Unofficially billed as the tourism party of the decade, tonight’s reception welcoming the Global Business Travel Association convention will be a blowout soiree that woos the 6,000 attendees with Denver’s finest offerings.
Themed “A Mile High Celebration of Denver & Colorado’s Culture, Cuisine and Adventure Lifestyle,” the massive fete at the Denver Performing Arts Complex Galleria and Sculpture Park will marry outdoor adventure and urban fun in a single setting.
“It’s a one-stop shop for the full Denver and Colorado experience,” said Visit Denver’s Rachel Benedick.
Benedick said the party will set the tone of the week-long convention with a fun, hospitable approach designed to entice the convention’s attendees, 60 percent of whom are directly responsible for planning business meetings that can supercharge a city’s tourism-dependent businesses.
If a planner decides to bring a big meeting to Denver, it can deliver millions of dollars to the city and its hotels, restaurants, airlines and tourism businesses.
“These are the decision makers, and we want to wow these people from a lot of different perspectives,” said Benedick, vice president of sales and services for the nonprofit Visit Denver. “We want to send a cohesive message from the community that says, ‘You are important to us. . . . We want you to know what we can offer.’ “
The sprawling affair will be swollen with food, drink and entertainment. Organizers have designed an entire downtown, LoDo-like street in the galleria, with food and drinks and street musicians on a piano and sax. Sign spinners will direct traffic and lend to the urban feel. A whiskey bar and lounge will offer a custom “Denver Mint” cocktail with local spirits.
In the Sculpture Park, a farmers market will offer Rocky Ford cantaloupes, Palisade peaches and locally raised bison sliders. Five small beer gardens will pour local microbrews. A local BMX bike team will be demonstrating on ramps beneath the park’s towering “Dancers” sculpture. A stage will host Colorado’s Soul X dance band.
“Everywhere you turn, there will be entertainment, food and always something to drink,” said Visit Denver’s Rich Grant. “We get to tell our story to thousands of people at one time. We want to feel beloved and to get a taste of Colorado.”
Jason Blevins: 303-954-1374 or jblevins@denverpost.com
