Denver Venues

Located in on the 16th Street Pedestrian Mall in the heart of downtown, the Sheraton Denver is well-suited to everything from small meetings to large-scale conventions. In addition to 1,231 guest rooms and 82 suites, this Denver hotel features over 133,000 square feet of event space, making it the perfect location for weddings, conferences and banquets of 10 to 3,700 people.

Business guests will find the Sheraton Denver especially accommodating, thanks to the high-speed wireless Internet access in each room, ergonomic desk chairss, and dual-line speakerphones in each room. Rooms are also equipped with everyday necessities such as ironing boards, coffee makers, hairdryers, alarm clocks and more.

Outside of business, the hotel boasts around-the-clock excitement with its four on-site eateries: 1550 Lounge, 1550 Restaurant, 16Mix, and Katie Mullen's Irish Restaurant & Pub. The heated outdoor pool and 24-hour fitness facility are also great ways to unwind.

View more information about the Sheraton Dallas on the Cvent Supplier Network

Now that it's October, I'm already thinking about Halloween! If you're hosting an event around the holiday, what better way to get attendees into the spirit than by selecting a haunted hotel as your venue of choice? Check out some of the top hotels across the nation where you may have to account for one or two uninvited guests:

Stanley Hotel

A Colorado tradition since 1909, the Stanley Hotel is tucked away in the gorgeous mountainous terrain of the Estes Valley, located about an hour from Denver and minutes from Rocky Mountain National Park. Its breathtaking setting belies the hotel's ghostly past, which includes serving as the hotel that inspired author Stephen King to write The Shining.

Supposedly, original owner F.O. Stanley and his wife Flora still haunt the hotel, being seen in the Billiard Room or playing the piano in the ballroom. Some guests have also reported hearing children playing in the hallway when none are present.

Today, guests can take one of the historic ghost tours offered by professional hotel guides, who cover the history of the hotel, its connection to King's novel, haunted rooms and more. The Stanley features eight meeting spaces for private events, including Billiard Room where Stanley so likes to make an appearance.


A National Historic Landmark, this San Diego hotel attracts guests with its distinct Victorian charm and modern luxury. An American treasure, it has welcomed greats such as Marilyn Monroe, Charles Lindbergh, eleven U.S. Presidents, and, now, even a ghost.

On November 25, 1892, hotel guest Kate Morgan checked into the Hotel del Coronado, but never checked out. Since then, guests and staff have noticed phantoms, chilly breezes, and strange noises thought to be the ghost of this "Beautiful Stranger," whose story you can read about in the hotel's published book about Kate—talk about a great corporate gift for your next event the hotel!

Hotel del Coronado features 679 recently remodeled rooms (ask for number 3327 to sleep in Kate's room) and 65,000 square feet of San Diego event space. Its function space just underwent a $2 million renovation with new carpeting, drapes, wallpaper, sound system, and audio-visual support provided by San Diego AV supplier Swank Audio Visual.

Carolina Inn

In 1948, Dr. William Jacocks, a physician with the International Health Division of the Rockefeller Foundation, retired to Chapel Hill and lived at the Carolina Inn until his death in 1965. However, legend has it he never really left. He still enjoys playing practical jokes on inn guests, such as locking them out of his former room every now and then. Other ghosts in the hotel have been known to wander the halls and jiggle door knobs.

Visitors can learn all about the inn's ghoulish past this Halloween, as the staff of Haunted North Carolina is hosting an evening of entertainment that includes dinner and a tour of the inn's most haunted areas. Book online using hotel promotion code "BOO" or call 1-800-962-8519.

In addition to a place on the National Register of Historic Places, the Carolina Inn boasts a fine resume including a AAA Four Diamond Award hotel and Mobil Four Star Award-Winning dining at its Carolina Crossroads Restaurant. Located on the campus of the University of Chapel Hill-North Carolina, it boasts 184 rooms and 13,000 square feet of meeting space, making it a popular North Carolina venue for events, weddings, academic conferences and more.

Proving that meetings mean business is not the only trend in the industry these days. As I blogged back in April, another key trend for meeting planners in 2009 is a focus on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

Though the ideas and motives behind CSR vary from organization to organization, it continues to grow in popularity. In fact, a recent study found that the number of organizations with a CSR charter rose from 59 percent in 2008 to 61 percent today.

"We have such an incredible opportunity to impact millions of people by holding meetings responsibly," Bridget Chisholm, conference manager for the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), said in the September issue of Prevue magazine, which focuses on Corporate Social Responsibility. "It’s becoming mainstream and it’s what society wants. If a company is not conscious of the waste it produces, it’s going to eventually lose customers."

That's not an exaggeration. According a recent TBA Global white paper, 69 percent of Americans felt that companies should invest more in community projects. Additionally, a study by the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) and European expense management company KDS found that about 27 percent of companies prefer to do business with suppliers and partners practicing CSR policies. 

As Peter Robinson, CEO of the David Suzuki Foundation succinctly put it, "Ethics is the new competitive environment."

As such, it's not surprising that Prevue reports that community service has experienced exponential growth in today's meetings and incentives. According to the magazine, Destination Hotels & Resorts officially inked a deal this month with Odyssey Teambuilding, a philanthropic event planning company. This provides planners a more streamlined RFP process for groups desiring a volunteer event.

Odyssey, of late, has earned major press for their teambuilding program whereby attendees build prosthetic arms for landmine victims in Asia. Participants are then connected with the individual for whom they built the particular device.

Learn more about Prevue's "Change the World" cover story, which features interviews with industry execs and  planners in Vancouver, Denver, San Jose, Virginia Beach and Riviera Maya, or sign up for complimentary subscription information at www.prevueonline.net.

Hotels in Washington, DC got a boost in January thanks to the popularity of Barack Obama's presidential inauguration. However, it looks like that was just a momentary jump in the overall struggling hotel market.

In January, occupancy at luxury hotels in DC was up 2 percent over 2008, while the luxury hotel market nationwide fell 14.4 percent that same month compared to the previous year. But in February, business at DC accommodations dropped below the same time in 2008, and it seems the drag has continued.

The historic Hay-Adams hotel in downtown DC has seen a decline in business following the inauguration. General Manager Hans Bruland told the Washington Business Journal in April that occupancy rates were down slightly over last year. Plus, business travelers aren't buying as much, he said; for example, they book single rooms rather than suites.

Still, even if the effects of the inauguration didn't last, DC's reputation for "strictly business" might be helping its hotels and venues fare better than other so-called luxury or resort destinations such as Las Vegas. As Bill Hanbury, former president of Destination DC, told WBJ, the District is a no-frills alternative.

"[Business travelers] may be sneaking off to Charlie Palmer's, but not to a casino," he said.

Whatever the reason, Washington, DC does seem to be escaping some of the worst of the recession. Two weeks ago, it posted the smallest available daily rate decline in Smith Travel Research's U.S. hotel performance measurements. Its ADR dropped 5 percent to $122.29, while its revenue per available room saw a decrease of 4.7 percent.

As a means of comparison, DC was one of only four markets to see single-digit RevPAR declines. Six markets saw RevPAR declines of more than 25 percent, including New York with a decline of 30.2  percent, Denver with a decline of 30.1 percent, and Los Angeles-Long Beach with a decline of 29.2 percent.

The meetings industry is one step closer to having standards for green meetings. A final draft of standards for green meetings and events, developed by the Convention Industry Council's Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX) Green Meetings and Events Practices Panel, is ready for your consideration.

The APEX Green Meeting and Events Voluntary Standard covers nine areas: accommodations, AV, communication, destinations, food and beverage, exhibits, meeting venue, on-site office, and transportation. The Standard is available online at the APEX blog, where visitors can comment on each section.

In addition to providing online feedback, APEX is also hosting another round of City Discussion Groups in major cities across the country. These CDGs allow industry members to publicly participate in the discussion of the Voluntary Standard. So far the schedule is as follows:

• August 16, 2009: Atlanta event at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia
• September 1, 2009: Denver event at The Ritz-Carlton Denver
• September 3, 2009: Baltimore event at the Baltimore Convention Center
• September 9, 2009: San Antonio event at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter
• September 11, 2009: Washington, DC event at the U.S. Green Building Council Board Room

You can register online, and don't forget to keep checking as more dates are announced.

Not sure what to serve at your next cocktail party, wedding reception or catered affair? You could use some advice from the people who know best, the professional chefs of the American Culinary Federation.

The National Restaurant Association surveyed of 1,600 of these chefs on what menu items are going to be hot in 2009. Here are the top 20 trends:

1. Locally-grown produce
2. Bit-size/mini desserts
3. Organic produce
4. Nutritionally balanced children's dishes
5. New/fabricated cuts of meat such as Denver steak, pork flat iron and bone-in Tuscan veal chop
6. Fruit/vegetable children's side items
7. Superfruits such as acai, goji berry and mangosteen
8. Small plates/tapas/mezze/dim sum
9. Micro-distilled artisan liquor
10. Sustainable seafood
11. Nutrition/health (reduced sodium or low-fat items, for example)
12. Gluten-free/food allergy conscious cuisine
13. Non-traditional fish such as Arctic char and barramundi
14. Artisanal cheese
15. Exotic fruit such as passion fruit and guava
16. Culinary cocktails
17. Micro-vegetables/micro-greens
18. Organic wine
19. Dessert flights/combos/platters
20. Free-range poultry/pork

For planners, a number of these trends can not only make your events chic, but they can also help your budget. A few passed small plates or tapas can create an inexpensive cocktail menu. Locally-grown produce, the number one trend, will cut back on catering costs normally associated with shipping food in from far distances. It will also further your efforts to host a green meeting.

In today's economic climate, many meeting planners worry that attendees won't have the budget to commit to an event that requires an overnight stay. However, thanks to a growing number of budget-friendly promotions at hotels across the country, this is not necessarily the case.

Take, for example, the "An Airfare (Match) to Remember" promotion at Warwick hotels in Denver and San Francisco. The program invites travelers to match the price of a luxury hotel stay to a great deal they find on airfare. Running through April 30, 2009, participating hotels—Warwick Denver Hotel and Warwick San Francisco Hotel—will match the price of a room night to that of a guest's airline ticket to the respective city, starting at $79. Some restrictions apply; you can read full details at each hotels website.

What are your thoughts? Are your attendees better able to commit to your event if they can find hotel deals at nearby properties?

Where should you host your next meeting or event? Denver may be a good option, according to a study by the Pew Research Center. In a recent social trend report, Pew polled respondents as to what big city or its surrounding metropolitan area they want to live in. Denver, chosen by 43 percent, ranked highest, followed by San Diego (40 percent) and Seattle (38 percent).

Here are the top 10 destinations:

1. Denver
2. San Diego
3. Seattle
4. Orlando, Tampa, San Francisco (three-way tie)
5. Phoenix
6. Portland
7. Sacramento, San Antonio (tie)
8. Boston, Miami (tie)
9. Atlanta
10. Washington, DC

Also interesting to note, seven of the top most popular big cities are in the West. Six of the above list are in the South.

If you're trying to narrow down your choices for a meetings destination, make sure to check out the Cvent Destination Guide. You can search over 60 cities in the United States, including all those in the most popular list—you can even view cities based on region! Read about meeting venues, transportation options and more to find the perfect fit for your meeting.

Wondering what you business guests are looking for in your meetings and events? Business Traveler can tell you, thanks to its 2008 Best in Business Travel readers poll. Check out some of the most notable selections that may affect your meetings and events:

• Best Hotel Chain in the World: Park Hyatt

• Best Hotel Chain in North America: Marriott

• Best Hotel Chain in Europe: Sofitel

• Best Airline for Business-Class Service in North America and Best In-Class Services in North America: Air Canada

• Best Low-Cost Airline in North America: Virgin America

• Best Airport in North America: Denver International Airport

Air travel is stressful, especially during the holidays, so it's no wonder that convincing your event attendees to commit to a plane flight for your events can be hard.

If you're looking for an event destination that won't be such a hassle for your guests, consider the 10 airports selected by Health magazine as America's Healthiest. From nutritious food choices to relaxation zones, these airports are sure to put your travel guests at ease:

1. Phoenix Sky Harbor International
2. Baltimore/Washington International
3. O'Hare International in Chicago
4. Detroit Metropolitan
5. Denver International
6. Ronald Reagan Washington National
7. Dallas/Fort Worth International
8. Logan International in Boston
9. Portland International
10. Philadelphia International

Topping the list, Phoenix Sky Harbor International is a guaranteed comfortable way to welcome guests to events in Phoenix thanks to its healthful dining options at eateries such as Yoshi's Asian Grill and Roadhouse 66, exceptionally clean bathrooms, and two pet parks.

Events in Baltimore and DC get off to a good start thanks to two of its regional airports, Baltimore/Washington International and Ronald Reagan Washington International. BWI's relaxing music and low lighting mellows the mood at its formerly stressful security checkpoints, while National's 30 museum-quality works and walking/biking trail keep travelers' minds off delays and give them a chance to stretch their legs between flights.

Low-fat, veggie-heavy meals in Chicago, a "storm-ready" safety team at Detroit, and green, energy efficient practices at Denver are among the reasons that other airports made the cut.

In a recent post on catering concerns, we mentioned the growing need for a gluten-free option on your event menu that guests with Celiac Disease can enjoy.

If avoiding wheat, rye, barley and oats in your appetizer and entree courses is a formidable challenge, finding a flour-free dessert may seem near impossible. But with a growing number of bakeries preparing gluten-free options, you'll find it's more than easy for you, and your attendees, to have their cake and eat it too.

Deby's Bakery and Cafe

Events in Denver can enjoy a wealth of tasty gluten-free treats from Deby's Bakery and Cafe. From blueberry English muffins to caramel pecan cinnamon rolls to banana muffins, Deby's makes sure your breakfasts, brunches and coffee breaks are well stocked with a traditional spread.

Cakelove

Want to make a lasting impression on your dinner guests? Try ending your meal with one of the heavenly desserts from Cakelove, which offers corporate and wedding catering in Washington, DC. Available in a range of sizes, from 8 servings to 60 servings, Cakelove's gluten-free desserts include yellow cake, chocolate cake, creamy cheesecake and cupcakes.

Bittersweet Bakery

Minnesota events can enjoy the gluten-free delights at Bittersweet Bakery in Eagan, about 25 minutes from downtown Minneapolis. A dream for anyone with a sweet tooth, Bittersweet offers tangy lemon bars, fudge-y brownies, almond sheet cakes, lemon poppy seed muffins and more. All its products are gluten-free, but certainly no less tasty than their flour-filled counterparts.

Looking to break outside the boardroom for your next Denver event? Look no further than the Strategy Loft, Denver's newest self-described "urban think-space."

The Strategy Loft boasts 1,800-square-feet of meeting space, offering room for up to 180 guests overall. The Loft has three smaller seating areas for meetings of all kinds. With space for up to 40 people, the UnBored Room is a light-filled space complete with movable tables and dry erase walls. The comfy leather couches at The Huddle and Reception Lounge areas are great for casual meetings or break areas during long events.

No matter what space best suits your needs, your attendees will enjoy an ambiance of floor-to-ceiling windows, dark hardwood floors, stainless steel accents and colorful wall murals and area rugs. The basketball hoop and hopscotch court are great for inspiring creativity or working off stress, and the fully-equipped kitchen makes it easy to offer snacks and coffee breaks throughout the day. Wireless Internet access, a 47-inch flat panel monitor, high-tech sound system, movable dry erase walls, flip charts and markers are all included to make your meeting a productive one.

Located in the Santa Fe Art District, about five to 10 minutes away from downtown Denver, The Strategy Loft has worked with organizations such as Target Corporation, Pikes Peak Behavioral Health Group and the Colorado Springs Downtown Partnership. The Loft is only about half an hour from the Denver International Airport, and guests traveling by car enjoy free parking.

View more information on The Strategy Loft

The Denver Marriott City Center hotel brings luxury and service to the forefront of any event or meeting. Located in th heart of downtown, the hotel is in close proximity to popular attractions such as Coors Field, Six Flags, the Denver Convention Center and Invesco Field at Mile High. Hundreds of shops, bars and restaurants are within walking distance as well.

Whether you're searching for Denver venues with room for 10 people or 1,000 people, the Denver Marriott City Center can accommodate all of your needs. Its 25,000 square feet of meeting space is spread among 24 meeting rooms, 25 breakout rooms and a 14,508-square-foot ballroom, capable of holding 1,660 guests. All its meeting rooms have wireless Internet access, and the hotel offers business services, state-of-the-art meeting equipment and versatile catering for any event.

Outside the boardroom, your event attendees are sure to feel welcome in this modern, smoke-free hotel. Over 600 rooms welcome overnight guests, who also enjoy complimentary in-room coffee and turn down service, on-site laundry, daily newspaper deliveries and valet dry cleaning. Other notable guest amenities? A spa pool and whirlpool, fitness center, two casual restaurants and an on-site Starbucks.

View more information on Denver Marriott City Center

When tourists think of Denver, they often think of the altitude and sports teams. But for meeting planners, the Mile-High City, located in almost the exact center of the continental United States and home to over 20 downtown hotels, is an ideal location for your next event.

Check out a few of the following Denver venues for your next event:

Colorado Convention Center

A recent $300 million renovation expanded the center to include 63 meeting rooms, 85,000 square feet of ballroom space and the multi-functional Wells Fargo Theatre. Convenience is paramount at the Colorado Convention Center, which boasts an attached light-rail train station and a 1,000-space parking garage staffed with greeters on each floor.

Warwick Denver Hotel

This elegant hotel features 11 meeting rooms with state-of-the-art audio-visual capabilities and wi-fi access. The Capital Ballroom accommodates 200 attendees, while the Millennium Ballroom, offering a panoramic view of downtown, can host 120 people.

The Brown Palace Hotel

Having been in the business over 100 years, the Brown Palace Hotel has learned a thing or two about how to pamper guests. Host your event in one of 12 rooms, which, when combined, offer over 13,000 square feet of meeting space. For post-event indulgence, guests look forward to the on-site spa and salon and six restaurants. Guest services include a full-time concierge, on-site bakery and catering and a full-service business center.