Numerous Venues and Group Activities Make Aspen the Ideal Site for Conferences, Meetings and Retreats

Aspen offers unmatched advantages for meeting planners

ASPEN, Colo. (Feb.1, 2014) – Aspen is a destination that will defy ordinary for meetings and groups, with nearly limitless outdoor adventure, world-class dining, shopping and culture concentrated within a quaint mining town against a stunning mountain backdrop.

The Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA) can assist in planning a meeting, special event, wedding or group gatherings. ACRA provides a wealth of information and can match planners with Aspen hotels, venues, vendors, outfitters and more. For more information, visit ACRA’s group site at www.aspenchamber.org/group-planner, or call 1.866.564.8623 or 970.920.7185.

NEW OPTIONS FOR MEETING PLANNERS

NEW! Celebrating 40 years of hospitality excellence, The Gant, Aspen’s finest condominium resort is situated in a peaceful enclave at the base of Aspen Mountain offering the comforts of home with the services of a hotel.  The Gant’s conference center will reopen in June 2014 after a $5 million renovation and expansion that includes a new specialty café, panoramic rooftop deck, and flexible floor plans. This project artfully blends function, style and sustainability to create a multi-use mountain venue suitable for varied gatherings ranging from special events, weddings and private celebrations to corporate meetings, business retreats and incentive trips. (610 SW End St.)

TOP PICKS FOR MEETING PLANNERS

The Hotel Jerome, Aspen’s historic gem and an Auberge Resort, reopened its doors in December 2012 after a more than $40 million renovation. All 94 rooms have been redesigned to showcase their grandeur with nods to the building’s history, such as cashmere curtains, burnished-leather bedframes and cubist carpet. The lobby has been opened up to create a dramatic new space to socialize. The renovated ballroom with large floor-to-ceiling windows and other meeting spaces make this an ideal location. There is also a new Auberge Spa and a movement studio for yoga. (330 E. Main St.)

The same elements that make The Little Nell an idyllic Colorado luxury hotel also make it an ideal choice for meetings, conferences, and large celebrations. The Little Nell provides a selection of well-appointed meeting rooms and special events facilities that can accommodate a variety of gatherings. These include Aspen Mountain Club and The Sundeck – both atop Aspen Mountain – The Gallery, Chair 9, Ajax Tavern, Element 47 (exclusive buyout) and tented events. Element 47 is Aspen's place for haute cuisine. This five-star service and a highly acclaimed wine list is also available for private events and meetings accommodating 86 seated guests, 110 for reception or 200 for a reception with outdoor patio. (675 E. Durant St.)

The St. Regis Aspen Resort reopened in Dec. 2011 following a $43 million renovation and redesign. Changes included a completely embellished ballroom, opening of Chefs Club by FOOD & WINE, and Trecento Quindici Decano, a new restaurant inside which combines a casual atmosphere with an upscale Italian dining experience. Redesigned guestrooms offer a separate shower and tub experience; a new entrance; a newly created library with a fireplace, sofas, bookshelves, and game tables; a new restaurant concept and location allowing for outside dining; and a renovated pool area. (315 E. Dean St.)

The Sky Hotel, a Kimpton Hotel, completed a two-part renovation in the spring of 2013. The hotel features 4,700 square feet of meeting facilities in three flexible meeting rooms, which seat up to 90 guests or can accommodate up to 200 for a poolside reception. The breathtaking mountain views and central Aspen location make the Sky Hotel an ideal choice for business meetings and corporate retreats, too. (709 E. Durant Ave.)

Aspen Meadows Resort, a 40-acre Dolce property located in Aspen’s picturesque West End, offers 22,000 square feet of function space certified by the International Association of Conference Centers (IACC). The state-of-the-art Doerr-Hosier Center is LEED Gold-Certified. Meeting facilities include Paepcke Auditorium, which seats up to 350 people theatre-style;14 conference venues boasting over 22,000 square feet of meeting and event space; the Aspen Meadows restaurant, which accommodates up to 175 people for dinner or 200 for a reception; and Plato’s restaurant, which seats 40 for dinner or 60 for a reception. Numerous outdoor tented spaces are available upon request. The Aspen Meadows facilities include 98 guest rooms and suites, a public restaurant, full-service health center with outdoor lap pool, gymnasium and six new tennis courts. (845 Meadows Rd.)

Team-Building & Leadership Experiences

Reconnect with staff on an Aspen adventure on the road, trails and rivers of this pristine natural playground. Aspen outfitters and cultural organizations customize group experiences based on interests and objectives. The following is a selection of some of the finest experiences: 

Aspen Meadows & Aspen Institute’s “Leadership Fundamentals Program” – Based on the Aspen Institute’s classic approach to roundtable discussion, this program brings team members, classical literature and life’s most basic yet profound questions into a moderated discussion. Not your typical ‘trust fall’ exercise, the Leadership Fundamentals Program delves into unique discussions which create lasting, life-long bonds and, equally important, translates to company-wide success. Hosted at Aspen Meadows Resort in collaboration with the Aspen Institute, this program is offered in two-hour, half-day and full-day packages.  (845 Meadows Rd.)

Blazing Adventures – Specializing in a wide array of adventure activities, Blazing Adventures offers customized team-building experiences including Road Rallies on established on and off-road courses, Scavenger Hunts in downtown Aspen and wilderness areas, Team Challenges on rock climbing routes, and Competitive Active Team Building twists on outdoor activities including rafting, biking, shooting and fly-fishing, among others. New this year, Blazing Adventures will offer a Whisky River trip, where participants can raft from Aspen to the new Woody Creek Distillers and sample hand-crafted spirits made from entirely local ingredients. (555 E. Durant Ave.)

Aspen Expeditions –Take your group on a customized outdoor adventure, featuring activities ranging from rock climbing, rappelling or zip line ropes courses, a group mountain hike to unique places such as the Pyramid Amphitheater, or a multisport adventure including climbing, rafting, fly-fishing and paragliding. Aspen Expeditions’ professional mountain guides will show you how to enjoy the mountain environment safely and respectfully for an unforgettable bonding experience. (Prospector Rd, Aspen Highlands)

Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) – At four sites in the Roaring Fork Valley, including a 22-acre nature preserve in downtown Aspen, ACES offers private, naturalist-guided hikes and educational programs, customized for groups. Full-day hikes focus on wildflowers, birds, history, geology, or photography. Moderate hikes focus on basic naturalist knowledge and activities. (100 Puppy Smith St.)

Cultural Centers

Theatre Aspen, a homegrown theater company, has received national acclaim and performs a rotating schedule of productions for both adults and families. The organization’s mission is to entertain, enlighten, enrich, educate and challenge the residents and visitors of the Roaring Fork Valley through professional-quality theatrical productions, new play development initiatives and a broad spectrum of educational programs. This year’s season includes award-winning “The Full Monty.” The theatre can be rented for groups up to 130 for seated dinners, 200 for a cocktail reception and 189 theatre style for a performance.  (110. E. Hallam St.)

Aspen Historical Society – Unlike some mountain resorts, Aspen has a deep history, and the Aspen Historical Society brings it to life with customized, interactive tours and scavenger hunts. Pick your time period and points of interest, and AHS historians craft an amazing experience to discover Aspen’s past. Groups can also rent space at any of the society’s three campuses, including the Wheeler/Stallard museum in Aspen’s famed West End, the ghost town of Ashcroft, or the Holden/Marolt museum. (620 W. Bleeker St.)

Aspen Art Museum is scheduled to open its new 30,000-square-foot Shigeru Ban-designed building on Aug. 9, 2014, construction of which was privately funded. The AAM will continue its programming of internationally significant contemporary art at its current location throughout the construction of the new facility. Founded in 1979, the Aspen Art Museum is a non-collecting museum for contemporary art, one of only four art institutions in Colorado accredited by the American Association of Museums and a leading voice in the intellectual discourse of international contemporary art. (Corner of S. Spring St. and E. Hyman Ave.)

Wheeler Opera House is a classically designed opera house which seats 503 people. It first opened in 1889 but has undergone extensive renovations to remain a state-of-the-art facility. In 2013, the Wheeler and City of Aspen embarked on the Balcony Remodel Project, including new and spacious seating, upgraded lighting, and the technical booth now houses Digital Cinema Projection. From The Eagles, Jerry Seinfeld, Oprah Winfrey and Sheryl Crow to locally created performance experiences, the Wheeler is the Roaring Fork Valley’s premiere site for concerts, movies, festivals, lectures, community events, opera, plays and a whole lot more. The Wheeler is available for rental by groups who want to engage in an historic facility. (320 E. Hyman Ave.)

For media information and images, visit www.aspenchamber.org/media and contact Promo Communications at 970.925.8480 or

Maureen Poschman • [email protected]

Melissa Wisenbaker • [email protected]

Zoe Brown • [email protected]

For visitor information, visit www.aspenchamber.org, or call 1.888.290.1324 or 970.925.1940.

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