Business to Business

Vail Valley Partnership annual meeting is Dec. 19

The Vail Valley Partnership will hold its annual meeting and December Business After Hours Mixer Dec. 19 in Vail.
The annual meeting kicks off at 4 p.m. at the Antlers at Vail. The mixer follows at the Vail Chophouse from 5 to 7 p.m. Sponsors include Coors and the Vail Daily. Hearty appetizers and complimentary drinks will be served.
For more information, call Cameron Lowe at 477-4001 or e-mail clowe@visitvailvalley.com.
Parking is free after 3 p.m. at the Lionshead Parking Structure. The event is open and free to all Vail Valley partnership partners.

Eagle Ranch Fitness Club names Michele Keane new manager

The Eagle Ranch Fitness Club in Eagle Ranch Village, announced recently it had hired Michele Keane as its first club manager. The club opened in August.
“We feel very fortunate to have someone of Michele’s caliber and experience. She brings a lot to the table including some awesome new ideas for the operation,” said Laurie Thompson, spokesperson for Wright & Company, developers of the club.
An 18-year Valley resident, Keane has been in the fitness industry for more 20 years. She holds certifications in personal training, group fitness instruction, spinning, massage, ski instruction and is currently working towards her Pilates and Nutrition Counseling Certificate.
In addition to her involvement within the fitness industry, Keane is an accomplished bike racer, whose accomplishments include a Master’s World Championship in 1999 and a first place women’s team finish in the 2005 Race Across America.

Finalists announced for the Vail Valley Success Awards

The Vail Valley Partnership recently announced finalists for its Vail Valley Success Awards (formerly the Success Connection Awards).
Winners, with the exception of the nonprofit of the year that will be announced on Dec. 18, will be named and honored on Jan. 25 at the Fifth Annual Gala at the Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch.

The awards recognize best business practices in the Vail Valley for 2007.A judging committee of executives from other Colorado chambers of commerce and local businesses, including representatives from the Partnership’s Advisory Council, determined the finalists. This same committee will also select the winners.

The finalists are:

Business of the Year: East West Partners, George Schaffer, The Back Bowl.

Small Business of the Year: Vail Mountain Coffee and Tea, Verbatim Booksellers, Integrity Mortgage.

Nonprofit of the Year: First Descents, Gore Range Natural Science School, Vail Valley Cares.

Entrepreneur of the Year: Phoebe Amidon, Joe Tomasic, Anita Denboske.

Green Business of the Year: Green Limousine, Antlers at Vail, Traer Creek LLC

Marketing campaign of the Year: Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival, Vail PM, Vail Recreation District

“We received an overwhelming amount of qualified nominations; the selection committee was charged with a difficult task to narrow the candidates down to the top finalists,” said Alison Hubbard, Vail Valley Partnership director of partnership. “Those chosen as finalists truly represent businesses who have made a positive impact on the Vail Valley — the business community and community at-large, raising the status quo on business excellence.”

Tickets to the gala are now available. For more information, call Cameron Lowe, 477-4001 or e-mail clowe@visitvailvalley.com.

Human Resources Plus to hold seminar on hiring paperwork

Human Resources Plus, a human resources outsourcing company in Eagle will host a pair of training sessions on federal- and state-required employment eligibility documentation. The sessions are Dec. 13 in Avon and Dec. 14 in Eagle.

“It is important that employers are aware of what is required of them by law,” said Rebecca Sobek, co-owner of Human Resources Plus. “As immigration continues to be a hot topic, businesses need to stay up to speed on these required federal and state forms and penalties associated with non-compliance.”

The seminars will begin promptly at 9 a.m. and run until 10:30 a.m. and space is limited. For reservations, go to www.hrplsuinc.com or call 328-2860. A portion of the proceeds will be contributed to local non-profit groups.

Lodge at Vail, Wildflower, have new food and beverage team

The Lodge at Vail, A RockResort, recently announced the appointment of Food and Beverage Department Director Michael McPhie and Executive Chef Rahm Fama.

McPhie has 30 years of restaurant industry experience. His past two positions included serving as food and beverage director at The Equinox Resort in Vermont, and La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa in New Mexico.

Fama, who has 11 years of fine dining experience, joins the lodge from The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera, where he was executive chef overseeing two restaurants, including Mirador. Prior to that, Fama spent more than four years as executive chef of La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa.

“We are thrilled to welcome these two culinary talents to our food and beverage leadership team,” said Stan Engeldorf, general manager of The Lodge at Vail. “Their combined vision, talent and expertise will enhance the gastronomic experience for our guests.”

The Wildflower restaurant at the Lodge at Vail is the only restaurant in the Vail Valley that has earned both the AAA Four Diamond Award and Wine Spectator’s “Best of Award of Excellence.