BOULDER - The LOHAS Forum proved the economic point that conferences and other events go far beyond the conference room.

The Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability event took place at the St Julien Hotel & Spa June 17-19 in downtown Boulder and attracted about 550 people from throughout the country and beyond.

"I think this one was the best one yet," said Ted Ning, Louisville-based LOHAS' executive director. "It was beyond a business conference. It was almost a spiritual experience."

For the three-day event, Mary Ann Mahoney, executive director of the Boulder Convention and Visitors Bureau, estimates about $550,000 was generated by attendees from sales tax, dinning, retail, hotel stays and more.

That's on top of the $1,000 per person ticket, roughly $2,500 per exhibitor and between $600 and $25,000 for sponsorships LOHAS charges.

In all, the forum is a multi-million dollar event that takes place in a community that embodies everything LOHAS represents - healthy and sustainable living.

"It's a very good impact, absolutely," Mahoney said. "It really matches the brand of Boulder."

Mahoney said she doesn't track the conference's economic impact to the dollar, but knows it's a high-profile event that not only introduces first-time visitors to Boulder but keeps people coming back whether for business or pleasure.

Whether it's a regional retreat, an association meeting or a company party, many of the people wowed by Boulder don't forget it for future events.

"The people who attend, the companies they represent, would potentially look at Boulder as a place they would want to bring another group," Mahoney said.

This was the second year the forum has been held in the Boulder Valley after taking place in Los Angeles for four consecutive years. Attendees represented 360 companies and a host of countries including Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada and more, Ning said.

Some of the 360 companies represented were General Mills Inc., eBay Inc., Starbucks Corp., Nestle USA, and Vail Resorts Management Co.

But, likely because of the economy, attendance is down about 100 people from last year.

"We weren't sure how it was going to pan out," Ning said. But despite a slow start, registration picked up as the forum approached.

Sponsorships, though, were up 30 percent, Ning said.

"I don't know why, but it was, which was great," he said. "That really saved us."

But this year, unlike past years, every session was really full, which added to the aura of the event, he said. The forum is a great opportunity for companies to network and form relationships with people they may not normally meet.

And having the event where LOHAS was conceived and bringing people here to experience sustainability in a laid-back area makes it better.

"The injection of (550) people coming to Boulder is just a great asset," Ning said. "And the fact that Boulder embodies what LOHAS is all about so elegantly it's a perfect match."