WHAT:  RMGA MEMBERSHIP MEETING – CHERRY CREEK SHOPPING CENTER – DENVER TOURISM UPDATE -

WHEN:  April 10, 2017, 6:00 – 6:45pm – networking, 7:00 – 8:00pm - program.  Pat Lee and Dave Dixon of CCSC will introduce representatives of various tourism venues to update us on what is happening in Denver for the 2017 tourism season.  Please support RMGA and our tourism partners.  And, please, don’t be late!!!!

WHERE:  Cherry Creek Shopping Center – 801 Chophouse – next to Restoration Hardware and the Concierge Desk in the new wing.  

PROGRAM:  Presentation of various tourism venues in Denver with their 2016 programs.  Will include:  DCPA, Visit Denver, Gray Line, RTD, Denver Botanic Gardens and others.  

Cherry Creek Shopping Center -- Denver Tourism Update 

RMGA Membership Meeting Review 


801 Chophouse – Cherry Creek Shopping Center


​801 Chophouse offered the membership wine and hors d’oeuvres – all of which were wonderful.  The membership met in the entry area of 801 Chophouse – our host was Cristo Charles.  Christo and his staff made us feel welcome and were very attentive.  The General Manager of Cherry Creek Shopping Center (CCSC), Nick LeMasters, welcomed the group and gave us an update on the newest shops at CCSC and coming stores. Dave Dixon, our usual contact was not available this evening.

We moved to a Board Room where Pat Lee gave a slide show presentation of what’s new at CCSC and what’s coming soon.  Shinola – an exclusive accessory store and Odd Molly – Tweens clothing,are the latest additions. 

Joanne Lah, Manager of Guest Services supplied information about how the new parking system works and also provided vouchers so that our parking was paid for (by 801 Chophouse).  There is complimentary parking available near the Bed, Bath & Beyond store for buses and vans.  All parking is paid parking – this change was made to keep the parking lots open for CCSC shoppers.  Condominium/apartments in the area have not been built with parking facilities so on-street parking is often not available so the residents have been parking overnight at CCSC. 

Coach drop-off and pick-up is now at the Valet Parking area next to Neiman Marcus and California Pizza Kitchen.  Pat also mentioned that the 83L bus from downtown comes directly to CCSC. 

The Farmer’s Market will be open on Saturday mornings (with free parking until noon) throughout the summer and also on Wednesdays from June through September.  The Art Festival will be July 1-3, 2017 this year.  These events have been held at CCSC and CC North for many years. 

CCSC has 160 shops and CC North has an additional 330 shops – making a total of more than 500 shops and restaurants within a ten-block area. 

Cherry Creek Shopping Center contact information:

  • Nick LeMasters – General Manager – nlemasters@taubman.com – 303.388.2522
  • Pat Lee – Tourism Marketing Specialist – patlee13@aolcom – 303.693.0560
  • Bev Gerlock – Tourism Specialist – bevccsc@msn.com – 303.428.8883
  • Joanne Lah, Manager – Guest Services 303.388.3900, ext. 0

 

Pat then introduced Christo and the Manager of 801 Chophouse.

801 Chophouse is headquartered in Denver, they also have restaurants in Omaha and other Midwestern cities.

  • They use USDA Prime beef only (mostly Holstein because of the marbling) in the top 2% of beef quality.
  • 801 Chophouse also has fresh fish, flown in daily – never more than 36 hours from being caught to on the table.  They will be opening a fish restaurant nearby in the near future.
  • Happy Hour is from 3-6pm
  • Each attendee received a $25 gift card
  • Contact Information:

  • Christo Charles - direct line 720.651.2467
  • Chris Massengill – Assistant General Manager

          801chrism@gmail.com

          3000 East 1st Avenue, Denver, CO 80206

          www.801chophouse.com

          303.214.6474


Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) – had 1.2 million visitors last year – earning $150 million/year.  DCPA has the third highest per capita theater attendance in the US. 

  • Off-Center Productions – productions that are produced off-site

       Arts Complex – Improv

  • Cabaret shows: Dixie’s Tupperware Party is returning this season

       As is Men are From Mars and First Date

       And The Book of Mormon

  • Theatre company – second largest in the US, after NYC

       In the fall – in a theatre in the round will be Macbeth, Zoe’s Perfect Wedding, Native Gardens

  • Broadway Shows: Frozen, Waitress, and Hamilton (tickets for Hamilton are already spoken for by season ticket holders)
  • Most single tickets will go on sale in August, currently there are 8,000 people on the waiting list for packages
  • DCPA has a new president and a new artistic director
  • DCPA has had a long relationship with Disney: Lion King, Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and now Frozen. 
  • Contact information:

          Suzanne Yoe, Director of Communications and Cultural Affairs
          1101 13th Street, Denver, CO 80204
          syoe@dcpa.org
          303.446.4886

Denver Museum of Nature & Science – Current exhibition is Vikings.  Coming exhibits include Nature’s Amazing Machines

  • IMAX Theater – Dream Big (structural engineering)
  • Wild Africa – water from the perspective of an elephant
  • Extreme Weather – Icebergs, tornados
  • There is bus loop parking and groups of ten or more can receive a 10% discount – call ahead
  • Remember all the permanent exhibits as well
  • Contact Information: 

          Maura O’Neal – Communications and Media Relations Manager
          2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver CO 80205-5798
          Maura.oneal@dmns.org
          303.370.6407 or 303.507.6058


Denver Art Museum – Current exhibition is Mi Tierra (contemporary artists explore space).  Coming attractions include Shade : Clyfford Still / Mark Bradford (April 9- July 16) and The Western: An Epic in Art and Film (May 21-September 10)

  • The Gio Ponti building will close in November for a two-year renovation.
  • Docent guided tours are available – call ahead to arrange
  • Contact Information:

          Heidi Weisman, Associate Director of Events and Group Services
          100 West 14th Avenue Parkway, Denver, CO 80204
          hweisman@denverartmuseum.org
          720.913.0148

Denver Botanic Gardens – Also operate The Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, the programs at the Plains Conservation space and Mt. Goliath.

  • Hours are 9-5 currently and will move to 9-8 on May 14th
  • Alexander Calder will be the featured sculptor this year. 
  • The Children’s Garden is now open
  • Chatfield Farms will have a free day July 15 – for the Lavender Festival
  • The summer concert series at York Street will include Garrison Keillor and Natalie Merchant
  • Contact Information:

          Nicole Vasconi – Administrative Assistant, Marketing and Social Responsibility
          909 York Street, Denver, CO 80206
          Nicole.vasconi@botanicgardens.org
          720.865.3714 or 330.329.9387

Denver Zoo – recently featured on Saturday Night Live (SNL).  Attendance is more than 1 million visitors/year. Zoo Lights in November, December and January is highly attended. 

  • New babies – giraffe
  • New exhibit – tiger pavilion
  • Traveling exhibit – July 1 through October 31

       20 anatomically correct dinosaurs

  • Food truck safaris
  • Fall events: October – Boo After Dark
  • Contact Information:

          Jackie Aragon-Berz – Marketing Manager, Denver Zoo

          2300 Steele Street, Denver, Co 80205
         jaragonberz@denverzoo.org
         720.337.1457

Gray Line – majority of their business is charter groups – runs tours daily from CCSC

  • Changes this year – tour guides must be employees of Gray Line because of the need for liability coverage
  • Pay rates for step-on guides varies.
  • Contact Information:

          Ilene Kamsler – Community Relations
          5855 E. 56th Avenue, Commerce City, CO 80222
          ilene@coloradograyline.com
          303.399.1867 or 303.668.4317

B-Cycle – Non-profit -  Currently has 88 stations and 800 bikes

  • $9 gives you unlimited 30 minute rides in 24 hours

       Replacing ½ of their fleet

       Adding a second station at 18th and California

       Station at 15th and Delgany

  • Last Monday of the month is FREE MONDAY

       Monday’s Motivation

  • New app allows you to check out a bike online

       Also has maps and directions, shows protected bike lanes

              Maps are being updates

  • Does not supply helmets
  • Also has “Pub of the Month” which gives you 2 for 1 beers if you are an annual member
  • Contact Information:

          Tyler Reeder (no business card)

Visit Denver – Kiosk at Union Station averages 160 visitors/day

  • Member Tom Jensen is often at Union Station’s kiosk
  • RMGA is a member of Visit Denver
  • Sponsors First Friday Art Walks
  • Check Denver 365.com for more information
  • Contact information:

          Chrystal Ray, Manager , Tourist Information Centers
          1575 California Street, Denver, CO 80202-4214
          cray@visitdenver.com
          303.892.1505 – main
          303.571.9456 or 303.903.8798

RTD – April 22nd – 1 year anniversary of A Line

  • 18,000/day ride A Line
  • 5% of all trips arrive within 15 minutes of scheduled time
  • 89% of all trips arrive within 5 minutes of scheduled time
  • $9 – day pass to any and all light rail/commuter rail lines
  • Signage issues at Union Station and DIA are confusing riders
  • Alive crossing gate timing is keeping the A Line from being totally approved

       Gates are either going down 15-30 seconds early or going up 15-30 seconds late
       This delay entices drivers to go around the gates rather than wait

  •  “R” line connections to Lone Tree and Aurora

        Go to 40th & Peoria to change for Union Station or DIA

  • CC station expected to reopen in November 2017

       83L runs every 15 min during prime time, every ½ hr otherwise
      $2.60 regular fare, $1.30 for seniors

  • Contact Information:

           Bruce Abel – Assistant General Manager, Bus Operations Department
          1600 Blake Street, BLK-41, Denver, CO 80202
          Bruce.abel@rtd-denver.com
          303.299.2839

Denver International Airport – 58.3 million passengers last year – 7.9% growth (Stapleton’s last year had 31 million passengers)

  • Now the 6th largest in US and 18th busiest in the world
  • Southwest is the second largest carrier
  • Norwegian to London / Gatwick will start this fall – bags will cost extra
  • DIA is growing – expect to need an additional 30 gates over the next five years
  • Currently DIA has 180 non-stop destinations and 23 International destinations
  • Uber / Lyft are the #1 passenger rides, A Line is #2
  • The Great Hall Project is getting underway

       TSA will move to 6th level
       Airline counters will move near the Westin
       Working on baggage system improvements
       Will re-do the shopping restaurant area
       Adding more concessions
       Adding children’s play area – only major airport w/out play area
       Will add better passenger seating in Great Hall
       International passenger arrivals are increasing and constitute 4% of traffic
       Adding new parking lost at 61st and Pena
           $2 for 12 hours
           Solar, covered parking

  • Summer public events:

       June – Putt-Putt golf
       August – Zipline / beer garden
       December – Ice rink

  • Contact Information:

         Stacey Stegman, Senior Vice President

         Denver International Airport
         8500 Pena Blvd., 9th Floor, Denver, CO 80249-6340
         Stacey.stegman@flydenver.com
         303.342.2276 or 303.902.7356


-- Nancy Brueggeman
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