Exhibitor guide · Aurora, Colorado
Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center: the exhibitor's guide
Colorado's largest hotel at 1,500 rooms, a $530 million property that was the biggest hotel under construction in the country when it was built, and more than 485,000 square feet of meeting space minutes from Denver International. What exhibitors need to know at Gaylord Rockies.
Gaylord Rockies · 6700 N Gaylord Rockies BlvdWhy this page exists
Gaylord Rockies wrapped construction in December 2018 as an $530 million, 85-acre development, at the time the largest hotel under construction anywhere in the United States, and it remains Colorado's largest hotel at 1,500 rooms. Sitting minutes from Denver International Airport, it's built for exactly the kind of large-scale conference that needs everything, sleeping rooms, ballrooms and exhibit space, under one roof without a shuttle. This guide covers the meeting space, what changes when your booth goes on hotel carpet, Colorado's labor rules, drayage, and getting to the resort.
The building
The meeting space
| Space | What it is | Typical shows | Booth planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meeting and convention space | 485,000+ sq ft, with published figures up to 500,000+ sq ft including outdoor and pre-function space. | Association conferences, large corporate meetings | Confirm exact hall assignment; the property is large enough that dock distance varies. |
| Atrium | A glass-roofed central atrium in the Gaylord tradition. | Registration, receptions | Confirm rigging points for atrium-level activations. |
Figures from Ryman Hospitality Properties' published overview for Gaylord Rockies.
Free tool
What changes when your booth goes on hotel carpet?
Every show at Gaylord Rockies runs on carpet, not a concrete exhibit floor. That changes a few things about how your booth gets built.
History
A $530 million bet near the airport
Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center is completed on an 85-acre site near Denver International Airport, an $530 million project that was, at the time, the largest hotel under construction anywhere in the United States.
The property becomes Colorado's largest hotel at 1,500 rooms, part of a broader 1.9 million square foot development including retail and commercial space.
The labor map
Who sets up my booth?
Colorado's Labor Peace Act framework applies; confirm hand-carry and self-install allowances with the show's official decorator.
No right-to-work law; confirm with the decorator
Rules vary by show; Purple confirms current terms before your build.
Exhibitor-appointed contractors
Purple files as your EAC for Gaylord Rockies shows.
Free tool
Gaylord Rockies drayage estimator
Planning numbers for 2026 and 2027; your show's exhibitor kit has the tariff.
Logistics
Hotels, transit, crew logistics
- Airport: Denver International is about 10 minutes, closer than any other major venue in this guide.
- On-site: 1,500 rooms are part of the resort itself.
- By car: Peña Boulevard reaches the property directly from the airport.
- Crew: Purple coordinates Mountain West crews for Aurora-area installs.
| Hotel | Distance | Why exhibitors pick it |
|---|---|---|
| Gaylord Rockies resort rooms | On-site | 1,500 rooms on the property itself. |
| Airport-area hotels | 10–15-min drive | Additional price points near DEN. |
Questions
Gaylord Rockies FAQ
Is this a carpet or concrete floor?
Carpet. Every show here runs on the resort's ballroom and meeting-room carpet, which changes drayage, rigging and floor protection.
How close is the airport?
About 10 minutes, the closest major venue to Denver International in this guide.
How big is the resort?
1,500 rooms, Colorado's largest hotel, with more than 485,000 square feet of meeting and convention space.
How much is drayage?
Purple's planning estimate is about $155 per hundredweight in 2026 and 2027, with a 200-pound minimum.
How many rooms does Gaylord Rockies have?
1,500 rooms, Colorado's largest hotel.
How much did it cost to build?
About $530 million, completed in December 2018 on an 85-acre site.
Exhibiting at Gaylord Rockies?
Send us the show and booth number. You get a carpet-conversion checklist, a drayage estimate, and a build timeline within two business days.
Venue guides
Every venue we have a guide for
Same standard, every hall: the building, the rules, the tools and the calendar.