Visit Colorado Springs Reflects on the Legacy of Tourism
CEO Doug Price receives “Spirit of the Springs” award
Colorado Springs, Colo. – March 22, 2023 – On Wednesday, March 22, Visit COS held its Annual Business Meeting with the theme “The Legacy of Tourism.” The luncheon took place in the stunning atrium of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum with Pikes Peak Region Attractions as the Presenting Sponsor.
The Annual Business Meeting provides Visit COS partners and community leaders with a recap of the previous year’s work. In addition to Visit COS President & CEO Doug Price, guest speakers included Visit COS Board President Pepper Dombrowski, Mayor John Suthers, First Lady Janet Suthers, Pikes Peak Region Attractions Executive Director PK McPherson and Paralympian Tyler (TC) Carter. Price was surprised at the event with a “Spirit of the Springs Award,” presented by Mayor John Suthers.
“I am pleased to present Doug Price with a Spirit of the Springs Celebration Award for his dedication and commitment to Colorado Springs,” said Mayor Suthers. “Doug’s visionary leadership has helped bolster a tourism ecosystem that ranks Colorado Springs as a top travel destination, and his steadfast support and advocacy for Olympic City USA and the successful City for Champions projects have helped create positive momentum for the city.”
Visit COS presented Mayor Suthers with a donation to the John Suthers Scholarship Fund through UCCS, which is available to junior and senior undergraduate students majoring in Criminal Justice enrolled in the School of Public Affairs. Information on the scholarship and how to donate can be found online.
Key highlights from the 2022 tourism recap included–
-Just shy of $10M, 2022 saw the highest annual collection of the LART tax since it was first established in 1980
-The final City for Champions project – the U.S. Air Force Academy Visitor Center – broke ground in July 2022
-The Colorado Springs Airport saw the highest enplanements in 22 years and lowest airfares in 25 years
-While 2022 was a strong recovery year for the industry, we are still working on full recovery for our meetings/events and international markets
-Three Visit COS staff members hit their 25-year anniversary milestones in 2022 – congratulations to Kathy Reak, VP of Sales; Doris McCraw, Information Specialist; and Cheryl McCullough, Senior Director Sports & Events
This year, Visit COS continues work to make the destination more inclusive and welcoming. The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and Accessibility Task Force will generate new ideas and pursue new partnerships dedicated to promoting accessible travel. 2023 also marks the 50th
anniversary of Pikes Peak Region Attractions.
Additional highlights that were discussed at the event can be reviewed in the 2022 Annual Report, available online. Event sponsors included: venue sponsor the U.S Olympic & Paralympic Museum, presenting sponsor Pikes Peak Region Attractions and other sponsors Adventures Out West, The Broadmoor, Cheyenne Mountain Resort, The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway, Colorado Springs Airport, Colorado Springs Sports Corporation, Ent Business Banking and SSA Group.
About Visit Colorado Springs
Visit Colorado Springs is the leading marketing organization for group and leisure travel and tourism to the Colorado Springs – Olympic City USA and the Pikes Peak Region. The organization is dedicated to a strong national and international presence so that tourism is a primary contributor to a thriving local economy. We create economic vitality through memorable visits to the wonders of Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region.
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