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The Estes Park Wedding Association (EPWA) has been around for 25+ years and entering a new phase of strategic growth with a clear focus on strengthening connections between locally based wedding businesses and the region’s expanding destination wedding market. Under the leadership of President Thomas Pemberton, owner of Estes Park Tour Guides, the association is emphasizing intentional member growth without compromising professional standards.
“My focus is building our membership with locally based companies in Estes Park,” said Pemberton. “Since stepping into the role just three months ago, we’ve already voted in three new member businesses, with seven more expected after the new year.”
A major component of EPWA’s forward strategy is its newly completed financial valuation of the Estes Park wedding market. The association has established a conservative valuation upwards of $46 million in direct annual wedding-related spending, which exceeds $106 million when standard tourism and hospitality financial multipliers are applied.
“We now have defensible data that clearly defines the economic impact of weddings + overnight lodging in Estes Park,” said Pemberton. “This allows us to properly align with the ‘heads in beds’ model that Visit Estes Park is built upon and to establish a clear expectation for future advertising and media support for the wedding sector.” By defining wedding-driven overnight stays as a core economic driver—rather than a secondary or ancillary market—EPWA is positioning weddings as a measurable tourism asset for the community.
At the same time, EPWA is aligning its growth strategy based on key industry trends, particularly the rising demand for micro weddings(< 60) and elopements, which will be a formal area of focus for 2026.
“Micro weddings and elopements are one of the fastest-growing segments of the wedding market, and Estes Park will continue to lead in that space,” Pemberton added. “My goal for 2026 is to grow that segment while ensuring couples are connected with the best in class and trusted local professionals.”
Importantly, EPWA leadership emphasizes that its membership standards remain unchanged. Rather than lowering criteria to increase volume, the association is actively identifying and vetting local businesses that already meet EPWA’s professional benchmarks.
“Our standards are not being waived,” said Pemberton. “My focus is on actively seeking out qualified local Estes businesses that already meet our eligibility requirements and inviting them into the association.”
With renewed leadership, expanding local membership, a defined micro-wedding strategy, and a data-backed economic valuation, the Estes Park Wedding Association continues to strengthen its role as a key driver of both business collaboration and long-term destination growth.
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