American Alpine Club Gala
October 17-19, 2025 in Denver, CO
General Registration Opens July 16th, 2025!
The 2025 American Alpine Club Gala is designed with connection in mind. We’re bringing the same intimacy of a campfire chat to this Gala by reimagining this year’s event, creating extra space for attendees to catch up with friends old and new. After all, the Gala brings together AAC members from all over the world, and there are a lot of climbing stories and jokes that need to be shared! The Gala is THE event to gather together and show support for the AAC.
This year’s Gala will feature cocktails, a delicious dinner, time to mix and mingle, a celebration of the 2025 Awardees, and time to highlight our collective impact through the Club’s work.
Join us on October 18, 2025 in the Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA). The Seawell Ballroom is located at 1350 Arapahoe St, Denver, CO 80204.
Thank you to our incredible volunteer host committee, led by chair Cody J. Smith!
Committee members include:
Jason Antin, Brian Block, Kailey Cox, Angela Donini, Kevin Duncan, Lynn Hill, Olivia Hsu, David Landman, Jamie Logan, William Loopesko, Jordan Revis, Scott Richards, Cody Smith, Travis Spitzer, Greg Thomsen, Mark Udall, Jay Underwood, Christian Wintour, Cedar Wright, Graham Zimmerman
Weekend Schedule
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6:30 PM - 9:00 PM: VIP Welcome Event
An evening of beverages and hors devours, featuring a special surprise for folks who deeply support the AAC’s work.
Included with purchase of VIP Tables and Patron tickets.
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4:45 PM: Check-In Opens
No need to bring your ticket, we’ll do all the heavy lifting and have you on our list! Just come dressed mountain chic and ready for an evening to remember!
5 PM - 6:30 PM: Cocktail Reception
The evening kicks off with a cocktail reception at DCPA Seawell Ballroom. All Gala ticket holders are welcome to join us for appetizers, fun games, a photo booth, and a chance to mix and mingle. The highlight will certainly be our silent auction with everything from gear to art to trips of a lifetime!
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Dinner and Awards
After the reception guests are invited to find their tables and enjoy a delicious meal. The program includes celebrating the 2025 award winners, while also sharing in our collective success stories from the past year.
7:30 PM - 8:30 PM: Mix and Mingle
New this year we are keeping the main program short and sweet so you have time to visit with old friends and make some new ones! The bar will remain open as we mix and mingle.
8:30 PM: Check Out
As the main portion of the night concludes, you’ll be able to check out with our helpful staff to secure any items you won in the auction. You can take them home with you or have your items shipped to you, though we do ask you to cover shipping costs, ensuring more dollars can go to delivering on the AAC’s mission.
9:00 PM - 12:00 AM: After Party
For those who want to keep the good times rolling, we’ll head to a nearby location for the legendary Gala After Party!
Planning Your Trip
Hotel Room Block: The AAC has a discounted room block at the Westin Denver Downtown from October 16-18. Our negotiated rate is $249 per night and available until 09/26/2025 or sold out. The Westin is located at 1672 Lawrence St., Denver, CO 80202.
To reserve your Westin room today, visit our roomblock link here or call their In-House Reservations Dept. at (303) 572-9100.
Attire: The weekend features a variety of events, everything from climbing to the Gala. For the Gala itself, attire is Mountain Chic, whatever that means to you!
Airport: If you are flying into town, Denver International Airport is the closest major airport. It provides a wide variety of public transit options.
Top 3 Reasons To Sponsor
You will help us advocate for climbing landscapes and our nation’s public lands–the very glue that brings this passionate community of climbers together.
You will help us deliver essential climbing knowledge and inspiration through our world-renowned publications, the American Alpine Journal and Accidents in North American Climbing.
Together we will raise funds vital to all of the AAC’s mission.
To learn more about the unique and dynamic event sponsorship opportunities available email Heidi McDowell at [email protected]
FAQs
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Once a year, legends and newcomers alike shed their rock shoes and don their finest mountain chic, and come together to celebrate the AAC. During this weekend full of climbing, celebration, and festivity, old friends reconnect, new friendships are made, and we celebrate the impact of the Club’s work.
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Go to americanalpineclub.org/gala, click on the button “ Tickets”.
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The American Alpine Club’s 2025 Annual Gala will take place the evening of October 18, 2025 in the Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA). General Reception begins at 5pm and Dinner begins at 6pm. The Seawell Ballroom is located at 1350 Arapahoe St, Denver, CO 80204
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The AAC has a discounted room block at the Westin Denver Downtown from October 16th-18th. Our negotiated rate is $249 per night and available until 09/26/2025 or sold out.
The Westin is located at 1672 Lawrence St., Denver, CO 80202
It is only a five minute walk from the DCPA!
To reserve your Westin room today, visit our roomblock link here or call their In-House Reservations Dept. at (303) 572-9100.
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The weekend features a variety of events, everything from climbing to the Gala. For the Gala itself, attire is Mountain Chic, whatever that means to you!
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Mobility Assistance
Ramps, elevators and courtesy wheelchairs are available. Please seek a Volunteer for additional information.
Parking
Wheelchair accessible parking is located on levels 3, 4 and 5 of the complex garage. There is also curbside drop-off 14th St. between Curtis and Champa.
If you need additional accommodations, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing [email protected] or calling (303) 384-0110
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We are able to offer full refunds for ticket purchases until Tuesday, October 1st. After October 1st, we will not be able to offer any refunds.
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Although there will be no live-stream this year, we plan on recording the gala in full so people can watch the magic of the night from their own home after.
After the event, we will embed the recording on our Gala website so no registration will be required to watch.
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Food: The wonderful folks from “Sodexo Live!” will be catering the receptions with Hors D'oeuvres. Each Gala table will also have a variety of breads and a salad until our main Beef, Chicken, or Vegetarian entrees arrive. Finish the night right with a dessert!
Beverages: Water & Coffee will be available throughout the night.
Adult Beverages: Yes please! There will be an open bar during the Gala.
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We can’t answer this question without first saying that our team LOVES dogs. That said, because of the nature of this event, dogs are sadly not allowed unless they are service animals. Please respect those who do need to bring their service animals with them by leaving your (adorable but non-service) fur friends at home.
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The silent auction opens October 6th, 9am MST
The silent auction closes at October 18th, 8pm MST
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You can view the auction by clicking here.
Click “Sign Up/Login”
Once registered/logged in, click on the “Auction” on the top right corner.
We encourage you to set “Max Bids”
Credit card information is required to place a bid.
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We will be using mobile bidding. You will be able to use your smartphone, tablet, or computer to keep up with the status of your bids and continue bidding until the auction closes. You can be the winning bidder from wherever you are in the world!
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Browse the silent auction and start bidding on your favorite items! Place your bid on selected items, set a maximum bid if desired, and Bolder Bid will continue to keep you in the running until you reach your maximum bid.
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You will be notified via text if you have been outbid. Keep an eye on your favorite items! If you are NOT receiving the text messages make sure you have the correct mobile phone number under your profile. The texts will continue to notify you when you have been outbid or reached your maximum bid. When the silent auction closes you will also receive a text message if you have won any items.
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The Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) is surrounded by a variety of attractions, including museums, parks, historical sites, and entertainment venues, offering diverse options for visitors to explore
Nearby attractions and activities include:
Coors Field (home of the Colorado Rockies), Downtown Aquarium, and various bars and restaurants in the DCPA area.
Questions?
If you are having any trouble registering or have any questions about the Annual Gala, email Xavier Bravo at [email protected] or call the AAC Office at 303-384-0110.