Attending a Conference at the Colorado Convention Center: What to Expect
Are you a part of a national organization, affinity community or other group of people that hosts conferences? Are they hosting their next conference in Denver at the Colorado Convention Center? If you’re wondering how to prepare and what to expect, I thought I would share some tips and helpful information that the planning team might not have. I’ve side-hustled frequently in the Colorado Convention Center lending a hand with different conferences so I’m going to share an insider’s tips on how to plan for attending a conference at the Colorado Convention Center.
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Remember to Schedule a Tour
While you’re in town it’s highly likely that your conference team have planned a number of in-town events. I highly recommend scheduling some offsite tours and leave the driving and planning to someone else. I’ve included a few of my favorite tour experiences that I recommend to out-of-town visitors.
What is the Colorado Convention Center Like?
It’s a MASSIVE facility that has includes the Bellco Theater which is used for comedy shows, speaker series and musical performances. Some recent events include: The Colorado Speaker Series, Derek Hough, Kirk Franklin, Peso Pluma and Paw Patrol. Some upcoming events at the Bellco Theater include: Matt Rife, Gloria Trevi and Bill Burr to name a few events heading to Bellco. The Bluebird Ballroom the core part of a recent expansion to the facility.
You will walk A LOT in this building. There is a lot of carpet with a little bit of tile as you enter the building.
There’s a massive “Big Blue Bear” at the front of the building and it’s often used as a meeting point and a way to orient yourself to the building.
This is a multiple level facility that includes ballrooms on the lower levels, street level that I’ve already mentioned and an upstairs that’s frequently used as the Expo Hall. That space is enormous.
Again, be prepared to walk. The building is ADA compliant and you can request support and assistance prior to arrival. Your event team should be able to give you more guidance specific to how you can get assistance such as mobility support.
Where is the Colorado Convention Center Located
It’s conveniently located in the heart of downtown Denver. You can get to it very easily if you take the train from the airport to Union Station and the take the free mall shuttle to Curtis/California or Tremont Streets. You could, of course, just request a Lyft or Uber to take you to the Convention Center.
The 16th Street Mall Renovation
One thing that I think is really important for convention attendees to know is that the 16th Street Mall is undergoing a massive renovation. That means the walking mall is tricky to walk because there is an active construction project happening. It’s also…a little bit ugly.
Yep, I said it.
The project will be completed by the end of 2024. If you’re visiting during 2024 you will definitely experience making your way through some parts of this project.
Where to Stay
Typically, your organization’s convention planners will share hotels that they recommend you stay at. These hotels may have a discounted rate that they’ve negotiated. I highly recommend reviewing the accommodation recommendations that your event team have shared with attendees. With that said, I have some hotels and hostels that you may consider staying at.
Where to Eat
Ok. As a person who has side-hustled frequently in the Convention Center-where to eat is one of the pain points that come up frequently. Oddly enough there aren’t tons of restaurants inside of the Convention Center. In fact, typically each convention will decide if they will provide snacks, food, coffee or light meals based on the size of the event.
The other issue is that there aren’t a ton of restaurants within walking distance of the Convention Center.
And the Colorado Convention Center is freaking HUGE.
You’re going to get some steps in when you leave the building and make your way to breakfast, lunch or dinner. It’s manageable. I strongly recommend that you consider the amount of time you have available for your different meal breaks so that you’re not stressed out and running around.
Get Your Food Delivered
You may want to check out DoorDash or other similar delivery apps. Typically, you’ll arrange to have your food delivered by “The Big Blue Bear” that is directly outside of the Convention Center on 14th Street. You can’t miss it because it’s around 100 feet tall. Deliver drivers are used to delivering to folks placing frequent orders while attending a conference at the Colorado Convention Center.
Restaurant Suggestions
If you prefer to sit down and enjoy a meal as you network and connect with other attendees and friends that you haven’t seen in awhile here are a few places to check out that are reasonably close. If they are better suited for a longer lunch, happy hour or dinner I’ve made a note below the restaurant name.
- Hyatt Regency Denver at the Convention Center
- There is a really well stocked market in the main lobby.
- Stout Street Social
- This restaurant is located directly across the street from the Convention Center at the Embassy Suites Hotel.
- Chopstickers-If you love dumplings and pot stickers this place ROCKS! It’s a small and unassuming space with an affordable menu and quick service. It’s about a 3 block walk from the Convention Center.
- Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.-One block from the Convention Center.
- Corinne Denver-If you’re looking for a higher end meal offering, Corinne Denver is a must visit. It’s also directly across the street from the Convention Center.
- Ana’s Norwegian Bakeri-Are you a fan of pastries? What about Norweigan pastries? Located 2 blocks from the Convention Center you can pick up a few yumy goodies.
- 918 16th Street Mall (Between Curtis and Champa Streets)
- Dragonfly Noodle-I’m obsessed with this place. If you love ramen, this is place that I recommend in downtown Denver. It’s about 6 blocks walking distance from the Convention Center.
- Michelin also added its sister restaurant Zoe Ma Ma to its Michelin Guide of restaurants to check out. In my view Dragonfly Noodle is better.
What about Coffee and Tea?
Well, if you’re provided coffee may depend on your event. Some conferences will provide coffee on site or Dazbog Coffee (inside the Convention Center) will be contracted to provide coffee services. In my side-hustle adventures it seems like the larger the conference the more likely they may provide access to coffee…that you pay for LOL!
Happily, there are a couple of coffee shops located close to the Convention Center.
- Hyatt Regency Denver at the Convention Center-Their market in the main hall sells coffee and it’s pretty good.
- Starbucks-It’s located 2 blocks west of the facility.
- 1031 14th Street
- Vibe Coffee and Wine-I love this place. It’s big, airy and open. And it has a fireplace feature. The team makes great cocktails too.
- Logan Coffee House-Located 4 blocks from the Convention Center. They also offer savory bites and pasteries as well.
What About the Internet
There is free wifi available towards the front of the building. But, if you’re looking to do some tech heavy work like transferring videos, etc. You may want to do that type of work from your hotel. Having thousands of people on the same wifi in the same building can put a lot of pressure on the system.
Many conventions opt to provide their attendees with dedicated wifi services and those services tend to work well within the building.
Electronics Charging Stations
There are stations located throughout the building and a few fast charging kiosks that you can purchase use of a battery from. The only tricky part with these is you can’t use them if your phone is dead because…you have to scan something LOL!.
On Site Staff
You’re going to be in great hands. The onsite team is so kind and incredibly helpful. They are a great resource for suggestions on what to do locally, how to move around the building and other guest related services.
Attending a Conference at the Colorado Convention Center
I’ll never forget speaking with a conference attending who said “Denver isn’t charming but it’s very welcoming.” I may have laughed when she said it but she wasn’t wrong. We don’t have the beautiful architecture that you’ll find in many cities out east. But you’ll find that Denverites are friendly and typically are very helpful and happy to help out visitors to our town.
You’ll have a great time attending a Conference at the Colorado Convention Center. Just remember to explore the city of Denver and to schedule some tours while you’re here.
Enjoy yourself while you’re in town and don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes while you’re in the Colorado Convention Center. Enjoy your time while your here in Denver and don’t forget to drink plenty of water while you’re here.