“Denver hasn’t enjoyed such good press since Dynasty topped the Nielsen ratings.”
My former boss, Rob Reuteman, wrote those words 13 years ago when he was the Business Editor of the Rocky Mountain News.
Dynasty was a popular TV series that ran from 1981 to 1989 that followed the lives of a fictional oil family in Denver. The cast included Joan Collins, John Forsythe and Linda Evans.
The column he wrote was prompted by a flurry of positive newspaper articles from across the country following the National Association of Real Estate Editor’s conference was held in Denver in 1998.
“St. Petersburg and other Tampa Bay cities can take a cue from Denver, whose heart now pulsates with a diverse crowd of shoppers, diners, sports fans, and even condo and apartment dwellers,” an article in the St. Petersburg Times crowed following the conference.
While the Rocky Mountain News bit the dust in February 2009, ending the reign of the longest ongoing business in Colorado, NAREE is coming back to the Mile High City.
Denver will host NAREE’s 46th Annual Real Estate Journalism Conference from June 20-23 at the Brown Palace Hotel & Spa in downtown.
The Brown Palace and adjoining Comfort Inn will be the site of a real estate convention next June.
The four-day conference, titled A Mile High Recovery? is NAREE’s ”Ultimate News Conference” and is designed to draw writers, editors, authors and the nation’s leading real estate analysts and experts to focus on new trends in residential and commercial real estate and home and urban design.
NAREE went on to say this about the conference: “Conferees will enjoy newsworthy speakers, panel discussions, along with off-site tours to cutting-edge projects in Denver, known as a green city that promotes sustainable and walk-able development.”
The conference sessions will feature architects, urban planners, brokers, builders and developers discuss contemporary issues impacting development, sales and real estate finance. Topics are expected to include green building, design, multi-family development, foreclosure problems, vacation homes, seniors housing, appraisals, the office market, and more.
Some of the conference time also will be devoted to journalists and how they can adapt, survive and excel in print, video and online.
The conference will be headquartered in the historic Brown Palace Hotel, which Denverites all know, is “the grand dame of Denver hostelry,” as NAREE described it.
The hotel opened in 1892 and is connected by a second-floor skybridge to the affordable, contemporary-styled Comfort Inn, an outstanding limited-service value hotel. NAREE conference attendees may opt for rooms in either hotel, and will enjoy privileges of the Brown Palace in both.
Denver’s hotel market has been has been strong and those planning to attend should make hotel reservations early. Make reservations for either hotel by calling: 800-321-2599. Ask for NAREE’s special rates of $185 at the Brown Palace Hotel or $109 at the adjoining Comfort Inn.
“The Brown Palace has a stunning eight-story atrium lobby and myriad charming banquet rooms and historic suites,” said said NAREE Executive Director, Mary Doyle-Kimball.
A view of the interior of the Brown Palace
“Moving between the two hotels on the second story skybridge is seamless,” she continued. “Guests get a panoramic view of the Denver skyline on the bridge as they head to the impressive ballrooms. The Comfort Inn at the Brown Palace offers a refreshing contrast to its sister hotel. Rooms are delightful – appointed in light woods with metal and primary colors -and offer plenty of light. Those on the NAREE block at the Comfort Inn will be offered upgraded queen-sized rooms.”
NAREE registration fees, which cover admission to the elegant 62nd Journalism Awards event and the Bruss Book Awards, are affordable. Pre-registration before Feb. 15th is $99 for journalists who are Active Members of NAREE or $299 for Associate Members (publicists and industry representatives). After Feb. 15 and before June 15, registration is $119 for journalists and $399 for associates. The conference is open to all journalists covering the broad field of real estate. Journalists are encouraged to join now to receive a complimentary entry in NAREE’s upcoming real estate journalism competition.
What former Rocky Business Editor wrote in 1998, rings just as true today as it did then.
“No one here needs to be told that great strides have been made in downtown Denver in recent years,” Reutean wrote. “But maybe we need to be told a couple other things. First, that we are actually the object of envy, judging by some of what is being written. Second and more important, that the people who made things happen are not resting on their laurels.”
For more information on the conference, including sponsorship opportunities, please contact NAREE Executive Director Mary Doyle-Kimball: 561-391-3599 or at madkimba@aol.com To register, please visit this link.
