 Colorado Springs was founded in 1871 at the foot of Pike's Peak. Colorado was considered a health center with its high mountains and mineral springs. This convinced General William J. Palmer to establish at Colorado Springs the first genuine resort community west of Chicago. In the Gold Rush era of the 1890's, the population swelled with fortune seekers that were disappointed and weary to travel back to their Eastern homes. Colorado Springs with majestic beauty and sunny climate has a population of 281,000. Of the 8 million annual visitors, many visit Pike's Peak, the Garden of the Gods, the Cave of the Winds, and the US Air Force Academy. Many more attractions await you including dude ranches, rafting trips, the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of The American Cowboy. For the sports enthusiasts, you can hike, golf, cycle, paddle, fish, camp and hunt in the Pikes Peak region. Colorado Springs has one of the most extensive and scenic municipal and regional park systems in the nation with over 8,000 acres of park area. Golfing enthusiasts will marvel at the extra distance their balls will travel in the mountain-high air. The Sheraton Colorado Springs Hotel is located 7 miles from the Colorado Airport and provides a complimentary van service to the airport. The Hotel offers a perfect blend of elegance and comfort, in a central location with equally easy access to the mountains, area attractions, shopping, dining, amenities and more. The Cafe Terra Cotta offers regional cuisine as well as Fast Greens luncheon buffet-including fresh pasta made to order. A food court is also offers a variety of foods. Rickenbacker's is an aviation-theme bar offering something for everyone including live entertainment, monthly events, light fare and drink specials on a regular basis. The Sheraton Colorado Springs recreation facilities include: whirlpools, indoor and outdoor pools, health club, lighted tennis courts, billiards and putting green. The Program Committee as put together an excellent array of seminars and training programs. Two all day training before the conference begins include: 8-hour "HAZMAT" course "Y2K. Y 2 Care?" "When Researchers Leave" "Stable Isotopes Biochemical Research" "Supply Chain Management" "Your Golden Keys of Success" "Small Institution Budget Management" "Fire Safety in the Laboratory" and more For people interested in fine cuisine and/or night-life, there are many restaurant and Brewpubs. Colorado Cuisine like elk, venison, pheasant, quail, caribou, antelope, buffalo and other wild game, can be found. Also Moroccan food, Italian cuisine, barbecue, western steaks and seafood are available. Of the thirteen Brewpubs, many have exceptional rating on their brews and several provide entertainment. For the race car fans, the Busch Grand National Series will be at Pikes Peak International Raceway on July 23-24. You won't want to miss this years conference that promises to be educational and fun. Finally, let us not forget that it is election time again for NAOSMM. So be there to elect and support the new leaders that will guide our organization for the next two year. |