2018 IRMA Conference, Denver, Colorado

The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa 

321 17th Street • Denver, CO 80202 • (303) 297-3111

September 21-24, 2018

Departure day is September 25th. Awards Reception and Dinner Monday, September 24th.

Please note that the Early Bird Deadline for Registration is August 28, 2018. No refunds will be available after this date.

Dates

  • Thu, September 20th – Board of Directors and Presidents Council to arrive on in time for dinner.
  • Fri, September 21st – Welcome Reception
  • Sat, Sunday, and Monday, September 22nd – 24th – IRMACON2018 Education
  • Sun, September 23rd – a free afternoon to explore Denver and the surrounding area
  • Mon, September 24th – Awards Dinner
  • Tuesday, September 25th – Departure day
  • Register for the Conference:

    Key Websites and Contact Info:

    IRMA Official Conference Site: http://www.irmamagazines.com/irma-conference-denver-colorado-2018/

    The Brown Palace Hotel: http://www.brownpalace.com/

    The Brown Palace Hotel Room Reservations LINK at IRMA’s Special Group Rate $199 per night.

    Conference Planner: Dianne Davis, diannedavis@tulnet.com or 918.636.4061

    Onsite Coordinator: Tiffany Davis, tdavis@tulnet.com or 918.720.2704

    IRMA Executive Director: Tara Flint, irma@regionalmagazines.org, 416-705-6884

    Social Media

    Follow IRMA on your chosen social media platform:

    The Public Facebook group is for all who are interested in IRMA and will be the location of our second annual #IRMACon Photo Contest. Sign up and play along in Denver!

    The Closed Facebook group is for members and sponsors to share confidential information. Feel free to ask questions of your peers and share your success stories.

    Instagram is also a place to join in on the Denver Conference Photo Contest = irmamagazines

    And twitter too = @regionalmags

    About Denver

    Denver, the capital of Colorado, is an American metropolis dating to the Old West era. Larimer Square, the city’s oldest block, features landmark 19th-century buildings. Museums include the Denver Art Museum, an ultramodern complex known for its collection of indigenous works, and the mansion of famed Titanic survivor Molly Brown. Denver is also a jumping-off point for ski resorts in the nearby Rocky Mountains.

    The Host Hotel

    The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, an Autograph Collection by Marriott, located in the heart of downtown Denver, is an icon rich in tradition and history. Built in 1892, the luxury hotel in Denver, Colorado has been a four-star and Four Diamond hotel since 1977. At the heart of the boutique hotel is the atrium lobby, soaring eight stories above the ground floor and crowned by a beautifully detailed stained-glass skylight. Dramatic Florentine arches surround the atrium, and intricate wrought iron panels decorate six stories of balconies. Timeless elegance and modern amenities best describes this luxury hotel. Each guest room includes a 42-inch HDTV, Wi-Fi, iPod docking station and Keurig® coffee maker. The bathrooms feature Carrera marble countertops, sophisticated silver fixtures and rain showerheads that tap water from an artesian well.

    The Brown Palace is a glorious, historic property. Learn more about The Brown Palace history by taking a personally guided historical tour of the hotel.

    Guest Rooms: There are two different accommodation types available for this year’s IRMA attendees.
    Signature Queen, Double-Bedded Guest Rooms – $199.00 single – quad occupancy
    Signature King, Single-Bedded Guest Rooms – $199.00 single or double occupancy

    Other Guest Room Details:
    Rates– are in US Dollars and are plus applicable tax, currently 14.75%.
    Special Rate Cut-Off Date– in order to qualify for the IRMACON2018 discounted rate, reservations must be made by Tuesday, August 28, 2018. After this date our discounted rate is subject to availability.
    Guest Room Size– approximately 400 sq. ft.
    Guest Room Amenities Include– complimentary Internet, air conditioning, living/sitting area, marble bathroom, double vanities, lighted make up mirror, hair dryer, robe, chair, desk, in-room safe, iron and ironing board, coffee/tea maker, television with premium movie channels.
    Pre/Post Stays– The Brown Palace will extend the above group rates, three days before and three days after the contracted conference dates of Tuesday, September 18, 2018 to Tuesday, September 25, 2018, subject to guestroom availability.

    Hotel Amenities:

    1. The Brown Palace Spa – Features a private luxury couple’s suite and separate hair and nail salon offering manicures and pedicures, six massage and skin treatment rooms, men’s and women’s relaxation areas, and steam rooms.

    Hours: Fri, Sat: 09:00 AM – 08:00 PM, Sun: 09:00 AM – 06:00 AM, Mon-Thu: 09:00 AM – 07:00 PM. Appointment required.

    1. Dining – The Brown Palace offers Brown Palace Tea a traditional afternoon tea from 12.00pm – 4.00pm daily; Ellyngtons – American cuisine for breakfast or lunch; Churchill Bar a cigar and Scotch bar open daily for lunch and dinner; Palace Arms – the Brown’s fine-dining restaurant open for dinner; Coffee & Tea Co.  open for breakfast and lunch each day; and 24 hour Room Service.
    2. Wireless Internet – access is available in guest rooms, hotel public space, and spa

    Arrival/Departure:  The Brown Palace check-in time is 3:00pm MT on your scheduled day of arrival with a checkout time of 12:00pm MT on your scheduled day of departure.  Guests arriving before 3:00pm MT will be accommodated in their reserved room type on a first available basis.  The bell staff will arrange to check baggage for guests arriving early when rooms are not available and for guests attending functions on the day of departure.  Additionally, the Hotel facilities are available for use by IRMA guests in either of these circumstances.

    Cancellation Policy:  Cancellation requests must be received at least 24 hours prior to stay to avoid a fee equal to one night’s room and tax. This fee, if applicable, will be directed to the form of payment that was used to guarantee the reservation.

    Smoking Policy:  All guest rooms and suites at The Brown Palace are non-smoking. A $250 cleaning fee will be applied for any evidence of smoking in guest rooms upon departure.

    Hotel Parking: Valet parking = $40.00 per night.

    Getting Here

    Ground Transportation

    1. RTD A Line : From Denver International Airport (DIA) to Denver Union Station, a $9 airport fare (each way) will get you to and from The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa in 37 minutes. A Line trains depart every 15 minutes during peak and every 30 minutes otherwise and drops at Denver’s Union Station.

    With Union Station in LoDo being only a 7 minute cab or shared car service ride, 15 minute free MallRide down 16th Street Mall, or a 20 minute walk from The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, the RTD train is the most convenient and economical option to reach The Brown Palace from DIA.

    1. Driving directions:

    For Cell Phone GPS Directions use this address:

    1715 Tremont Street

    Denver, Colorado 80202

    Reminder that parking is valet and is $40.00 per night.

    Tourist Information

    Currency Exchange: https://x-rates.com/calculator/?from=CAD&to=USD&amount=1

    RTD: Denver’s Train System:  https://www.rtd-denver.com/app/plan

    Downtown Shuttle: 16th Street Free MallRide: http://www.rtd-denver.com/FREEMallRide.shtml

    Weather and Clothing

    September in Denver can provide lovely weather conditions; weather should be pleasant with mostly clear skies and only a 20% chance of rain. Temperatures can range from an average high of 75°F (24°C) to an average low of 50°F (10°C).

    Denver is proud of its Western roots so the dress-style is best known as “Western Casual.”      Suggested dress is Casual for Meetings and Meals. Business Casual for the Friday Night Opening Reception. And Classy Cocktail for the Monday Night Closing Reception and Awards Banquet although ties for men are not required. Please bring layers for cool Denver evenings.

    Things to Do

    Brown Palace Historic Tour Brown Palace Hotel (303) 297-3111, Distance 0 miles
    Brown Palace itself is a great place to explore. They have an interesting ghost tour that includes information about a sensational 1911 murder and trial.

    16th Street Mall 1001 16th St. (303) 534-6161, Distance .01 miles

    U.S. Mint Denver 320 W Colfax Ave. (303) 405-4761, Distance .04 miles

    Free tour tickets are available at the Tour Information window located at the Gift Shop entrance gate on Cherokee Street, between West Colfax Avenue and West 14th Avenue. The Tour Information window opens at 7 a.m., Monday- Thursday (excluding observed federal holidays), and will remain open until all tickets have been distributed. Tickets are for same-day tours only; no advance tickets are available. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited to 5 per person.

    They offer six tours a day, 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. You may choose from any available tour. Tours may be canceled without prior notice.

    Days: Monday-Thursday (excluding observed federal holidays). There may be days that tours are not available.

    Tour Hours: 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Tour times and availability vary each day.

    Duration: Approximately 45 minutes

    Note: Please be aware that coin production schedules vary. Coins may not be in production during your tour. Tours may be canceled without prior notice.

    Colorado State Capitol Tour 200 E. Colfax Ave. (303) 866-2604, Distance .5 miles

    Denver Art Museum 100 W 14th Ave Pkwy (720) 865-5000, Distance .53 miles
    The Denver Art Museum is quite a gem, especially the Hamilton Wing designed by architect Daniel Libeskind.

    Clyfford Still Museum 1250 Bannock St. (720) 354-4880, Distance .65 miles  

    History Colorado Center 1200 Broadway St. (303) 447-8679, Distance .58 miles

    Denver Arts Complex 1345 Champa St. (720) 865-4220, Distance .75 miles             

    Molly Brown House Museum 1340 Pennsylvania St. (303) 832-4092, Distance .78 miles

    Larimer Square 1430 Larimer St. (303) 534-2367, Distance .8 miles

    Museum of Contemporary Art 1485 Delgany St. (303) 298-7554, Distance 1.21 miles

    The Vance Kirkland Museum

    American Museum of Western Art (across the street from the Brown Palace – open Monday, Wednesday, Friday)

    Denver Botanic Gardens 1007 York St. (720) 865-3500, Distance 2.4 miles

    Denver Museum of Nature and Science 2001 Colorado Blvd. (303) 322-7009, Distance 2.79 miles

    Coors Brewery Tours 13th & Ford Street, Golden (800) 642-6116, Distance 15.2 miles

    Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park, which could be lots of fun after dark (open till 9 p.m. and on the free bus line and a short walk)

    Red Rocks Park  18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison (720) 865-2494, Distance 16.4 miles

    Boulder, CO  2440 Pearl Street (303) 442-2911, Distance 28.6 miles

    Rocky Mountain National Park 1000 US Hwy 36, Estes Park (970) 586-1206, Distance 71 miles

    Estes Park/Rocky Mountain Trip
    Quaint mountain town with about 8,000 residents and 3.5 million tourists per year (former home of Colorado Life). Biggest attraction is Rocky Mountain National Park. Fall aspen colors, snow-capped mountains, bugling Elk this time of year. Scenic drive on the highest elevation paved road in America.

    Professional Sports Stadiums/Arenas:
    The perks of staying at hotels near Coors Field are endless for sports fans. Experience the height of Denver entertainment by attending a game at the Sports Authority Field.

    Coors Field is a great ballpark for those who will be here extra days. http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/col/ballpark/index.jsp

    Colorado Rockies vs. Philadelphia Phillies, Tue 9/25 @ 6:40pm Coors Field, Denver

    Colorado Rockies vs. Philadelphia Phillies, Wed 9/26 @ 6:40pm Coors Field, Denver

    Colorado Rockies vs. Philadelphia Phillies, Thurs 9/27 @ 1:10pm Coors Field, Denver

    Colorado Rockies vs. Washington Nationals, Fri 9/28 @ 6:10pm Coors Field, Denver

    Mile High Stadium

    Tour the stadium: http://www.sportsauthorityfieldatmilehigh.com/stadium-information/tour-the-stadium

    Each tour takes approximately 75-90 minutes and is a length of approximately ½ mile. If you would like a tour, you will need to arrange for a private tour.

    This walking tour includes stops at:

    • Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Museum
    • Executive Suites
    • United Club Level
    • NFL Visiting Team Locker Room Facilities
    • Keg Room
    • Thunder’s Stall
    • Team Field Entrance Tunnel
    • Field Level from the End Zone Area
    • Network Television Production Compound
    • TV & Radio Broadcast Facilities & Writing Press Center.

    Denver Performing Arts Complex

    The Denver Performing Arts Complex is the largest performing arts complex under one roof, and the second-largest center of its kind in terms of number of venues and seating capacity. It is home to a Tony Award-winning repertory theatre company, Broadway touring productions, contemporary dance and ballet, a major symphony orchestra, internationally-acclaimed opera and more.

    September 20, 2018 – The Improvised Shakespeare Company, 7:30pm, Garner Galleria Theatre
    Based on one audience suggestion The Improvised Shakespeare Co. creates a fully improvised Shakespearean masterpiece right before your very eyes!

    September 25, 2018 – Dear Evan Hansen, 7:30pm, Buell Theatre
    Winner of six 2017 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, Dear Evan Hansen is the deeply personal and profoundly contemporary musical about life and the way we live it. The Washington Post calls Dear Evan Hansen “one of the most remarkable shows in musical theater history.” http://artscomplex.com/

    And we have to go and see this guy:

    Member Materials

    Magazine members are encouraged to bring a maximum of 15 copies of their latest issue only to the conference in their luggage, to share with other members.

    Please do not ship any magazines directly to the hotel or to the IRMA office. Sending directly to the hotel will result in handling charges being charged to your guest room. Magazines will be displayed throughout the conference. Any copies leftover after the conference will be donated or recycled.