If it weren’t for doctors, scientists, teachers and lots of other folks who like
to get together for big gabfests, Denver might not even need a convention
center.
But thanks to groups ranging from statisticians to fire chiefs, stamp collectors
to plastic surgeons, Christian booksellers to Harley-Davidson dealers, the newly
expanded gathering place is booked — at least part of the time- — for meetings and
trade shows extending well into the next decade.
The Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau reports that 134 reservations
already have been made for conventions of various size between now and 2016.
The biggest so far: the International Association of Chiefs of Police. It will
bring 6,000 members here for its annual conference in October 2009, an event
that will fill some 5,000 hotel rooms for a week.
Not far behind is the International Association of Fire Chiefs, which will have
more than 5,000 attendees here for a fire-rescue conference next August, and at
least 3,500 for a similar meeting in 2008.
Among the other heavy hitters are the Christian Booksellers Association,
weighing in with 3,750 members for summer national conventions in July 2005,
2006 and 2009; the American Association for Cancer Research, coming with 5,500
attendees in 2009; and the American Library Association, bringing 4,500 in 2009.
How big a crowd is that? Well, 5,500 cancer researchers are enough to fill
Boettcher Concert Hall and the Temple Buell Theatre combined.
Other large gatherings are planned by groups of audiologists, orthodontists and
cardiac specialists; bilingual educators, math teachers and school counselors;
and electrical engineers, geologists and industrial hygienists.
Also on tap are trade shows and expos heralding the latest developments in such
diverse fields as electronics design, wind energy and bone research.
 |
| Post / Craig F. Walker |
| Conventioneers from the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States pass through the 14th Street lobby.
|
The most intriguing bookings may be those by the Association of Professional
Sleep Societies- — experts in research, therapies and the latest sleep-aiding
drugs — coming with 2,000 members next June, and the Society of Government Meeting
Professionals, due in May 2006 with 575.
The most entertaining? Try the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of
Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, which will stage its international
convention here in 2007, and its sister organization, Sweet Adelines
International, which is coming in 2012.
Both are expected to feature competitions with public performances.
Staff writer Jack Cox can be reached at 303-820-1785 or jcox@denverpost.com.
A public place: Upcoming events at the Colorado Convention Center
Thursday
Celebrate Denver, a free open house from 5 to 11 p.m. to mark the center’s
expansion. Food, art and music by Firefall, Lannie Garrett and Dotsero
Dec. 17-19
International Motorcycle Show
Jan. 6-9
Denver Boat Show
Jan. 9
Rocky Mountain Bridal Show
Jan. 12-15
Colorado RV Adventure Travel Show
&
Rocky Mountain Truck & Accessories Expo
Jan. 22-30
Colorado Garden and Home Show
Jan. 27-30
Denver Sportsmen Exposition
Feb. 17-21
NBA Jam Session
Feb. 25-27
World’s Greatest Hobby On Tour (Toy Trains)
Feb. 26-27, 2005
All About Kids Expo 2005
March 9-14
Spring Boat and Camper Show
March 19
Colorado State Spelling Bee
March 30-April 3
Denver Auto Show
April 1-3
Denver Flower and Landscaping Show
April 8-10
Home Remodeling and Log Home Show
April 15-16
Easyriders Bike Show 2005
May 27-June 4
2005 USA Open Volleyball Championships
The event everyone will be talking about:
The 2005 NBA All-Star Jam Session
takes place Feb. 17-21. Timed to accompany the big game at the Pepsi Center, the
five-day event will feature an NBA Legends Shootout, ESPN Celebrity Game,
practices and 350,000 square feet of interactive basketball activities. Tickets
will cost $12-20. For more information, go to Events at the Colorado Convention Center are sponsored by a variety of
organizations.
