If you're attending a convention or trade show in Denver, and you're a stranger to town, here is information that can make your visit here more enjoyable.

1.DIA (Denver International Airport). When you arrive at DIA, you will walk down your concourse to a center area. This is where you will find steps down to the trains that connect our concourses to the main (Jeppesen) terminal. When you reach the terminal, you'll get off your train and walk up two flights to the main level, which is actually called Level 5. This is where you will pick p your luggage. If you are renting a car, you will find the major car rental companies are also on Level 5.

2.Catch a taxi to the downtown area. Denver's largest taxicab companies are Yellow Cab (303) 777-7777) and Metro Taxi (303-333-3333). Be aware that a cab ride to downtown Denver isn't cheap. Yellow Cab charges $43.00 plus a $3.25 gate fee, plus $1.00 for every passenger beyond the first. You can pick up a cab on Level 5 (where you got your luggage), Island 1.

3.Save money. Take a shuttle downtown. A less expensive alternative to taxis is to take a shuttle. My choice would be Super Shuttle (800-525-3177). It offers service to just about any hotel in the metro area and its fares are reasonable.

4.When you need copies or printing services. Just about every downtown Denver hotel has a business center where you can get copies made or other business-type services. But not all of these are open 24/7. So, if it's 11:00 pm and you need 200 copies of a brochure pronto, you can go to Fed Ex Kinkos at 1509 Blake St.

5.The Colorado Convention Center. The Convention Center is located at 700 14th St. (between Stout and California on 14th St. It has onsite parking (daily event rate = $7.00) , wireless Internet access and excellent food and beverage service. If you are lucky enough to be staying at the new Hyatt Regency Convention Center, you will be literally across the street from the Convention Center. All downtown hotels are relatively close to the Center but the to closest are the Denver Marriot City Center at 1701 California St. and the Hyatt Regency at 650 15th Street. You can get more information on the Colorado Convention Center by going to http://www.denverconvention.com/center.asp

Douglas Hanna

Douglas Hanna is a retired advertising and marketing executive. Over the course of his 30-plus year career, he created sales-winning advertising and marketing plans for a wide variety of clients. Hanna writes extensively about family finances, old time radio and the Internet. He is also the webmaster of a site devoted to a new technology called HD Radio.