Unique Venues got its start in a tiny back room at 930 Jackson Street in Denver, Colorado. A graduate of the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and sales manager for Westin Hotels, Michele Nichols began consulting with colleges and universities about how to market their facilities to off-campus groups. While these venues could offer some of the same amenities and services as a hotel, they had no exposure to meeting and event planners. She published her first Guide to Convening on Campus in 1986 – featuring 140 college and university meeting facilities – and pioneered a new niche in the meetings industry. It wasn’t long before venues of all kinds wanted to be a part of ‘The Guide’ and her company was born. She continued to stay one step ahead when she launched the first web directory in 1997, another innovation for connecting people and places. Recognized by Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) as one of the “Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales & Marketing”, Michele and her team are driven by a simple goal - promote locations to anyone hosting a meeting, family reunion, reception, party, conference or gathering of any kind.