ANNUAL REPORT 2018

We create economic vitality through memorable visits to the wonders of Springs & the Region. A MESSAGE FROM DOUG PRICE

PRESIDENT & CEO COG RAILWAY CLOSURE

The tourism industry in Colorado Springs – Olympic City USA continued Throughout 2018, Pikes to thrive in 2018. Our organization adopted a new name, Visit Colorado Peak Cog Railway remained closed while Springs, which is a better reflection of our updated mission statement. engineers and cog-technology experts As I reflect back on 2018, I am amazed at the level of activity throughout determined the feasibility and cost of the region with new construction, renovations and collaborations nearly rebuilding the iconic attraction. In November, too numerous to count. the owners announced that an agreement had been struck with the city of Manitou Springs, and the construction project would begin in spring 2019 with a target DESTINATION MASTER PLAN completion date of May 2021. Four of the trains will be decommissioned, sold and repurposed, while the remaining four will A good portion of the year was spent developing a 10-year Destination be refurbished. The project includes the Master Plan. This is a community-wide plan with more than 30 initiatives purchase of three additional cars, demolition that will help the city and region grow in a sustainable way that benefits and reconstruction of the entire track and a residents, employers and visitors. The VCOS board of directors and I renovated depot. It has been touted as the extend our gratitude to the organizations that contributed to the plan’s “most unique construction project taking costs: City of Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Manitou Springs and the place in North America in the next two years.” City of Cripple Creek.

VISITATION & LART PIKES PEAK SUMMIT HOUSE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS COLORADO SPRINGS The Longwoods Report on visitation In 2018, construction crews began to prepare the summit for the to the region showed a slight increase foundation of the new Pikes Peak Summit House. Components of the A total of 1,725,947 passengers traveled through the Colorado in the number of people who visited in The long-awaited widening of Interstate 25 magnificent structure will be fabricated at the base and then trucked ot Springs Airport (COS) in 2018, representing a 3 percent increase 2017 to 23.1 million. These overnight between Monument and Castle Rock began the summit. Construction workers will be limited to six-hour work shifts over 2017. We were very pleased to see that several seasonal and day visitors spent more than $2.3 in September. It will ease congestion between due to the altitude and time it takes to get to and from the worksite. Frontier routes were slated to resume in 2019. It’s a challenge to billion throughout the year, creating Colorado Springs and , benefiting both The building’s design is sleek and modern to minimize its impact on attract new air service to an airport so close to Denver, but with jobs and reducing taxes for our residents and visitors. Downtown Colorado the surrounding natural landscape. It will be able to withstand harsh low costs and attractive incentive programs, Aviation Director residents. Lodging & Automobile Rental Springs now has an excellent bike-sharing temperatures and winds often found at the summit during winter months. Greg Phillips and his team work every day to add to the route map. Tax collections topped $7 million for program, thanks to the Downtown Partnership The airport also received extensive upgrades and improvements the first time, up 7.5 percent over 2017, and the great staff at PikeRide. In Garden of including raised ceilings, brighter colors and enhanced which was impressive, considering the Gods Park, visitors had the option to leave architecture to give the airport a southern-Colorado feel. that 2017 outperformed 2016 by 13.7 OUTDOOR RECREATION their car outside the park and try out the new percent. Since 2012, LART collections free shuttle bus, operated by Adventures Out West, to get them within easy walking distance have increased 82 percent. It’s hard to believe that so much happened in just one Our outdoor-recreation industry continued to thrive and garner national of the Central Gardens. With the closure of The year. 2019 promises to be just as exciting, if not more attention. This reputation received an immense boost when Outdoor Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cog Railway, a variety so. Here’s to an amazing year in Olympic City USA. Retailer, the largest outdoor-recreation expo and conference in the of operators offered excursions on the Pikes country, announced it was moving to Denver with events held in January, Peak Highway as an alternative to driving to July and November of 2018. The events provided a substantial benefit the summit. For those who chose to drive to our region due to their proximity and work of the Pikes Peak Outdoor their own vehicles on the highway, most were Recreation Alliance as they tell the story of our outdoor offerings. In required to park in one of two parking lots June, Cave of the Winds Mountain Park debuted its Via Ferrata that close to the summit and take a free shuttle due secures adventurers to a harness system on a sheer rock face, allowing to fewer parking spaces at the summit during for a trail-like experience across a canyon wall. The Royal Gorge Bridge Summit House construction. President & CEO, Visit Colorado Springs & Park announced its own Via Ferrata to open in summer 2019. 1 2 REBRANDING STAFF & GOVERNANCE

VCOS EXECUTIVE TEAM & STAFF

VISIT COLORADO SPRINGS

To more accurately reflect its mission and provide an explicit invitation in all communications, the CVB rebranded in 2018 as Visit Colorado Springs. The organization’s logo, Vision and Mission were updated DOUG PRICE JIM CASSIDY PAM SHERFESEE AMY LONG CHRISTY LONG to reflect the change. IOM Chief Financial CDME Chief Innovation Director of Visitor President & CEO Officer Vice President of Sales Officer Services Vision: Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region will be the leading U.S. destination for experiential travel, inspired by the majesty of Pikes Peak; iconic, JANE BLAZER | Marketing Coordinator DENISE NOBLE | Partner Relations Manager accessible natural wonders; and the Olympic spirit. DINA CHIARAVALLOTI | Sales Manager CHELSY OFFUTT | Director of Communications KELLY GORMAN | Account Clerk JULIA PALOMINO | Communications Coordinator Mission: KIM GRIFFIS | Partnership Development Director SARAH PRICE | Sales Coordinator We create economic vitality FLOY KENNEDY | Director of Travel Industry Sales KATHY REAK | Senior Director of Convention Sales through memorable visits to the DORIS McCRAW | Information Specialist GABY STEPHENSON, CAP, OM, PM | Executive Assistant wonders of Colorado Springs CHERYL McCULLOUGH, CSEE | Senior Sales Manager, HOLLY TAYLOR | Group Servicing Coordinator and the Pikes Peak Region. OLYMPIC CITY USA Sports & Special Events MELISSA WILLIAMS | Marketing Manager

COLORADO REGIONAL BRANDS Colorado Springs is the only city with USOC permission to call itself Olympic City USA. The truth of the brand can be found in the Olympic-related assets located here: Olympic 2018 VCOS BOARD OF DIRECTORS At the state level, the Colorado Tourism Office Committee, U.S. Paralympics, Colorado Springs Olympic embarked on a regional branding project to Training Center, 23+ National Governing Bodies of Sport and communicate the unique assets the state has to offer. the U.S. Olympic Museum & Hall of Fame, on track to open in BARRY BROWN | Chair – Vice President of Sales & Marketing, The Broadmoor Through an extensive process of research, focus 2020 as one of the City for Champions projects. ANDY VICK | Vice Chair – Executive Director, Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region groups, visioning workshops and market verification, PETER UDALL | Treasurer – International Vice President/Executive Officer, The Navigators new regional boundaries were drawn, with each region In 2018, Visit Colorado Springs continued to infuse the Olympic SHELBY PYWELL | Secretary – General Manager, The Mining Exchange, A Wyndham Grand Hotel articulating its unique brand promise and identity. brand into its advertising, PR outreach, social media and direct SUSAN DAVIES | (non-voting) Executive Director, Trails & Open Space Coalition sales efforts to heighten awareness of and to inspire visitation JILL GAEBLER | (non-voting) City Council Member, City of Colorado Springs Colorado Springs is no longer one of several cities in to Olympic City USA. In their annual AskCOS™ survey, Elevated STEVE KANATZAR | Owner, The Airplane Restaurant “South Central” Colorado. It is now the centerpiece Insights included three questions about the brand. 35 percent DEANNE McCANN | (non-voting) Economic Development Manager, El Paso County of the Pikes Peak Wonders region, a blend of urban of respondents were aware that Colorado Springs is now ANDY NEINAS | Owner, Echo Canyon River Expeditions comforts and accessible natural destinations. It's known as Olympic City USA or somehow ED OKVATH | General Manager, Hotel Eleganté Conference & Event Center a place where visitors can easily check off bucket- associated with the Olympics. 57 percent ERIC OLSON, PH.D. | Director of Sport Management & Professor of Marketing, University of Colorado Colorado Springs list wonders such as Park, of respondents agreed that the brand TOM OSBORNE | President/CEO, Colorado Springs Sports Corporation Royal Gorge and Pikes Peak - America's Mountain. is good for the local economy and 54 KEVIN PENN | Chief of Business Operations, United States Olympic Committee Visit Colorado Springs will leverage the Pikes Peak percent indicated that the brand makes GREG PHILLIPS | (non-voting) Director of Aviation, Wonders brand to generate visitation to the region. them proud to be a resident. KIMBERLY TEBRUGGE | (non-voting) Director of Strategic Communication, U.S. Air Force Academy JEFF ZELKIN | General Manager, Embassy Suites 3 4 PERFORMANCE MEASURES GROUP SALES & SERVICING

2018 LART BY MONTH GROUPS SERVICING REVENUE MISSION TRADE LEADS ACTIVITIES GENERATED CONTACTS SHOWS SENT $900,000 2017 16,556 $199,440,767 4,322 40 894 $6,645,024 $800,000

$700,000 2018 $7,143,659 $600,000 +7.5% ROOM NIGHTS PUBLIC RELATIONS $500,000

$400,000 INTERNATIONAL

$300,000 25,551 MEDIA EQUIVALENCE $63,333,073 $200,000 2017 CONVENTIONS $100,000 SPORTS 2018 148,400 & SPECIAL EVENTS MEDIA INTERACTIONS 8,043 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 137,719 TOURISM

2018 FUNDING SOURCES 2018 EXPENDITURES 8,960 PAID SOCIAL MEDIA $104,611

5% 14%

85% PARTNERSHIP MARKETING

12% 81% TOTAL 1% PARTNERS 2% 518

LART PARTNERSHIP MARKETING PROGRAMS NEW $3,962,600 $561,724 $3,658,232 PARTNERS ADVERTISING E-NEWS WEBSITE ADVERTISING BUDGET SPENT SUBSCRIBERS VISITS IMPRESSIONS COUNTY / STATE / FEDERAL OTHER MANAGEMENT / ADMIN PARTNERSHIP 61 $92,000 $36,807 $654,101 $230,210 $1,547,184 72,442 2,684,889 39,776,612 PARTNERSHIP REVENUE TOTAL: $4,653,131 TOTAL: $4,542,543 $443,351

5 6 DESTINATION MASTER PLAN

Led by Visit Colorado Springs, the community came together in 2017/2018 to develop a comprehensive Destination Master Plan. This well-designed, collaborative and sustainable plan will ensure that visitor markets are properly served to maximize the economic benefit provided by non-residents.

With a long history of hosting visitors, the region features many attributes that will serve as a foundation for DESTINATION VISION future success. Increasing interest in the city as a place to live, conduct business and invest will also fuel Colorado Springs & the Pikes Peak Region will be the leading U.S. destination for experiential travel, interest as a place to visit. inspired by the majesty of Pikes Peak; iconic, accessible natural wonders; and the Olympic spirit.

2028 TARGETS

STRATEGIC INITIATIVES NEXT STEPS The Destination Master Plan’s primary objective is to make Colorado Springs & the Pikes Peak Region a sustainable, To drive the destination vision, five To successfully achieve each of the must-visit destination. Executing the strategic goals have been established to strategic goals, specific initiatives were strategic initiatives in this plan has the position, support and sustain Colorado developed, clarified and prioritized. potential to generate strong, incremental Springs & the Pikes Peak Region as a These 31 initiatives will be led and economic benefits over and above thriving, unique and compelling leisure, implemented by various organizations current forecasts and expectations. group and event destination. Each goal throughout the community, each was carefully crafted and validated by with varying levels of leadership The goal is to increase visitation to the the community, building upon the current and involvement by Visit Colorado City of Colorado Springs to 20.9 million product offering within the region to Springs. A Steering Committee with an economic impact of $3.6 billion deliver a memorable tourism experience. is in place to provide leadership, by 2028. Visitation to the entire region guidance, resources and systems will be 29.3 million people spending 1 Provide Unique Experiences of accountability to ensure that the $4.9 billion. These targets represent a initiatives are successfully completed 25 percent increase in the number of 2 Deliver Priority Infrastructure over the next 10 years to fulfill the visitors and a 100 percent increase in vision of the Destination Master Plan. visitor spending. This will be achieved 3 Improve Connectivity through attracting visitors from further 4 Strengthen the Destination Brand For the complete report and list of all away who will stay longer and spend initiatives, please see the Destination more money per person per trip. 5 Enhance Regional Collaboration Master Plan: VisitCOS.com/dmp

8 DEPARTMENT REPORTS SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING & PR VCOS increased its reach and engagement on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. Overall, social traffic to VisitCOS.com increased 169 percent over 2017, led by the performance of Facebook. For the first time, Facebook became the top referral source to VisitCOS.com. Regional photographers and influencers brought great LEISURE ADVERTISING MARKETING AWARDS & ACCOLADES recognition to the region through weekend Instagram takeovers. #VisitCOS continues to be the main hashtag for the destination. The destination In 2018, VCOS marketing campaigns served 39,776,612 hosted social media influencers resulting in YouTube impressions, resulting in 418,886 clicks to VisitCOS.com Bronze Adrian Award video blogs, Instagram posts and stories as well as for a click-through rate of 1.08 percent, well above the Search Engine Optimization campaign tweets and pins. industry standard of 0.08 percent. Our leisure campaigns were directed at the following target markets: Family Fun, Outdoor Adventure, Crafts & Drafts, Fall Travel, Arts & Culture and Olympic City USA. The 2018 Crafts & Drafts MEDICAL TOURISM program evolved from the 2017 printed passport to a Gold American Advertising Award microsite that users were able to bookmark on their phone Crafts & Drafts campaign and easily access with a single touch. This campaign, supplemented with a $25,000 marketing matching grant In May 2018, VCOS launched ChampionshipCare.org from the Colorado Tourism Office, won several prestigious in partnership with Penrose Health Systems and design and copywriting awards. Gold Adrian Award Venue Health & Analytics LLC. The purpose of the Crafts & Drafts campaign site is to attract visitors to Colorado Springs for lines of care for which Penrose has highly ranked CITY AWARDS & ACCOLADES outcomes. The site includes a categorized listing RECORD WEBSITE PERFORMANCE of highly rated services, information and resources for consumers. Penrose-St. Francis’ facilities, Gold American Advertising Award physicians and high ratings in hip, knee and heart- VisitCOS.com had a record-setting number of sessions Expedia 2018 Official Visitor Guide valve replacement, alongside highly desirable visitor in 2018 – 2.7 million, which was 25 percent higher than #4 most scenic southwest city amenities, uniquely position Colorado Springs as an 2017. The number of new users was up 19 percent with ideal choice for away-from-home healthcare. new users making up 82 percent of total traffic. Organic traffic, a measure of the site’s content and relevance, was up 20 percent due to our award-winning search engine Melissa Williams U.S. News and World Report optimization strategy. The site is updated daily with new Colorado Leadership Journey Graduate FILM COMMISSION #1 most desirable place to live images, blogs, events, deals and content.

The Colorado Springs Film Commission assisted PUBLIC RELATIONS TRACKING ARRIVALS incoming film productions and photography shoots Money in the Pikes Peak Region. In 2018, this consisted #7 best big city to live in of TV commercials, videos, photo shoots and Travel writers continue to request visits as well as be VCOS employed a new technology in 2018 called receptive to VCOS outreach about the multitude of student projects. Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site Arrivalist. Pixels were embedded into digital ads. The announced new rules and requirements for portrait activities and attractions. The communications team system tracked when people were served these ads hosted writers from Orbitz, The Denver Post, Fodors and and professional photography, filming and video. on mobile devices and again when those people (and Brookings Millennial Generation Report the LA Times. International writers came from Japan, Paid permits are now required, and no portrait, their devices) arrived in the destination. This data professional or commercial permits will be issued Fastest-growing city for millennials Mexico, Germany, France, China and the UK, which resulted helps measure the effectiveness of our advertising, in more than $39 million in earned media. More exciting during special events or the Living History Program how far in advance people are inspired to travel to summer sessions. articles included OK! Magazine, BudgetTravel.com, Colorado Springs and how many exposures they had to TravelChannel.com and SouthernLiving.com. destination information before they arrived.

9 10 GROUP SERVICING MEETINGS, DEPARTMENT REPORTS After a meeting or event books their lodging CONVENTIONS and venue, our Group Servicing Coordinator takes the reins to assist planners with & EVENTS important details such as attendee GROUP MEETINGS, CONVENTIONS & EVENTS marketing, ground transportation, catering, photography, entertainment, outings and offsite events. In 2018, the VCOS staff BROUGHT TO COLORADO SPRINGS logged 16,556 group servicing activities, an increase of more than 33 percent. 1. Colorado Wildland Fire & Incident Management Academy 2. Christian & Missionary Alliance WEDDINGS, REUNIONS 3. USA Swimming & DAY MEETINGS 4. Colorado Tourism Office 5. FamilyLife When it comes to a get-together for friends, families and colleagues, Colorado Springs 6. American Society of Association Executives has a variety of unique event venues to host 7. Community Bible Study MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS weddings, family reunions and day meetings. VCOS staff members helped these event 8. 1st Marine Division Association planners with venue selection, lodging, 9. 1968 Mexico City Olympics Team Reunion catering, photographers, florists, transportation Whether it was the Space third-party planners. They also benefits of meeting in Colorado and activities to create an event that was 10. Barbershop Harmony Society District Contest Symposium attracting more than used sponsorships, social media, Springs. The main source of Request memorable and successful. These services 11. Colorado Sparkler Junior Girls Fast Pitch 9,000 attendees from 30 countries to city familiarization trips and for Proposals for meetings & are available at no charge to both visitors and Tournament The Broadmoor or a 15-person board special events to help meeting conventions come through an online those living in the Pikes Peak Region. meeting at a more intimate venue, planners learn about the benefits platform called Cvent. In 2018, VCOS 12. Spartan Race Colorado Springs welcomed a wide of gathering in Colorado Springs created the Hospitality Xchange, a 13. Great Plains Regional Pickleball Tournament variety of meetings and conventions and having attendees fly directly twice-yearly forum for VCOS staff to in 2018. The VCOS group sales staff in to the Colorado Springs Airport. present information to hotel general attended nearly 40 trade shows to managers and directors of sales and GROUP AWARDS & ACCOLADES establish and develop relationships In addition to print and digital discuss current topics, challenges with corporate, association, religious, advertising, VCOS created a new and opportunities. government, military reunion and meetings video to promote the Conference & Dina Chiaravalloti Incentive Travel Leadership Now Top-10 Destination SPORTS & SPECIAL EVENTS Graduate for Meetings & Events

Sports event planners know that our premier sports destination, generate of businesses and individuals who top-quality facilities, mild climate, new business and maintain industry recognize the economic value affordable lodging and unique relationships. In 2018, VCOS created and health benefits of our region’s International Inbound Meetings & attractions create a winning game a new sports and events video that is natural and recreational assets to Travel Association plan. The U.S. Olympic Committee, used to promote the unique attributes our community. The organization’s Chairman’s Award for Cooperating Incentive Travel Colorado Springs Olympic Training that make the Pikes Peak Region mission is to make the Pikes Peak with IITA Inbound Tour Operators Destination Hot List Center, Olympic training sites and 23 the perfect location for a sporting Region known as THE place for National Governing Bodies form the competition or special event. outdoor recreation. The Outdoor foundation of the Olympic City USA Retailer markets, though held in brand and are instrumental in creating VCOS, along with many other Denver, provided Colorado Springs our unrivaled sports ecosystem. VCOS regional supporters, partnered with with the opportunity to directly Facilities & Destinations Association Conventions staff attended multiple trade shows the Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation interact with the major players in the Awards of Excellence & Facilities to promote Colorado Springs as a Alliance (PPORA), a collaboration industry. 2018 Top Destination 2018 Distinctive Award Winner Achievement Award

11 12 DEPARTMENT REPORTS DEPARTMENT REPORTS

DOMESTIC & INTERNATIONAL TOURISM VISITOR INFORMATION SERVICES

VISITOR INFORMATION

VCOS connected with visitors in a the Gods Visitor & Nature Center and variety of ways. The VisitCOS.com the Visitor Information Center at 515 website continued as our 24/7 sales S. Cascade Avenue, also known as the DOMESTIC TOURS tool, with sessions topping 2,684,000 VIC. In 2018, the VIC welcomed more – a new record for the website. than 20,000 guests who were helped by NEW & RENOVATED Information was also delivered at our friendly and knowledgeable corps of Motorcoach tour operators continued to include the Acacia Park Visitor Info Hub volunteer information specialists. Walk- Colorado Springs and other cities within the Pikes Peak LODGING PROPERTIES in downtown Colorado Springs in traffic is expected to hold steady in Region in their itineraries. However, momentum slowed (open Memorial Day – Labor Day), 2019 and increase in 2020 with the slightly for this price-sensitive market based on rate and touchscreen kiosks at the Garden of opening of the U.S. Olympic Museum. availability with record-breaking occupancy levels and Hotel construction and upgrades were common Average Daily Rate increases. Momentum also slowed themes throughout 2018. with the loss of The Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cog Railway PUBLICATIONS as a large percentage of these groups have a state- • In March, The DoubleTree by Hilton unveiled wide historic rail element. VCOS staff attended trade its stunning multimillion-dollar renovation from shows sponsored by industry trade groups such as the Despite the prevalence of online trip The OVG Joint Venture printed guestroom upgrades to meeting room updates American Bus Association, Travel Alliance Partners and planning, there was a continued strong 500,000 vacation planners in 2018, and a new open and active lobby concept National Tour Association, meeting with tour operators demand for printed publications. VCOS and visitors downloaded over 33,800 where guests can come together to meet, who booked travel to the Pikes Peak Region. partnered with Pikes Peak Region online guides. VCOS also published connect and relax. Attractions Association to publish the 12,000 pocket-sized Dining, • In April, the doors opened at the Best Western 2018 Official Visitor Guide for Colorado Shopping & Entertainment Guides for Plus Fillmore Inn/Executive Residency on North Springs and the Pikes Peak Region. VIC guests and meeting attendees. Chestnut Street. INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL • In May, My Place Hotel on Gleneagle Gate View began welcoming guests.

The highlight of 2018 was the U.S. Travel Association’s Hotels under construction throughout the year ONGOING EDUCATION IPW trade event held in Denver. With this prestigious included: international trade show taking place in Colorado, the • Fairfield Inn & Suites on Tutt Blvd. VCOS staff was able to fully participate with meeting • Holiday Inn Express near Interquest and VCOS volunteers are a valued resource volunteers from the Dinosaur State on arts & culture. At each meeting, international tour operators in the Marketplace booth Voyager parkways for helping visitors to learn what there Welcome Center joined VCOS six VCOS Marketing Partners adjacent to the Colorado Tourism Office and other state • Home2 Suites by Hilton on Tenderfoot Hill Road is to see and do in the region, giving volunteers on an overnight tour of presented details about their visitor destinations. The communications team participated • Microtel Inn & Suites in Woodland Park them a reason to stay a day or two Cripple Creek attractions, casinos experiences. in the Media Marketplace to share information with • Hilton Garden Inn at the corner of Bijou Street longer. Ongoing education is a key and hotels. The Director of Visitor international journalists. All attendees were given the and North Cascade Avenue component to keeping volunteers Experience at the U.S. Air Force VCOS continued its MyCOS Frontline full Colorado experience through events at the Denver current so they can continue to give Academy took the volunteers on Staff Training program in 2018. Performing Arts Complex, Mile High Stadium and a Two additional downtown hotels were announced stellar service and advice. a driving tour to cover the many This is a half-day session and private concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater. Before and in 2018, Kinship Landing, a trendy boutique hotel on changes to the base. The volunteers tour of the region to educate the after the IPW event, VCOS hosted several trade and South Nevada Avenue, and a Marriott-branded hotel In 2018, volunteers toured five also toured the city of Woodland hospitality industry on the history, media familiarization tours for groups and individuals. on the southwest corner of Tejon & Costilla streets. hotel properties near Woodmen Park. VCOS hosted two volunteer attractions and points of interest in Other attended trade shows included Go West Summit, Road and three hotels adjacent to meetings in 2018, with one focused the area. In May, 26 hotel employees ITB and World Travel Market. The Broadmoor World Arena. The on outdoor recreation and the other participated in the session.

13 14 ANNUAL EVENTS

DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING was held at DoubleTree by Hilton to highlight its spectacular $9 million property renovation. Speakers included VCOS President and CEO, Doug Price, and STR Assistant Director of Financial Performance, Raquel Ortiz, who PARTNERSHIP & EVENTS gave a positive tourism growth prediction. Ms. Ortiz noted that the STR forecast projects that U.S. travel would see an increase throughout 2018 and 2019. Mr. Price outlined the Destination Master Plan goals and timeline as well as the Colorado Tourism Office’s regional branding project.

THE TOURISM AWARDS CELEBRATION was a fun and festive event at The Antlers, with a Roaring 20’s Speakeasy theme. Nearly 300 guests attended in festive attire and enjoyed beer & spirits, a jail - complete with a mug shot - and a mystery-solving scavenger hunt. Mayor Suthers highlighted two important capital campaigns, the Pikes Peak Summit House and the Springs Rescue Mission and challenged VCOS Partners to donate to one or both projects. Multiple awards were presented to industry stars as well three deserving winners of the Women of Worth THE VALUE OF PARTNERSHIP (W.O.W.) Awards: Becky Leinweber, Sherry Von Riesen and Mary Lou Murphy. Several staff were recognized for reaching anniversary milestones. A strong relationship with the levels will ultimately better reflect the several areas where improvements businesses in the tourism industry value provided by VCOS and make a can be made. The VCOS staff Quarterly mixers in 2018 provided VCOS forms a solid foundation for the strong case for an increase in LART reviewed the survey results with MIXERS Partners with the chance to network while success of Visit Colorado Springs. or the formation of a local marketing the Partnership and Marketing experiencing partner venues and attractions. Increased VCOS revenue through district, two options recommended committees to further enhance partner dues, advertising and by the 2015 study conducted by partner satisfaction and optimize sponsorships demonstrated that Tourism Economics. partner benefits. Updating the Visitor 1 Kart Your Engines 3 Brews, BBQ & a Band the industry values and benefits Information Center and improved from the work of the region’s The annual partnership survey communication of VCOS programs, The year kicked off in high gear at Overdrive Raceway, In September, VCOS teamed up with the Manitou Springs premier marketing organization. revealed the high level at which benefits and opportunities are the the indoor go-kart experience with two fun tracks. Chamber of Commerce for a smokin’ good time at the 2018 marked the second year of the VCOS Marketing Partners value main areas that VCOS staff will Guests enjoyed a series of eight-minute, high-intensity outdoor BBQ held in Memorial Park, Manitou Springs. five-year dues restructure. The dues the organization and demonstrated focus on. races with speeds of up to 45 mph. While waiting for Seven establishments competed for top food honors: their turn behind the wheel, drivers enjoyed the billiard Keithley Pines Historic Cabins, Adams Mountain Café, table as well as a giant-sized game of Jenga. Outback The Keg Lounge, Sportivo Primo, Momma Pearl’s Steakhouse provided a delicious buffet that included Cajun Kitchen, Hotel Eleganté and Oskar Blues. Cold EDUCATION slow-cooked ribs, grilled chicken, salad and a yummy beverages were poured in the inflatable brew pub, and dessert selection. guests enjoyed the music of Tender Foot Bluegrass.

2018 was the second year of the successful Education Series, launched 2 Downtown Dine-A-Round 4 Holiday Jingle & Mingle in 2017. Topics included “Become The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum was the SCP, a unique hotel that stands for “Soul, Community, a Google Guru” presented by Jenny starting and ending point for a delicious downtown Planet,” hosted the VCOS holiday mixer in early Rose of Tempest at Castle, COS dine-a-round. Guests were treated to scrumptious December. While it was chilly outside, things heated up “Storytelling is the New Advertising” small plates at MacKenzie’s Chop House, Jack Quinn’s over the generously donated items in the annual Silent presented by Mundi Ross of COCO Irish Pub, Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches and Auction. A delicious food buffet was provided by The Creative at Prime25 and “Change Sonterra Innovative Southwest Grill. Transportation up Picnic Basket that included butternut squash bisque, the Current” presented by Colorado and down Tejon Street was provided by the Adventures bacon-wrapped dates, stuffed baked mushrooms, Springs Utilities at Sopra Antipasto Out West historical trolley, and Cole’s Gourmet Popcorn chicken quesadillas and poached salmon. Guests also and Wine Bar. VCOS also hosted four provided guests with a tasty treat at the end of the enjoyed special beverages from Lee’s Spirits and tours orientation sessions to help partners evening. of this unique lodging property. maximize their return on investment and involvement with VCOS.

15 16 CITY FOR CHAMPIONS

PROGRESS REPORT

U.S. OLYMPIC MUSEUM & HALL OF FAME GATEWAY VISITOR CENTER

The USOM will be an iconic 2018, VCOS partnered with destination museum Windstar Studios to fly a The Gateway Visitor Center 7,800 sq. ft. of exhibit dedicated to highlighting the drone around the project at will provide an engaging space, including a 250- values, historic moments regular intervals to capture visitor experience, allowing seat theater. An inspiring and collective memories of the museum’s construction visitors to experience the feature of the building will the Olympic and Paralympic with a 360-degree flight honor and contributions be the 7,000-sq.-ft. multi- Movement. Breaking ground path. The museum is on of Cadets to the U.S. Air story atrium ideal for group in June 2017, the museum’s track to open to the public Force. Clearly visible and gatherings. There will also construction progressed in the spring of 2020 and easily accessible from be retail and restaurant significantly in 2018, taking will host a pre-opening I-25, the 32,000-sq.-ft. space as well as several shape and creating a new event for the U.S. Olympians Gateway Visitor Center hotel properties. The visitor city skyline at the base of & Paralympians Association will include a museum center is scheduled to break Pikes Peak. Throughout in November 2019. and welcome center with ground by December 2019.

WILLIAM J. HYBL UCCS SPORTS WEIDNER FIELD / ROBSON ARENA MEDICINE & PERFORMANCE CENTER

The Colorado Sports & Event stadium will be accompanied The center will be a a sports medicine and Center has evolved into two by a seven-floor building to destination clinic for performance environment. downtown venues to meet the south with hundreds of training and healing elite Traveling for medical the needs of local sport apartments and mixed-use athletes and wounded procedures and treatments organizations, incoming businesses. Robson Arena warriors, and for the study is a fast-growing industry events and competitions. will be a 3,000+ seat indoor of aging at the University of within the United States, With 8,000 permanent seats, venue located on the south Colorado Colorado Springs. and the center will be a the outdoor stadium is side of the The 104,000-sq.-ft. facility focal point of the Colorado called Weidner Field and will campus. The CC Tigers men’s will be the first in the nation Springs sports ecosystem. be home to the Switchbacks ice hockey team will move to integrate undergraduate The project broke ground minor league soccer team, there from The Broadmoor and graduate academic in October 2018 and is located south of Cimarron World Arena. The venues are programs with clinical scheduled to be completed Street between Sahwatch scheduled to break ground by practice and research in by 2021. and Sierra Madre. The December 2019.

17 18 VISIT COLORADO SPRINGS

515 SOUTH CASCADE AVENUE COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80903 VisitCOS.com