Executive meetings & travel.

MIXING PLEASURE WITH BUSINESS

Business travel throughout the nation is struggling to recover from a decline over the last few years, but Colorado is well positioned to capitalize on a significant trend: the combination business/ leisure trip.

As the lines between our personal and professional lives blur, as more of us pack laptops and cell phones on our family vacations, we're also more likely to bring the kids along on a business trip or to extend a conference visit for a few days devoted to rest and recreation.

"About one third of the people who visit Denver for a convention or meeting will book a few extra days, either pre- or post-convention, for leisure," said Rich Grant, communications director for the Denver Metro Convention & Visitor Bureau. "I don't think you're going to find that in states that don't have as much to offer as Colorado."

Business visitors may spend a few extra days in Denver to sight-see, shop or take in a sporting event, or they may take off to explore Colorado's mountains.

"A lot of the hotels in our area actively solicit business from conference planners in Denver and Colorado Springs," said Jim Steinbech, vice president of conference sales for the Vail Valley Chamber & Tourism Bureau. "We work with them to offer pre- or post-convention activities and vacations to business people visiting those cities."

Of course, mountain resorts also are business destinations in their own right. Steinbech said the Vail Valley hosted more than 2,000 conferences and meetings last year.

"Forty-five to 52 percent of our visitors who come for a business meeting or conference will stay at least one additional day," Steinbech said. "In the summer, when the kids are off school, they're likely to make it a family vacation. Often they'll spend a few days here in the Vail Valley, then take off to visit other parts of the Rocky Mountains."

Individuals who extend their business trip stay an average 1.5 additional days, while those with families remain for an additional 1.5 to three days, Steinbech said. Surprisingly, only 5 percent of Colorado's business travelers ski during their visit.

Business travel in Colorado decreased for the second straight year in 2004, according to a study commissioned by the Colorado Tourism Office. But while business travel flounders, the number of combined business/pleasure trips increases.

"The trends point to the fact that business travel is decreasing," said Meredith Vaughan, vice president of account planning for PRACO, the state tourism office's public relations and advertising agency. "We see decreases...