Largest Convention Booking in Denver’s History to Draw 18,000 Snow Sports Industry Representatives

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DENVER (January 28, 2010) – Colorado Governor Bill Ritter and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper joined officials from VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau and Colorado Ski Country USA at the Colorado Convention Center today to welcome the SnowSports Industries America (SIA) Snow Show – the largest convention booking in Denver’s history.

The four-day trade show, January 28-31, will attract 18,000 ski and snow sports retailers, manufacturers, and decision-makers, and will have an estimated annual economic impact of $30 million.  SIA will hold the event in Denver for the next 11 years.

“The 11-year agreement makes this the largest convention booking in Denver’s history.  Even better, it comes in January, traditionally one of the slowest months of the year for our city,” said VISIT DENVER President & CEO Richard Scharf.  “SIA Snow Show delegates will spend more money in Denver over the next decade than the original cost of expanding the Colorado Convention Center.”

Governor Ritter welcomed the SIA Snow Show to Colorado: “It’s no secret that Colorado is regarded around the world as the snow sports capital of America, so it is a great, natural fit for us to host the premier snow sports industry trade show,” he said.  “This event will bring great economic benefit to Denver, and it will also generate tremendous interest in snow sports in general, boosting winter tourism throughout Colorado.” 

Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper stated, “We are pleased to host the SIA Snow Show and welcome its 18,000 attendees to the Mile High City. This convention will give our region a significant economic lift, as well as an opportunity to continue showcasing all of the great outdoor activities Colorado has to offer. This is a tremendous opportunity for Denver and our state.”

Melanie Mills, president & CEO of Colorado Ski Country USA, noted: “Having the SIA Snow Show in Colorado gives retailers from around the country who maybe haven’t skied or ridden in our state before, or who otherwise may not have made it out here, the opportunity to see our resorts’ wonderful product. They’ll be able to experience firsthand why Colorado is the top destination for winter vacations.”

The World’s Largest Après Ski + Ride Party

To welcome the SIA Snow Show and its 18,000 delegates to Denver, the Mile High City is staging a new event billed as “The World’s Largest Après Ski + Ride Party.” The event, presented by The Denver Post, held concurrently with the SIA Snow Show.  The Après Ski + Ride Party is open to both Snow Show attendees and Denver locals, and includes events at more than 60 Denver bars, nightclubs, restaurants, theaters and sporting venues, as well as diverse activities ranging from a live feed of ESPN’s Winter X-Games Fourteen hosted by Aspen/Snowmass being shown live on big screen TVs in Skyline Park to “Wear Your Ski Wear to Work Friday.”  From January 28-30, 2010, Denver residents and visitors can celebrate the winter season and the city’s position as a snow sports Mecca. www.DenverApres.com.

Ruby Hill Rail Yard, the nations’ first and only free urban ski and snowboard terrain park, is located just outside of Denver’s downtown core.  Ruby Hill is a result of the partnership between Denver Parks and Recreation, which provides youth programs, Christy Sports who provides free equipment rental, and Winter Park Resort, who provides the rails and terrain park design, as well as more than 30 volunteers who staff the terrain park.  Ruby Hill is open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.  Free ski and snowboard rentals is available Tuesdays and Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. For kids ages 8 – 17, equipment rental requires a release and waiver completed by a parent.

PHOTO CAPTION:

Cutting the ribbon on January 28, 2010, to open the SIA Snow Show in Denver, Colorado are (left to right):  Dave Bellack, board chair, Colorado Ski Country USA; Colorado Governor Bill Ritter; Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper; Gary DeFrange, president, Winter Park Resort; Mike Carey, board chair, SnowSports Industries America (SIA); Richard Scharf, president & CEO, VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau; and David Ingemie, president, SIA.

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About VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau

Celebrating 100 years of promoting the Mile High City, VISIT DENVER is a nonprofit trade association that contracts with the City of Denver to market Denver as a convention and leisure destination, increasing economic development in the city, creating jobs and generating taxes.  Tourism is the second largest industry in Denver, generating $3.1 billion in annual spending in 2008, while supporting 65,000 jobs. For more information on Denver, call 800-2-DENVER or visit Denver’s official Web site at VISITDENVER.com.

About SnowSports Industries America (SIA)

SnowSports Industries America (SIA) is the national not-for-profit, North American member-owned, trade association representing the snow sports industry. Established in 1954, SIA annually produces the SIA Snow Show, the largest snow sports industry trade show, on-snow demo and networking environment globally, while delivering invaluable data/research reports including the Snow Sports Market Intelligence Report, the SIA Retail Audit and Executive Market Summary. SIA also develops marketing products, services and programs helping our members operate more efficiently and increase participation in snow sports. For more information, check out snowsports.org. SnowSports Industries America, 8377-B Greensboro Drive, McLean, VA 22102-3587. Phone: 703.556.9020, Fax: 703.821.8276, Email: SIAmail@snowsports.org.

About Colorado Ski Country USA

Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) is the not-for-profit trade association representing 22 Colorado ski & snowboard resorts. CSCUSA is the global voice of the Colorado ski industry. The Association’s primary functions are concentrated in marketing, public policy and public relations. Information about CSCUSA and its members can be found at www.ColoradoSki.com, on Twitter @ColoradoSkiUSA and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ColoradoSkiCountryUSA.  This release and other press information can be found in the online press room at http://media-ColoradoSki.com.

About The Denver Post

The Denver Post is Colorado’s Media Leader, in print and online. Every day of the week, The

Post reaches the largest audience of any medium in the state. With the largest reporting staff in

Colorado, the daily and Sunday Denver Post is the first place adults across the metro area turn for news and information. Denverpost.com is Colorado’s number one source for breaking news. Every day, over 300,000 unique visitors log on to denverpost.com for developing news reports, weather and traffic alerts, or to make their voice heard on The Post’s popular online blogs and forums. To subscribe, call 303-832-3232 or visit denverpostcustomercare.com.

About Downtown Denver Partnership

The Downtown Denver Partnership, Inc. is a non-profit business organization that creatively plans, manages and develops Downtown Denver as the unique, diverse, vibrant and economically healthy urban core of the Rocky Mountain region. For more information, visit www.downtowndenver.com.

With press or photo inquiries relating to the SIA Snow Show, VISIT DENVER or The World’s Largest Après Ski + Ride Party, please contact:

Rich Grant: (303) 571-9450 or rgrant@visitdenver.com

Jen Elving: (303) 571-9451 or jelving@visitdenver.com

With press, footage or photo inquiries relating to Colorado Ski Country USA, and its member resorts, please contact: