Fort Collins announced as host destination for Sept. 27-29, 2023.
It was my eighth year serving on the on-site planning team at the Colorado Governor’s Tourism Conference, and this year’s gathering at the Viewline Resort Snowmass on Sept. 21-23 was a great chance to learn, network, experience a destination, and see friends from the meetings and events industry. Even a young black bear that kept making appearances near the recently renovated hotel and conference center thought so!
“There is not a single Colorado region or area that is not impacted by tourism, and the goal of this annual conference is to bring the most innovative ideas, concepts, and trends to the entire Colorado tourism industry,” says Tim Wolfe, director of the Colorado Tourism Office (CTO).
Conference Overview
More than 430 travel and tourism industry representatives and elected officials gathered for the 2022 conference organized by CTO, a division of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade. The theme for 2022, “Together We Shine Brighter,” guided the three-day agenda that featured breakout sessions on various topics (including hospitality workforce, which I’ll be writing about for the winter issue of Colorado Meetings + Events), keynote addresses, association and committee meetings, an awards dinner, and opening reception at The Collective.
The state of the industry general session by Wolfe and Angie Briggs, vice president of industry relations for the U.S. Travel Association, gave attendees insights from the state and national level, and two keynote presentations delivered inspiration. Best-selling author Andrew Davis shared the philosophy behind his “Cube of Creativity,” and Mallory Brown, an adventure traveler, filmmaker, and humanitarian spoke about “Shining Your Own Light—Your Journey to Becoming a Changemaker.”
Tourism Awards
Several individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the advancement and innovation of Colorado’s tourism industry were honored at the awards dinner on Sept. 22.
- Colorado Tourism Office Board Chairman’s Award—Richard Sharf, President & CEO, VISIT DENVER
- Outstanding Community Tourism Initiative Award—Visit Alamosa, We Love Our National Park program
- Governor’s Award for Outstanding Individual Contribution to Colorado Tourism—Ana Braverman, Owner, Viajes Holam
- Governor’s Award for Rising Tourism Star—Alexea Veneracion, Director of Communications, Visit Colorado Springs
- Governor’s Award for Outstanding Sustainability Initiative—Breckenridge Tourism Office, B Like Breckenridge program
- Governor’s Award for Outstanding Marketing Program—Visit Grand Junction, Outdoor Adventure Series
- Jack Snow Volunteer Award—Peggy Sorenson, Gold Camp Victorian Society, Gold Camp Association and Two Mile High Club in Cripple Creek
Congratulations to the award winners and to CTO and Snowmass Tourism for another terrific conference.
