Cherry Creek Shopping Center
WHAT: RMGA MEMBERSHIP MEETING
WHEN: May 12, 2014
WHERE: Brio Tuscan Grille, Cherry Creek Shopping Center - again, please RSVP
PROGRAM: Update from all the major tourist venues in Denver area for 2014 – including DIA, DCPA, Museum of Science and Nature, etc.
PARKING: Free parking in a large parking lot.
Guide Line Review
Cherry Creek Shopping Center
Dave Dixon, Director of Marketing and Sponsorship at Cherry Creek Shopping Center was the first presenter. Dave commented that CCSC is the second most visited place in Denver. He then told us about three new flagship stores at CCSC: Scotch and Soda – selling Dutch apparel; Six – an accessory brand and Swatch – known for their watches. CCSC is Swatch’s only Colorado location. Dave also talked about the renovation of Saks Fifth Avenue’s location that will be occupied by Restoration Hardware – quadrupling Restoration Hardware’s size and will have an open atrium. Restoration Hardware will occupy about 50,000 sq ft and smaller stores will fill in the remaining 35,000 sq ft of the original Saks location. CCSC is also renovating the valet circle and front door of the mall – these renovations will be open by November 2015. Dave also mentioned the city’s street project along University which is currently under way, adding to the construction picture.
Dave commented that 40 stores in CCSC are unique to the Denver market, such as Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Kiehl’s, and La Coste. CCSC has more national brands than local stores. CCSC had the first Sports Authority store, now there are nine across the US. John Atencio Jewelers store is their flagship store. Classic Creations Eyewear was one of the original tenants and is still there.
Questions were asked about shuttles, buses, and other public transportation to the mall. The 83L bus runs from downtown to CCSC and to CC North. The 10 bus runs from DU to CCSC. Coaches now go to St. Paul entrance near Safeway during the construction. Coaches can park/wait on the south side of Bed, Bath & Beyond.
Jennifer Kemps – Group Sales Business Coordinator at Denver Center for the Performing Arts was next. Jennifer reminded us that DCPA is owned by the city. DCPA does offer tours of the theaters and behind the scenes on Mondays and Saturdays at 10 am. Jennifer told us about several coming attractions: Unsinkable Molly Brown in September, Christmas Carol at holiday time, Pippin – DCPA did the opening tour in 1972 starring Ben Vereen and is the story of Charlemagne and his son. Wicked and the Book of Mormon are also coming back. The weekend of July 18th, DCPA will have an event in combination with Molly Brown House Museum to celebrate Margaret’s birthday.
Erin Bird, Communications Manager of the Denver Botanic Gardens was next. There is also construction going on at the Botanic Gardens. There will be extended hours during the summer and an installation of twelve of Dale Chihuly’s glass artwork. In the fall this installation will be lighted. Some of the other construction will provide new exhibit space in a pyramid; allow space for conservation and other country shows. There will be a new café near the Monet Pool and a new garden near the Waring House (offices) that will be an English country rose garden.
There will be a concert series playing from June to September at the Botanic Gardens in town and at Chatfield. Some of the performers will be Joan Baez, Natalie Cole, BB King and others.
The Denver Art Museum’s Jody Ternus, Sales Manager for membership & Amenities spoke next. She reminded us all that the Modern Masters show now in the museum will be available through June 8th. It features 20th Century painters such as Picasso, Warhol, and Matisse and also includes admittance to the Clyfford Still Museum across the street. Also on exhibit through August 31st is The American West in Bronze show, featuring 65 bronzes of cowboys and animals. This show is included in your General Admission ticket.
Coming events include 20th Century exhibit of Cartier jewelry and timepieces from 1900-1975. Denver is the exclusive venue for this exhibit. There are many well-known Cartier owners, including Grace Kelly and the Duchess of Windsor. There will also be photos and ads from the 1970s as well as film clips. This show will have an audio guide. Jody also gave us an events brochure showing DAM’s group possibilities – the DAM can handle events from 10 to 1,200 people and have caterers and group prices.
DAM has a focus of getting people involved and has drop-in drawing classes and a sculpture studio and participation is included in your general admission. The “Last Friday” is a monthly untitled event and each month is a different event.
Becca Goodwin, Group Sales Manager represented History Colorado. History Colorado’s focus this summer is on food and they will have a taste kitchen. Other events include a food market on Colorado Day (August 1 and 2) when admittance will be free. In September the focus will be on diversity training featuring “Race – Are We So Different” which will be free with your general admission. In February 2015 there will be an exhibit of “How People Lived in 1968” – an additional $5 will be charged for this.
Anthony Navarette, the new General Manager of Brio spoke to us about Brio. Brio is a national chain that has two restaurants in Denver – at CCSC and at Park Meadows. They can provide plated or buffet or family style meals, hosted cocktail parties, or a guest ticketed bar.
Pat Lee gave us information about CCSC including information about the vouchers included in each bag along with the brochures about CCSC. If you hand out a voucher to a guest, they can exchange it at the Service Desk for a Shopping Passport. If you pass out 20 in two months, you will receive a $20 gift card from CCSC.
Pat also talked about the Cherry Creek Arts Festival which last year entertained 350,000 people. CCSC sees 14 million visitors each year and the shopping center has over 5,000 parking spots.
Pat also represented Visit Denver (Jayne Buck was unable to attend). She talked about the Mayan exhibit at the Museum of Science and Nature which is the largest exhibit of Mayan artifacts in the US. Also about Dale Chihuly at the Botanic Gardens and the Crawford Hotel, opening July 12th at Union Station which will have light rail to the airport by 2016. In 2018 the Pow-Wow will be in Denver, the largest international trade show in the world for travelers. The World Lacrosse championships will be here July 10-19. The US Pro Bike Challenge will be in Colorado in August and the final will be in Denver on August 24th. The PGA golf tournament will be at Cherry Hills from September 1-7. Denver Day is May 24th this year. Red Rocks will host 107 concerts this year. Check out 365.com for every event in Denver for the year.
Stacey Stegman Edling, Global Communications Director, represented DIA. DIA is the #1 business airport in the US. A 433,000 sq ft hotel will open at DIA in late 2015. It will have a public plaza to connect hotel to DIA that will feature a farmers’ market, shows and exhibits. On December 3rd, United will have a new direct flight to Panama City, making ten international cities with non-stop flights and an easy connection to South America. The current Tokyo flight is usually 80-90% filled. DIA has 180 non-stop destinations making it third behind Atlanta and Chicago. Changes at DIA include transforming all the concession areas (75% transformed) because most of the leases were 10-year leases and they are now expiring. They have an Elway’s restaurant, wine bars, Mac cosmetics, healthy food options and now have Wi-Fi connections available. There is also reconstruction of some of the street around Pena Blvd. and Tower Road.
--- Nancy Brueggeman
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