You can never go back...

[abqdan]

I'm in Colorado at what is most likely my last professional conference. Over the last 25 years I've done a lot of these things, and I tired of them years ago. But this one, the RightNow Summit, has been my favorite. Over the last four years, the locations have been breathtaking - ski lodge resorts in rugged country. True, the travel arrangements have been difficult, and my special diet a challenge, but the conference itself has always had a warm, family reunion feel to it. And boy, did they know how to throw a party! With open bars, great buffet food and an interesting slant on entertainment, from dinner theater and magicians, to mechanical bull riding and line dancing (last year).

Sadly, the company is now much bigger, and is aimed squarely at doing business with corporate America. All the talk is in acronyms (B2B, B2C, C2C) and it seems they lost track of the fun element.

Instead of an out-of-season ski resort, we are at the Broadmoor (UK humorous note - Broadmoor in England is synonymous with the Broadmoor institution for the criminally insane - a lock down hospital). In a way, this is not unlike the UK Broadmoor.

The setting is beautiful - built around an artificial lake, with the Rockies as the backdrop. However, this is a hotel of the early 20th Century English style. Turn around and you fall over some lacky waiting with his handout for a tip.

On arrival, I asked for guest parking, and was told by the doorman that there was only valet parking. I protested how inconvenient this was going to be, and he admitted there was actually guest parking, but it was 'quite a walk' and 'only $2 cheaper". I opted to park my own thank-you.

At the desk, the receptionist was keen to get me a bell hop to show me to my room - "no thanks" said I - "point me to an elevator and I'll be fine". During the evening, three different housekeeping staff turned up to offer various services (no, not that! Get your mind out of the gutter). I declined.

The opening reception last night, usually a hoot, was a dry and formal affair with clumps of people standing round uncomfortably in a foyer area. Hapless wait staff circled the floor with small trays of hors d'eurvres; nothing I could (or would want to) eat. No buffet of snacks this year. And the bar had beer and wine for free, but you had to purchase tickets for mixed drinks. I suspect there will be no shooter races this year! Off to one side in a grand ballroom area with marble dance floor, a jazz band did its best with standards, playing to an empty room, with the exception of three women, each sitting at a separate table, all gloomily eyeing the band while sipping a glass of cheap red wine.

I just enjoyed the buffet breakfast, which was pleasant though overpriced at $17.50 plus a 20% gratuity (automatically added, for my convenience).  Again a herd of wait staff gathered round, seemingly one for each table. English resort hotel style, we were each shown to our own specific table - no chance as in previous years to pick a big table and see who else shows up. This approach does not lend itself to the accidental discovery of great contacts; but then again, it does protect from the outlandishly boring.

One of the saving graces (for me) in previous years is that ski resort accommodations typically have a kitchen area; microwave, fridge etc. This means I can keep on hand food that I can prepare and eat when the catered food doesn't work for me. In this case though, the hotel doesn't have anything like that - not even ice machines! (I called reception: "Good evening. How may I assist the Lee party this evening?" "Can you tell me where the ice machines are?" Pause. "The Broadmoor does not have 'ice machines' sir. We can order a bucket of ice to be brought to your room by room service". Another lacky with their hand out? I don't think so. "No thanks".

I did order a room fridge, for an extra $10. At least now I can keep sodas and orange juice in my room.

Tonight they are making an effort with a pool-side Luau. Since this wasn't advertised in advance, I doubt there will be many in Hawaiian shirts. I, being gay, and having driven rather than flown here, will of course have an Hawaiian shirt. One has to pack for all eventualities!

Comments

[ricksf.livejournal.com]

A bazillion years ago, my employer at the time sent me to a conference at the Broadmoor, all expenses paid. While I couldn't quite get images of The Shining out of my head, the resort was as posh as you describe. Bed turndown service in the evening, foil chocolate treat on the pillow, a comfy robe (way too small for me) in the bath, I was in hog heaven. Oh yeah, I think we talked about something at the conference...

[billeyler.livejournal.com]

I bet after the sluggish start it'll all warm up in this new environment. It's interesting that every conference they have is at high-altitude!