Photos: Great Chefs of the West Young Professionals Event

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These photos were taken by our event photographer, Tim Reese. Visit his website at www.sundancephoto.net. To view more photos of our Great Chefs of the West YP event, join our Facebook group.

Great Chefs of the West Young Professionals Event on January 22

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On January 22, the Great Chefs of the West Young Professionals held their first event of 2009 at One Lincoln Park, a new luxury high rise in Denver.

A big thank you to my committee members:
Donna Crafton
Anne Donley
Georgia Gallagher
Jill Hodges
Kasia Iwaniczko
Jenny Salimi
Lee Stiffler-Meyer
Lea Tucker


Special thanks to all of our sponsors and donors:
Georgia Gallagher, Kentwood City Properties: georgiagallagher.kentwoodrealestate.com
One Lincoln Park: www.onelincolnparkdenver.com
Below Nightclub, Bill Ward
Dining Out Magazine
Gourmet Fine Catering: www.gourmetfinecatering.com
Opus Restaurant: www.opusdine.com
42Below Vodka, Justin Frumkes: www.42below.com
Barefoot Wine, Cyndi Oman: www.barefootwine.com
DJ Dwight Houser
Tim Reese, photographer: www.sundancephoto.net
Betsy Martin and gift bag donors: FullBar, Mor Beverage, Chocolove

Young Professionals events throughout 2009 will help generate buzz amongst young professionals (aged 21-39) for the 27th Annual Great Chefs of the West event in 2010, which benefits the National Kidney Foundation of CO, MT & WY.

-Jim Guttau

How to Go Freelance

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Mobile Technology: Friend or Foe?

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By Tracy Aiello/Guttau PR

Much has been written about on-property marketing — the best use of the yard sign, making flyers memorable, and on and on. But brokers at Coldwell Banker Devonshire, Prestige Realty Group and RE/Max Professionals of Colorado have discovered that one simple tweak to their listing signs has brought serious buyers to the table. This successful marketing tool? A phone number.

But this number isn’t just the typical recording of a listing’s features. These Agents are adding a toll-free number to their signs that links them to a patented product that allows prospective buyers (or just browsers) to access information about a for-sale property by calling a toll-free number. Almost immediately, the buyer can view video, pictures and read information about the property – all on their mobile device instantly and all while interest is at its height. At that same time, the Agent receives a call capture of the potential buyer’s cell phone number and the property address that they are requesting information about.

The service is just one of many offered to brokers, all promising to support agents in this rapid-paced world. But do they? Text messaging services like zillow.com and redfin.com have only made the agent’s job harder. If a buyer can access information in seconds about a property, they expect the listing agent to answer their questions just as quickly. In fact, 35% of consumers answered “better response time” when asked what they could change about their traditional agent. Moreover, access to information has made potential customers fickle. The National Association of REALTORS® recently reported that 78% of potential buyers will work with the first agent that gets back to them.

So is technology a friend or foe in this down market? While it may seem like one more added pressure; one more inbox to check; phone services can actually streamline all marketing and sales efforts while also increasing competitiveness and cutting costs. Here’s how:

1. Streamlining services.
Research in Motion (RIM), along with the WAV Group, recently conducted a research report, entitled “Gaining an Edge in Real Estate with Smartphones.” The study, of 1600 real estate brokers, noted that nearly two-thirds of the survey respondents believe their Smartphone has helped them sell more real estate because they can keep up with more clients, easily access information on the go, or browse the web for valuable information such as MLS data or county information.

2. Increasing competitiveness:
Potential buyers are relying on the Internet first -- 80% of consumers start their home search online. But it is important to note that 100% of home buyers still leave their desks to look at individual homes or particular neighborhoods, and many are without a Realtor. According to the National Association of Realtors, 74% of potential buyers haven’t selected a Realtor when they begin house hunting in neighborhoods. Mobile search tools help real estate professionals stay top of mind even while a buyer is out house hunting.

Furthermore, 83% of buyers rely on email as their primary communication tool. If a broker captures that first email, they’ll most likely get the sale, as noted above. Up to half of all buyers, according to the California Association of REALTORS®, expect agents to respond to e-mail questions within 30 minutes.

In this market, with fewer looking for a home and even fewer qualified buyers, the early bird does get the worm – and the sale. Mobile services are paramount to quick response time.

3. Cutting costs:
While mobile devices and services to support mobile selling may seem expensive, the return can be well worth the investment. PropertyByPhone.com, in a recent survey of their Denver-based customers, found that standard marketing costs using the old system of brochure boxes and brochures, combined with the time and fuel it takes to update them, wracks up approximately $5250 per ten listings. Using their service, potential buyers access home information via text message, so brochures are unnecessary, reducing the marketing cost per ten listings to just $960, not even counting the time required to drive to each property. Coldwell Banker of Colorado anticipates that the service will save nearly 70 percent on marketing costs because it eliminates paper brochures, brochure boxes and the time it takes to keep them filled.

That’s not only a real cost savings, but can also be used to upgrade your image. A “green,” tech-savvy broker is far more attractive to today’s buyer, and PropertyByPhone.com estimates that agents can save 120 lbs. of paper per ten listings by using their service.

Todd Runyan, an Agent with Prestige Realty Group acquired a new listing simply because he was using the hottest technology. The experienced agent listed a property in a Denver neighborhood. “The next week, noted Runyan, “a neighbor called out of the blue and asked me to list their home.” The reason? He was using that "great new system that sends information to a cell phone."

And speaking of competition, according to market research firm ABI Research growth in mobile web devices such as Smartphones and cell phones will continue to grow, despite the lagging economy. The firm estimates that the availability of browsers on Smartphones will grow from 130 million presently to 530 million by 2013. Moreover, the biggest spenders on cellular services will come from one of four market segments, including real estate. (others include: construction; professional services, and transportation)

In other words, this trend isn’t going away.

CULTUREHAUS HOSTS “ART OF SCULPTURE”

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CultureHaus, a social and educational support group of the Denver Art Museum connecting the young at heart with art, will host the Art of Sculpture on Saturday, February 7, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at RedLine (2350 Arapahoe St., Denver).

“We’re excited to host this year’s Banner event, Art of Sculpture, at RedLine, an urban laboratory of contemporary art,” remarked CultureHaus Board Co-Chair Kasia Iwaniczko. “Attendees will step into a three-dimensional environment that features sculpture in its many forms.”

Each year, CultureHaus holds a “Banner” event, which is the organization’s signature party and fundraiser. The name of the Banner events is chosen by combining the phrase “Art of” with a noun. In 2008, CultureHaus held the “Art of Passion.”

Artist Theresa Ferg Brownback will be demonstrating the Italian style of portraiture using a live model. Guests can also partake in interactive sculpting sessions.

Denver chef extraordinaire, Daniel Young, will be orchestrating food sculptures for the event. “Chef D,” as many know him, is the personal chef for Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony and is being considered to fill the position as the White House Chef under president-elect Obama.

Attendees also will enjoy live and silent auctions, a DJ, an ice luge with specialty drinks, and a VIP lounge for new members.

Tickets for CultureHaus members are $35, and non-members are $45. To purchase tickets and RSVP, visit www.culturehaus.com.

About CultureHaus

CultureHaus, a social and educational extension of the Denver Art Museum, connects the young at heart with art. CultureHaus provides its members with a wide range of opportunities to learn about art and collecting. At exclusive events held nearly every month, members and guests can enjoy unique insights about art, private exhibition viewings, and the chance to meet other art enthusiasts. Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and others formed CultureHaus in 1997 to create awareness for the Denver Art Museum and the arts amongst the 25 to 40 year-old demographic. For more information, visit www.culturehaus.com.

Great Chefs of the West: Young Professionals Event

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Great Chefs of the West: Young Professionals Event

January 22, 2009

One Lincoln Park
100 E. 20th Ave., Denver
6:00 p.m.


The National Kidney Foundation of CO, MT & WY presents the 27th Annual Great Chefs of the West in 2010, which will feature Denver’s greatest culinary talents. Young Professionals (YP) events throughout 2009 will help generate buzz amongst young professionals (aged 21-39) for the Great Chefs event.

The YP event will showcase delectable hors d’oeuvres from Opus Restaurant and Johnson & Wales University. Guests will also enjoy libations by 42Below Vodka and Barefoot Wine. An after party will be held at B-low Nightclub (1422 Larimer Street).

RSVP to Tracey Nilson at tnilson@kidneycimw.org. For more information, visit www.kidneycimw.org/gcotw.

Young Professionals Committee:
Jim Guttau, chair
Donna Crafton
Anne Donley
Georgia Gallagher
Jill Hodges
Kasia Iwaniczko
Jenny Salimi
Lee Stiffler-Meyer
Lea Tucker

CultureHaus Presents "Art of Sculpture"

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Join CultureHaus for our premier Banner event of the year—the Art of Sculpture.

The scene is set with the backdrop of RedLine—an urban laboratory of contemporary art. Attendees will step into a three-dimensional environment that features sculpture in many forms—from traditional stone to food sculptures.

Artist Theresa Ferg Brownback will be demonstrating the Italian style of portraiture using a live model. Enjoy live entertainment, live and silent auctions, hors d’oeuvres,libations, and interactive sculpting sessions.

$45 for non-members | $35 for members
(cost includes all drinks, food & entertainment)

CultureHaus, a social and educational extension of the Denver Art Museum, connects the young at heart with art. CultureHaus provides its members with a wide range of opportunities to learn about art and collecting. At exclusive events held nearly every month, members and guests can enjoy unique insights about art, private exhibition viewings, and the chance to meet other art enthusiasts. Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and others formed CultureHaus in 1997 to create awareness for the Denver Art Museum and the arts amongst the 25 to 40 year-old demographic. For more information, visit www.culturehaus.com.

Aspen Gay Ski Week Celebrates 32 Years

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Media Contact: Jim Guttau: 720 530 9533

Annual Event to Attract Nearly 4,000 January 11-18

Aspen Gay Ski Week, the nation’s largest and oldest gay ski event, will celebrate its 32nd anniversary January 11-18, 2009.

“We have pulled out all the stops for this year’s gay ski week, themed ‘Fire & Ice,’ featuring après ski events, comedy night, and the popular downhill costume competition,” remarked Bryan Gonzales, co-producer of Aspen Gay Ski Week and Executive Director of Roaring Fork Gay and Lesbian Community Fund.

The week’s events also include a Prince cover band, “Purple Reign,” a SnowBall, and the infamous pool party on Saturday night. Comedy Night at the Wheeler Opera House showcases top comics Mark Alan Smith, Erin Foley, Scott Kennedy, and Paul Williams—the producer of the show and hilarious emcee of the downhill costume contest.

“Opening in November 2008, the new Limelight Lodge will be the host hotel for Aspen Gay Ski Week,” said Gonzales. “The 20 person hot tubs at the Limelight will be the perfect spot for après ski sightings.”

Event passes and lodging are still available. For the entire schedule and to purchase event passes, lodging, and ski lift tickets, visit www.gayskiweek.com.

Aspen Gay Ski Week is a fundraiser for Roaring Fork Gay & Lesbian Community Fund. This year, a portion of the proceeds from Gay Ski Week activities, pass sales, and lift ticket purchases will directly benefit the Western Colorado AIDS Project, as well as local schools.

Founded over a decade ago to provide services for the Roaring Fork Valley community, the Roaring Fork Gay and Lesbian Community Fund (RFGLCF) hosts parties, educational forums, and special events, such as Aspen Gay Ski Week. The efforts of this volunteer group of men and women have allowed RFGLCF to become a philanthropic gay and lesbian community. The organization has provided tens of thousands of dollars to schools and various charities of gay and lesbian interest and elevates Aspen’s reputation as a prominent gay and lesbian travel destination. For more information, visit www.gayskiweek.com.