Gear up for Vail Valley ski season with Partnership events

Fall is in the air. The leaves are turning and it's time to focus on the winter season. Fortunately the Vail Valley Partnership, the Chamber & Tourism Bureau, is here to help and the next few months are packed with several great educational and networking events in addition to our on-going marketing benefits available to member businesses.

Here's a sneak peak:

• The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International Vail Valley Chapter is hosting an educational program and luncheon along with the Partnership Sept. 22 at the Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa. There will be a panel discussion regarding “The New American Traveler: Insights and Implications for Marketing Vail in the Year Ahead.” Registration begins at 11:30 a.m., followed by lunch and a speaker panel from noon — 2 p.m. featuring Adam Sutner from Vail Mountain marketing, John Dawsey from Colorado Mountain Express and Patricia McNamara from the Sonnenalp Resort of Vail. The cost for the event is $25 for HSMAI and Partnership members.

• The first “Big Green THINK” will be held Sept. 28 at The Arrabelle at Vail Square from 1 — 5:30 p.m. This is an educational event and business expo which seeks to inspire and connect hoteliers, restaurateurs, caterers and venues with sustainability in our unique mountain community.

We have an expert and diverse panel and keynote speakers from our local and surrounding communities. The Big Green THINK is brought to you by the Vail Valley Partnership, the Eagle Valley Alliance for Sustainability and the Environmental Protection Agency. Individual tickets for Partnership and alliance members are $25 and $35 for non-members.

The Big Green THINK will also have a green business expo. There is limited space left for expo booths (available for $150 and include two tickets to the event). The expo is a great way for your business to gain exposure among the local community and to promote your green business practices.

• Join the Vail Valley Partnership for the monthly “Breakfast Scrambler” Oct. 6 at the Tavern at Vail Square from 7:30 — 9 a.m. and stay for a presentation on Colorado ballot issues Proposition 101 and Amendments 60 and 61. The Partnership is hosting Dee Wisor of Sherman & Howard as he provides an overview of the implications of these three citizen's initiatives as we head into the November election. This event is open to Partnership members only.

• Last but not least, save the date for the fall “Service to the Power of You” seminar sponsored by Vail Resorts Nov. 4 at the Vail Mountain Marriott Resort & Spa, 8 — 11 a.m. This is the only customer service seminar that qualifies your business for the Vail Resorts Merchant Ski Pass.

• Also, don't forget that the Partnership has monthly Business After-Hours mixers and a variety of other events, networking opportunities and more throughout the year.

RSVP's are required for these events. Please contact Jennifer Weintraub at jweintraub@visitvailvalley.com or 970-477-4001.

Chris Romer is executive director of the Vail Valley Partnership.

Reported by:  Vail Daily