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B M & T ••• July/August 2026 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 36 DENVER, CO Sitting exactly one mile above sea level, Denver earns its well-known nickname, the Mile High City. For meeting planners, however, Denver's real eleva- tion may be its ability to combine major-city meeting infrastructure with cultural depth. The center of the city's meetings landscape, the Colorado Convention Center, offers approximately 584,000 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space, more than 100 meeting rooms, and roughly 2.2 million sq. ft. of total meeting and event space. It's signature sculpture "I See What You Mean" a.k.a. "The Blue Bear" is hard to miss. The downtown facility places attendees with- in walking distance of hotels, dining, entertainment, and cultural attractions creating a convenient envi- ronment for citywide events and large conventions. The Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center, with approximately 1,100 rooms, sits directly adjacent to the facility and offers extensive meeting space. Nearby options include the Hilton Denver City Center, the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel, with over 1,200 rooms and 130,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, the Westin Denver Downtown, and The Ritz- Carlton Denver for executive gatherings, incentive groups, and VIP programs. The Denver Museum of Nature & Science provides event space surrounded by exhibits, planetarium experiences, and sweeping city views. The Denver Botanic Gardens offers elegant indoor and outdoor settings ideal for receptions and networking events, while Meow Wolf Denver delivers immersive, multi- media experiences for creative gatherings and team- building activities. During downtime, take a Denver Public Arts walking (or biking) tour and enjoy the eclectic and provocative installations created by local artists. The Black American West Museum & Heritage Center preserves the stories of Black pioneers, entre- preneurs, soldiers, and civic leaders who helped shape the American West. Nearby, the Five Points Historic Cultural District, often called the "Harlem of the West," remains an important center of African American heritage and culture. Additional attractions include the Denver Art Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, Clyfford Still Museum, and History Colorado Center. After hours, attendees can gather at Welton Street Cafe, a longtime Black-owned favorite, or The Blaze, a Black-owned restaurant and lounge popular for socializing. Executive dinners often gravitate toward Guard and Grace or Mercantile Dining & Provision. Evening networking opportunities can be found throughout LoDo, Five Points, RiNo, Union Station, and the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Denver's personality reveals itself in unexpected ways, from the towering Blue Bear peering into the Colorado Convention Center to the thought-provoking public art murals that greet travelers from the airport through downtown. It's a city that offers hospitality and convenience with its own unique charm. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit Denver – 800-233-6837 www.visitdenver.com LAGRANGE, GA About an hour southwest of Atlanta, LaGrange offers something increasingly difficult to find in the meetings industry: a destination where attendees can slow down, connect, and experience a genuine sense of place. Known for its historic downtown, lakeside setting, and strong community spirit, LaGrange deliv- ers a more personal meeting experience while still providing the infrastructure needed for successful gatherings. Although LaGrange does not operate a traditional convention center, it offers a collection of venues that support conferences, retreats, association meetings, and corporate events. The area's largest meetings asset is Great Wolf Lodge Georgia, which features approximately 18,721 sq. ft. of meeting space, includ- ing an 11,062 sq. ft. ballroom, nine breakout rooms, and a 7,035 sq. ft. outdoor terrace. The resort's 457 guest rooms make it a strong option for groups seek- ing an all-in-one venue. Additional accommodations include Courtyard by Marriott LaGrange in the heart of downtown, along DenverC.C.C photo credit:@captaincoloradophotography