Beaver Run: How to be a great host

Beaver Run: How to be a great host

In September, Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center hosted the 2016 Colorado Governor’s Conference on Tourism, which plays a major role in bringing new ideas and innovation to Colorado tourism and the state’s economy each year.

The event provides an opportunity to meet with representatives of destination marketing organizations, the hospitality and recreation industries,  attractions, the arts, cultural organizations, chambers  of commerce, government agencies and others, all of whom are committed to sustaining Colorado’s travel and tourism industry.

It took more than a year to plan the 2016 conference, beginning with the initial request for proposal, followed by approval, to hitting the ground running with details and logistics.

Because Beaver Run is the largest conference center in Breckenridge and the second largest in Summit County, it was possible to host such a large event in one place while being able to meet all of the needs and expectations of the group.

With more than 500 hotel rooms and 40,000 square feet of flexible meeting and banquet space, Beaver Run was able to accommodate all conference attendees and host every conference session under one roof. With multiple dining and retail options on-site, attendees had everything they needed within the property.

“There is so much hard work and dedication to make this conference a success,” CTO Meeting Planner Deborah Brannon said. “After reading the survey results from this year’s conference, it is amazing to see how appreciated and how much everyone looks forward to attending each year.”

Conference attendees were encouraged to explore downtown Breckenridge, one of the benefits of Beaver Run’s competitive location. Only a short walk or complimentary shuttle ride away, Main Street was the location for several nighttime events and festivities, including the Welcome Reception at the Riverwalk Center. Attendees had the option of strolling downtown after meetings ended for dinner or happy hour – something that paralleled one of the Conference’s central themes: experiencing local Colorado.

The 2016 Conference created the opportunity to utilize a myriad of local vendors for various needs, such as catering and decorating to tech and audio. This highlights the ways in which the Governor’s Conference helps support local businesses and boasts the economy on both a local and state-wide level.

In addition to being a positive force in the local economy, this year’s Conference also gave those who attended the chance to connect with the great outdoors.

Just in time for yellowing aspens and snow-dusted peaks, those who attended the Conference were able to partake in yoga on the mountainside, sunrise hikes and even a moose sighting during breakout sessions.

This year was the first time the Colorado Governor's Tourism Conference was held in Breckenridge and Beaver Run Resort. The CTO always wants to represent the entire state and let different destinations have the opportunity to host this great conference, so it was an honor to have been chosen for 2016.

“We felt very fortunate to work with the great staff at the Beaver Run and Breckenridge Tourism Office,” Brannon said. “They truly went above and beyond from contract, to pre-planning, to on-site execution.”

(This sponsored content was provided by Beaver Run Resort and Conference Center.)

Rachel Follender is a Marketing Specialist at Beaver Run Resort and Conference Center.