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Hospitality & Tourism in Colorado Panel
Embassy Suites Denver Downtown
1420 Stout Street
Denver, CO 80202
Wednesday, November 09, 2022, 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM MDT
Category: Programs

This event is co-hosted by NEWH Rocky Mountain Chapter, a Hospitality Industry Network.

Colorado is widely known for its beauty and plentiful destinations—attractive to both out of town tourists eager to explore and locals planning weekend getaways. A growing interest in outdoor recreation over the past few years has further solidified the State's reputation as a popular destination.

So, what's to come for Colorado's hospitality and tourism? Hear from a panel of expert designers, owners, and developers about industry trends over the next one, three, and five years. What projects are in motion, which projects they anticipate starting soon, and what type of developments they expect in the next several years.

Moderator:

Michele Raftery, CPSM
Principal
4240 Architecture

Panelists:

William Balinbin
Principal of Development
Sage Investments

William is the Principal of Development at Sage Investments and Co-Founder of Sage Studio, responsible for deal sourcing, joint ventures, capitalizing, visioning, branding, programming, designing, and opening hotels and mixed-use projects. Projects include Catbird, The Rally (McGregor Square), Maven (Dairy Block), and Halcyon in Denver as well as The Elizabeth Fort Collins, Perry Lane Savannah, The Logan Philadelphia, and AC Portland, among many others. He previously served as Vice President at The Kor Group (Viceroy Hotel Group) focused on development and asset management of Tides South Beach and Viceroys in Miami, Anguilla, Snowmass, and St. Lucia. William started his career as an analyst for Ernst & Young’s Hospitality Advisory Services. He is a decorated combat veteran of the U.S. Air Force, having served tours in Japan, South Korea and the Middle East as a firefighter, and received his Bachelor of Science from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration.

Jon Buerge
Chief Development Officer | Principal
Urban Villages

Jon Buerge is the Chief Development Officer at Urban Villages, responsible for new company acquisitions, corporate growth, and strategic positioning of all real estate assets. Previously, Jon oversaw real estate and expansion activities for national restaurant chains as Director of Development and Real Estate for CraftWorks Restaurants & Breweries. He earned a JD and MBA from the University of Colorado, where he served as both student body president and chair of the CU Honor Council. He received his bachelor’s degree in economics and business finance from CU as well. Currently, he’s a voting member of Denver’s Climate Action Task Force. He also serves as Chair of the ULI Building Healthy Places Committee, and is a board member of the Denver Park Trust, the Denver Business Improvement District, the Downtown Denver Partnership, the LoDo District, and the High Performance Buildings Committee, guiding building policies for the City of Denver.

Ginger White Brunetti
Executive Director
Denver Arts & Venues

Ginger is the Executive Director of Denver Arts & Venues. In this role she oversees the McNichols Civic Center Building, Denver Performing Arts Complex, Create Denver, Denver’s public art program and free cultural offerings, such as Five Points Jazz Festival and Youth One Book, One Denver. Previously, she oversaw Create Denver, an economic development initiative that strengthens the overall health and vitality of Denver by supporting the development of the creative sector. Prior to joining the staff, she acted as a consultant to the office, managing the inaugural Doors Open Denver project. White previously served as the program and marketing manager for the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, developing programs such as the Mobile Art Collection and garnering several international awards for its marketing and education programs.

Chris Frampton
CEO
East West Partners

The goal of East West Partners is simple, Create Terrific Places. As CEO, Chris works with a team of dedicated developers who are pioneering new communities in Charleston, Denver, Vail, Steamboat, Aspen/Snowmass, Deer Valley, and Kauai. Chris is Board Chair of the Civic Center Conservancy, the City of Denver’s private partner at Civic Center Park, and Chair of the 5280 Loop Committee at the Downtown Denver Partnership. He is lucky enough to have a guitar-wielding rocker wife, three amazing children, and a gorgeous Golden Retriever named Momo.

Event Sponsor:

Ticket Prices
$65 Members
$100 Non-members
REGISTER

 

CEUs Available: 1, Client & Business Development #3

Note: Only SMPS Colorado Members may register at member pricing. All ticket prices increase $25 on November 5.
Finding it difficult to allocate funds for SMPS programming and/or membership? The Colorado Believes page program is rooted in our core values of learning, commitment, and community through charitable giving, membership sponsorships, scholarships, and industry engagement. This program is also part of our efforts to help diversify membership and help provide opportunities for BIPOC individuals and DBE, WBE, MBE, VBR, and LGBTBE firms to elevate their marketing efforts while helping your company save. Please email SMPS Colorado’s admin for reduced pricing and scholarship opportunities.

If you are a member of another SMPS Chapter and would like a member rate, please email the admin. Job seekers, students, and other new professionals, please visit our Colorado Believes page for details on our student membership programs and professional development scholarship opportunities. Refunds are available if submitted to the admin one week prior to the event.