IPW is the travel industry's premier international marketplace – four days of appointments, media events and tours, press conferences and parties in the evening. More than 6,000 delegates representing U.S. travel organizations from every region of the USA and international and domestic buyers and media (around 500+ journalists in total, about 30 from Germany) from 70+ countries came together in Denver/CO year. Conference Center is shown on the pic below.
We arrived on Saturday, flying in from Portland, and settled in the German delegation's Hilton Hotel. For the next couple of days we enjoyed great hospitality in Denver, perfect organization and amazing parties. Sunday, after the "German Breakfast" in the Hilton Hotel (where we were staying for 5 full days!) we attended the Press Brunch (pic above left) – many different food stands around Larimer Square, restaurants and even Beard Award winning chefs serving little bites. The Denver mayor greeted the media, a band was playing, and around noon press tours started.
We had chosen the "Artisenal Tour" which included two big food halls in the up&coming RiNo neighborhood and many murals (see above). Last (too short) stop was Stranahan's whiskey distillery (pics below). Great barley whiskeys!
Sunday evening the opening party took place in the Performing Arts Center in downtown (pics above), partly inside, partly outside, and they had done a great job in setting up tents and giving out umbrellas to guests because of the rain.
Monday - Media Market Place, pre-scheduled appointments all day with a lunch break inbetween. Media reception at the end, at 5 pm, with drinks and the award ceremony for best travel writers.
As in the years before we had submitted articles, but didn't have a lot of hope to win the prize. Surprise: We won the award and $ 1,000 for best article on an U.S. destination (the story was on the Cowboy Gathering in Elko/NV which we attended in Feb.). Whe were walking on clouds. "Award winning journalists", shaking hands with the big boss of U.S. Travel, Roger Dow, and suddenly being well-known. Especially our foreign colleagues were the first ones to congratulate. Can't get any better.
The second party took place in the Mile High (American Football) Stadium, and, though, the party was less football-related as we assumed, we spent a good evening.
Tuesday: five press conferences and six appointments in the main exhibition hall. The weather has improved, sun was out, but didn't get a chance to be outside but in the evening when we were hustling to four parties, organized by different destinations in different restaurants in downtown. Started with Arizona, on to the always crazy, exclusive NYC party (pic), stopped by at the rustic Great West and ended up in Oregon. Tired to the bones.
Wednesday - another half day of appointments and press conferences for us, at noon we left to meet with our friend Steve from the Colorado Brewers Guilt for a private craftbrewery tour, which was terrific (pics above). We visited five breweries, mostly little ones, with amazing beers. For IPAs our absolute favorite was Canonball Creek in Golden.
From Golden (where Buffalo Bill is burried) we headed out to the Red Rock Theater for the final IPW party with a concert of the Colorado pop-rock band OneRepublic. Setting of the openair arena is spectacularl, with a view towards Denver. What an event for a couple of thousand conference members!
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