With plenty of sunshine, recreation and excitement around every corner, Colorado Springs offers endless possibilities for meeting planners. Beckoning visitors with endearing neighborhoods, restaurants and attractions, the city is a rare combination of urban amenities and a serene, seemingly untouched landscape. With so much to offer, it's no wonder that Colorado Springs welcomes approximately five million visitors per year.
The allure of this mountain destination is apparent as soon as guests touch down at the Colorado Springs Airport. Just 20 minutes from downtown, the airport welcomes approximately 100 flights per day on six major carriers. A convenient and efficient way to arrive in the region, Colorado Springs Airport features one of the best on-time records in the country. After landing, hotel shuttles, taxis and rental cars ferry guests with ease to one of 14,000 hotel rooms. With accommodations ranging from familiar chains to mountain retreats to upscale boutique hotels, Colorado Springs can meet a variety of needs and price points.
Easy access is just the beginning of Colorado Springs' appeal.
The Colorado Springs World Arena, the region's premier sports and entertainment attraction, is a great facility for hosting events on a large scale. Within walking distance of shops, dining and nightlife, the arena features 21,500 square feet of exhibition space for up to 142 booths. An additional 22,500 square feet on the main concourse has seating for up to 8,500 people.
Beyond the impressive convention facilities, many of Colorado Springs' hotels offer well-equipped meeting space in addition to luxurious lodging. Business and pleasure blend beautifully at the phenomenal Broadmoor resort. Just minutes from downtown, the highly lauded Broadmoor offers 185,000 square feet of flexible meeting space amidst the grandeur of a 3,000-acre luxury resort. While at The Broadmoor, delegates can enjoy the on-site convenience of championship golf courses, a world-class spa and 18 restaurants.
Located on 217 acres, the AAA - 4 Diamond, 316-room Cheyenne Mountain Resort is one of the more popular Colorado Springs event venues. Its IACC-certified Cheyenne Mountain Conference Center features more than 40,000 square feet of meeting space, including 38 conference and ballrooms and an amphitheater.
Groups can also meet in one of three ballrooms at the Crowne Plaza Colorado Springs. With 43,000 square feet of meeting space and 500 guest rooms, the Crowne Plaza is ideal for conventions and meetings. Planners can also invite guests back to the hotel that started it all: the Antlers Hilton Colorado Springs Hotel. Opened in 1883, the Antlers Hilton was the first hotel built by city founder General Palmer as a flagship resort to spur the town's tourism. Today, planners enjoy 27,500 square feet of function space spread among 17 well equipped rooms.
One of the area's newest additions is the Mining Exchange Hotel. This full-service luxury boutique hotel sits in the heart of Downtown Colorado Springs and offers 117 rooms and 9,000 square feet of flexible meeting space.
A number of alternative spaces are available for adding a unique taste of the city to an event. From historic sites to red rock retreats, Colorado Springs offers planners plenty of options to keep guests entertained. Host a meeting at the Lodge at Moose Lake at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Touted as America's only mountain zoo, it offers 5,200 square feet of meeting space along with breathtaking views. Or, for an event with a modern flair, the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center offers 15,328 square feet of space set in an elegant Art Deco building.
Along with tourism, Colorado Springs' economy is driven largely by the military. The city is home to the United States Air Force Academy, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), Schriever Air Force Base, Peterson Air Force Base and Fort Carson. In addition, a number of colleges and universities call the city home including Colorado College and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.
