Hotels

Small Meetings Are On the Rise at The Broadmoor

By Matt Turner Jul 23, 2020 3:17pm

Many are exhausted from video chatting and are wanting the connection of getting things done together, in person.

The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs says it is seeing this trend first-hand as it hosts an increasing number of small corporate groups and associations drawn to the resort because of its 5,000 acres and ample space to spread out, both indoors and out.

“The 40-person and the smaller group has become our new normal,” says Pepper Dombroski, The Broadmoor’s director of sales, in a press release.

Small groups are getting together (with social distancing) at the property, it says, with many opting to cancel the majority of planned attendees and keeping a select group of executives or “inner circle” reservations to accommodate work on a smaller scale, bringing in other team members digitally as needed.

The Broadmoor has a diversity of meeting space offerings from boardrooms to grand ballrooms and even wilderness properties (including Emerald Valley Ranch, The Fly Fishing Camp and Cloud Camp, which has private meeting space at 9,200 feet elevation). The Gatsby-esque Estate House is a 12,000-square-foot home complete with croquet gardens and a library, while the rustic Fish House is an Adirondack-style cabin located on the 6th hole of the historic East Golf Course.

But with more than 90 meeting rooms of assorted shapes and sizes (totaling more than 310,000 square feet), what was once specialized space to meet the needs of groups is now more space to spread out. Some groups use The Broadmoor’s recently completed 125,000-square-foot Exhibit Center as overflow dining, where individuals can be seated six feet apart, and breakout rooms can accommodate smaller gatherings without crowding.

Apart from the socially distant meetings, attendees are spending as much time as possible outdoors, taking advantage of The Broadmoor’s two championship golf courses, tennis, pickleball and even ziplining. Hiking has also been a popular choice this summer, from intense outings to easier, informational hikes with a naturalist. Mountain biking, both guided experiences and rentals (with gear provided and sanitized between use), has also seen an uptick in bookings and interest from groups seeking activities that can easily keep attendees apart and enjoying the great outdoors. Corporate groups are also showing an increased interest in picnics, movies under the stars (complete with individual snack items and lawn seating), and outdoor team-building exercises via Broadmoor Outfitters, the hotel says.

Visit www.broadmoor.com.

Small Meetings Are On the Rise at The Broadmoor

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