends the University of Arizona in Tucson, the same college as my son. Although our conversation was brief, we built a connection. As I delivered my keynote and discussed the challenges of sending my son to college, I found Sarah in the audience, nodding in agreement to my words. When a speaker forms connections like this, the keynote feels less like a presentation delivered to a room and more like a message created for the people in it.

WHAT CAN WE SHARE IN ADVANCE TO HELP PERSONALIZE YOUR CONTENT?

WHAT EMOTIONAL OUTCOME ARE WE BOTH BUILDING TOWARD?

Audiences can tell when a talk was built for a different room, so consider collecting real questions, themes, or goals from attendees ahead of time and sharing them with the speaker. It’s also helpful to share what might not resonate. Every audience has its own culture, sensitivities, industry language, and lived experience. The more context a speaker has, the better they can reflect the audience’s world back to them in a way that feels thoughtful, relevant, and personal.

This conversation often gets skipped, but it shapes everything. Planners and speakers should align on how they want the audience to feel and what they

want them to take away from the talk, whether that’s clarity, connection, or a renewed sense of purpose. This decision influences storytelling, pacing, room setup, and even the transition into the next session.

WHAT DOES A SUCCESSFUL EVENT LOOK LIKE TO YOU? Planners have their metrics, including attendance, feedback scores, sponsor satisfaction, and audience engagement. Speakers have theirs, too. Aligning on what a win looks like beforehand removes guesswork and opens the door to a more honest working relationship from the start. It also gives both sides a shared target: a meaningful event experience.

HOW DOES YOUR SESSION CONNECT TO THE REST OF THE PROGRAM?

Sharing the full run of show gives the speaker a chance to create smooth transitions and avoid repeating another presenter. It also helps the audience experience the event as one cohesive journey rather than a series of disconnected sessions. A couple years ago, I spoke for an organization that just completed a merger of three companies, and the event I presented at was the first one attended by all of them. Before I took the stage, the new CEO addressed the audience about the progress of the mergers and adapting to change. Armed with an understanding of his message and the overall company environment, I could lean into the portions of my keynote that addressed the feelings the audience was experiencing. The best meeting and event planners treat speakers as collaborators. Once the logistics are handled, these conversations are what move an event from wellorganized to genuinely memorable. michaelkutcher.com

PHOTO Desiree Suchy

Michael Kutcher is an international keynote speaker and perspective shifter who lives in Colorado and inspires audiences to reframe challenges, lead with purpose, and build meaningful connections.

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PHOTO Desiree Suchy

Invite 2,000 guests.

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With a wide variety of group hotels and resorts, meeting venues for events of all sizes and a unique kind of coastal luxury, Carlsbad is ready to make CarlsbadMeetings.com your next meeting shine. Learn more at CarlsbadMeetings.com

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M EETI N G N OT E S Prime Planner Resources

Wheeler Opera House

Distinctive Aspen Venues A

spen has panache, so it makes sense that it contains many unique and historic venues. These three distinctive rental options provide a taste of what is available. Visit the Aspen Chamber Resort Association website for additional ideas. aspenchamber.org Opened in 1889, Wheeler Opera House in downtown Aspen has 30,000 square feet of function space and is ideal for keynote presentations, private screenings, entertainment, and more. Seating up to 499 attendees, the classically designed theater is complemented by the smaller lobby bar, which holds up to 105 people. wheeleroperahouse.com Theatre Aspen’s Hurst Theatre, also in the heart of downtown, is a seasonal venue open from early June through early October. Located within the John Denver Sanctuary, a city park, Hurst Theatre features a bright lobby and garden patio that together accommodate 130 people for a seated dinner or 185 for a cocktail reception. The stage area holds up to 200. theatreaspen.org Located 10 minutes from downtown, Dunbar Ranch is a private estate, vacation rental, and event venue spanning 160 acres, featuring three residences and 9,300 square feet of gathering space. On-site activities include fly-fishing, cross-country skiing, paddleboarding, kayaking, and tubing. dunbarranch.co –Beth Buehler

Hurst Theatre

cvent.com

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM BELOW LEFT) Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, Mike Lyons Photography, Jordan Curet Photography, Union Bar & Soda Fountain

COLORADO SHINES BRIGHT IN CVENT RANKINGS

cvent.com

8/24/26 1:01 PM

BY BETH BUEHLER

» CVENT RELEASED ITS 2026 global rankings of top meeting destinations and top meeting hotels in mid-May. The lists are based on insights from more than $20 billion in global sourcing and requestfor-proposal activity last year on Cvent’s platforms, including the Cvent Supplier Network. Here are the Colorado destinations and hotels that ranked in this year’s Cvent lists. TOP 50 MEETING DESTINATIONS IN NORTH AMERICA • No. 10: Denver • No. 30: Aurora • No. 50: Colorado Springs TOP 250 MEETING HOTELS IN NORTH AMERICA • No. 2: Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, Aurora • No. 13: Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel, Denver • No. 84: The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs

Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center

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PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM BELOW LEFT) Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, Mike Lyons Photography, Jordan Curet Photography, Union Bar & Soda Fountain

Union Bar & Soda Fountain

The Year of the Dirty Soda » DIRTY SODAS were first popularized by Utah-based soda shops that

offer customizable fizzy drinks and drive-thru soda bars, and they have now infiltrated a much larger audience nationwide, including meetings groups. They fit wellinto today’s drinks culture because they are nonalcoholic, easy to make, tailorable, and visually appealing, which is handy for social media. Dirty sodas combine a soft drink with ingredients such as flavored syrups, fruit juices, and creamers. Here are two Fort Collins hot spots groups can go to dive into one of this year’s biggest trends. Since opening in Oregon in 1998, coffee shop chain and Colorado staple The Human Bean (which has many Colorado locations) leans into the liquid arts movement with a menu that feels more like a mixology experiment than a coffee run. Its dirty soda lineup is all about customization, from the Pineapple Whip Italian Soda to the Blackberry and Almond Dirty Soda. These are the perfect grab-and-go coffee alternatives for meeting and event attendees. thehumanbean.com Union Bar & Soda Fountain is a lively River District hangout that blends classic cocktail-bar energy with a nostalgic soda-fountain twist where “dirty” means “artisanal.” Think house-made syrups, fresh purees, and heavy creams layered into nostalgic phosphate sodas and other fizzy bases. unionbarsodafountain.com –Beth Buehler

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DE ST I NAT ION Glenwood Springs

Iron Mountain Hot Springs along the Colorado River

Soothing Waters, Engaging Spaces

Glenwood Springs has been a rejuvenating meeting locale since 1888 BY BETH BUEHLER Regional Airport to the west, and Aspen/Pitkin County Airport to the south, there is plentiful air service nearby. And it’s still possible to access the city by train, either via the Armstrong Collective’s luxury Canyon Spirit that connects Denver to Salt Lake City with a stop in Glenwood Springs (from early April to mid-November) or Amtrak’s daily California Zephyr route. HOT SPRINGS CONNECTION The Hot Springs Connection Conference took full advantage of Devereux’s vision and tapped the community’s expanded wellness amenities for learning, networking, and relaxing from May 8 to 10 last year. Some 130 hot springs owners, general managers, facilities directors, and other industry professionals from across the globe convened at Hotel Colorado and had the chance to see recent renovations at Iron Mountain Hot Springs, Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, and Yampah Spa & Vapor Caves. “ Ret ur n ing to Glenwood Spr ings, where t he ver y f irst Hot Springs Connection Conference was held in 2018, was a signature experience for attendees,” says Jessica Meath, executive director for the Hot Springs Association, which is based in Glenwood Springs and organizes the event. “This historic

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE LEFT) Visit Glenwood Springs, Hotel Colorado, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

» NESTLED AT THE CONFLUENCE of the Roaring Fork and Colorado rivers, Glenwood Springs offers an intriguing mix of memorable venues, charming lodging, distinctive attractions, and beautiful scenery. For planners seeking a host city that inspires productivity and interaction, yet also recognizes the importance of wellness, Glenwood Springs is an ideal fit. Glenwood Springs has welcomed visitors and groups from around the world since the late 19th century, with the arrival of two railroads in 1887 and the opening of the Glenwood Hot Springs Pool (now part of Glenwood Hot Springs Resort) in 1888. Engineer and silver baron Walter Devereux, one of the town’s founders and the original owner of the hot springs, envisioned creating a wellness complex along Sixth Street and proceeded to introduce Hotel Colorado and Yampah Vapor Caves on the same block in 1893. Newer to the wellness scene are Iron Mountain Hot Springs, which opened along the Colorado River in 2015, and the Bohemian Bier Spa that debuted downtown this May. Modern-day Glenwood Springs is the western gateway to the Colorado Rocky Mountains, and it is conveniently set along the Interstate 70 Mountain Corridor between Grand Junction and Vail. With Eagle County Regional Airport to the east, Grand Junction

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Right: Devereux Ballroom at Hotel Colorado; Below: Defiance Roller Coaster at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

geothermal location provided the perfect setting for reconnecting, sharing industry insights, and celebrating the growth of [the hot springs] community.” The conference tapped much of the 10,000 square feet of meeting and event space at Hotel Colorado, and the opening reception was held off-site at Iron Mountain Hot Springs, which has 35 pools and the new Sauna Summit. The Sauna Summit area features five saunas modeled after global bathing traditions, including a Turkish hammam, Finnish barrel sauna, and Polish salt therapy room. In addition, the association’s board met in one of The Lodge at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort’s two conference rooms, and an optional afternoon activity brought attendees to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE LEFT) Visit Glenwood Springs, Hotel Colorado, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

PLACES TO MEET Hotel Colorado is Glenwood Springs’ primary meeting venue and hosts groups of up to 250 people. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1977, the property remains both distinctive and modern—a $10 million renovation of all guest rooms and meeting space wrapped up in 2023. Next door at The Lodge at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, a major refresh of all 107 guest rooms and suites concluded last March. Three months later, the resort introduced the 16-room Hotel 1888 in the historic Stone Bath House overlooking the Grand Pool (the world’s largest hot springs pool). In 2024, the introduction of Yampah Mineral Baths, featuring five pools of varying temperatures, increased the resort’s hot springs pool total to seven.

Across the pedestrian bridge that connects Sixth Street to downtown is Hotel Maxwell Anderson, which reopened in April 2024 after a full renovation. The property features 90 guest rooms and suites; a spacious atrium lobby; and locally owned businesses, including Wild Coffee Roasters, Glenwood Canyon Brewpub, and Mona Lisa Unique Boutique. W hile there is no longer function space at Hotel Maxwell Anderson, groups can pair it with Colorado Mountain College’s nearby Morgridge Commons, which is home to large meeting rooms that hold 75 to 105 people each, plus three smaller conference rooms, accommodating 10 to 15 attendees per room. For something completely different, groups can head to Glenwood Canyon Resort, located on 44 acres along the Colorado River. Its 2,000-square-foot Grand Room opens directly onto the 5,000-square-foot outdoor terrace, and there are cabins, suites, and camping spaces available. Courtyard by Marriott Glenwood Springs has one meeting room that holds up to 50. Or, meeting planners might consider Glenwood Springs Community Center, with 3,000 square feet of function space and recreational amenities including an aquatic center, ice rink, a gymnasium, climbing wall, fitness center, and tennis courts. CSAE CONFERENCE The Colorado Society of Association Executives (CSAE) held its 2023 annual conference in Glenwood Springs and returned June 10-12 this year, with the 130-room Hotel Colorado again serving as the host hotel. Optional preconference activities included a hike to Hanging Lake; yoga session; and riverside walk with intermittent yoga, stretching, and mindfulness activities. The opening reception and silent auction took place in Hotel Colorado’s spacious front courtyard, and the second evening featured a Glenwood Springs dine-around that included 10 restaurants. In addition to keynote speakers and breakouts, optional meditation sessions both mornings before breakfast filled out the agenda created for 180 attendees.

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DE ST I NAT ION Glenwood Springs

Balcony of the Silver Kings Suite at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort’s Hotel 1888; Below: Fly-fishing on the Colorado River

BIG OUTDOOR FUN Meeting and event planners should make time on group schedules for activities that embrace the surrounding landscape. America’s only mountaintop theme park, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, is perched high atop Iron Mountain at 7,160 feet and accessible via the Glenwood Gondola. It is the perfect place to indulge in a full day or an afternoon of amusements. Cave tours, thrill rides, laser tag, electronic shooting, and a 4D motion movie theater are among the fun options. Located between Glenwood Springs and Carbondale, Sunlight Mountain Resort is one of Colorado’s smaller ski-area gems with 740 acres of terrain and 77 runs for various levels of skiers and snowboarders. All runs funnel back to the base area, so it’s easy for groups to meet back at the lodge, which can be booked for events of up to 220 attendees outside of ski season. In the winter, groups might elect to add Sunlight’s 16- and 30-mile snowmobile tours to the mix. Bair Ranch, a 6,000-acre working ranch about

15 minutes east of Glenwood Springs, also makes it easy for groups to experience memorable outdoor adventures, with horseback riding, all-terrain vehicle tours, sporting clay shooting, and cowboy cookouts on the activity menu. Adventurous groups can book area outfitters for rafting and fly-fishing on the Colorado or Roaring Fork rivers. Give attendees adequate time to explore the extensive network of biking and hiking trails in and around the city as well, or to simply wander downtown for shopping, dining, nightlife, and locally made brews and spirits. Also downtown, the popular Glenwood Vaudeville Revue offers dinner-theater performances, featuring singing, dancing, and comedy sketches. visitglenwood.com

PHOTOS (FROM ABOVE) Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, Visit Glenwood Springs

“Returning to Glenwood Springs and Hotel Colorado felt like returning to a place that truly understands our community,” says Su Hawk, executive director of CSAE, which named Hotel Colorado its Business Partner of the Year last year. “I consider Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs one of the top five conference hosts for associations across our country. When we are here, we are the only conference at the hotel, and General Manager Larry MacDonald and his team truly understand what matters to us. He also hosted a private dinner with our board before the conference officially began, and the Hotel Colorado chef and sommelier presented a luxurious and very special dinner experience.”

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Meet Where Ideas Bloom Host your event in a place that inspires connection – to each other and to the natural world. Distinctive venues, professional coordination and unforgettable experiences.

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Ignight Entertainment’s cowboy and cowgirl greeters and LED dance floors are group favorites.

Buzzy Entertainment

Three Denver-based entertainment purveyors reflect on trends, client requests, and what’s new BY BETH BUEHLER » ENTERTAINMENT has become far more than an agenda add-on for meetings and events. Instead, planners see it as a strategic tool for creating memorable experiences, fostering meaningful connections, and reinforcing brand and conference messaging. As expectations shift toward engaging programm i n g , Colorado’s si g nat u re blend of creativity and homegrown talent offers fresh opportunities to elevate events. Colorado Meetings + Events connected

w ith th ree Denver-ba sed compa n ies that help groups dial in entertainment options to find out more. “Clients do not want ‘off the shelf ’ [entertainment] anymore,” emphasizes Kylie Inglee, national director of accounts for Denver-based Imprint Events Group. “They want custom-tailored ideas that get their attendees talking and generate a buzz after the program.” For example, s he s ay s , s ome g r oup s i nc or p or at e brand and conference messaging using

gamification features like e-trivia, custom scavenger hunts, and game boards that guide participants to visit activations and unlock a prize or gifting opportunity. Meeting pla nners a lso seek hybrid experiences that combine artistry, technology, and personalization. “Whether it’s a laser-engraved gift, cirque performance, or Colorado-themed activation, planners want entertainment that creates connection and leaves guests with something to talk about long after the event ends,” shares Terri Fisher, president and owner of Denver-based 5 Star Ta lent and Entertainment. “ They are requesting authentic, locally based, and culturally meaningful experiences that highlight Colorado’s identity.” Planners might wonder whether to book a national act or one based closer to home. National acts frequently are hired for high-end charity events and major public celebrations, while Colorado’s “strong and diverse talent pool is in demand for receptions, activations, and ongoing programming,” Fisher says. “Many planners blend the two: a national act for the main moment and Colorado talent for the rest of the event. I also have seen charity events cut back to local acts to save their dollars for the purposes of their fundraisers.” Denver-based Ignight Entertainment’s clients typically seek “headliner energy at the local level,” says Ignight’s co-owner Amber Handby. “ They want seamless experiences that all work together to provide a fun time. When the lighting, artistry, bespoke performances, and dance f loor all are connected, it creates the energy planners and clients seek.” Budget is a key factor in determining who to book. Fisher compares event budgets to the stock market: They rise and fall due to various circumstances. Currently, budgets are trending upward, she says, adding, “Groups prioritize experiential elements and want entertainment that creates connection, energy, and memorable moments. As expectations continue to rise for immersive experiences, planners

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT) Spruce Mountain Ranch, Imprint Events Group, 5 Star Talent and Entertainment

TR EN D REP ORT Entertainment Innovations

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PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT) Spruce Mountain Ranch, Imprint Events Group, 5 Star Talent and Entertainment

allocate more toward entertainment, production, and attendee engagement.” Yet, booking windows are shrinking. “I have seen a noticeable increase in very late entertainment requests, sometimes with only 48-hours’ notice,” Fisher says. “This happened several times since the beginning of this year, [which is] more than in previous years.” Some of the most in-demand entertainment types include Western-themed shows, bluegrass music, dueling pianos, and DJ sets, along with living statues, mobile hat bars, engraving, mixolog y activations, and all types of cirque performers, Fisher notes. “For sales team meetings and team building, motivational speed painters, drumline openers, mentalists, vocal groups, and interactive games work well,” she says. Among the services on Ignight Entertainment’s hot list are synchronized light shows with DJ Ignight, Electric Heart DJ Band performances, and high-end costuming that jives with the event theme. For Colorado-centric enter ta inment requests, Ignight combines elements such as its bolo tie bars, electronic DJ sets with country remixes, cowboy and cowgirl greeters decked out in shimmery gold outfits, and LED dance floors. What’s new and trending in the event entertainment world? Groups are amalga m at i n g ent er t a i n ment i nt o m a ny elements of the at tendee ex perience while traveling, Inglee says. “Entertainment is no longer reserved for just the event itself. We had several clients integrate entertainment into their invite, ‘know before you go’ documents, airport transfers, and registration areas to hint at the overall experience awaiting them.” There also are innovative twists on timeless entertainment options, Inglee notes. For example, clients still want DJs, but they also incorporate live-sync technology and a few instrumental musicians alongside the DJ. Instead of traditional caricature, groups embrace fashion industry-style and watercolor artists to

Imprint Events Group created an interactive record-breaking activity using carabiners.

A 5 Star Talent and Entertainment cheer team performs at the Meetings Industry Council of Colorado’s Serving Up Hope luncheon.

depict attendees on-site. “We expanded our immersive offerings with additional synchronized lighting experiences and added many programs to our DJ sets, including tempo-synced light shows with our LED dance floors, lasers, and concert lighting,” Handby adds. Expanded offerings from 5 Star Talent and Entertainment include “experiential and hands-on activations that go beyond traditional entertainment,” Fisher says. Personalized engraving on water bottles and other branded items, wood-burned coasters created on-site, glam stations, ax throwing, large-scale yard and arcade games, and 360 and traditional photo booths are among the latest additions.

Photography has evolved from being an event staple to an entertainment opportunity. “Artificial intelligence enhancements make it more of an interactive experience than a one-and-done, and sizzle reels after the program are huge hits with clients for internal use, return on investment on client engagement, and marketing,” Inglee says. “Anything the [attendee] can walk away with—permanent jewelry, actual tattoos, and live-action engravable [items]—tend to show up documented on social media, and many clients are after just that.” 5staracts.com ignightentertainment.com imprintgroup.com

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SPONSORED CONTENT

elcome to Olympic City USA! Colorado Springs boasts over 500,000 square feet of f lexible meeting space, along with 300 days of sunshine per year and unbelievable mountain views. Tucked in the shadow of Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs showcases the perfect blend of urban comforts, fascinating history, and natural splendor. Let this city’s one-of-a-kind amenities, fabulous venues, and small-town feel bring your meetings to new heights! Not sure where to start? Allow the award-winning sales team at Visit Colorado Springs to provide complimentary services like leads to hotels and service providers, personalized site inspections, and promotional materials. World-class venues like the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, Hotel Polaris, Flying W Ranch, Weidner Field, and the Colorado Springs Convention Center at The Broadmoor will wow attendees, no matter the size of your event. You also can take advantage of the city’s new properties—Hotel Polaris at the North Gate of the U.S. Air Force Academy holds over 40,000 square feet of flexible meeting space with an elegant, midcentury-modern flair. Hotel Polaris also offers excellent on-site dining and in-house flight simulators for a real-life piloting experience. Chamonix Casino & Hotel is surrounded by scenery in historic Cripple Creek, with meeting and convention space that accommodates groups from five to 500. Along with first-rate venues, Colorado Springs provides limitless recreation options for you and your team. Adventures Out West brings groups on Jeep tours, zip lines, hot-air balloon rides, and more. Located at the edge of Garden of the Gods Park, Flying W Ranch offers gorgeous views, fun ranch activities, chuckwagon suppers, and musical performances by the renowned Flying W Wranglers. Immerse yourself in the Olympic spirit by taking a tour of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of the most acclaimed zoos in the country, allowing visitors to get up close with the wildlife while taking in unparalleled views. Ride The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway to the summit of Pikes Peak, “America’s Mountain,” where you can enjoy a world-famous high-altitude doughnut. After productive meetings and thrilling adventures, fuel up at one of Colorado Springs’ acclaimed restaurants! The Warehouse Restaurant offers a dining experience that’s simultaneously laid-back and upscale— groups of all sizes can enjoy regionally inspired cuisine, an extensive beverage menu, and fine art in this downtown staple. Explore a plethora of options under one roof at the Ivywild School, a gorgeous, historic building that’s now home to five restaurants, a distillery, retail, a theater/event space, and the award-winning Bristol Brewing Co. If you want your eats with a side of Colorado Springs history, an excursion with Rocky Mountain Food Tours in the beautiful downtown district is the way to go!

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719-685-7632 visitcos.com/meetings

PHOTOS (FROM ABOVE) The Broadmoor, Gray Warrior, Gaylon Wampler

Visit Colorado Springs

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Colorado Springs Airport

discover

colorado

springs Flying W Ranch

Downtown Colorado Springs

Pikes Peak – America's Mountain

Elevate your next meeting in the city where mountain adventure meets modern convenience. Colorado Springs boasts more than 500k square feet of flexible meeting space along with 300 days of sunshine. It’s the perfect blend of big-city amenities with a small-town feel. Allow our awardwinning sales team to provide complimentary services that make planning your event a breeze.

Learn more at VisitCOS.com/meetings

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From left: RMC staff volunteers at A Precious Child; Medtronic group builds ukeleles for kids through Can’d Aid; Meeting attendees at The Broadmoor pack homeless shelter snack bags, organized by RMC.

Generosity

ON THE AGENDA Connect attendees with community causes for heart-warming team building

any attendees no longer are satisfied staying within the walls of a host hotel, doing the usual dance between keynotes, breakout sessions, and banquet meals. While there is a huge list of outdoor activities available in Colorado to break up scheduling blues and bolster group bonding, many groups prefer a rewarding dose of community service. Philanthropic team building provides an opportunity for employees to connect and build relationships, says Lauren Dolniak, Front Range director of operations for RMC, a Basalt-based destination management company with offices across the U.S. She adds, “At the same time, there has been a growing emphasis on corporate social responsibility, with

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IMAGES (CLOCKWISE FROM BELOW LEFT) Adobe/Olena, RMC, Can’d Aid, Epic Imagery, Visit Boulder/Growing Gardens

By Beth Buehler

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IMAGES (CLOCKWISE FROM BELOW LEFT) Adobe/Olena, RMC, Can’d Aid, Epic Imagery, Visit Boulder/Growing Gardens

bringing materials on-site for an activoperates bike builds in every state and many organizations prioritizing oppority integrated into the meeting agenda or handles everything behind the scenes: tunities to make a positive impact in the coordinating off-site volunteer experiences coordinating with schools; organizing the communities where they meet.” at area nonprofit organizations.” activity; and presenting the bikes to recipiDestination management companies She notes that identifying the right ents, showcasing the joy of children riding like RMC are terrific resources for discovnonprofit partner begins with underwhat often are their first bikes. ering giveback opportunities. Many stage standing the client’s values, goals, and their own staff team-building outings in areas of interest. She adds, “From there, I RMC INSIGHTS partnership with area charities and can align those priorities with area organizaDolniak has noticed an increase in groups share these tried-and-true experiences. tions whose missions resonate with the seeking opportunities to give back to the For instance, RMC’s Denver/Colorado group. Additionally, I maintain relationcommunities they meet in. “These requests Springs team helped organize and sort ships with a network of trusted nonprofit span a wide range of group sizes, from as donated clothing at A Precious Child in partners that I can confidently recomfew as 30 participants to up to 1,000,” she Broomfield, which serves children and mend based on past success and alignshares. “Programs can be customized to families facing abuse, neglect, crisis, ment with client needs.” fit the group’s needs, whether that involves and poverty. Staff also aided nonprofit W hen a f ina ncia l serNational Mill Dog Rescue in vices company held a meetPeyton, which is near Coloing at The Broadmoor in rado Springs, assisting with “These volunteer opportunities Colorado Springs in June cleaning and dog socializaprovide a meaningful way for 2022, R MC a rra nged for tion, supporting the group’s the attendees to pack snack mission of rescuing, rehastaff to spend time together bags for homeless shelters bi litating, a nd rehoming outside the office while giving lo c at e d a cro s s t he cit y. breeding dogs. back to the community.” Loveland’s Ranch Events C omplex s t a f f t y pic a l ly –KATIE BUTTERMORE participates in two to three SALES MANAGER, THE RANCH EVENTS COMPLEX team-building outings per year, often scheduling the morning for volunteering and the afternoon for lunch and a recreational activity. “Staff have assisted with property maintenance projects at Hear ts & Horses Therapeutic R iding Center [in Loveland], helped build homes for Loveland Habitat for Humanity, and sorted and packed groceries for the Food Bank for Larimer County,” says the event center’s Sales Manager Katie Buttermore. “These volunteer opportunities provide a meaningful way for staff members to spend time together outside the office while giving back to the community.” The Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver partners with locally based Wish for Wheels to host staff bikebuild sessions that usually attract 20 to 25 participants. Since Wish for Wheels was founded in 2004, its mission has been to provide every second grader in need with their own bike and helmet. The nonprofit

A group helps mulch at Growing Gardens in Boulder.

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Another client bringing attendees on an incentive trip enlisted RMC to coordinate a bouquet-making activity at The Broadmoor in July last year for the trip winners’ guests. The client donated the resulting bouquets to a nearby hospital. Dolniak says this gave guests an opportunity to meet and give back to the community while their partners were in a mandatory meeting at the hotel. “ In some insta nces, phi la nthropic activ ities a re i ncor porated i nto t he main agenda, with a ll attendees participating,” Dolniak explains. “In other cases, they are offered optional sessions individuals can elect to join, either as a pre- or postmeeting activity or as one of several experiential options.” RMC’s Colorado Springs team partnered with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Colorado, so one of its clients could have attendees stuff toys that the charity donated to families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Colorado Springs. “An individual from the organization came and spoke, sharing about the hope and impact stuffed animals provide

for these children,” says Amy Johnson, the team’s office manager. “There were 30 participants altogether.” HELP WELCOMED At Denver Botanic Gardens, volunteer experiences are custom-designed for groups, allowing planners to select from activities centered on gardening, science, food access, or special events. Working alongside the gardens’ experts, groups bond as a team while educating themselves on the project they are working on for the garden, says Denver Botanic Gardens Director of Marketing and Communications Erin Bird. “Previous experiences have included working alongside our community-supported agriculture (CSA) farm team to harvest, clean, and sort veggies for our CSA; helping our scientists collect data on conservation projects at Chatfield Farms [in Littleton];

and being cashiers, greeters, and in other fun roles at public events, like Pumpkin Festival at Chatfield Farms.” Ca n’d A id in Long mont creates i m mersive, t u r nkey g iveback ex periences for groups and businesses. Nationwide, groups can build and donate skateboards and bikes, assemble and decorate ukuleles, or participate in the “Instruments for Change” program by adopting a classroom in an area school district and donating musical instruments to kids in need. Since Can’d Aid’s inception in 2013, the organization has donated more than 14,400 bikes, 9,000 skateboards, and 4,400 new musical instruments to kids. I n Colorado, Ca n’d A id pa r tnered with employees of Minneapolis-based Medtronic at the company’s Lafayette, Colorado, campus for several years. Last July, during an employee-led event, volunteers assembled 60 skateboards and 60 ukuleles, all donated to Colorado youth. For corporations with employees spread across the country, Can’d Aid coordinates events and donations in every location. No special skills are required for these experiences, just a willingness to do good. DESTINATION PARTNERS Several destination marketing organizations in larger Colorado communities like Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT) Wish for Wheels, Sweetwater A Flower Market, Denver Botanic Gardens/Scott Dressel-Martin

Clockwise from below left: Staff members from the Colorado Convention Center assemble bikes for kids through Wish for Wheels; RMC incentive trip attendees arrange flower bouquets for a Colorado Springs hospital; Volunteers prepare to assist with a restoration project at Denver Botanic Gardens’ Chatfield Farms in Littleton.

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–LAUREN DOLNIAK FRONT RANGE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, RMC

PHOTO Clean the World

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT) Wish for Wheels, Sweetwater A Flower Market, Denver Botanic Gardens/Scott Dressel-Martin

“Programs can be customized to fit the group’s needs, whether that involves bringing materials on-site for an activity integrated into the meeting agenda or coordinating off-site volunteer experiences at area nonprofit organizations.’”

Denver have assembled lists of potential philanthropic team-building activities that are posted on their websites. “Overall, groups tend to gravitate toward opportunities that feel reflective of Boulder as a community, whether that’s [activities centered on] outdoor stewardship, sustainability, animals, or accessibility and mobility,” says Bailey Burrows, media relations and marketing manager for Visit Boulder. She notes Open Space & Mountain Parks, The Humane Society of Boulder Valley, Colorado Wilderness Rides & Guides, and Community Cycles are all popular Boulder-based organizations and companies to partner with. Visit Aurora has a helpful handout about supply drives and donations that includes recipient organizations, contacts, mission overviews, websites, and suggested donation items. “We connected groups with Judi’s House, which was founded by former NFL Denver Broncos quarterback Brian Griese and his wife, Brooke Griese,” says David Jacobson, director of marketing and public relations for Visit Aurora. “It provides support to children who have recently lost a parent. Volunteers can help with supplies for art projects, cooking food for families, and more.” He adds, “We also connected groups with Village Exchange Center, which provides resources to immigrant communities.” Visit Denver has a section on its website listing organizations and charitable causes for leisure and meetings customers to consider. One of those is Clean the World,

Volunteers package hygiene kits for Clean the World.

AWWA con nected w it h Clea n t he a nonprofit that recycles soap and bottled World through its sustainability consulamenities from hospitality partners and tant, Crested Butte-based Honeycomb empowers volunteers to package kits for Strategies, and reviewed Visit Denver’s homeless shelters, food banks, emergency voluntourism resources to identify recipiresponse efforts, and other Coloradan ent organizations that aligned with the and national charities. association’s focus. “Clean the World In June last year, during the Denverstood out as the most turnkey solution based American Water Works Associaand closely aligned with AWWA’s overall tion’s (AWWA) Annual Conference and mission to protect and promote public Exposition (ACE) at the Colorado Convenhealth,” Richeaux explains. “Clean the tion Center, Clean the World facilitated World provided everything we needed, the assembly of hygiene kits and donated including setup diagrams, materia ls, to Dress for Success Denver and Urban and marketing guidance, which made it Peak, also in Denver, for the first ACE simple to implement [the activity]. With Sunday Giveback, a hands-on opportunity its support, we were able to operate the for attendees to give back to the commuACE Sunday Giveback on-site with just nity. “As a first-year initiative, we intentwo AWWA staff members.” tionally started small, planning for 400 assembled kits. Many participants chose to stay and assemble mulapreciouschild.org lovelandhabitat.org tiple kits, while others awwa.org nmdr.org appreciated that the botanicgardens.org rmcdmc.com activity was quick and bouldercoloradousa.com rmhcsoutherncolorado.org accessible, with some broadmoor.com treventscomplex.com c omple t i n g a k it i n candaid.org villageexchangecenter.org under a minute,” says cleantheworld.org visitaurora.com AWWA’s Senior Mandenverconvention.com visitcos.com foodbanklarimer.org visitdenver.com ager of Event Technolheartsandhorses.org wishforwheels.org og y and Engagement judishouse.org Lindsey Richeaux.

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I N D USTRY U P DAT E The Meetings Beat

The Dome at Lafayette’s Immersive Empire

LAFAYETTE WELCOMES IMMERSIVE EMPIRE he founders of Colorado’s largest inflatable amusement park, Bounce Empire, introduced their newest concept, interactive gaming destination Immersive Empire, in Lafayette on June 5. Immersive Empire features six attractions—Motion Madness, Playbox, Gold Rush Saloon, Action, Mulligan’s Challenge, and The Dome—designed to resonate with business groups. During Motion Madness, participants step inside a 270-degree, immersive motion simulator where cinematic visuals and synchronized movement transport up to eight players through 10 themed adventures. Gold Rush Saloon is a Wild West-inspired shootout experience combining interactive gameplay and advanced

Tobias Burkhalter, The Art Hotel Denver

projection technology inside a richly detailed, 1800s-style virtual saloon. A cotton candy-making robot that creates 16 distinctive designs and a robotic cafe serving more than 100 specialty beverages are additional memorable elements. Plus, there are multiple 3D printers creating custom keepsakes. Convenient for planners, groups can seamlessly explore both Immersive Empire and Bounce Empire from within their shared footprint in Lafayette, as well as enjoy Bounce Empire’s lounge and cocktail bar, sports theater, terrace overlooking the Flatirons, lounge seating, massage pods, and fast-casual dining. bounceempire.com | immersiveempire.io

Pedaling to End Child Hunger » TOBIAS BURKHALTER, assistant general manager of The Art Hotel

Denver, Curio Collection by Hilton, rode in the 200-mile 2026 Chefs Cycle. It marked his fifth time participating in the annual ride, and this year, Burkhalter raised more than $10,800. The June 1-3 bike event kicked off in Bend, Oregon, and it motivated chefs, restaurateurs, and hospitality professionals to raise critical funds and awareness for No Kid Hungry, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., that aims to ensure every American child has access to three meals a day. “Across all efforts and participants, the Chefs Cycle campaign raised $1,262,690 for No Kid Hungry during the 2026 campaign and over $10 million over the past 11 years,” Burkhalter says. Helping connect Chef Cycle’s national mission to meaningful Denverarea impact, The Art Hotel staff built bikes that the organization donated to Montview Boys & Girls Club in Aurora, while Fifth Generation Distilled Spirits of Austin, Texas, donated $1 to No Kid Hungry for each Tito’s Handmade Vodka cocktail sold in June at the hotel’s Fire Restaurant & Lounge. Also, the property’s management company, Commonwealth Hotels of Covington, Kentucky, contributed $16,867 to Chefs Cycle. thearthotel.com

PHOTOS (FROM ABOVE) Immersive Empire, Galdones Photography

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PHOTOS (FROM ABOVE) Immersive Empire, Galdones Photography

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I N D USTRY U P DAT E The Meetings Beat

THE RANCH UNVEILS EVENT LAWN

Rendering of the new event lawn at The Ranch Events Complex in Loveland

» ON JULY 31, THE OPENING NIGHT of the Larimer County Fair, The Ranch Events Complex in Loveland debuted with a celebration and ribbon cutting for its 21-acre event lawn. The outdoor space is the first completed project of Phase 2 of The Ranch Master Plan, and it is designed to host concerts, festivals, community events, largescale entertainment shows, and other programming year-round. Additional Phase 2 projects will open through 2030, including an outdoor amphitheater, event plaza, a youth sports facility, campus infrastructure, wayfinding and signage enhancements, improvements to the complex’s Blue Federal Credit Union Arena, and more. Work on the next major project, the 6,000-capacity amphitheater, will break ground late this year. treventscomplex.com

A t r iu m Ho s pit a l it y of Alpharetta, Georgia, promoted Ann Marie Cole, a hospitality industry veteran based in Fort Collins with more than 35 years of experience, to director of national sales. She previously served as director of sales and marketing at Hilton Fort Collins and area director of sales overseeing a cluster of Atrium’s hotels in Loveland. Cole also worked as an area director of sales for Denver-based Stonebridge Cos.

Douglas Hayes became C E O of G l e n w o o d H o t Springs Resor t in Glenwood Springs. Previously, he served as the general manager of The Hoffmann Hotel Basalt Aspen, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, and The Hoffmann House restaurant in Basa lt. Before these roles, H aye s wa s a mu lt iprop er t y genera l ma nager for Destination Residences Snowmass and director of operations at The St. Regis Aspen Resort.

Denver’s Kimpton Claret Hotel hired David Gross a s executive chef of the property’s Italian restaura nt Saver ina a nd Ha lo Rooftop Bar. For the last five years, Gross served as executive chef a t P a n z a n o w i t h i n K i mp t on H o t e l Monaco Denver. He has worked for the Kimpton family of hotels since 2018. Gross also has held positions with Urban Farmer Denver and Zack Bruell Restaurant Group of Cleveland, Ohio.

Dual-branded Le Méridien a nd AC Hotel Denver Downtown, operated by White Lodging of Merrillville, Indiana, appointed Stan Iliev as general manager of both properties. Iliev’s tenure with the compa ny bega n in 2011, when he assumed two management roles at Hilton Garden Inn Chicago/Midway Airport. He later served general manager positions at five White Lodging properties in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

H i g h gat e Hot el s L P of New York City promoted Alfonso Perez-Vega to general manager of both The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Autograph Collection, and the adjacent Holiday Inn Express Denver Downtown. Previously, Perez-Vega held hotel leadership roles in Austin, Texas; Denver; and Los Angeles. He also formerly served as hotel manager for the two Denver Highgate properties. C Lazy U Ranch in Granby hired guest-ranch veteran Shelby Tankersley a s assistant general manager to lead operations across it s fo o d a n d b e v e r a ge , guest services, and rooms departments. Her ba ck g rou nd spa n s more t h a n a decade of guest-ranch operations, food and beverage service, and territory sales management in Colorado and Arizona. Most recently, Tankersley served as the operations manager at family-owned Black Mountain Ranch in McCoy.

IMAGE (ABOVE LEFT) The Ranch Events Complex PEOPLE NEWS PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE LEFT) Zebrajellyfish Photography, Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, C Lazy U Ranch, Le Méridien and AC Hotel Denver Downtown, Kimpton Claret Hotel

PEOPLE NEWS

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TH E HYTH E VAIL

11 Event Rooms 28,000 Square Feet 22 Programmable Spaces When it comes to gathering with the people who matter most, The Hythe sets the stage for something truly unforgettable. From intimate board retreats to large-scale conferences, our expert planning team handles every detail with precision and care, ensuring your event is as seamless as it is memorable. Attendees will enjoy distinctive venues, world-class dining, a full-service spa, and direct access to Vail Mountain’s legendary outdoor adventures, from hiking and biking trails to scenic gondola rides. At The Hythe, business and inspiration go hand in hand. Elevate your next event and discover why Vail’s most storied luxury resort is the premier destination for groups. For More Information Phone: 970-479-6985 Email: sales@thehythevail.com

NOT JUST READ. RELIED ON. Meeting planners don’t just read Meetings + Events—they use it to select venues and build experiences.

» Learn more at: meetingsmags.com MEETINGSMAGS.COM/COLORADO 25

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S NAP S HOT S MPIRMC 2026 Annual Golf Tournament

MPIRMC Members Hit the Links

On June 8, meeting and event planners and suppliers gathered at The Inverness Denver, A Hilton Golf & Spa Resort, for Meeting Professionals International Rocky Mountain Chapter’s (MPIRMC) 2026 Annual Golf Tournament. The 31 foursome slots quickly sold out, and friendly sponsors greeted the golfers at each hole. For nongolfers, MPIRMC offered activities such as pickleball and cornhole. Registration, breakfast, and drivingrange practice began at 6:30 a.m.; tournament play started right at 7:30 a.m.; and lunch and an awards ceremony immediately followed.

1. Jesse Kittelstad, Ryan Pierce, Emily Lucas, and Adam Lucas 2. Gysela Fillingham and Freddie Templeton 3. Angela “Fig” Wirkler, Matt Oliver Kenfield, Allen Kenfield, and Brian Kenfield 4. Maggie Glass and Kellie McDonald 5. Jared Foerter 6. Sara Karlis, Jorge Sanchez, Garret Hommel, and Kevin Retchless 7. Robert Hussmann, Brandon Duffin, Julie Keyes, Bruce Dalton, and Viveca McDonald 8. Tamika Weiss and Haroon Chaudhry

To have your meeting or event photos featured, contact bbuehler@greenspring.com.

PHOTOS Colorado Convention Center

PHOTOS All Digital Photo and Video

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PHOTOS All Digital Photo and Video