We are all better off working together – this is true if we’re talking about our kids or our business or our community. The Vail Valley has made tremendous strides by cooperating & collaborating both as a business community and as a world-class resort destination. And frankly, it would be counterproductive and shortsighted to return to the parochial ways of the past.
We are not alone facing the regionalism vs. parochialism debate. Metropolitan Denver is currently struggling with the same exact regional vs. parochial issues (albeit on a much larger scale) related to a proposed Gaylord Resort property in Aurora. Downtown Denver supporters are scared it will drive business away, indicating, “regionalism & intergovernmental cooperation look great on a bumper sticker or in a speech, but actually we’re all territorial animals” (Denver city councilman Charlie Brown, quoted in the Denver Post on June 26). Aurora officials are ecstatic about the opportunity to add a destination resort property with 1,500 lodging rooms and 400,000 square feet of meeting space and potentially the National Western Stock Show Complex as well.
Stealing a line from Governor Hickenlooper, “Wouldn’t it be nice if regional collaboration becomes the new competition?”
What does this have to do with doing business in the Vail Valley?
Guests don’t see political boundaries. Many locals don’t see town boundaries either. We might live in Eagle and work in Vail. Or vice versa. So at some level we’re all in it together. And working together as one destination, as one regional business community, only makes sense.
Specifically, the Vail Valley is playing host to a huge youth sporting tournament later this month. The Show – Future Big Leaguer’s World Series will be happening from July 25-August 7 throughout the Vail Valley utilizing fields from Gypusm to EagleVail and utilizing lodging, restaurants, retail and activities throughout all our communities. I encourage all businesses to show your support for The Show by participating in the Vail Daily program guide and by welcoming participants to your business and to our community. Because at some point, the more integration we have between all the partners, the better the community we have. The Vail Daily program guide is the only way to promote your business to the 300+ teams (that’s 6,000+ participants and spectators) who will be spending two weeks in our valley.
The Partnership, as well as other merchant groups and chambers throughout the valley, will be sending information to our member businesses. On behalf of everyone involved in bringing The Show to the Vail Valley, we encourage all businesses to support this event.
Business community support, throughout the valley, is key to our continued growth as a destination and as a result, our community. Don’t sit out – get involved and join the Vail Valley Partnership as we attempt, in the spirit of regional collaboration with many other groups, to bring more and better groups and events to the valley.
As always, I encourage all member businesses to get engaged with the Partnership and to contact us with any suggestions you may have to help us better serve you. Call us at (970) 476-1000 or stop by our offices in Avon at Traer Creek Plaza to share your feedback.