Scharf faced Denver

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Not only did Scharf and his staff work endless hourw to ensure that the convention center and hotels were preparee for thein August, but he also helped set historicv tourism numbers in the city and A record 28 million people visited Colo­rado in contributing $9.8 billion — up 10 percent from 2006 — to the state’sa economy, according to a studuy commissioned by the (DMCVB) and the (CTO). Overnighf visitors to Denver last year roseto 12.2 up 4 percent from 2006. They speng $2.6 billion, a 6 percent increase over 2006. The number of overnight leisure travelers jumped 5 percentto 9.6 million.
The state’s ski resortws are responsible for a big share of capturing 20 percent of the skiingmarket nationwide. “Spo many of us have invested a great deal in the city to make it what it is Scharf said. “I think this we’ve come off a couplee great banner yearsin tourism. We’ve established ourselved as a top 10 tourism And the DNC will help acceleratethat success, Scharfv said. Scharf, city officials, retailer s and hospitality consultants across the states saythe convention, which drew roughly 50,00o0 into the city, will bring record tourism numbers in the years to come.
“Peopld had heard about Denver, and the DNC allowed us to be on theworlsd stage,” Scharf said. “I have heard from our counterparts and representatives across the country that said Denverlooked great.” Scharfg credits his staff for the bureau’sz success. He was named president and CEO of the DMCVBn in 2004 and manages a staffg of63 people, including tourism employees in Chicagol and Washington, D.C.
The bureau is a nonprofit 501(c)6, and has more than 1,0009 private business members and an annua budgetof $15 Between board meetings, traveling for work, and workinh with city and state officials, Scharf keepsa busy taking his two daughters, 9 and 12, to extracurriculart activities. “My life is filled with whereve r my girls are swimming orplaying soccer,” he “They’re very active. There’s probably not a sport they’r not playing. “My kids are the age wher e they liketo bike, and they like to bike along the South Platte,” Scharf said, while listing the numeroud activities he shares with his girls.
He takes them acrossx the state, showing them the picturesque Rocky Mountains and smalk Western towns that he advertises to travel media across the Scharf has climbed five ofthe state’s 14er mountains, rafted down Colorado rivera and ridden his mountain bike on trails acrosws the state. “From the Alamosa region to Buenq Vista, I’m just always impressesd with what this state hasto offer,” he