Tucson is home to more than 16,000 hotel rooms, with 1,700 in its downtown core alone. Photo by Ulises Escobar / Visit Tucson

Arizona has long been synonymous with iridescent blue skies, teal blue waters, fiery red cliffs, memorable red and orange sunsets and stunning vistas of purple wildflowers draping the rolling hillsides. A haven for artists and adventurers, this dreamscape is brought to life through the wonder of nature. And for those seeking respite from stark, white, winter landscapes, Arizona’s true colors — from Mexican gold poppies, lupine, purple and mustard yellow — have proven to be the idyllic backdrop and quintessential event designation for many associations in search of show-stopping experiences.

In Arizona, you can uncover the unexpected. Its picturesque landscape makes for memorable visual moments. But, it is more than just a pretty view that brings a unique experience to the association and corporate destination market. Rooted in nature, Arizona’s resorts and other facilities offer the best indoor amenities, including stunning resort pools and spas, not to mention outdoor watering holes and amazing dining spots in unassuming places that come with a feast for your eyes as well.

Those who have traveled to Arizona say it is in tune with the seasons. “There aren’t many locations where you can water ski and snow ski in the same day,” said Meagan Crain, event designer and owner of Crain + Co. Events in Tucson, AZ.

“They have everything from horseback riding, off road adventures, playing golf at one of our many highly rated courses and hiking one of the natural wonders of the world, to luxury resort experiences and lounging by the pool in the warm sunshine,” Crain said. “Plus, we have some amazing locations where we can set up all-inclusive glamping experiences which can include glamorous ‘teepee’ accommodations, helicopter rides, alfresco dining in the middle of the desert and more. We have everything from the vastness of the Grand Canyon and Havasu Falls, to the red mountains of Sedona, the natural desert of the Saguaro National Forest to even forests and lakes.”

Crain + Co. works with corporate and non-profit groups to create incentive and employee appreciation trips, meetings and retreats that include off site excursions and dinners, team-building activities, fundraising galas and more. A couple years back, Crain and her team planned an event where attendees were greeted at arrival with margaritas and welcome packages of local goods and an upbeat Mariachi band.

The three-day event included unique and fun team-building activities, hiking and golf activities and an offsite dinner on a working ranch set up in between the glorious saguaros.

“The closing night was my favorite where attendees chose their own custom hats and boots (to include iron branding), mechanical bull rides, chef action stations with Southwest-infused cocktails and food, live fire dancers, one of Arizona’s hottest bands and casino tables,” Crain said. “It was definitely a closing night to remember!”

Arizona’s 5 Cs: Citrus. Climate. Copper. Cattle. Cotton. 

Arizona has a vast array of unique offerings — the landscapes, venues, resorts, restaurants, entertainment and so much more.  Rhonda Rush, event producer and founder of Impact Events, an event planning company in Scottsdale, AZ, likes to incorporate Arizona’s 5Cs into their events: Citrus, Climate, Copper, Cattle and Cotton. “Attendees have enjoyed our citrus-infused vodka bar, beer burro and Moscow Mules with personalized copper mugs,” said Rush, who’s celebrating her company’s 20th anniversary in the Arizona event industry. Launched in 2003, Impact Events is a full-service event company. They have a wide variety of clients and always strive to create unique experiences for them in Arizona.

“We spend countless hours perfecting their events to ensure a successful outcome. Details matter to us and that’s what makes our events memorable,” she said.

Recently, Impact Events orchestrated a multi-day event where they utilized many local destinations, including touring Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West, and went on a fun pink jeep tour in Sedona, capping it all off with a five-course dinner under the stars at the historical El Chorro in the heart of Paradise Valley.

Alyssa Belanger, owner of The Event Genies in Scottsdale, AZ, agrees that Arizona truly has it all — from small boutique hotels to massive resorts and spas. There are no shortages of hotels, restaurants and the weather is just perfect for 75% of the year.

“It is easy to access the airport and is the perfect meeting point for all businesses,” Belanger said. “There are tons of outdoor events throughout the year. Arizona lends itself to day trips and one-of-a-kind experiences such as jeep tours in Sedona, hot air balloon rides, spring training games, wellness classes and much more. Arizona is truly versatile, on the same day, you can be in flagstaff skiing, floating in the pool in Scottsdale and going for a horseback ride. Where else are you able to do this all?”

The Event Genies specialize in creating beautiful and unique events. They plan sales meetings, fun and engaging team-building events, galas, fundraisers, trade shows and ribbon-cutting ceremonies. At one recent event, The Event Genies organized a four-day event and tried to incorporate little touches of Arizona throughout the entire meeting. They hosted a dinner at Taliesin West, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and National Historic Landmark nestled in the desert foothills of the McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“This was an incredible venue with a lot of history and elevated what could have been a basic dinner party into a memorable and meaningful experience,” said Belanger, who also offered three sessions during their breaks so they could get a little taste of the area. Attendees were able to choose between a hike, golfing experience (which Arizona is known for) or a sound bowl session. In her view, this was the perfect combination of ‘all things Arizona.’

Scottsdale

Arizona’s landscape is as diverse at the types of meetings being held there. Take Scottsdale, for example. Located in the Sonoran Desert, Scottsdale is a 10-mile commute from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Diverse vegetation, including the much beloved and protected saguaros, outdoor recreation experiences aplenty, and world-class resorts, makes Scottsdale a solid choice for association meetings in Arizona.

According to Experience Scottsdale, the city’s CVB,  there are some fun experiences that can make an association event and meeting truly memorable for attendees. For example, for wine aficionados in the group, Old Town Scottsdale offers the Scottsdale Wine Trail, which consists of six unique tasting rooms in which attendees can enjoy sipping various Arizona wine varieties.

In addition, Scottsdale offers many recreational opportunities for those attendees who enjoy the great outdoors, like Scottdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve, which features more than 200 miles of scenic trails to explore.

Scottsdale is also teeming with great resorts, hotels and other venues for meetings and events. One favorite resort for gathering is the iconic Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain, A Gurney’s Resort & Spa, which is located just outside Scottsdale. In addition to a wealth of indoor and outdoor venue options, the resort offers a unique respite for meeting and event attendees, thanks in part to its secluded nature and environs. Boulders Resort & Spa also features some very unique outdoor event spaces that celebrate the idyllic landscape that surrounds the resort.

Hilton North Scottsdale at Cavasson features rooftop executive lounges and a 15,000 sf event center. Attendees can sip and socialize while admiring the McDowell Mountains in the hotel’s beautiful bar.

Another soon-to-come resort is the new Caesars Republic Scottsdale, Caesars Entertainment’s first non-gaming Caesars-branded hotel in the country. Opening early 2024, the resort will feature a 7,000 sf ballroom with towering sliding glass doors that provide access to expansive outdoor event spaces that allow attendees to get “up close and personal” with the region’s stunning landscape.

Of course, you can’t go wrong when orchestrating an event at Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia. With the Camelback Mountain as a backdrop, the Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia features 102,000 sf of indoor meeting and event space plus an additional 76,793 sf of outdoor space, which is ideal for conventions, association executive meetings, retreats and annual meetings. To incorporate a bit of “fun” in traditional meeting experiences, Omni Scottsdale Resort offers a wealth of team-building events that can make any Scottsdale-based event truly shine.

Phoenix

Phoenix is another great city teeming with resorts and hotels that can accommodate a variety of association gatherings. Visit Phoenix boasts that from 2015 to 2020, hotel and resort investments in the Greater Phoenix area totaled at least $1.1 billion. In 2020 alone, Phoenix added 17 new hotel properties with more than 1,900 rooms.

In addition, the Phoenix Convention Center is a much-celebrated option for many association events thanks in part to its convenient location in the heart of downtown Phoenix. It offers one million sf of meeting and event space, including a 312,500 sf main exhibit hall and a 45,600 sf ballroom.

The Global Ambassador is expected to make its debut in Phoenix soon, offering an 18,000 sf rooftop restaurant with beautiful views of Camelback Mountain. The Ritz-Carlton Paradise Valley is also opening next fall.

In addition, many Phoenix properties, as well as venues throughout the state, are trying to differentiate themselves from the competition and offer more amenities to lure meeting planners. That’s where green practices come in. From efficient lighting to paperless offices, to utilizing alternative fuel in the transportation of products, resorts and other meeting venues are trying to better accommodate to these earth-sensitive times.

And in Arizona, “going green” is much more of a standard, as opposed to an exception. The majority of properties in the Southwest understand the value, responsibility and profitability of going green. According to Visit Phoenix, the Phoenix Convention Center is the perfect example of the region-wide sustainability efforts that are underway. The convention center has contributed over 41 tons of compost feed plants in Phoenix’ city parks and has recycled more than 460 tons of material each year.

Tucson

Tucson is home to El Conquistador Tucson, a Hilton Resort. Surrounded by mountain and desert vistas, El Conquistador Tucson, offers an array of uniquely Southwestern meeting spaces and amenities to enhance attendees’ experience, including a wealth of indoor and outdoor activities to keep attendees refreshed, relaxed and inspired.

Located on 100 acres in the Sonoran Desert, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort offers plenty of outdoor event venues to take advantage of the paradise on which the resort resides — something more planners and attendees are requesting. When not at scheduled meetings or events either inside or outside the resort, attendees can enjoy the resort’s two championship golf courses, full-service spa or go hiking on the nearby Ventana Canyon Trail.

For association planners looking for expansive options for large-scale events, expos or tradeshows, the Tucson Expo Center is an ideal option. Strategically located near Tucson International Airport, the Tucson Expo Center features 155,000 sf of space ready for meetings, special events and conferences. Located on a 17-acre property, the Tucson Expo Center acts as a multi-purpose facility that can accommodate a variety of events or exhibits that can hold from 300 to 30,000 people.

Tempe

Tempe offers all of the convenience of big city amenities, but with a quieter, off-the-beaten path feel. Ideal for association events and gatherings of up to 500 people, Tempe has a variety of venue options from which to choose, including mountaintop resorts, urban hotels, a downtown convention center and smaller, more eclectic venues that are ideal for smaller crowds. Just five miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Tempe is exceedingly accessible for travelers from near and far.

Making the Most of Arizona 

Arizona has long been celebrated as having the most beautiful desert landscapes, sunsets, resorts and overall weather. As such, meeting planners recommend association planners incorporate Arizona’s beautiful environs into their meeting and event agendas.

“We want all of our clients to experience all that Arizona has to offer — from awe-inspiring red rocks of Sedona to the rustic landscape of Tucson and the number venues and resorts in the heart of Scottsdale,” Rush said. “Impact Events always strives to create fun experiences and countless memories for our client. We want to leave them feeling inspired … and return to the desert.”

Arizona is not just the “Wild, Wild West.”  And it shouldn’t be pigeonholed as a Southwestern experience.  “Don’t look toward us for just horses and cowboys,” Crain said. “Our state offers everything. Nine months of the year we have some of the best weather around the country. One of our cities is ranked as a top UNESCO City of Gastronomy. We have some of the most beautiful iconic nature experiences, art museums, pro sports teams, amazing resorts and cities with urban sophistication. Take advantage of everything Arizona has to offer and truly wow your attendees.”

As an event planner with 20 years of experience, Belanger said that what makes Arizona-based events truly shine is creating experiences that are unique and designed around the organization’s core values.

“I always ask my clients what their top three non-negotiables are and that is where we spend the bulk of their money. Finding what motivates your attendees will help to set you apart from a more traditional meeting,” Belanger said. “I like to keep my clients engaged, entertained and excited about what each day will hold.”

Arizona is a first-tier destination so booking hotels one year in advance is recommended. The earlier you book hotel room blocks, the more options you will have. | AC&F |