Attending NatCon on a Budget: Smart Ways To Save in Denver

Attending NatCon is an excellent investment in your professional growth, your organization and the people you serve — and it doesn’t have to be costly. With a little planning, you can experience the biggest event in behavioral health care without breaking the bank. Here are five ways to save money in the Mile High City:

1. Book early for the best deals.

Register for NatCon early to secure the best hotel options. Our lowest-priced hotels — Homewood Suites, Hampton Inn, Tru, Sonesta, Hilton Garden Inn and Home2 Suites — fill up quickly. Once you register for NatCon, you’ll receive the official booking link to reserve your hotel room.

2. Pick a hotel with money-saving perks.

If you want your travel dollars to go further, pick a hotel with extra savings built in. Several NatCon partner hotels — including Hilton Garden Inn, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn, Homewood Suites, Home2 Suites and Tru by Hilton — offer built-in perks like free breakfast, evening receptions, in-room kitchenettes or full kitchen setups.

3. Ditch the rental car and save.

One of the biggest money savers is not renting a car. Downtown is walkable and packed with easy transit options. You can get from the airport to Union Station on the A Line rail for around $10, ride the 16th Street FreeRide shuttle, or hop on the light rail or a bus for quick trips. Also, most NatCon hotels are next to the convention center, so transportation is a snap.

4. Eat well without overspending.

Denver is full of great food, but you don’t need to splurge to eat well. Food halls like Denver Milk Market and Avanti offer affordable options, and the hotel corridors around the convention center have cafes, grab-and-go markets and casual spots where you can snag a quick meal. If you’re exploring the city between sessions, keep an eye out for weekday lunch specials.

5. See Denver for free (or close to it).

If you want to maximize your time in the city, there are plenty of free or low-cost attractions. You can take a walk along the 16th Street Mall, visit Confluence Park, bike the Cherry Creek Trail, or wander through downtown’s murals and public art. Prefer museums? The Denver Art Museum and History Colorado Center often have discounted admission days.

Attending NatCon on a budget is totally doable, and the Mile High City makes it even easier. Whether you’re stretching your travel dollars or simply looking to travel smarter, these tips will help you enjoy everything our conference has to offer — without overspending.

Don’t forget: Our NatCon scholarships can cover your registration — and in some cases, your travel — helping you attend our conference at no cost. Apply or nominate someone by Jan. 12! Scholarship recipients will be notified by Feb. 20.