Downtown Denver is top of mind when it comes to any kind of large convention in the Rocky Mountain region. The city ranks 11th nationally among places favored by event planners, according to Cvent Inc., a provider of meeting and event technology.
But Aurora is increasingly showing up on the radar and a not-so-small hotel south of Denver International Airport might have something to do with that. The city ranked 42nd last year on the Cvent list, up from the 56th spot the year before.
The Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center is expected to open in mid-December as the largest hotel property in the state with 1,501 rooms and 485,000 square feet of meeting space.
But while construction was underway the past three years, Marriott International, which will run the property, has been booking meetings and hundreds of thousands of room nights.
Nationally, the top five meeting destinations are Orlando, Las Vegas, Chicago, San Diego, Atlanta and Dallas, the study found.
A Virgin America plane takes off from Denver International Airport with the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center under construction in the foreground Dec. 07, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Inside look at a model room at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center Dec. 07, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Inside look at a model of a room at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center Dec. 07, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Construction crews work on the convention center side of the over 1,500 room Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center Dec. 07, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Construction crews on lifts work at the peak off the exterior facade of the Grand Lodge at over 1,500 room Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center Dec. 07, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Construction crews on lifts work on the exterior glass facade of the Grand Lodge at the over 1,500 room Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center Dec. 07, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Construction crews work on the tennis courts surface at the over 1,500 room Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center Dec. 07, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Construction crews work on a lazy river feature at the over 1,500 room Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center Dec. 07, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Construction crews on lifts work on the exterior of the Grand Lodge at the over 1,500 room Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center Dec. 07, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Construction continues for the over 1,500 room Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center Dec. 07, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Construction continues for the over 1,500 room Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center Dec. 07, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Swimming pool that will feature a lazy river and slides under construction at the over 1,500 room Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center Dec. 07, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Construction crews work on the Aurora Ballroom and Exhibit Hall in the convention center of the over 1,500 room Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center Dec. 07, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
David Bray, RIDA Development Corporation VP, architecture and construction, stands in the Aurora Ballroom and Exhibit Hall in the convention center of the over 1,500 room Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center Dec. 07, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Construction crews work on the Aurora Ballroom and Exhibit Hall in the convention center of the over 1,500 room Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center Dec. 07, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Construction crews work on a sports bar area that will feature a 75' X 14' LCD television monitor at the over 1,500 room Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center Dec. 07, 2017. (
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Construction crews work on the interior of the Grand Lodge at the over 1,500 room Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center Dec. 07, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Construction continues for the over 1,500 room Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center Dec. 07, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
The over 1,500-room Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center under construction in Aurora on Dec. 07, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
A Virgin America plane takes off from Denver International Airport with the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center under construction in the foreground Dec. 7, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Construction continues at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center June 24, 2016.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
AURORA, CO - June 24: Construction continues at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center June 24, 2016. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Gaylord Rockies Hotel rendering
The Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center in Aurora will include a water park.
A rendering of the proposed Gaylord Rockies Hotel and Conference Center, a 1,500-room hotel and water park in Aurora, near DIA.
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A Virgin America plane takes off from Denver International Airport with the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center under construction in the foreground Dec. 07, 2017.
