Surrounded on three sides by the 14,000-foot peaks of the San Juan mountains, the ski resort town of Telluride is located in the valley of a box canyon. Once a bustling mining town that was filled with such infamous outlaws as Butch Cassidy (who robbed his first bank here), meeting venues in Telluride provide more than 50,000 square feet of meeting space, spread out among accommodations, convention center and world-class restaurants. Space can also be found in Mountain Village, which is perched above the valley floor at 9,500 feet and connected to Telluride via a convenient, complimentary 13-minute gondola ride.
Access to Telluride is through Telluride Regional Airport (TEX), which is served principally by United and Frontier airlines. Denver International Airport (DEN) is approximately 7 hours away by car.
The largest of Telluride convention venues is the Telluride Conference Center, which is centrally located in Mountain Village. The center boasts 22,000 square feet of meeting facility and an additional 55,000 square feet of outdoor space. Local artisans and designers collaborated on its design to maintain the southwestern charm of the meeting space, from its ornamental copper marquis to the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Hotel venues in Telluride and Mountain Village include the 166-room Peaks, Grand Heritage Resort & Spa (adjacent to the conference center), with 5,200 square feet of on-site meeting space; and the 63-room resident-style Fairmont Heritage Place, Franz Klammer Lodge, with on-site space in its Alta Room and adjoining Alta Deck. In addition, planners can host their attendees at Lumiere, Telluride's newest luxury boutique hotel. In Telluride proper, accommodations include the Hotel Telluride, Hotel Colombia and the New Sheridan Hotel.
Planners wanting to create an authentic Old West-style mountain meeting will find no better destination: Telluride has retained its historic downtown, which has been designated as National Historic Landmark District. Outside of the conference center, Telluride and Mountain Village gives planners more than 20,000 square feet of alternative meeting space in an assortment of unique venues. Choose a unique event venue in Telluride's turn-of-the-century train depot, at the Ah Haa School, the community center for arts and culture, accommodating up to 80. Another Telluride unique meeting venue is the century-old historic Sheridan Opera House, with its 240-seat historic theater.
Dining is as much of an adventure as the outdoors, where owner-chefs put these towns on the foodie map. Dining venues in Telluride include Palmyra at the Peaks, Rustico Ristoranti, 221 South Oak, New Sheridan Chop House & Wine Bar or Cosmopolitan & Tasting Cellar.
Allow time for attendees to breathe in the fresh mountain air at this four-season destination. Encourage exploration of activities like world-class skiing, outdoor adventures such as fly-fishing, golfing, and hiking; and cultural events and festivals.
