ONLINE REGISTRATION IN NOW CLOSED. TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE AND WILL BE SOLD AT THE DOOR. 

Speaking Locally

The Grand View | Lionshead Parking Structure

Time: 5:30 p.m. reception | 6:00 p.m. presentation

Tickets: Pay-At-Will | $10 Suggested Donation

Spend the evening with Vail pioneers Rod Slifer, Elaine Kelton, and Merv Lapin as they reflect on the last 50 years and look ahead to the future. They will tell stories from Vail’s early years, discuss how Vail has evolved since then, and talk about what Vail will be and should become in the future. Former Town Manager and Vail Symposium founding father Terry Minger will moderate.

Rod Slifer arrived in Vail in 1962 and has been an integral part of the community ever since. In November 1989, Rod joined Harry Frampton, former President of Vail Associates and senior partner in East West Partners, and Mark Smith, managing broker, to form Slifer Smith & Frampton, a full service real estate brokerage with offices in Vail and Beaver Creek.

Elaine Kelton and her husband Gerry White moved to Vail in 1963. Soon after, they built the Ram’s Horn Lodge. Elaine was involved in many local activities, including the start-up of the Montessori school. She later married Art Kelton. In the summer of 1971 Elaine was one of the 600 community members who convened at Eagle’s nest for the very first Vail Symposium.

Merv Lapin heard about Vail in 1965 while attending Harvard Business School, and, in 1966, decided to take some time off and see it. He was immediately hired as a night auditor at the Vail Village Inn, which marked the beginning of his successful business career in Vail. During his time in Vail Merv started the first accounting firm, the first securities company, the first trash company, and the first venture-capital fund.

Terry Minger was one of Vail’s first Town Managers. During his tenure he authored the town charter and oversaw the passage of thirty-three bond issues. In 1971, Terry and Mayor John Dobson recognized the need for a vision for the future of Vail and founded the Vail Symposium as a forum to create and guide this vision.