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https://www.ucda.com/2021-ucda-design-conference-know-before-you-go/

2021 UCDA Design Conference: Know Before You Go

Thank you for registering for the 51st annual UCDA Design Conference. As we descend on Denver, Colorado, we hope this information enhances your conference experience and your time in the great northwest.

Connect with others who are attending via the UCDA Events app (see below).

Welcome to Denver where 300 days of sunshine, a thriving cultural scene, diverse neighborhoods and natural beauty combine for the world’s most spectacular playground.

The conference will be held at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel. Situated in the heart of the city, the hotel gives you easy access to the best of the city. Ideally located on the popular 16th Street Mall, a mile-long pedestrian promenade brimming with shopping, dining, nightlife, and entertainment, the hotel places downtown Denver at your fingertips. The health and safety of their guests is their top priority.

The conference will take place in the I.M. Pei designed building (one of two towers housing the hotel). It was constructed as the Denver Hilton Hotel in 1960 as part of the Courthouse Square urban renewal project by I.M. Pei & Associates, and is generally regarded as a modernist masterpiece. Pei’s design has a strong repetitive design of concrete panels with a more decorative arrangement on the lower floors. The proportion of the panels mirrors that of the building, being tall and narrow.

INSIDER TIP: PLAN YOUR VISIT AT
www.denver.org/UCDA

 

DENVER AVERAGE TEMPERATURES
Average September high temperature: 82° F
Average September low temperature: 50° F

Average October high temperature: 68° F
Average October low temperature: 37° F

You can expect it to rain 3 days in October on average. To ensure you’re comfortable both inside and out, dress in layers.

INIDER TIP: MEETING ROOMS CAN SOMETIMES CHILLY, SO DRESS IN LAYERS OR BRING A LIGHT SWEATER.

 

GETTING TO DENVER
Denver International Airport (DEN) is is located 26 miles northeast of downtown Denver and is connected to downtown Denver via the Airport Rail.

Denver Union Station (Amtrak) is located 1 mile northwest of the conference hotel. Amtrak’s California Zephyr line runs through the heart of Denver with a stop at Denver Union Station. Other stops on this line include Chicago, Omaha, Salt Lake City, and Oakland.

AIRPORT RAIL
At a cost of only $10.50 each way (as of June 11), you can now take the airport rail (known as the A Line) between the airport and Denver Union Station. The 23-mile ride takes approximately 37 minutes and serves eight total stations.

16TH STREET MALL
The 16th Street Mall is located in the heart of downtown Denver. It is over 1.25 miles long and has free shuttle rides going end to end, giving you easy access to more than 250+ stores and restaurants lining the street.

The Denver Union Station is located at the north end of the 16th Street Mall, and the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel is located near the south end. It's an easy one mile (25-minute walk) or you can hop on the free shuttle between the two.

TAXI AND RIDE-SHARING
Taxi and ride-sharing services are available from the airport and throughout Denver. Approximate taxi fare from airport to hotel is $60 USD. The hotel does not offer shuttle service.

GETTING AROUND
If you are looking for something specific or want to explore while you are here in Denver, check out these maps available on Visit Denver website: https://www.denver.org/about-denver/transportation/maps/

INSIDER TIP: GETTING TO THE HOTEL
By plane/from the airport: Take the A Line downtown to Union Station, then jump on the free 16th Street Mall shuttle to the hotel (or easy 1-mile walk). Total cost: $10.50 versus $60 for a cab.

By train/from Union Station: Jump on the free 16th Street Mall shuttle to the hotel (or easy 1-mile walk). Total cost: Not a penny!

Use the savings to grab a drink at the Yard House—the bar/restaurant at the hotel. The beer menu at Yard House features a variety of new craft, local, seasonal, and imported beers on draft and by the bottle and they have an amazing scratch kitchen.

 

GET YOUR DIGITAL COMPANION FOR THE UCDA DESIGN CONFERENCE
Download the official UCDA Events app for iPhone or Android by visiting www.ucda.com/app.

FEATURES
Schedule—Complete program at your fingertips with links to relevant information about sessions, speakers, and evaluations.

Attendees—Connect and chat with other attendees by using “shake” technology.

Sponsors—Learn more about and connect with our event sponsors.

Evaluations—Easy-to-use online evaluations for each session and overall event.

Floor Plans—Digital maps to help you locate where you need to be.

City Guide—Everything you need to know about Portland from exploring the city to enjoying a great meal.

Meet Ups—Post location and time to all attendees for informal get togethers.

INSIDER TIP: DOWNLOAD THE APP NOW SO IT’S INSTALLED AND READY WHEN YOU WANT IT!

 

Let your friends, colleagues, and family know you are going! Share your experiences and photos before and during the event.

Here are a couple images to help you get started (download [control-click and save image] and share!):

 


UCDA is always focused on ensuring a safe and productive conference. The CDC guidelines encourage event organizers like UCDA to follow state and local regulations on gatherings (updates on Covid-19 restrictions in all 50 states can be found here). UCDA will continually monitor the outbreak and make adjustments to the conference plan as needed. That may include additional safety and cleaning measures, social distancing, and/or the wearing of facial coverings.

UCDA will work to implement this guidance, adjusting to meet the unique needs and circumstances of the local community. See COVID-19 Code of Conduct.

CDC Travel Guidance
https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus

COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS
Going to an in-person event can sound scary... We get it! After all we’ve been through, it’s normal to experience some anxiety and concerns. However, no virtual event can give you quite the same experience as being on site! That’s why we’ve been working really hard to return to in-person events safely.

No matter your vaccination status, we ask that you adhere to the guidelines below.

THANK YOU
The safety of everyone is a priority. We thank you for helping us achieve this goal and doing your part.

 

CONFERENCE LOCATION
The conference will be held at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel. Situated in the heart of the city, the hotel gives you easy access to the best of the city.

Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel
1550 Court Place
Denver, Colorado 80202

REGISTRATION
Saturday, October 2, 1 p.m.
Be sure to pick up your name tag and conference registration materials at the registration desk located in the South Convention Lobby on the 2nd Floor of the I. M. Pei Tower. If you are registered for the pre-conference workshops, registration will be open between 8-9 a.m.

Name tags must be worn at all UCDA events.

INSIDER TIP: AVOID THE RUSH—AND LINES—AND PICK UP YOUR NAME TAG EARLY.

UCDA FOUNDATION AUCTION OPENING
Saturday, October 2, 1 p.m.
Each year we ask our members, speakers, sponsors, and anyone in our profession to submit items to be auctioned off at the annual conference. Proceeds from the UCDA Foundation Auction at the UCDA Design Conference will directly benefit UCDA.

Objects made by our members including photographs, paintings, drawings, prints, posters, jewelry, ceramics, weavings, cards, books, etc., are especially well-received by conference attendees. Also, quirky and unusual items such as pop-up books, collectibles, and objects d'art do extremely well in the silent auction. And, donated items from the conference city will forever remind the winning bidder of the wonderful time they had while attending the UCDA Design Conference.

Bring an item or two to donate for the silent auction: drop items off at the registration desk.

Again this year, the auction is opening early so you will have more time to check out and bid on the array of items. ZZVisit the auction ste at tinyurl.com/2021UCDAauction

INSIDER TIP: STOP BY THE AUCTION’S CLOSING RECEPTION ON MONDAY TO ENSURE YOU DON’T GET OUTBID!

WE'RE BACK! OPENING DINNER MIXER
Saturday, October 2, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Stop by after you check-in to mix and mingle with other conference goers. Partake in refreshments (first drink is on us), food, and meet old friends and new contacts with our Networking Game (for a chance to win a free UCDA Design Conference registration for 2022).

Also, don’t forget those at home—send a postcard to loved ones, friends, or co-workers. The postage is on us!

CITY WALK, COFFEE TALK, OR INSTAMEET

Sunday, October 3, 7-7:45 a.m.

Why not enjoy an early start with a walk around downtown Denver? Join UCDA leaders, colleagues, and friends for an invigorating beginning to your day. 

More interested in coffee at 7 a.m.? Come join colleagues, friends, and UCDA leaders for some down-to-earth coffee talk.

Are you an Instagrammer? Bring your camera for a stroll through Denver as you discover and share your photographs through Instagram. Tag your pics with #UCDA2021.

PUBLICATIONS SWAP SHOP
Sunday, October 3, 4:45-5:45 p.m.
Share your work and pick up some samples for inspiration in this limited-time event. Doors will open for one hour, and once the samples are gone, they’re gone! Bring or send ahead approximately 30-50 samples (or as many as you can spare). If sending, please ship them to yourself at the hotel and drop off at the UCDA Registration Desk.

The Swap Shop is a run and get ’em sample exchange. The doors open, and it’s a free-for-all. Sort of like a bride’s bargain basement sale, only with publications instead of dresses, designers instead of brides, and the publications are free.

Those bringing or sending materials for the swap will receive a “priority pass” to be at the head of the line!

Send them to:
Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel
Attn: Your Name (hotel guest)
1550 Court Place
Denver, Colorado 80202

INSIDER TIP: BRING MATERIALS FOR THE SWAP TO RECEIVE A “PRIORITY PASS.” 

UCDA RESOURCE CENTER
The UCDA Resource Center includes an exhibition by various companies. Visit with company representatives, get answers to your most pressing questions, and see the latest techniques, products, and services.

Special thanks to all our sponsors, exhibitors, and partners!

INSIDER TIP: LEAVE EXTRA ROOM IN YOUR LUGGAGE OR BRING A SHIPPING LABEL FOR ALL OF THE GOODIES YOU’LL PICK UP AT THE RESOURCE CENTER (AS WELL AS THE SWAPSHOP). 

MARTY GREGG (with help from his office)
ArtHouse Design, Denver, CO
UCDA honorary member

Great Brew Pubs

  • Station 26
  • Cerebral
  • Tivoli (on the Auraria Campus)

My favorite bar downtown

  • The Cruise Room (Oxford Hotel - an original Art Deco Experience)

Great Food ($)

  • Torchy’s Tacos
  • Grandpa’s burger haven (out of the way but great)
  • Phonatic (Asian)
  • Shish Kabob Grill (greatest hummus on the planet)
  • El Noa Noa

Great Food ($$-$$$)

  • ChoLon (fusion Asian fantastic)—get the soup dumplings
  • Uchi (fusion Asian fantastic)—get anything
  • Cherry Creek Grill
  • True Food - healthy
  • Plymouth - Super farm to table
  • Bistro Vendome (lovely French)
  • Senior Bear
  • EL5 - (great views and food)
  • Super Mega Bien

RICHARD JIVIDEN (formerly from Denver)
Ten2design, Simpsonville, SC
UCDA emeritus member

A few things to do in downtown Denver

  • Meow Wolf Denver | Convergence Station
    1338 1st St
    Denver, CO 80204
    720-792-1200
  • Nightly Spirits
    Ghost Tours, Food Tours and Pub Tours
    https://nightlyspirits.com/denver-ghost-tours
  • Urban Putt (indoor mini golf)
    1201 18th Street
    Denver, CO 80202
    720-360-3020

MUSEUMS (within walking distance)

  • American Museum of Western Art­—The Anschutz Collection
    1727 Tremont Pl
    Denver, CO 80202
    303-293-2000
  • Clyfford Still Museum
    1250 Bannock St
    Denver, CO 80204
    720-354-4880
  • Denver Art Museum
    100 W 14th Ave. Pkwy.
    Denver, CO 80204
    720-865-5000
  • History Colorado Center
    1200 N Broadway
    Denver, CO 80203
    303-447-8679
  • Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art
    1201 Bannock St
    Denver, CO 80204
    303-832-8576
  • Molly Brown House Museum
    1340 Pennsylvania St
    Denver, CO 80203
    303-832-4092
  • Museum of Contemporary Art
    1485 Delgany St
    Denver, CO 80202
    303-298-7554

RESTAURANTS

  • Ace Eat Serve
    501 East 17th Ave
    Denver, CO 80203
  • ChoLon Modern Asian
    1555 Blake Street Suite 101
    Denver, CO 80202
  • The Corner Office Restaurant and Martini Bar Denver
    1401 Curtis Street
    Denver, CO 80202
  • Duo Restaurant
    2413 W. 32nd Ave.
    Denver, CO 80211
    303-477-4141
  • El Five
    2930 Umatilla St., Ste. 500
    Denver, CO 80211
    303-524-9193
  • El Taco De Mexico (authentic, dive)
    714 Santa Fe Dr
    Denver, CO 80204
    303-623-3926
  • Guard and Grace
    1801 California St.
    Denver, CO 80202
    303-293-8500
  • La Loma
    1801 Broadway Unit 116
    Denver, CO 80202
    303-433-8300
  • Las Delicias Uptown (neighborhood)
    439 E 19th Ave
    Denver, CO 80203
    303-839-5675
  • Lola Coastal Mexican
    1575 Boulder St.
    Denver, CO 80211
  • Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant
    1525 Blake St
    Denver, CO 80202
    303-623-5432
  • Tomayo
    1400 Larimer St
    Denver, CO 80202
    720-946-1433

SUE SAMUELSON
Community College of Denver, Denver, CO
UCDA member since 1999

DOWNTOWN (*reservations recommended)

  • Denver Milk Market: Hip Food Hall with 10+ vendors, plus shops/art
  • Union Station: The central train station in Denver was reimagined a few years back, while still the transportation hub of Denver, it also houses some really unique spaces and restaurants.
    • Central Terminal Bar
    • *Next Door American Eatery – Farm to table comfort food
    • *Stoic & Genuine – If you’re in the mood for seafood
    • Snooze: Breakfast & Lunch
  • Larimer Street: Shops and restaurants along a one block section of turn of the century Larimer Street
    • *Rioja – menu inspired by Mediterranean ingredients influenced by local/seasonal products.
    • *Tamayo – Modern Mexican, Rooftop bar
    • *Bistro Vendome – Classic French, since 2003
    • *Osteria Marco – Handcrafted pizzas, cured meats & cheeses, plus other Italian plates in a cozy basement setting.
    • Rhein Haus Denver – one block west of Larimer: Large casual German Bier Hall with Bocce, Bratwurst and Burgers.
  • Lunch Options 
    • Modern Market – Quick meal with tasty bowls, salads, sandwiches, pizzas.
    • Sam’s #3 Downtown – classic greasy spoon diner since the 1920’s. Breakfast and Lunch. Known for their pork green chili (aka Chile)
    • Snarf’s Sandwiches – local chain with really great sandwiches
  • Breweries: Denver is known for our micro breweries!

LONG-ISH WALK FROM HOTEL (20+ MINUTES) OR UBER (*reservations recommended)

  • Lower Highlands (LoHi)
    Just across the highway has many great dining options.
    • Avanti Food & Beverage: Hip food hall with 7+ vendors
    • *The Bindery
    • *Linger & Linger Rooftop Patio
    • *Root Down
    • *Mizu Izakaya
    • Prost Brewing Co. – limited food, but dang good beer.
    • My Brother’s Bar – in the oldest bar in Denver, My Brother’s Bar has been a Denver tradition since 1970 – nothing fancy, but greasy burgers and onion rings to die for – try the Johnny Burger.
    • Little Man Ice Cream- fantastic walk up ice cream shop in a 28’ tall old fashioned cream can.

REQUIRES UBER (*reservations recommended)

  • Tennyson Street: between 38th-44th in North West Denver, dozens of restaurants, locally owned shops and breweries, even a cat café if you’re missing fluffy.
    • Vital Root – plant based menu
    • *El Chingon Mexican – in a cute tiny Victorian house
    • Parisi Pizzeria – try the pizza salad.
    • DeSteeg Brewing (in the alley) – like having a brewery in your best friend’s rec room.
    • Post Oak Barbecue  Texas Style wood-fired BBQ
    • Hops & Pie (pizza)

OTHER

  • Westword’s Best of Denver
  • 5280 Magazine Top of the Town
  • MeowWolf  Denver Convergence Station. This 4-story exhibition is home to 70+ unique installations, rooms, and portals. Together, they tell an unforgettable, cathartic tale of converged worlds. Opens in September, so tickets might be hard to come by.
  • Museum of Contemporary Art Denver – small but fun contemporary art museum downtown
  • Denver Art Museum
  • History Colorado Center
  • Confluence Park and REI

JACQUE WILSON
Metropolitan State University of Denver, Denver, CO

LOCAL INFO

NEIGHBORHOODS OF INTEREST:

  • LoDo – Lower Downtown. Great restaurants, cute boutique shops, buses and light rail trains.
  • RINO (River North Art District) – currently the hippest area of downtown. Longer walk from your hotel, but lots of pedicabs as well. Lots of art galleries and this is the painted mural part of town. Several bars, hip restaurants, bars on rooftops with views of mountains, breweries.
  • Denver Highlands neighborhood – a nice area but not walking distance; across the freeway. Shops and restaurants.
  • Larimer Square – the historic square in Denver with a few shops, some very good restaurants, and the Comedy Club. Walking distance from your hotel.
  • Golden Triangle – a neighborhood near the Denver art museum with some galleries, the Colorado History Museum and some clubs. Not a great neighborhood to walk around at the moment—it’s gone a bit downhill since COVID. There is one large club there called The Church in an old Church but I’m not really sure what it is like to visit anymore.
  • SoBo (or SoBro) is the length of South Broadway downtown and has a lot of bars and restaurants—more on the funky side than the tourist side—including funky shops.
  • Ballpark Neighborhood – near the Rockies Stadium. A ton of sports bars and restaurants.
  • Dairy Block – a sort of Food Hall with interesting art in the ally. Wine bars and restaurants.
  • Uptown – upper downtown with restaurants but not walking distance from 16th street area

Semi-original Colorado restaurants (most not seen outside of Denver)

  • Jax fish and oyster house in LoDo—here Jack Kerouac used to hang. Small but lively. (Interesting note—The Red House next door, not open to public, is actually a wealthy patron’s home that holds one of the largest private collectons of pre-Colombian art and a sculpture garden on the roof)
  • Urban Farmer Denver – Sustainability farm to table
  • Cruise Room- next door to Urban Farmer/Union Station (walking) with a wonderful history. Bar is designed like a bar on the Queen Mary. Been around for ages. Oxford Hoel attached also has a great haunted history. Great place for after hours drinks.
  • Buckhorn Exchange – cab ride from hotel and in an odd place with mostly homes—Denver’s first liquor license and sells every kind of game, meat, fowl, alligator, rattlesnake, etc. Near the MSU Denver campus.
  • The Cherry Cricket – cab ride—in Cherry Creek. Best burgers in town. Also one in downtown now, I think.
  • The Wynkoop – across from Union Station. One of Denver’s first breweries. Very large. Pool tables upstairs. (They used to rent to large groups upstairs—not sure about now)

Large restaurants for groups downtown:

  • Maggianos in Pavilions—near hotel
  • Guard and Grace 18th and California
  • Yard House next to hotel
  • Wynkoop Brewery in LoDo
  • Rhein Hause Denver – https://www.rheinhausdenver.com/ not great food but a cool Bocce Ball court and can take big groups. Not far from your hotel by free bus.

Large restaurants for groups (but in Highlands)

  • Avanti F & B is cool but across the freeway. Great views of downtown and outdoor seating. Different restaurant have food in containers tied together with an eating area.
  • Next door to Avanti is Little Man ice cream in a giant milk can. Outside only
  • Next to that is ‘lingers, a restaurant in an old mortuary. Unique food, great rooftop bar with views.
  • Prost is a German craft brewery
  • Williams and Graham is a funky speakeasy that looks like a tiny book store. Fun.

Things to see: