HSMAI Southern Colorado

What a fantastic afternoon at State of the Springs 2026!

We were proud to bring together so many leaders from across the Colorado Springs hospitality community for an engaging and insightful program focused on where we’ve been - and where we’re headed.

A sincere thank you to our speakers for sharing their expertise and perspective:
• Doug Price – for his insights on tourism growth and the continued momentum of Colorado Springs as a premier destination
• Joe Hollmann – for reflecting on the 10-year impact of Olympic City USA and what it means for our city
• Matthew Schniper – for highlighting the evolution of our local culinary scene

We are especially grateful to Doug Price for his years of leadership and dedication to our industry. His impact on this community is truly lasting, and he will be greatly missed.

Thank you to our sponsors for helping make this event possible:
• The Mining Exchange – for hosting us and providing exceptional hospitality and food
• Event Rents – for the linens that helped create such a polished and welcoming atmosphere

A special thank you to Eric Sprinkle with Adventure Experience for capturing the energy and moments of the day so beautifully through his photography.

And thank you to everyone who joined us - we’re lucky to be part of such a strong, connected, and forward-thinking hospitality community.

We look forward to seeing you at our next event!

✨ A little throwback for a lot of amazing leadership ✨

Before they were shaping the future of hospitality… they were rocking pigtails, overalls, and some seriously adorable smiles.

Introducing the 2026 HSMAI SOCO Board, but this time we're throwing it back!

Can you guess who’s who?

If “networking” looked like this every time… we’d never miss a meeting!

Thanks to RYZE Skyline Lounge for hosting our first HSMAI Happy Hour of the year in Colorado Springs! 🥂✨

Keep an eye out for the next one!

Who are we?

We’re a community of hospitality sales, marketing, and revenue professionals across Southern Colorado who believe in growing stronger... together.

At HSMAI SOCO, we create space for meaningful connections, relevant education, and real conversations about what’s next in our industry. From boutique properties to global brands, our members are shaping the future of hospitality right here at home.

Curious about getting involved? Send us a message! We’d love to connect.

Click here to learn more & join: https://www.socohsmai.org/membership

MIC of Colorado is coming up March 12–13, 2026 at the Colorado Convention Center - and it’s one of the premier gatherings for hospitality professionals across the state.

If you’re an HSMAI member, be sure to select “HSMAI” on your MIC registration. This helps represent our chapter and shows the strength of our local network.

We’re proud to be part of Colorado’s vibrant hospitality community and can’t wait to see so many familiar faces there. Let us know if you’ll be attending!

Meet Erin Smith, Vice President of Sales at AutoCamp - and a true Colorado hospitality success story 🙌🏔️

Erin’s journey started in high school cleaning hotel rooms and grew into an incredible career in sales leadership right here in Colorado Springs. From her first role as a SMERF Sales Manager at the Quality Inn near Garden of the Gods & I-25 to leading at the executive level, she’s built her career from the ground up!

Her best career advice?
✨ “Be interested, not interesting.”

As a sales professional and leader, Erin believes that truly listening - not just responding - is the key to understanding clients and teams. That mindset is what makes great hospitality leaders 🌿

When she’s not leading in the industry, you’ll find her outdoors. A Colorado girl through and through, Erin loves hiking, camping, and exploring spots like Pueblo Reservoir and Mueller State Park 🥾⛺🌲

We’re proud to spotlight leaders like Erin who represent the heart of hospitality in Southern Colorado 💜

Drop a 👋 in the comments to say hello or share your favorite Colorado adventure spot!

✨ Meet Your 2026 HSMAI Southern Colorado Board ✨

This year’s board is bringing the heart of Southern Colorado with them - from favorite local spots and iconic views to must-do experiences around Colorado Springs. We asked each member a few fun "This or That" questions to share a little personality and their love for our community.

Whether it’s Garden of the Gods vs. the Manitou Incline, brunch patios vs. cozy bakeries, or hot springs vs. mountain adventures, these leaders know what makes Southern Colorado such an incredible place to connect.

Take a scroll, get to know the faces behind HSMAI SoCo, and tell us in the comments:

Which picks would you choose?

We’re excited for everything this group has in store for 2026!

It’s time to kick off the year with our first HHH 🎉
(HSMAI Happy Hour, that is!)

❄️ Sip, socialize, and soak up the views ❄️

Join HSMAI Southern Colorado for a cozy, wintery happy hour at RYZE Skyline Lounge, perched atop the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Colorado Springs 🍸

📍 125 N Cascade Ave
📅 Thursday, February 26
⏰ 4:30PM

TIP: Wear your favorite winter hat and enjoy a FREE drink! ❄️🥂

Cool temps. Warm connections. Skyline sips. 🥂
We can’t wait to see you there!