2013 MEETINGS & EVENTS The definitive resource guide for industry professionals since 1993
azmeetings.com
contents 4 Arizona the Grand Canyon State 6 Wild West 8 Hit the Road 10 Parks Galore 12 Museums 14 Birding 16 Bridges 17 Casinos 18 Desert Creatures 19 Out & About 20 Get Active 21 Retail Heaven
City Profiles
22 Downtowns 24 Phoenix 25 Mesa 26 Scottsdale 28 Fountain Hills 28 Chandler 29 Glendale & the West Valley 30 Tempe 32 Tucson & Southern Arizona 33 Flagstaff 33 Prescott 34 Sedona 35 Payson 36 Lake Havasu 36 Lake Powell
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38 Dining 42 Venue Options 46 Activities 50 Transportation 52 Calendar of Events 56 Resources Inside Back Cover State Map
ARIZO NA
meetings & Events www.azmeetings.com Plan your meeting or event in Arizona – the heart of America’s Southwest. Use this guide to learn more about the weather and terrain before you pack. Our writers provide information worth reading so you won’t miss some of the state’s best attractions. This guide covers the basics and the little-known details of travel in Arizona – all you need to know to plan a memorable Arizona meeting or event. Nickname: The Grand Canyon State State Motto: Ditat Deus - God enriches Land Area: 113,634 square miles Capital: Phoenix Colors: blue and old gold Neckwear: bola tie Fossil: petrified wood Flower: saguaro cactus blossom Tree: palo verde Gemstone: turquoise Mammal: ringtail cat Bird: cactus wren Reptile: Arizona ridgenose rattlesnake Fish: Arizona trout Amphibian: Arizona tree frog Butterfly: two-tailed swallowtail Published by Hennen Publishing & Marketing Group 3701 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Phone (480) 664-0541 Fax (480) 664-0591 hennenpmg.com info@hennenpmg.com Publisher/Editor Kathleen Hennen Art Director Tad Smith Account Executive Erin Edelstein Cover Photo Saguaro Cactus
Havasu Falls, Grand Canyon
Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means without consent of the publisher. Every effort has been made to ensure this publication is as accurate as possible. The publisher will assume no responsibility for errors, changes or omissions.
Tonto National Forest
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THE GRAND CANYO N STATE
You’ve brought your meeting to Arizona to experience the stunning landscapes, luxurious resorts and mild climate. While you are here, take some
time to give your attendees a distinctively Arizona experience. Here are some of the things that make Arizona unique!
Native American Heritage
Sunsets
Arizona is home to 22 Native American tribes with the most reservation land of any state in the U.S. (more than 25 percent). Various cultural centers and museums display their beautiful hand-crafted pottery, baskets, jewelry, blankets and crafts. From ancient cliff dwellings and ruins to thriving casinos, Native American culture plays a leading role in Arizona. Notable points of interest include the Heard Museum in Phoenix, The Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, Hopi Cultural Center on the Hopi Reservation at Kykotsmovi and the Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site on the Navajo Indian Reservation near Ganado.
After a long day of meetings relax with a glass of wine and enjoy one of Arizona’s famed desert sunsets. With hues of turquoise, purple, fuchsia and amber, the beauty of the setting Arizona Sun is like nothing you’ve ever seen before, it is even memoralized on the state flag. Make sure to charge your camera battery.
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Multicultural Beginnings Arizona became the 48th state on February 14, 1912. Prior to statehood, the Castilian and Burgundian flags of Spain, the Mexican flag and the Confederate flag all flew over the state. Missions and presidios established by Franciscan monks in the early 1700s are evidence of the Spanish cultural influence. Today’s rich Hispanic culture in Arizona exists because, unlike other European conquerors, Spain never wanted to eradicate the Indian people. Instead, Spain attempted to annex whole cultures, a philosophy that allowed for intermarriage and the continuation of both the Spanish and Indian cultures. By the middle of the 19th century, the populations in most Southern and Central Arizona towns were 50 to 90 percent Hispanic. By the early 1860s, Tucson, a heavily Hispanic community, was an important trade center for the region. After the Civil War, as Anglos began migrating into the territory, they often settled in existing Hispanic communities, changing the towns’ names as they went. Rio Salado became Tempe; Pueblo Viejo became Solomonville. But despite the new monikers, the Hispanic influence in Arizona can be felt and seen today in communities throughout the state. Hispanic names abound for shopping centers, residential developments, streets, schools and parks. Bits of language, food, and music lace the culture and traditions here.
Ballet Folklorico
History Established by an Act of the First Territorial Legislature on November 7, 1864, the Arizona Historical Society (AHS) is Arizona’s oldest historical agency. The Arizona Historical Society Museum in Tempe engages visitors on diverse topics such as World War II’s effects on Arizona, the rise of desert cities, Arizona pop culture and sports, and the state’s geology, among many others. The museum brings stories to life through hands-on and multimedia displays, and a variety of educational programs.
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IT’S THE
WILD WEST, COWBOY!
With a history of gunfights and cowboys, Arizona has everything you need to don your Stetson and boots. Today’s campfires and cowboy cookouts aside, Native Americans have lived here for at least 1,000 years. Ranchers and outlaws were among the first European settlers and passers-through, and Mr. Western himself, John Wayne, had a ranch along the Colorado River. Zane Grey wrote many of his western novels in his cabin outside Payson, which stood until 1990.
Southern Arizona
Back in the Saddle Whiskey Row
Whiskey Row Prescott, the original territorial capital, is built around the traditional courthouse town square and buildings in the area are carefully preserved. Several of the “Whiskey Row” bars still use the old hand-carved, ornamental back bars of the late 1800s.
Back in 1991, we all “discovered” guest ranches, thanks to the Billy Crystal movie, City Slickers, which spotlighted three middle-aged men seeking to rediscover their mojo by signing up for a guest ranch experience. In the real world, guest ranches have been around a lot longer than that. Whether your idea of a good time is yelping it up on a cattle drive or kicking back around a crackling campfire, Arizona’s guest ranches will lasso you in.
Rancho de los Caballeros
Rodeos
Check into Wickenburg’s Rancho de los Caballeros Resort and you’re issued your own horse for trail rides and team penning.
While Prescott is home of the world’s oldest rodeo, Payson is home to the world’s oldest continuous rodeo. Whichever one of these you hit, you’ll get to see plenty of bronc busting, bull riding and roping. Payson Rodeo
Ghost Towns
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What would the Old West be without ghost towns. Arizona has some 300 ghost towns, originating from 19th century mining camps. Located in Apache Junction, Goldfield sits near deposits that produced millions of dollars in gold ore just east of Phoenix. Today, you can take an underground mine tour or ride the narrowgauge railway.
Pony Express Arizona’s territorial days and western heritage entwine the state’s culture. Arizona boasts the only official U.S. Postal Pony Express Service Pony Express still carrying mail – one annual delivery to open the Scottsdale Parada del Sol Rodeo festivities. The Hashknife Pony Express, composed of over two dozen authentically garbed horseback riders, relay first class mailbags over a 200-mile ride in tribute to the original express mail service.
Hit the Road Arizona is crisscrossed with a network of dazzling drives, featuring some of the most spectacular panoramic vistas in the United States. Several of these highways have been specially designated by the state as “scenic roads,” meaning they’re worth the extra effort to seek out. Some “scenic roads” are destinations unto themselves and may take no more than a couple of hours, while others are best viewed in combination with a larger trip that may encompass several days. Here are a few of Arizona’s top scenic roads.
West Coast
Red Rock Scenic Road
Phoenix & Central
Historic Rte. 66 (Ashfork to Topock) Established 1994 • 151.93 miles Mohave County Highway, Mile Post 0.0 to Mile Post 23.7; (Golden Shores to Oatman), “The Oatman Road” Starting near Ash Fork, about 50 miles west of Flagstaff, the longest remaining stretch of old Route 66 takes you through arid tribal lands, high desert sagebrush and mountain switchbacks. Close to the final stop is Oatman, a historic gold mining town where wild burros roam the streets.
Northern
Apache Trail Historic Road Established 1986 • 41.5 miles State Route 88, from Mile Post 201.0 to Mile Post 242.5 The Apache Trail dates to 1905 and was built to accommodate construction of the Theodore Roosevelt Dam. Apache Junction, in the shadows of the Superstition Mountains east of Mesa, is the starting point. From there, the road follows the Salt River, past Tortilla Flat and three desert lakes and ends at the dam and Theodore Roosevelt Lake.
Red Rock Scenic Road Established 1987 • 7.5 Miles State Route 179, Mile Post 302.5 to Mile Post 310.0 Arizona’s shortest scenic road is likely its most heavily trafficked as well – for good reason. Its name says it all: After leaving I-17, you travel north on SR 179 for a few miles, ease around a curve and boom! Red rock glory right in your face. These majestic mesas and spires have fanciful names, such as Cathedral Rock, Three Sisters and Courthouse Butte – just watch your front bumper, because everybody wants to stop and take a photo.
Tucson & Southern
North Central
Patagonia-Sonoita Scenic Road Established 1985 • 52.5 miles State Route 82, Mile Post 4.5 to Mile Post 32.0, then State Route 83, Mile Post 33 to Mile Post 58 Starting in Nogales on the Arizona/Mexico border, State Route 82 edges the riparian basin of the Santa Cruz River and zigzags through beautiful rolling grasslands dotted with copses of oak trees and more than 300 species of birds. Eventually, you wind up in the heart of Arizona’s burgeoning wine country.
Coronado Trail Scenic Road Established 1989 • 102.67 miles U.S. Hwy 191, Mile Post 172.0 to Mile Post 253.74; U.S. Hwy 180, Mile Post 406.0 to Mile Post 426.93 You’ll be lucky to see more than a handful of cars on this lovely but lonely stretch of highway that starts in the desert mining town of Clifton and climbs 4,300 feet into the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest that borders New Mexico. Delightful mountain towns along the way include Hannagan Meadow, Alpine and Eagar.
Verde Valley Wine Trail Located in beautiful northern Arizona, the Verde Valley Wine Trail invites wine enthusiasts to experience a destination rich in history, beauty, and the production of exquisite wines. The wineries and tasting rooms on the Verde Valley Wine Trail offer a variety of skillfully crafted wines to satisfy any wine taster’s palate. Every winery has its own unique personality and distinct wines for visitors to discover at each stop along the Wine Trail. Each winery and tasting room offer a variety of activities and events throughout the year. Visit VerdeValleyWineTrail.com or their individual websites for the calendar of events. The Verde Valley Wine Trail connects the dots between the communities of Cottonwood, Sedona, Camp Verde, Jerome, Cornville, Clarkdale and the beautiful red rock landscape and canyons that USA Today says is the most beautiful place in America. verdevalleywinetrail.com
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Page Spring Cellars
Parks Galore Geographically, Arizona is approximately the size of Italy, but the state contains more national parks and monuments than any other state in the contiguous U.S. With merely 15 percent of the state’s 118,000 square miles of land privately owned, the majority is devoted to forests, parks, wilderness, wildlife
preserves, recreation areas, and Native American reservations. From the canyonlands of northern Arizona to the classic western saguaro cactus regions of the south, you could easily spend a lifetime exploring Arizona’s public lands. Arizona’s three national parks should give a good idea why.
Saguaro National Park
Enormous cacti silhouetted by the setting sun – for most people, the giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American West. And yet, these majestic plants are only found in a small portion of the United States. Saguaro National Park protects approximately two million of these sub-tropical giants on 91,440 acres, on the edge of the modern city of Tucson.
Saguaro National Park
Petrified Forest National Park
Located in northwestern Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park – one of the Seven Wonders of the World – is 277 miles long and averages 4,000 feet deep. Nestled within the canyon are numerous side canyons abundant with greenery, wildlife, waterfalls, raging rapids and calm, glassy pools. In 1903 when President Theodore Roosevelt visited the Grand Canyon he said, “Leave it as it is. The ages have been at work on it, and man can only mar it. What you can do is to keep it for your children, your children’s children, and for all who come after you, as one of the great sights which every American should see.” A favorite option to see the Grand Canyon is above it aboard a helicopter. Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters accommodates special programs and adventures for companies, associations, and incentive planners to meet their group’s individual needs, time restraints, and budget. Customized charter tours can be planned to include land activities, transportation, and food. Some popular group tour packages offer picnics in exotic settings, sunrise flights with breakfast stops, and golf packages.
Petrified Forest National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
Petrified Forest National Park stretches north and south between Interstate 40 and Highway 180 near Holbrook. With one of the world’s largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood, multi-hued badlands of the Painted Desert, historic structures, archeological sites, and displays of 225 million year old fossils, this is a surprising land of scenic wonders and fascinating science. Petrified Forest National Park recently took steps to expand by 4,265 acres. The property includes petroglyphs, grinding pits and cowboy graffiti.
Grand Canyon National Park
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Museums
Arizona is home to top-notch specialty museums. Peruse our list of the most popular and see if any fit your must-see list. Arizona Capitol Museum – Arizona history Arizona Museum of Natural History – largest collection of dinosaur fossils in Arizona Arizona Science Center – planetarium, hands-on learning exhibits and IMAX theatre Challenger Space Center Arizona – simulated space flight missions, space camps, indoor planetarium Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing – warplanes from World War II Desert Botanical Garden – world’s largest collection of desert plants Hall of Flame – world’s largest collection of fire-fighting equipment
Musical Instrument Museum
Heard Museum – Native American crafts from the 19th & 20th centuries MIM-Musical Instrument Museum – history of musical instruments throughout the world Phoenix Art Museum – Southwest’s largest art museum Pueblo Grande Museum and Cultural Park – 1,500 year-old Hohokam village ruin SMOCA-Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art – educational institute dedicated to art, architecture & design Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Museum – Lost Dutchman Gold, geology & western Taliesin West – home of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation
Frank Lloyd Wright Legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright spent more than 70 years creating designs that revolutionized the art and architecture of the twentieth century. ASU Gammage Auditorium, a Frank Lloyd Wright design that was originally intended as the Opera House in Baghdad, Iraq, welcomes the public with a selection of art shows, plays, musicals, concerts and speakers in Tempe. The Arizona Biltmore, one of Phoenix’s first resorts built in 1929 and dubbed “The Jewel of the Desert”, remains one of the only existing hotels in the world to benefit from his influence.
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Taliesin West
Birding America’s fastest-growing outdoor activity, bird watching, thrives in Arizona. Whether it’s a cactus wren nested in the spines of a saguaro cactus, the sight of thousands of sandhill cranes making their evening landing on the Willcox Playa or the massive shadow of a California condor drifting overhead along the Grand Canyon rim, within a year, a dedicated birder can add more than 200 species to his or her life list. The canyons of southeastern Arizona provide excellent habitat for both resident and migratory species. The American Birding Association
Not Just for the Birds called Cochise County the “Birdiest Inland County” in the U.S. At Ramsey Canyon Preserve south of Sierra Vista, hummingbird migration peaks in May and August, when as many as 14 species may be sighted, earning the city the title “Hummingbird Capital of the U.S.” Lush, riparian Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains ranks among the prime locations, with more than 230 identified species. Sonoita Creek State Natural Area, near Patagonia Lake State Park, is one of the state’s newest preserves, encompassing nearly 9,000 acres of Sonoita Creek watershed and riparian habitat.
BIRDING FESTIVALS Novice to advanced, festivals offer bird watchers opportunities to spend time with experts learning to identify species, improve photography skills, explore new territories on guided field trips and attend seminars. Events also cover geology, nature, history and recreation for the entire family. January – Wings Over Willcox – Sandhill Crane Celebration, Willcox March – Tres Rios Nature & Earth Festival, Avondale March – Sonoran Shindig, Ajo April – Verde Valley Birding & Nature Festival – Dead Horse Ranch State Park, Cottonwood April – Yuma Birding & Nature Festival, Yuma April – Feathered Friends Festival, Gilbert May – The Festival of Hummingbirds, Tucson May – Ironwood Festival, Tucson May – San Pedro Spring Fest, Sierra Vista August – Southwest Wings Birding and Nature Festival, Sierra Vista October – Woodland Wild Country Expo, Wildlife & Nature Festival, Pinetop-Lakeside The San Pedro Riparian National Riparian Conservation Area
Arizona has 42 designated Audubon Important Birding Areas (IBA). Below are a few you might want to check out. For a full list, please visit www.aziba.org • The Agua Fria National Monument – This IBA supports one of the higher densities of nesting Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Arizona. • The Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge – The refuge provides breeding habitat for 25 species of conservation concern in Arizona. • Mogollon Rim Snowmelt Draws – This IBA is a significant breeding habitat in Arizona for species of conservation concern: Olive-sided Flycatcher, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Red-faced Warbler, Virginia’s Warbler & Grace’s Warbler. • The San Pedro Riparian National Riparian Conservation Area – Bird densities during migration average 40 birds per hectare, and can reach 75 to 100 birds per hectare. Greatest abundance in migration are Yellow Warblers and Wilson’s Warbler, but also using the corridor are Osprey, Common BlackHawk, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Gray Flycatcher, and MacGillivray’s Warbler. • The Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area – This area is of state and regional significance as the primary wintering area for Sandhill Cranes (Grus canadensis) in Arizona, and includes both the Lesser (most numerous) and Greater subspecies.
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Verde Valley Birding & Nature Festival
Bridges
London Bridge (the Arizona one)
Tonto Natural Bridge Just outside of Payson, in the midst of the forest, is Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. The bridge has been in the making for thousands of years and is the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. Standing 183 feet high over a 400-foot long tunnel above Pine Creek, it provides visitors with a short hiking trail leading under the bridge past green ferns and red monkey flowers.
Tonto Natural Bridge
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Traveling south along the Colorado River, you arrive at Lake Havasu City, home to one of the state’s most popular – and improbable – attractions, the London Bridge. In the 1960s Lake Havasu’s founder, Robert P. McCulloch purchased, transported and re-constructed the historic London Bridge from its location in England to Lake Havasu City. Its graceful arches are considered the “world’s largest antique” – and Lake Havasu City’s signature attraction.
London Bridge
Casinos Casinos are emerging as destination hotspots with Arizona Casinos taking in nearly $1.8 billion during 2012 and brand new Casino Resorts debuting in the next few years. Here are a few to take note of:
MAZATZAL HOTEL AND CASINO Pretty much the exact geographical center of Arizona, Payson is also smack dab in the middle of the titanic Tonto National Forest. It was rumored to have some of the best bootleg liquor in Arizona in the early 1900s. Now Payson is home to the Mazatzal Hotel and Casino, with its modern charm and comfortable accommodations offering big city amenities in a cool, quiet mountain setting. In addition to entertaining casino gaming and award-winning accommodations, the casino can arrange free bus tours to nearby attractions for your group.
CASINO DEL SOL
Casino Del Sol
This open-spaces, sun-blessed, saguaro-full, southernmost region of Arizona is filled with interesting, historic, unusual, tasty, funny, cultural, and beautiful places to see and things to do. Casino Del Sol Resort, only 15 minutes from Tucson International Airport in the high Sonoran Desert, opened its doors at 11:11 a.m. on 11.11.11. Casino del Sol’s expansion to 215 rooms and suites with more than 65,000 square feet of function space is now available for groups looking for a place to stay and play. Meeting planners not only have the expansive brand new accommodations but can experience the culture of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe including outdoor activities such as hiking, biking and horseback riding.
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Desert Creatures The Sonoran Desert has some quite unique characters perfectly suited to desert living (most are nocturnal).
Gila Monster and Rattlesnake We don’t know much about the Banded Gila Monster (a lizard up to two feet long and weighing up to three pounds) because it spends most of it life underground in burrows. It is one of two venomous types of lizards in the world with venom about as strong as a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake. Both are shy thus seldom seen, and… aren’t usually fatal because they inject only a small amount of venom. Plus, most rattlesnakes, when disturbed, normally try to withdraw. And, if they think they are cornered, the explosive sizzling buzz of their rattles is an unmistakable warning to retreat.
Javalina and the Wolf
Cactus Wren and Friends
They’re hairy, stinky and downright adorable – meet the javelina. Though some people think javelina are a type of wild pig, they are actually members of the peccary family that originated in South America and migrated recently to Arizona. The Mexican gray wolf (el lobo) is making a comeback in the southwestern U.S. thanks to the Endangered Species Act. It is the rarest, southernmost and most genetically distinct sub-species of the Gray Wolf in North America. It is also one of the smallest subspecies, reaching an overall length no greater than 4.5 feet and a height maximum of about 32 inches. Another cute creature, the mountain lion (cougar or puma) also roams the mountainous parts of the desert. Javalina
Not all desert fauna are dangerous or hard to spot. The cactus wren (Arizona’s State Bird) is usually found sitting on top of the saguaros, especially when they are in bloom. Though not the cartoon type, there are plenty of real roadrunners here. You will spot them by their tails standing straight up as they dart in front of your path. Quail families – mama and babies in tow – are impossibly precious. Desert tortoises allow you to get quite close for a photo, however make sure you don’t try to pick these animals up as it may harm them. Cactus Wren
Saguaro
In addition to the saguaro, there are also cacti (or cactuses) with funny names (not so fun to touch though) such as jumping cholla, prickly pear, and barrel – these stout round plants can be found throughout the desert and are often characterized by their bright yellow, orange or rose colored blooms after a summer monsoon. The jumping cholla (pronounced choy – ya) resembles a small tree or bush and provides shade to desert animals below. Many people swear that the cactus jumped at them and grabbed them, which explains that name and is a testament to the efficiency of the barbed spines at attaching to passers-by. It’s also known by the name teddy bear cholla, probably because it looks soft from a distance.
Often over 25 feet tall, the multiarmed saguaro (suh-WAR-oh) is unique to the Sonoran Desert and is the largest American cactus. This massive cactus can live well over 100 years and experts determine the age of the cactus by its height. The largest ever recorded was 59 feet tall and estimated to be 250 years old. The blossom of the saguaro is the official state flower.
Saguaro Cactus, Mesa
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Out & About Super Bowl & Sporting Events
Annual Events
The National Football League agreed that the Valley has come a long way since its last Super Bowl in 2008 and in late 2011 it was announced that the Valley of the Sun was selected to host the Super Bowl in 2015. The Super Bowl intends on making use of the new development in Downtown Phoenix. It will be the game’s third visit to Arizona, previously having played in the Valley in 1996 and 2008. This event joins annual sporting events such as the Ironman Arizona, Cactus League Spring Training, PF Chang’s Marathon and ½ Marathon, the Fiesta Bowl and Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl.
Fiesta Bowl – January Waste Management Phoenix Open – February Arizona Renaissance Festival – March Native Trails – January - April Fountain Hills Cyclovia – April Cactus League Spring Training – March Arizona State Fair – October - November Zoolights – December
With near perfect weather comes some of the best annual events in the country. Here are just a few to keep in mind:
PF Chang’s Marathon and ½ Marathon
Arizona Renaissance Festival
After a long day of meetings, you might be craving an empty-your-lungs shout-out. Fortunately, a plethora of seasonal sporting venues await to let you indulge. The NBA’s Phoenix Suns take their aim at the US Airways Center, a home they share with the WNBA Phoenix Mercury. Spring, summer and early fall is the time to catch the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, home to the 2011 MLB All Star Game. The retractable roof means the game could be indoors or outdoors, but the stadium’s biggest splash might be its unique swimming pool, situated just beyond the home run fence in rightcenter field. If spring’s your thing, in terms of baseball, catch the 15 teams that call Arizona home for Cactus League Spring Training. And currently, the NHL Phoenix Coyotes and NFL Arizona Cardinals play in Glendale.
Tempe Diablo Stadium
Shout out loud
Spring Training Spring Training in Greater Phoenix is a great way to enjoy beautiful weather and watch baseball in a laid-back atmosphere you can’t find anywhere else. Although all the Cactus League games start in early March, some eager fans arrive in midFebruary when the players are working out and are even more accessible for autographs, photographs or conversation. This is a great time to observe a favorite player or a new rookie. As the players move from drill to drill, you’ll get a chance to hear the coaches work with the players – real inside baseball.
US Airways Center
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Get Active 300-ish Sunshiny Days From the desert floor to the highest pine-covered mountain peak, Arizona’s renowned sunshine ensures that nearly every day is a perfect one for sightseeing, playing a round of golf, skiing down a mountain slope or simply relaxing by a sparkling swimming pool. Due to being in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, southern Arizona enjoys considerably more sunshine than either Florida or Hawaii with sunny skies around 85% of the time. The abundance of sunshine explains why Arizona – with the exception of the Navajo Nation in the northeastern corner of the state – observes Mountain Standard Time year-round.
SEE THE NIGHT SKIES Here the night skies are some of the darkest in the country, and amateur and professional stargazers enjoy hundreds of cloudless nights. The far reaches of the galaxy can be explored in the state’s numerous observatories, planetariums and through telescopes on patios and balconies of the resorts. On the Tohono O’odham Reservation, Kitt Peak National Observatory tops a 6,882-foot summit 55 miles southwest of Tucson. Kitt Peak has the largest collection of optical telescopes in the world for avid stargazers pleasure. In northern Arizona, just one mile west of Flagstaff is Lowell Observatory, where astronomers first discovered Pluto. Meteor Crater, outside of Flagstaff is the first-proven and best preserved meteorite impact crater in the world and home to NASA training missions. Guided hikes are available around the crater rim and telescopes allow you to see into the depths of the crater.
Kitt Peak National Observatory
Throughout the state bikers have multiple options of terrain to test their skills. Flagstaff and Sedona are world-class mountain biking destinations with excellent trails. If staying in Phoenix and Tucson riders will find trail networks for all skill levels. The Tucson area has Fantasy Island, the 50 Year Trail and 24 Hour Trail, all are singletrack, with varying amounts of climbing and technical obstacles, while Phoenix has the largest city park in the country, South Mountain Park/Preserve. The biking community throughout the state is open and friendly, and shops are happy to provide out-of-town riders with maps and trail specifics.
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Patagonia Lake State Park
Biking
Retail Heaven Arizona has hundreds of indoor and outdoor malls, antique stores, clothing boutiques, gift shops and art galleries. With too many to mention, we’ll refrain and just tell you to choose your city and your resort or hotel and know that wherever you stay, there’ll likely be excellent shopping within a stone’s throw. Okay – maybe just one mention because it’s new and a leading project currently transforming downtown Phoenix. Cityscape, the 1.8 million-square-foot mixed use facility contains retail, dining, commercial, residential, and hotels. A great place for live music and entertainment, Macy Gray and Third Eye Blind headlined the Grand Opening celebration. And if you pressed us, we’d definitely mention the brand new Tanger Outlets at Westgate in Glendale. They have everything from Calvin Klein to Michael Kors and Cole Haan to Nike!
Westgate City Center
Chandler Fashion Center
Farmers Market
Outlet Malls In 2012 Tanger Outlets Westgate joined the already popular Outlets at Anthem and Casa Grande Outlets, giving Arizona bargain hunters even more reason to exercise their credit cards. Joining the ranks, Premium Outlets in Chandler has a planned opening of Spring 2013.
Fountain Hills Farmers Market
Almost every Arizona city has a regular farmers’ market (or two) that chefs and locals frequent. These community markets often offer arts and crafts in addition to the fresh produce. To taste what’s in season, visit arizonafarmersmarkets.com.
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Downtowns If you are looking to head ‘downtown’ to take advantage of “walkable” shopping, dining and attractions, Greater Phoenix (Valley of the Sun) offers a lot of ‘downtowns’ to choose from. Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, and Glendale all have unique vibes.
Downtown Phoenix is the commerce and cultural capital of
Arizona, representing an urban hub of performing arts venues, hip shops and restaurants, sports venues and museums. Anchored by the Phoenix Convention Center and the brand new Phoenix CityScape, a dining and retail mecca that occupies two square city blocks, Phoenix’s 1.5 square mile downtown area attracts more than 10 million visitors each year for the cultural, sports and entertainment venues.
Downtown Phoenix
Downtown Mesa, located in Mesa’s original square mile,
Downtown Scottsdale offers
is home to many independent sidewalk cafes and shops offering one-of-a-kind wares. There are three major museums, the Mesa Amphitheater (host to music and festival events) and the Mesa Arts Center which is the largest in Arizona.
some of the finest galleries, specialty retail, cultural attractions and dining in the Valley of the Sun. Scottsdale’s Arts District is home to a high concentration of galleries showcasing some of the best Western and Southwestern art in the country. Throughout “Old Town”, shopkeepers sell quality Native American crafts, offering everything from hand-woven Navajo rugs to Zuni silver jewelry.
Bob Parks Horse Fountain
Mesa Arts Center
Downtown Tempe, home to
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Historic Downtown Glendale is actually three
Mill Avenue District
Arizona State University, energy flows on treelined Mill Avenue where some 250 businesses, from charming coffee shops to quaint stores and nightclubs, offer locals and visitors entertainment galore. Sidewalk artists and entertainers frequent the area giving the scene a lively and spontaneous sense of fun and excitement.
neighborhoods – Catlin Court with its white picket fences and mature shade trees welcoming visitors to the bungalows-turnedspecialty shops, Old Towne boasting brick-trimmed sidewalks and glowing gaslights leading the way to the famous antique stores, and Promenade at Palmaire which features the Visitor Center and a growing lineup of shops and eateries. The neighborhoods span 10 square blocks which can easily be strolled in an afternoon.
Historic Downtown Glendale
PHOENIX
SCOTTSDALE
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303 Bell Rd
SURPRISE
Greenway Rd
101
52nd St
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59th Ave
EL MIRAGE
75th Ave
Northern Ave
Miller Rd
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Baseline Rd Guadalupe Rd
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Elliot Rd
GILBERT
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Warner Rd Ray Rd Chandler Blvd
Interstate Highways
202
202 State Highways
CHANDLER
Higley Rd
Greenfield Rd
Val Vista
Lindsay Dr
Gilbert Rd
Cooper Rd
McQueen Rd
Country Club Dr
Alma School Rd
McClintock Rd Price Rd
Important Roads
Rural Rd
Interstate Highways
Kyrene Rd
U.S. Highways
Priest Dr
60
Southern Ave
60
Dobson Rd
10
Broadway Rd
60 TEMPE
L E G E N D
Brown Rd University Dr Main St
MESA
Stapley Dr
METRO Apache Blvd light rail
Mill Ave 24th St
16th St
7th St
Central Ave
Baseline Rd
McKellips Rd
202
27th Ave
36th Ave
7th Ave
115th Ave
Southern Ave Dysart Rd
Thomas Rd McDowell Rd
202
Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl. Airport 43rd Ave
51st Ave
59th Ave
67th Ave
75th Ave
Broadway Rd
83rd Ave
AVONDALE Litchfield Rd
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Hw
Mesa Dr
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Buckeye Rd
N O R T H
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SCOTTSDALE TOLLESON
Van Buren St Yuma Rd
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Osborn Rd
48th St
McDowell Rd
32nd St
Thomas Rd
48th St
99th Ave
METRO light rail
Indian School Rd
Pima Rd
Lincoln Rd
89
GLENDALE
Camelback Rd
Cotton Ln Estrella Pkwy
101
PARADISE VALLEY
44th St
Bethany Home
36th St
GOODYEAR
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Glendale Ave
303
FOUNTAIN HILLS
51
40th St
Dunlap Ave
67th Ave
Shea Blvd
83rd Ave
Peoria Ave
Mirage Rd
Cactus Rd
56th St
Thunderbird Rd
Cactus Rd
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Greenway Rd Thunderbird Rd
Hayden Rd
Bell Rd
Greater Phoenix Area
Scottsdale Rd
Tatum Blvd
32nd St
40th St
7th St
Cave Creek Rd
19th Ave
27th Ave
36th Ave
51st Ave
43rd Ave
PEORIA
QUEEN CREEK
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Phoenix Each year millions of people visit the Valley of the Sun, so it is no surprise that, Phoenix has the resources to meet every meeting planner’s need, from the everyday to the obscure. To be sure, there are plenty of amenities, such as professional sports teams (the Greater Phoenix area is one of 13 metropolitan areas in the U.S. to have at least one team in each of the four major professional sports), innovative restaurants, a superior international airport and modern public transportation. Nonetheless, the city’s historic Southwestern and Native American roots can be seen in everything from spa treatments to cuisine. Saddle up for a horseback ride, stroll through a downtown art gallery or just look out at the cactus-studded mountains drenched in a reddish-purple sunset, and the distinct beauty of the place registers instantly.
Westin Pheonix Downtown
Stay Next Door to the Phoenix Convention Center Downtown Phoenix has plenty of accommodation options located just down the street from the Phoenix Convention Center, such as the brand new Hotel Palomar, which recently joined the Westin Phoenix Downtown and the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown as a prime destination for meetings.
Phoenix Convention Center
Light Rail METRO light rail makes getting around the Greater Phoenix area a breeze. Stretching from Northwest Phoenix to Mesa, rides cost just $2.00 with convenient stops at the Phoenix Convention Center, Arizona State University, Sky Harbor International Airport and much more.
Downtown Phoenix
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METRO light rail
Mesa – Art Magnet
Mesa As Arizona’s third-largest city, Mesa is steps from the lush and rugged Superstition Mountains, a yearround amusement park of outdoor recreation. But, as the spring training home of the Chicago Cubs, passionate fans continually produce record breaking attendance making March the most popular month.
Mesa Arts Center
When it comes to arts and culture, Mesa is like no other city in the Valley – or the Southwest for that matter. Mesa Arts Center is the largest arts and entertainment venue of its kind in the Southwest. It houses four theaters, five art galleries, and 14 art studios. Two other museums are within walking distance of downtown Mesa with the Arizona Museum of Natural History serving as the anchor. Here, visitors can see some of the biggest dinosaurs that ever lived and understand the natural and cultural history of the Southwest. The Arizona Museum for Youth is a fine arts museum for children, and the Mesa Historical Museum details the history of the city.
PHOENIX MESA GATEWAY AIRPORT Although Mesa is just 20 minutes from Downtown Phoenix and Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport, Mesa’s own PhoenixMesa Gateway Airport offers meeting planners a convenient alternative. Allegiant Air Spirit, Airlines and Frontier currently offer service to cities outside Arizona.
Searching For Gold Mesa is known as an activity-oriented destination; heading east into the rugged slopes of the Superstition Mountains, one encounters the towns of Apache Junction and Gold Canyon. Until you’ve experienced the Superstitions, you’re missing one of Arizona’s wildest rides. Legend has it that hidden in these parts is a rich vein of gold. For more than 150 years, starry-eyed prospectors have hiked up and down the mountains in search of Lost Dutchman’s Mine. What anybody can find, however, are the dazzling kaleidoscopes of wildflowers that blanket the foothills in springtime following healthy winter rains. Now you can experience the beauty of the Sonoran Desert by the light of the moon with a guided moonlit hike offered by the Lost Dutchman State Park.
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Scottsdale Scottsdale takes pride in its ability to offer a wealth of charm, style and sophistication in the serene Sonoran Desert. Expect world famous dining, one of a kind shopping, a vibrant arts-oriented downtown, celebrated resorts, and championship golf, just minutes from activities such as rock climbing, race car driving, horseback riding, Jeep safaris and balloon flights. The options for entertaining are nearly endless and Scottsdale’s more than 70 hotels and resorts range from five-star luxury to Bed & Breakfast accommodations.
Scottsdale Public Art Scottsdale Public Art recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Located throughout the Scottsdale area are currently more than 70 permanent pieces and 20 new permanent artworks in progress, creating an outdoor museum and interactive exhibit. Make sure to see The Doors and Sound Passage on the corner of Camelback and Scottsdale Roads; step inside for a light and sound experience you won’t find anywhere else. Sanctuary Camelback Mountain
Downtown Scottsdale
Swing –
More than 300 Courses to Choose From To say that golf is a leading recreational interest in the Grand Canyon State would be quite an understatement. In the words of the National Golf Foundation, Greater Phoenix is “The Golf Capital of the World.” With over 200 courses in the Valley of the Sun and another 100-plus spread throughout Arizona – these courses range from sculptured desert terrain with magnificent saguaro cacti dotting the fringes of the fairways to lush mountain courses with fairways positioned amidst massive pine trees. Few, if any, areas in the world can boast the variety of golf course environments that Arizona enjoys. Gainey Ranch Golf Club
A good number of Arizona cities and towns regularly host art walks, where art galleries open their doors for extended hours offering locals and visitors a night out to mingle with these creative people, engage in great dialogues with wonderful art, share food, libations and live music and purchase new treasures for their art collection. Downtown Scottsdale’s ArtWalk is the only weekly one, happening every Thursday evening from 7-9 p.m. – just follow the ArtWalk markers on the sidewalks. Also in the greater Phoenix area, downtown Phoenix’s Art Walk (First Fridays) showcases eclectic and emerging galleries and the Phoenix Art Museum stays open until 10 p.m. waiving entrance fees. Chandler’s takes place on the first Wednesday of each month, while Mesa has adopted the second Friday for theirs. Nestled in the mountains northwest of the Valley, Jerome, Flagstaff, Prescott and Sedona are all home to a multitude of artists who draw inspiration from each other and the wonderful natural and historical surroundings. Prescott’s artwalk is the 4th Friday of the month while Flagstaff’s and Sedona’s are both on the first Friday of each month. Jerome has picked the first Saturday of each month. In Southern Arizona, Tucson hosts its art walk on the first Saturday of each month.
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TASTE SOMETHING NEW Swanky wine bars, funky Old West watering holes. Carne asada burritos, fresh hot frybread heaped with savory toppings. Jazz in a balmy desert garden, opera in a grand historic theater. Arizona’s dining, culture and nightlife offer something new for everyone. In Arizona, expect to find a lot of local fresh ingredients, thanks to the many chefs choosing to champion the uniqueness of Arizona’s heritage and locale unlike anywhere else. Really! Just ask celebrity chefs Bobby Flay and Cat Cora, who were forced to take second place to three Valley of the Sun chefs on the Food Network’s Iron Chef America. Or visit one of the numerous Arizona dining establishments that received the 2012 AAA Four and Five Star awards. Many get their food from their own chef’s garden or Arizona’s numerous farmers’ markets.
El Chorro
Art Walks
SWANKY DIGS The New York Times described Scottsdale as the “Beverly Hills of the Desert.” Major travel publications continually bestow top awards on the city’s resorts and hotels. Scottsdale’s more than 70 hotels and resorts range from five-star luxury to nicely appointed accommodations that will maximize your group’s budget. The Bespoke Inn, Café and Bicycles recently opened as Downtown Scottsdale’s only luxury B&B. In addition to the Scottsdale resorts, numerous Arizona properties, from grand resorts to charming B&B’s, have recently made the list of Conde Nast’s 2012 Readers Choice Awards.
Bespoke Inn, Café & Bicycles
SCOTTSDALE SPA SPARKLES Where luxury spa treatments are concerned, Scottsdale is virtually unbeatable. Offering the ultimate in privacy, Agave, the Arizona Spa at the Westin Kierland is located just steps outside the resort and features a quiet lap pool beside a relaxing courtyard and garden. Also among the elite, is the awardwinning Moroccan-inspired, 31,000-square-foot Joya Spa at the Montelucia Resort.
Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
Nightlife You’ll find a variety of nightlife options throughout Arizona, but for the center of the nighttime entertainment universe you can’t beat downtown Scottsdale. With more than 80 night clubs, bars, lounges, and restaurants in a walkable area, there is something to meet everyone in your group’s tastes.
Jade Bar, Sanctuary Resort
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Fountain Hills The Town of Fountain Hills and the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation are wreathed by scenic mountains, draped in the unique vegetation of the Sonoran Desert and blessed with panoramic views offering a wide range of outdoor activities such as golfing, hiking, biking, bird watching and boating. The white plume of Fountain Hill’s world famous fountain – the town took its name from the landmark – is visible for miles. Those with a sense of whimsy might check out the burgeoning arts scene in Fountain Hills; sculptures, water features and other works of art adorn the Community Center, the Avenue of the Fountains and public places
Fountain Hills
Chandler Just east of Mesa, the trellis-covered walkways and colonnades of Historic Downtown Chandler lure people to this unique community with its ever-increasing inventory of exceptional galleries, charming boutique shops and independent restaurants. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Chandler’s Downtown Square was once a favored haunt of Hollywood luminaries and heads of state.
Chandler Art Walk
Happening In Chandler
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The first Wednesday of each month features an art walk in downtown. Unique annual events include a Jazz Festival, Classic Car & Hot Rod Show, Tumbleweed Tree Lighting event, Ostrich Festival, and a Cinco de Mayo celebration including Chihuahua races.
Glendale AND THE WEST VALLEY
Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
The Best Deals The summer in Arizona may be hot, but it’s the perfect time to cool off your budget. Arizona resorts used to shut down during the hot summer months, but now they open their doors to amazing savings and amenities packages, and you can save between 50-75% off regular rates. Escape to the resort pool or spa to cool off between breakout sessions – you’ll find great deals there too.
Local Finds Local First Arizona is a non-profit dedicated to promoting and celebrating local businesses. Pick up one of their Small Wonder maps to find an eclectic assortment of local boutiques, restaurants and events. You can also download and print the map on their website, www.localfirstaz.com.
Glendale and the West Valley is an area rich in history. Just a short time ago, the towns west of Phoenix were comprised of cotton fields, citrus groves, cattle ranches and an Air Force base. Today, Glendale has a brand new Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and is a dominant force in the West Valley. Thanks to its prime attraction, the University of Phoenix Stadium, home to the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, the annual Tostitos Fiesta Bowl and special events, Glendale has emerged as a top event destination. Historic Downtown Glendale has been named by USA Today & Sunset Magazine as one of the country’s ten best places for shopping. Motorcycles on Main, Mesa
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Mill Avenue
Tempe Tempe offers professional meeting planners an excellent destination – with off-site event options at museums, concert halls, the Tempe Center for the Arts, Tempe Town Lake, The Phoenix Zoo, Desert Botanical Garden, historic sites, City of Tempe parks and the Arizona State University Tempe campus, all at an affordable price. From the younger crowd to the young at heart, Tempe has just what you seek for an interesting, fun and unique meeting location.
Energy flows from tree-lined Mill Avenue in the center of downtown Tempe where some 250 businesses – from charming coffee shops to quaint stores and nightclubs – offer entertainment galore. Sidewalk artists and entertainers frequent the area giving the scene a lively and spontaneous sense of fun and enjoyment. Not far from the excitement of Mill Avenue you will find the Fiesta Resort Conference Center, a prominent fixture in Tempe.
PHOENIX ZOO
Tempe Town Lake
Desert Botanical Garden
Situated at the north end of Mill Avenue, Tempe Town Lake is a two-mile-long riverbed offering an urban oasis for boating, kayaking and urban fishing, and is the centerpiece for many of Tempe’s signature events. Tempe Town Lake is encircled by five miles of paths popular with joggers, dog-walkers, in-line skaters, bicyclists and those just out for a stroll.
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The Phoenix Zoo is the largest non-profit zoo in the United States. With more than 1,300 animals and miles of walking trails, The Phoenix Zoo has exhibits and activities for all ages. Make sure to check out the newest Orangutan exhibit in addition to the Komodo Dragon, where two full-grown dragons reside. The exhibit has multiple viewing areas, a tropical setting, heated rocks next to windows for up-close viewing and a 7,000-gallon pool for the dragons to swim in.
Mill Avenue District
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Tucson With mile after mile of pristine desert, cactus like nowhere else on Earth, spectacular mountains in every direction, raw surroundings, challenging high-desert golf, a diverse culinary scene, historic cowboy culture, Spanish, Mexican and NativeAmerican heritage, and exciting attractions – Tucson is an attractive destination for any meeting. For in-your-face encounters with the giant Saguaro cactus, head east or west, to Saguaro National Park. The park consists of two districts, one on either side of the city, but both possess an imposing array of these natural wonders, with their needle-dotted arms extended skyward.
Arizona Trail
Caves
The Arizona Trail
Experience an underground delight at Kartchner Caverns as you tour a living limestone cave with many unique and world-class formations. Voted one of the top ten caves in the world, the park also offers hiking trails, a hummingbird garden, a campground, as well as a large, interactive discovery center that houses a replica of the cave, a documentary video and gift shop. Just a short distance from Kartchner is Colossal Cave Mountain Park. This 2,400-acre desert park listed on the National Historic Register is home to the breathtaking crystal-filled Colossal Cave.
The Arizona Trail has 800-some miles of diverse trails segmented into more than 43 sections, which traverse the state from its border with Utah to Mexico. The 13.5mile section in the Santa Rita Mountains from Gardner Canyon Road to Oak Tree Canyon takes you over Cave Creek, into Fish Canyon, and through Kentucky Camp, a collection of long-abandoned mining buildings. The segment starting at Montezuma Pass in the Coronado National Forest negotiates the crest of the Huachuca Mountains for 20 miles. In the north, just outside Flagstaff, the 14 miles of segment #32 start at a trailhead on Interstate 40, but quickly head into open country before climbing up and around Mt. Elden en route to Schultz Pass, which isn’t too far from the amenities – beer, burritos, and soft beds – of Flagstaff. Wherever you are in the state, or wherever you want to be in the state, the Arizona Trail is there.
Kartchner Caverns
SOUTHERN ARIZONA Replete with natural wonders, history and culture, Southern Arizona is a romantic region of stately saguaros, scenic preserves and exciting destinations. From Tucson, the area’s thriving metropolis, to Wild West towns, rugged adventure areas and rolling vineyards, the towns of Southern Arizona are as interesting as they are diverse. Tour a Spanish Colonial mission. Explore enormous caves. Visit local wineries. Whatever you desire, Southern Arizona has it.
International Day Trips From here, it’s an easy drive to the twin border cities of Nogales, Arizona, and Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, where hundreds of curio shops offer plenty of opportunities for bargain hunting, especially for leather, jewelry, and terra cotta pottery.
Nogales, Mexico
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San Xaver Del Bac Mission
Flagstaff
San Francisco Peaks
Flagstaff’s cool mountain air, unique university town feel, smart sophistication and rich history, combined with the snow-capped San Francisco Peaks, vast trails for hiking, biking and skiing, give meeting planners a something-foreveryone option. Scientists, educators, mountain climbers, skiers, artists, and historians call Flagstaff home and are eager to share the plethora of opportunities available. Experience a different kind of cool on Route 66. The “Mother Road” has long-since been replaced by Interstate 40, but it remains one of Flagstaff’s main drags and a great way to step back in time. While in town take advantage of the Flagstaff Urban Trails System. This 33-mile interconnecting trail system makes neighborhoods, schools, museums and city buildings accessible through hiking, biking, jogging and even skiing. Flagstaff’s lodging facilities include approximately 5,000 guestrooms and many of the hotels offer a variety of meeting and conference space. Little America Hotel and Radisson Woodlands Hotel exemplify elegant comfort and ambience. Mormon Lake Lodge, just south of Flagstaff offers meeting planners lodging, dining, horseback riding, and skiing set in a western atmosphere.
Prescott
Granite Dells
Prescott was founded in 1864 and soon thereafter, when Arizona became an official territory, was named the territorial capital. For much of the rest of the century, it remained the most important, as well as the richest, city in the state. Prescott’s town square would inspire Norman Rockwell. The Whiskey Row saloons are serious about their swinging doors and frosty glasses. The trendy boutiques rival those in the biggest of cities. And the food, well, it will brand your soul. Prescott’s wide range of accommodations includes some 50 hotels with over 27,000 square feet of meeting space and over 1,400 rooms (more than 1,800 if you include Prescott Valley). Located just two blocks from Courthouse Square in the historic Whiskey Row district in downtown Prescott, you will find everything from the historic Hassayampa Inn to the Springhill Suites’ stylish suites which are smartly designed for working, relaxing and sleeping. The Residence Inn by Marriott is located just off Highway 69 at the Prescott Gateway Mall.
Route 66 “Get your kicks, along Route 66,” went the classic hit tune sung by Nat King Cole in 1946. More than 60 years later, folks are still getting plenty of kicks on this fabled road that winds through western Arizona. Past meets present in Kingman, where the Historic Route 66 Museum in the Powerhouse Visitor Center takes you on a sentimental journey. Further west, Route 66 ribbons through the tiny town of Oatman, where wild, if friendly, burros roam the streets, seeking any carrots you care to share. The burros are descendents of the original pack animals that served gold miners in the 1880s.
Route 66
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Sedona Sedona’s beauty and luxury can be captured hiking the famous red rocks, feeling the mysticism of a vortex, shopping the acclaimed art galleries, or taking in one of the nationally distinguished resorts or restaurants. At an elevation of 4,500 feet and protected by the Plateau, the area enjoys four mild, sunshine-filled seasons and clean air, with average high temperatures in the mid-70s and lows in the mid-40s. There are more artists per capita in Sedona than anywhere else in the country. Raku pottery, hand-hammered wind chimes, fine jewelry, juniper furniture, oil paintings, bronze sculptures – they’re all imagined, made, and sold here. Thus, art galleries are ubiquitous in Sedona. Meeting planners have more than 40,000 square feet of meeting space, and some 3,000 hotel rooms available to choose from. Sedona offers a range of choices, such as Poco Diablo Resort along the stunning Oak Creek, Enchantment Resort in scenic and secluded Boynton Canyon and the Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa with a golf course on-site.
Red Rock Crossing
Chapel of the Holy Cross
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Exceptional Variety With more mountains than Switzerland and more forest than Minnesota, Arizona amazes visitors with its vibrant variety of natural and cultural experiences any time of year. No other state can claim such remarkable biodiversity, four-season splendor and larger-than-life natural contrasts than Arizona. Vast and unspoiled, Arizona’s landscape is exceptional. Northern Arizona boasts snow-covered peaks, sandstone spires rising a thousand feet from the canyon floor, and dark green, pine forests revealing fields of wildflowers. Undulating sand dunes and sapphire lakes define Western Arizona, while majestic saguaros and Native American petroglyphs are synonymous with the Sonoran Desert of Central and Southern Arizona.
Flagstaff
Chaparal Pines, Payson
Payson The pretty tourist town of Payson is just two hours east of Prescott or a short, scenic, 90-minute drive north of Phoenix. Located in the largest continuous stand of ponderosa pine in the world, this town offers all four seasons and guests enjoy hiking, fishing, skiing and many other outdoor activities. The towering pines that permeate the town give the air its freshness, and the atmosphere above town is considered one of only three pure-air ozone belts in the world. Ideal for small meetings, Payson offers almost 500 hotel rooms and meeting facilities for groups of up to 200. The year round events and activities Payson offers are a huge draw to this small town. Located within the Tonto National Forest is the Mogollon Rim, Mazatzal Hotel & Casino offers luxurious hotel rooms, great meeting space and exciting casino games. www.AZMeetings.co m
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Lake Havasu
The Colorado River forms the border of Arizona and California. Here, Lake Havasu City has 400-some miles of coastline and marinas renting everything from jet skis to houseboats. The city offers several venues with meeting space to accommodate groups up to 1,000 people. The London Bridge Resort & Convention Center is a unique lakefront option for meeting planners.
London Bridge
Lake Powell
Hoover Dam The feat of engineering that is the Hoover Dam, the second highest dam in the U.S., is responsible for some of the most notable lakes in Arizona. Lake Mead, the 110-mile long lakein-the-middle-of-the-Mojave created by the Dam, includes 67-mile-long Lake Mojave, created when David Dam went up. Launch at the Hoover Dam and take your group on a float down the Colorado River with Black Canyon/Willow Beach Adventures for a memorable day with knowledgeable tour guides and breathtaking scenery, or rent houseboats and watercraft at Temple Bar Marina.
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Lake Powell, located on the Arizona/Utah border, is the second-largest man-made lake in the country with nearly 100 side canyons flowing into it. The most popular activities on Lake Powell are houseboating, jet skiing, swimming, fishing, kayaking and canoeing, although there are also scuba diving and snorkeling. (Antelope Point Marinas rent a variety of watercrafts.) One of its main attractions, Rainbow Bridge, a natural bridge tall enough and wide enough for the U.S. Capitol Dome to sit beneath it, is either an hours-long hike or a comfortable two-hour boat ride. Outfitters in Page rent mountain bikes you can take onto the NRA’s backcountry roads, and Antelope Canyon Tours takes you through the slot canyon with a Navajo Guide.
Lake Powell Houseboat
Boating There are boats and then there are Boats. The Antelope Point Marina in the Navajo Nation section of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area rents the latter, specifically custom houseboats built by Forever Houseboats. Antelope Point’s smallest rental is 59 feet. All come with flat screen satellite TVs, state-of-the art kitchens, wet bars, and even water slides. If you had one of these boats anywhere but Lake Powell, it’d be easy to spend all your time moored in the marina. But Lake Powell, at 186 miles long with more shoreline than you can imagine – if you drew a line along the shore then pulled it straight, it would be longer than the distance from Canada to Mexico – is best experienced by boat. Some might argue the only way to really experience it is by boat. Lake Powell has 96 named canyons and countless smaller ones; most are accessible only by boat. With water levels higher than they have been in years, you can delve deeper into canyons and see areas of the lake that have been inaccessible for some time. Lake Mead, larger than Lake Powell, is equally popular with boaters, and has several marinas that rent various types of boats. Cruise slowly along its shoreline and look for wildlife from bighorn sheep to bobcats, eagles, feral burros, coyotes, and foxes as well as improbably diverse plant life.
Grand Canyon National Park
Colorado River Maj. John Wesley Powell was thought crazy when he attempted to navigate the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in 1869, but nowadays, with the help of river guides, more than 20,000 people raft some part of this stretch each year in everything from oar-powered Avon Spirit rafts to 38foot motor rigs. Outfitters offer trips lasting anywhere from a half-day to 19 days. Whatever length you choose, you’ll enjoy unique views of the Canyon – passing waterfalls, grottos and wind-sculpted dunes. www.AZMeetings.co m
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dining
Options for dining and nightlife in
the Valley of the Sun are nearly limitless, as the Valley boasts an impressive array of the nation’s finest dining establishments and numerous group settings that mix the culture of the area with the cuisine. From planning intimate fine dining for a small executive group to a cowboy cookout for thousands of conventioneers, the Valley’s dining and nightlife will meet your needs and exceed your expectations.
AUTHENTIC SOUTHWEST
El Chorro
Some flavors are so traditionally Southwest that if they don’t show up on your plate at least once during your visit you aren’t having a proper Arizona experience. Native American, Hispanic, and Old West traditions combine with creative, classical training to inspire Arizona’s chefs. From the fiery habanero to the sweet prickly pear cactus, the flavors of the Southwest are always fresh and local. Scottsdale’s Old Town Tortilla Factory is housed in a small 75 year old historic adobe home with a massive patio that provides an ideal starlit dining experience while offering the best margaritas and salsa in the valley. Since 1937, El Chorro Café has been pleasing Arizona palates in a beautiful desert setting with cuisine highlighting the Sonoran Desert surroundings.
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IMPRESSIVE At Arizona’s gorgeous resorts, sophisticates from around the world meet award-winning chefs in fashionable dining rooms. In Greater Phoenix, Mobil Stars and AAA Diamonds are showered. Throughout the area you will find chic sophisticated eateries that will leave you gastronomically satisfied and visually inspired. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Winebar offers the “Fleming’s 100”, 100 wines by the glass to fulfill your guests every taste. If you are looking to impress your clients with elegance, glamour and a little bit of fun, then Modern Steak with its crystal chandeliers, mirrored ceilings and even more beautiful wait staff is the perfect option.
Health Minded With over 300 days of sunshine and an average temperature of around 70 degrees, Arizona is the perfect place for outdoor activities. After spending the day hiking, golfing or biking, meeting attendees want to continue the healthy trend and enjoy a meal that is both good for you and flavorful. True Food Kitchen, with locations in Phoenix and Scottsdale, focuses on fresh locally and regionally grown ingredients, serving food based on the famed Dr. Andrew Weil’s Anti-Inflammatory diet. With items on the menu such as Andy’s Elixir and Medicine Man, diners are sure to leave here feeling refreshed and energized.
Roaring Fork
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Rustler’s Rooste
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria
A Fresh Twist on a Beloved Classic Pizza and Italian cuisine have long been a favorite of Americans, and Arizona does Italian exceptionally well. There are plenty of restaurants that transport you to a different place and time that will cause your dinner to rouse old memories of your favorite foods and homemade traditions. Grimaldi’s Pizzeria takes you straight to Brooklyn, NY right down to the authentic water they use in the dough – they hired chemists to create and filter to the exact composition of New York water. The newly opened North Fattoria Italiana, Fattoria meaning “farm” in Italian, offers dinners rustic country Italian cuisine that you won’t find elsewhere.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Winebar
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venue OPTIONS Venue selection is a major factor in the
Rancho De Los Caballeros
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The Venue Scottsdale
overall success of your event. In addition to traditional conference centers with state-ofthe-art technology; museums with stunning art and cultural settings; and restaurants with breathtaking views and fabulous food; you’ll also find western towns where meeting-goers can shed their ties, put bandanas around their necks and learn the two-step at a cowboy cookout. It might seem like a bewildering task to choose the right venue, however most can be broadly grouped into the following categories, so it becomes much easier to pick the right one for your meeting or event.
Convention Centers When looking for a meeting space that is centrally located near attractions and varied accommodations, a state-of-the-art convention center may be just what you need. Thanks to its 2008 renovation and expansion, the Phoenix Convention Center now offers more than 900,000 square feet of meeting and event space and more than two million in total square footage, making it one of the top 20 convention venues in the United States. Thousands of images of Arizona from cultural, historic and geographic points of view are combined with indigenous materials, stones and native metals to form its unique design concepts. Every detail – from colors and textures to lighting, angles and entrances – inspires guests to explore the marvels of Arizona. Mesa Convention Center offers 15,000 square feet of exhibit area and an additional 25,000 square feet of meeting space in addition to the outdoor Mesa Amphitheatre which offers festival seating for 4,200 on curved grass.
Heard Museum
Museums
Musical Instrument Museum
Arizona’s cultural venues offer settings that attendees are unlikely to forget. Delve into the region’s cultural center with a trip to the Heard Museum, an inimitable representation of Native American art and folklore. The Musical Instrument Museum is the largest in the world of its kind with over 15,000 instruments from over 200 countries. All offer a distinctive meeting venue that will provide the entertainment, conversation and ambiance that will leave your attendees in awe. Mesa Convention Center
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venue OPTIONS Stadiums/Sports Venues For an out-of-the-box, WOW moment, consider one of Arizona’s many sporting venues to host your next convention. From the retractable roof of Chase Field, to the roll-in, rollout field at University of Phoenix
Stadium, Arizona is a front-runner in innovative sporting venues. Imagine your next teambuilding event in the locker room that hosts NFL teams from around the country, or a pool party field level during a baseball game.
Event in the Sonoran Desert
Sonoran Desert
Upscale Resorts As the “Resort Capital of the Southwest” the Valley of the Sun doesn’t have any shortage of luxury resort options to meet your every unique event need. From grand ballrooms to private boardrooms to outdoor spaces, resorts offer a large range of meeting venues in addition to on-site accommodations. The latest trend in resort meetings is “active” programs which are particularly well-suited to Arizona. Great year-round sunny, dry weather ensures hassle-free planning. Several resorts in Arizona, including the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, offer “glow in the dark” golf contests. Depending on your group’s level of interest and fitness, other active events could include desert hikes, cattle drives, or cooking classes.
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Westin Kierland Resort
University of Phoenix Stadium
Arizona offers a remarkable setting that you can’t find anywhere else – the Sonoran Desert. Nothing is more quintessential Arizona than a purple desert sunset on an outdoor cowboy cookout.
Reducing Your Footprint Environmental stewardship has become an integral part of doing business for many companies and there’s no reason to veer off course for a meeting in Arizona. For instance, try negotiating green concessions into contracts such as turning off air and power in rooms that aren’t being used, sourcing local ingredients for food and beverage and ensuring leftovers are composted or donated. Other elements of keeping it green for your meeting or event should include as many of the following as possible. • Use recyclable or repurposed display and production elements and décor. • Send invitations electronically. • Use online briefing books and press materials. • Choose green products for amenities or gifts. • Hold group gatherings outdoors to limit energy use. Hassayampa Inn
A Room with a Past Though at 100, Arizona is a relatively young state, there is no shortage of historical properties to choose from when selecting your meeting location. Historic hotels are still standing and operating today, such as the first air-conditioned San Carlos Hotel in downtown Phoenix and the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort in Chandler, built in 1913, which has hosted everyone from Bing Crosby to Cher. In Northern Arizona, the Hassayampa Inn in Prescott, built in 1927 offers meeting planners a slice of Western charm. There are also a number of famous historical homes to choose from for a more intimate meeting experience. Wrigley Mansion, the winter home of gum-magnate William Wrigley Jr., and Hermosa Inn, the Paradise Valley residence of legendary cowboy artist Lon Megargee, are both good options.
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activities
Whether you are a star athlete or you let your gym membership expire two weeks into your New Year’s resolution, Arizona has stunning scenery for every level of hiker in your group. Arizona’s unique combination of mountains and desert offer numerous easily accessible options for hikers in your group. Two of the most popular with locals and visitors alike are Piestewa Peak, where a dazzling view of downtown Phoenix awaits those who ascend to the top, and Camelback Mountain, an aptly named local landmark. South Mountain Park, the Phoenix Mountain Preserve and the Papago Buttes are other sterling examples of back-to-nature fun for those looking to hike, bike or walk the desert. Nestled in the lush Sonoran Desert, Scottsdale is bordered by the McDowell Mountains and McDowell Sonoran Preserve, which consists of 16,460 acres of protected land. These areas provide the perfect landscape for mountain biking, hiking and backpacking. The McDowell Sonoran Preserve also offers guided hikes in the area that range from three to more than eight miles in length. Visit their website www.mcdowellsonoran.org for updates on scheduled public hikes, and to download a map with helpful information such as shade areas, restrooms and parking. Camelback Mountain
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Superstition Mountain
Urban Mountain Trails
Aravaipa Canyon Preserve
Desert Exploring Arizona boasts vast open spaces and scenic beauty from the high lush desert area south of Tucson to the magnificent Grand Canyon area. Ranges of mountains rise from the desert floor throughout the Sonoran desert region. In areas like Sedona and Monument Valley, reddish rock formations composed of layers of volcanic rock, sandstone, limestone and shale, give the landscape striking colors and unique formations. Rock hounds find the state rich with gems and minerals created by millions of years of geological activity. The many wonders of life in the desert are presented and preserved in sanctuaries and botanical gardens around the state. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum near Tucson is world-renowned for its presentation of native plants and animals in habitats replicating natural environments. In Phoenix, the Desert Botanical Garden is one of only 44 botanical gardens accredited by the American Association of Museums and hosts one of the world’s finest collections of desert plants. Tour operators offer charter buses and vans to a wide variety of desert sight-seeing locales, including beautiful sunsets and moonlight magic.
Know Before You Go • Bring plenty of water. • Wear closed toed shoes and a hat. A long-sleeved shirt will protect you from the desert sun. • Plan where you are going and tell a friend. • Wear sunscreen. • Stay on designated trails. Though there are the harmless variety, desert flora and fauna have a habit for being prickly and poisonous so it’s best not to disrupt their homes.
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Off Road Adventures There is such variety in the scenery to see in Arizona that maybe it’s best to let someone else take the wheel while you grab the camera. Off-road Jeep and Hummer tours are a wonderful way to enjoy the desert’s Old West history and experience its beautiful flora and fauna. Knowledgeable and entertaining drivers/guides weave tales of history and folklore on their scenic outings. Pink Jeep Tours in Sedona is one of the oldest operators in the state and probably offers the most picturesque tour through red rock country. Both Arizona Outback Adventures and Stellar Adventures offer a huge selection of teambuilding activities in the Phoenix area. Tour options include hiking, biking, gold panning, stargazing, night vision, pistol shooting, Jeep, river rafting, chuckwagon cookouts, and any combination of them. Those who thrive on hands-on adventure might prefer to pilot their own motorcycle, ATV or Jet Ski. For a more Arizonan experience, book a sunrise horseback ride followed by a hearty cowboy cookout for breakfast. From high in the saddle, you’ll see exotic cactus, rolling desert foothills and crystalline streams.
Off Road, Superstition Mountains
gunslingers and outlaws
Fort McDowell Adventures
The Wild West isn’t just legend and lore in Arizona. In every corner of the state are sites like the OK Corral in Tombstone, the old silver mines in Bisbee, Prescott’s fabled “Whiskey Row” with turn-of-the-century bars, and a host of guest ranches. Lucky for visitors, some of Arizona’s guest ranches combine their working operation with the guest experience, offering the chance to play cowboy for a day. Activities include horseback rides, roping lessons and cattle drives and are perfect for teambuilding and small groups. Old Tucson Studios in Tucson transports you to a town of yesteryear, complete with a cast of characters including lawmen, cowboys, and saloon girls.
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Take to the skies
Ballooning Sedona
Arizona’s famous blue skies offer spectacular views of the beautiful Sonoran Desert below. Balloon companies such as Hot Air Expeditions provide breathtaking vistas and unforgettable memories, and the dry desert winter climate is also the ideal environment for a corporate outing promising excitement at an entirely new level. Even though you travel at five or six miles per hour, there’s virtually no sensation of motion because you’re flying with the wind – kind of like a magic carpet ride. Most balloon operators offer touch-down breakfasts with gourmet food, champagne and keepsake flight certificates
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transportation Eco-Friendly Transportation
Mill Avenue Bridge
With the arrival of METRO light rail in 2009, travel around the Valley became a hassle free event, with the Phoenix Convention Center and Downtown hotels just steps from METRO light rail stations. The $1.3 million system links Phoenix, Mesa and Tempe, and on evening rides you will often find local bands serenading the rails and offering riders an experience they won’t likely forget. Another really fun way to get around is to hop on a bicycle. Many resorts have them available for guests’ use and there are a lot of local shops that rent them, especially in the Downtowns. And of course, you can take the bikes with you on the METRO light rail too.
Limousine Service When hosting a sales meeting at one of the many posh Valley Resorts and you need to keep in mind your event image and VIPs, don’t forget a luxury transportation selection. One of the best options available to you is a limousine service. Limo services provide a luxurious and comfortable option, with the added benefit of taking away any concerns regarding directions, traffic, and parking. ExecuCar, a division of SuperShuttle International, offers ‘green’ hybrid vehicles, point-topoint transportation, airport transfers and hourly charter services. Driver Provider – Worldwide Chaufferured Transportation is another great choice. With a dedicated group programs department, they offer competitive rates and courteous, trustworthy staff.
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Downtown Tucson
Charter Buses Your group will benefit from the comfort, convenience and capacity that charter buses offer. Charter buses’ standard provisions include air conditioning, reclining seats, restrooms, and media players to get your group from A to B safely and in style can coordinate your daytrip seamlessly.
Grand Canyon National Park
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport As one of the nation’s top ten busiest airports, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport encompasses 3,000 acres and services 20 airlines, with three terminals, 30,000 parking spaces, and a $90 million daily economic impact. On a typical day, over 1,200 airplanes will land and depart, transporting more than 100,000 passengers.
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events MONTH
Arizona Renaissance Feastival
by the
ARIZONA
Dates were correct at time of publication. Since dates are occasionally changed, please confirm them in advance.
JANUARY P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon and 1/2 Marathon – Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe January 19, 2013, rnraz.com This is the 10th anniversary of the P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2 Marathon and will feature two courses, a bike course, and a relay. With Marathoners starting in Tempe and Full Marathoners starting in Downtown Phoenix, sites will include the brand new CityScape, Papago Park, Downtown Scottsdale, the Mill Avenue Bridge and SkySong. With over 30,000 participants there is plenty of excitement for runners and spectators throughout the weekend.
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Field to Feast Tours – Yuma January 30-31, 2013, visityuma.com Get ready to get hands on – and a little dirty. During this half day tour, you will be provided with gloves, knives and a recipe card, then let loose in the fields to fill the chef’s order – in addition to picking some healthy treats to take home with you. While you continue on your agricultural tour, U of A culinary students will be hard at work in the kitchen preparing your lunch with the food you collected that morning.
P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon and 1/2 Marathon
FEBRUARY 75th Annual Tohono O’odham Nation Rodeo & Fair - O’odham Wapkial Ha:Tas – Sells February 1-3, 2013, tonation-nsn.gov Arizona’s longest running All-Indian rodeo! This is the Tohono O’odham Nation’s biggest event with rodeo competitions, traditional games, food, crafts, carnival rides, fun run, exhibits and performances. Blue Water Resort and Casino’s Parker “425” – Parker February 1-3, 2013, bitd.com World-class off-road racing with a maximum of 16 Trick Truck Teams competing head to head in an elimination bracket. The Parker Pit Crew Challenge will be streamed live on Race-Dezert.com. 19th Annual Chocolate Affaire – Glendale February 8-10, 2013, visitglendale.com A delicious delight for the senses as the Glendale Chocolate Affaire takes over downtown Glendale to create a chocolate-lover’s dream! Chocolate purveyors from Arizona and around the nation gather in Glendale for this awardwinning festival, which celebrates not only chocolate, has become the largest gathering of national romance novelists in the Southwest. GolfFest Phoenix – Mesa February 8-9, 2013, golffestshow.com You’re in Arizona and Arizona is all about golf! TaylorMade, PING, Cleveland, Callaway, Bridgestone Golf, Cobra, Wilson, Nike, Mizuno and Adams will be at Golf Fest introducing their new products. Get the latest offers on clothing, golf resorts, golf tee times and other golf company products and services. A variety of displays and activities, including free golf lessons for all skill levels, free driving range use to test out the latest products, and golf skill contests will be available for all attendees. Bring your clubs & Winn Grips will offer one free grip & installation!
MARCH 25th Annual Arizona Renaissance Festival – Apache Junction Through March 31, 2013, renfestinfo.com A medieval amusement park, a 12-stage theater, a 30-acre circus, an arts & crafts fair, a jousting tournament and a feast – all rolled into one non-stop, day-long family adventure 25th Annual Ostrich Festival – Chandler March 8-10, 2012, 480.963.4571, ostrichfestival.com This hallmark event in Chandler features ostrich races, carnival rides, live headline entertainment, local performing groups and bands, exotic petting zoo, camel and pony rides, KidZone, fun run, parade and various arts & crafts vendors. Voted “One of Top 10 Unique Festivals in the U.S.” 26th Annual A Night in the 40’s Big Band Dance and USO Show – Mesa March 16, 2013, BigBandDance.com A Night in the 40’s Big Band Dance and USO Show – CAF Aircraft Museum, features a WWII 1940’s musical show followed by a Big Band Orchestra playing sounds of the era to dancing men and women dressed in the period, in the shadow of the vintage B-17, 4:15 pm, a contest for the best dressed 1940’s costume, and a swing dance contest.
9th Annual Pat’s Run – Tempe April 20, 2013, pattillmanfoundation.org Pat’s Run is the signature fundraising event for the Pat Tillman Foundation. Join more than 35,000 participants, volunteers and spectators from across the country. The 4.2 mile course celebrates the life and legacy of former ASU football star, Arizona Cardinal and Army Ranger, Pat Tillman.
APRIL Arizona Diamondbacks Baseball – Phoenix April-September, 2013, 602.462.4600, diamondbacks.com Baseball, hot dogs and apple pie – all still representative of American values – and thankfully, all still affordable. Prices for single game tickets in the upper deck range from $5 to $20. www.AZMeetings.co m
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events MONTH by the
ARIZONA
MAY Farmers Markets – Statewide Various dates and locations, arizonafarmersmarkets.com Farm fresh seasonal produce and locallyproduced food products are available as are arts & crafts. Cinco de Mayo Celebrations – Statewide 1st week in May, 2013 Neighborhood and community Cinco de Mayo celebrations throughout Arizona are free or very reasonably priced. You’ll find lots of Latino music, dancing, Mexican food and games. Schnepf Farms Annual Peach Festival – Queen Creek May 12-13, 19-20, 2013, schnepffarms.com Entertainment, peach sampling, pie-eating contest, carnival rides, and pancake breakfast will entertain and delight the taste buds of the entire family. 15th Annual Dia de San Juan – Tucson June 24, 2013, downtowntucson.org Local tradition hails St. John the Baptist as the one who brings the rains, kicking off the monsoon season in the Old Pueblo. In recent years the Fiesta has begun with a procession from the west bank of the Santa Cruz River, which displays an antique statue of San Juan Bautista. The Fiesta will feature a procession, live music and dance, food and arts & crafts vendors, games and activities for children, free water and watermelon slices.
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Schnepf Farms Annual Peach Festival
JUNE
MACFest! – Mesa October-April, 2013, Select Saturdays, macfestmesa.com MACFest! offers a consistent, easy, and affordable way for the many wonderful artists in Arizona to expose and sell their work. Only quality, original, hand-made works of art may be exhibited. Music and entertainment. Held in Downtown Mesa.
NOVEMBER
Tempe Fireworks
JULY 4th of July Celebrations and Fireworks – Statewide Throughout Arizona, communities come together to celebrate with food, kids’ activities, water fun, local bands and entertainment. Smoki Museum Annual Summer Navajo Rug & Indian Art Auction – Prescott July 19-20, 2013, 928.445.1230, smokimuseum.org This auction of Indian Art includes pottery, jewelry, baskets, katsina dolls, paintings and a large collection of Navajo Rugs.
AUGUST 21st Annual Southwest Wings Birding Festival – Southern AZ August, 2013, swwings.org Southwest Wings is an educational celebration of the diversity of birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects, in their unique environment; the sky islands in southern Arizona.
SEPTEMBER Arizona Restaurant Week – Statewide September, 2013, 602.307.9134, arizonarestaurantweek.com This exciting event produced by the Arizona Restaurant Association showcases the culinary scene throughout the state. Restaurants feature a three-course signature dish menu for $29 or $39 per person. Ballet Under the Stars – Phoenix September, 2013, balletaz.org Free ballet performances throughout the Valley outdoors under the open skies. This unique set of performances allow Arizona communities to enjoy dance in an outdoor setting complete with a stage, lighting, costumes and beautiful Arizona weather. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy a varied program, ranging from classical to contemporary.
Birds n’ Beer – Phoenix November 21, 2013, riosalado.audubon.org Learn a thing or two about birds and other wildlife while enjoying a cold Four Peaks brew and other snacks and beverages. Topics range from gruesome and hysterical animal mating routines to “six ways mushrooms will destroy the world,” and often include live wildlife and hysterical video clips showcasing frisky wildlife behaviors. Program begins at 6:30 pm. University of Arizona Medical Center 31st Annual El Tour de Tucson November 23, 2013, 520.745.2033, perimeterbicycling.com America’s largest perimeter bicycling event – 111, 85, 60 and 42 miles plus 6-mile, 3-mile & 1-mile Fun Rides. A super lineup of unique features includes: 3-day Bike EXPO with Beer Garden, Mariachis at the first of two (usually dry) river crossings, route stations, Bike Patrol and SAG support, Olympic-style medallions to all finishers, and finish-line festival with Beer Garden, music, and massages.
DECEMBER ZooLights, Phoenix Zoo – Phoenix December, 2013, 602.273.1341, phoenixzoo.org Every year, the wildlife at the Phoenix Zoo gives way to wild lights during ZooLights, the largest holiday light display in all of Arizona. More than 3.5 million lights will glow and 600 glimmering animal light sculptures, unique only to the Phoenix Zoo, will swing through trees, hop across lawns, and sparkle in places where they’re least expected. Glendale Glitters – Glendale December 2013, visitglendale.com ZooLights With more than 1.5 million lights covering 16 blocks, popular activities at the event include a snow field, horse-drawn carriage rides, visits with Santa Claus, make-and-take crafts, a petting zoo and an abundance of inflatables and rides.
OCTOBER Ultimate Women’s Expo – Phoenix October 19-20, 2013, azwomensexpo.com Held annually at the Phoenix Convention Center, the Ultimate Women’s Expo has more than 500 vendors, cooking demos, personal care, salon services, fashion shows, massages, decorating, healthy living programs, in addition to celebrity keynote speakers. This is one of Arizona’s largest expos just for women.
Glendale Glitters
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accommodations G R E AT E R P H O E N I X A R E A
Phoenix-North
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Bespoke Inn, Café & Bicycles 3701 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 480.946.1230 bespokeinn.com
Whether you’re planning a gathering of your top executives or a very special event, Bespoke Inn, Café & Bicycles can provide you the perfect setting in one of the world’s most renowned destinations – Scottsdale, Arizona. Bespoke Inn offers the ultimate combination of a small inn with the convenience of full service hotel and is walking distance to more than 100 of downtown Scottsdale’s boutique shops and restaurants. Other amenities include a chef’s garden, an outdoor fireplace, an infinity pool, and four luxurious guestrooms. At Bespoke, your attendees will enjoy an intimate experience and personal service.
Crowne Plaza® San Marcos Golf Resort One San Marcos Place, Chandler, 85225 480.812.0900 • 800.528.8071 SanMarcosResort.com 249 rooms / 35,000 sf meetings
The Crowne Plaza® San Marcos Golf Resort, since its opening in 1912, has become known for its legendary hospitality and as Arizona’s original golf course! The resort features luxurious guestrooms including 12 Jr. Suites and two Presidential Suites. 35,000 sf of flexible meeting space, three ballrooms, AJ’s Café, 1912 Lounge, Coffee House “we proudly brew Starbucks”, heated swimming pool, spa, tennis courts and a 18-hole golf course!
DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix Gilbert & SanTan Elegante Conference Center 1800 S. San Tan Village Pkwy., Gilbert, 85295 480.809.4100 doubletreephoenixgilbert.com 121 rooms / 18,050 sf meetings
This new DoubleTree Hotel is beautifully decorated and has all the conveniences that you expect in a deluxe full-service hotel, such as a restaurant, room service, pool and spa, fitness room, business center, salon, and its own Conference Center. The SanTan Elegante has over 17,000 sf of indoor/outdoor event space including a 10,000 sf ballroom, divisible into seven flexible sections and featuring its unique breathtaking 40’ barreled artch ceiling and contemporary chandeliers. Catering and AV services on-site. Tourist attractions nearby; entertainment and shopping across the street at the neighboring Westcor Mall. Free courtesy shuttle to the surrounding areas and Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport is just 10 minutes away.
DoubleTree Paradise Valley Resort 5401 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 85250 480.947.5400 • 800.222.TREE paradisevalley.doubletree.com 378 rooms / 49,925 sf meetings
DoubleTree Paradise Valley Resort is an enclave of towering palms, lush foliage and sparkling fountains just north of historic downtown Scottsdale. In addition to flexible meeting space, the resort features two refreshing pools, lighted tennis courts, a health club, practice putting greens and all rooms provide generous work areas and many amenities.
Embassy Suites Airport at 24th Street 2333 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix, 85016 602.957.1910 • 800.EMBASSY phoenixairport24th.embassysuites.com 182 rooms / 5,000 sf meetings
All-suite hotel easily accessible from all major freeways. Centrally located 2.5 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, the Biltmore Fashion Park and five miles from downtown Phoenix. We offer 5,000 sf of flexible meeting space. Guests will enjoy one of our 182 spacious two-room suites, a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast, an evening manager’s reception and 24-hour airport transportation.
Embassy Suites Biltmore 2630 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 85016 602.955.3992 • 800.EMBASSY phoenixbiltmore.embassysuites.com 232 rooms / 10,000 sf meetings
Centrally located in the prestigious Biltmore area, our hotel is adjacent to the Biltmore Fashion Park, allowing our guests to experience a variety of restaurants, world class shopping and nightlife within walking distance. The airport, downtown Phoenix and Scottsdale are only seven miles away. In addition to our 232 suites and 10,000 sf of event space, our unique hotel features cascading waterfalls and Koi ponds, all for our comfort and relaxation. A full cookedto-order breakfast and two-hour managers reception is included daily.
Embassy Suites Phoenix-North 2577 W. Greenway Road, Phoenix, 85023 602.375.4098 phoenixnorth.embassysuites.com phxno_ds@hilton.com 314 rooms / 20,000 sf meetings
Centrally located in the Valley of the Sun and within minutes of Downtown Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale and Peoria. Featuring 314 two-room suites, complimentary cooked-toorder breakfast and managers reception daily. Enjoy our heated pool, hot tub, Cabaña Bar, fitness center, tennis and more! Dine in Lafitte’s Restaurant and relax in the Lobby Lounge. With over 20,000 sf of conference facilities let us host your next conference, meeting or special event. Our professional sales and catering team will detail your entire event from start to finish.
Embassy Suites Tempe 4400 S. Rural Road, Tempe, 85282 480.897.7444 embassysuitestempe.com 224 rooms / 10,000 sf meetings
The ONLY all-suite/full-service hotel in Tempe. Complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast and evening manager’s reception offered daily. Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant on property. Complimentary airport transportation, business center and fitness center. Only two miles from ASU, Arizona Mills Mall and downtown Tempe. Ten miles from downtown Phoenix. Over 10,000 sf of meeting space with a 4,000 sf ballroom.
Gainey Suites Hotel 7300 E. Gainey Suites Drive, Scottsdale, 85258 480.922.6969 • 800.970.4666 gaineysuiteshotel.com 162 rooms / 8,300 sf meetings
See why TripAdvisor readers ranked this all-suites hotel as one of the Scottsdale’s best. Gainey Suites Hotel is an intimate, upscale alternative to the large resorts...and a terrific value for small meetings. Stylishly remodeled suites feature the plush Gainey Suite Dreams Bed, elegant marble baths, and free WiFi & HDTV. Guests enjoy a full complimentary breakfast buffet and evening reception with appetizers, beer & wine daily. Groups appreciate two wellappointed boardrooms, a three-section ballroom, and unique indoor and outdoor venues for conference dining.
Hampton Inn – Phoenix/Midtown 160 W. Catalina Drive, Phoenix, 85013 602.200.0990 • 800.HAMPTON hamptoninn.com/hi/phoenix-midtown 99 rooms / 800 sf meetings
Renovated November 2011, the Hampton Inn-Phoenix/Midtown offers that great central location. Located in the heart of Phoenix’s Central Corridor of financial and government offices. Spacious guestrooms are equipped with all the comforts for an enjoyable stay. Free wireless high-speed Internet throughout the hotel. Meeting space to accommodate up to 50 classroom-style. Free breakfast buffet with hot items included in room rates.
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G R E AT E R P H O E N I X A R E A Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas 6333 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 85250 480.948.7750 scottsdaleresort.hilton.com 233 rooms / 44,894 sf meetings
Nestled in the heart of Scottsdale, Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas is surrounded by spectacular golf, world-class shopping, and endless entertainment options. Relax in the luxury of 45 new lavishly appointed two-bedroom villas featuring full kitchens and private patios. The resort boasts beautifully appointed guestrooms and suites, spa and fitness center. Dining options include the Blue Fire Grille and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar.
Hilton Phoenix Suites 10 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix, 85012 602.222.1111 • 800.HILTONS phoenixsuites.hilton.com 226 rooms / 2,200 sf meetings
Wide open spaces with lush tropical atrium and smartly designed, two-room suites. We are your gateway to the arts, entertainment, sports and local food scene – only a complimentary shuttle or quick light rail ride away. Nourish your mind and reconnect in our Great American Grill, Atrium Sports Lounge and one of two fitness centers available to you. HHonors points and miles for travelers and meeting planners!
Phoenix Marriott Mesa 200 E. Centennial Way, Mesa, 85201 480.898.8300 480.464.5079 - Karen Hunt, Director of Sales & Marketing khunt@phoenixmarriottmesa.com phoenixmarriottmesa.com 274 rooms / 56,000 sf meetings
The NEWLY remodeled full-service Phoenix Marriott Mesa is located only 11 miles from Sky Harbor Airport and blocks from downtown Mesa. Working seamlessly with the Mesa Convention Center, we are able to provide amazing Marriott Service in every aspect of the guest experience. We have 26 separate meeting rooms and many unique outdoor venues. The 15,000-sf exhibit room is the perfect place to host your general session or trade show booths.
Hotel Valley Ho 6850 E. Main St., Scottsdale, 85251 480.248.2000 • 866.882.4484 hotelvalleyho.com 193 rooms / 12,500 sf meetings
Scottsdale’s downtown resort blends classic mid-century modern architecture with posh, playful rooms and suites. Dramatic design graces the SoHo and Valley Ho ballrooms and various size boardrooms for conferences, executive retreats and board meetings. Outdoor venues are ideal for catered events and teambuilding activities. SoHo ballroom has floor-toceiling glass and easy access for everything from full-stage productions to auto debuts. Where mid-century style meets digital convenience. Downtown Scottsdale’s resort.
Rancho de los Caballeros 1551 S. Vulture Mine Road, Wickenburg, 85390 800.684.5030 ranchodeloscaballeros.com 79 rooms / 8,500 sf meetings
Instead of casinos, beaches or snow, plan an uncommon retreat at Rancho de los Caballeros. Situated on 20,000 acres of lush Sonoran desert, the Ranch offers a wide variety of activities not often found at traditional resorts – award-winning golf, horseback riding, trap & skeet, nature hikes, desert cookouts and a full-service spa – for a memorable team experience. Offering over 8,500 sf of meeting space, and with 79 distinctive casitas, Rancho de los Caballeros can exclusively accommodate your group.
Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa 5700 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley, 85253 480.948.2100 • 800.245.2051 sanctuaryaz.com 105 casitas / 7,000 sf meetings
Treat your group to extraordinary meetings, and find inspiration in a setting like no other. Situated on 53 breathtaking acres of lush desert on its namesake mountain overlooking Paradise Valley, Sanctuary offers an abundance of flexible indoor and outdoor space, while ensuring privacy for each event. Enjoy spacious mountain casitas and suites or spectacular private estate homes terraced above the resort, Food Network star Chef Beau MacMillan’s cuisine, and treatments at the Asian-inspired spa.
The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa 6902 E. Greenway Pkwy., Scottsdale, 85254 480.624.1000 • kierlandresort.com 732 rooms / 200,000 sf meetings
In the heart of “new” Scottsdale, all newly enhanced guestrooms feature Westin’s signature Heavenly Bed©. Utilize flexible function space, including three ballrooms and a variety of outdoor meeting space to choose from. Endless amenities capture the essence of Arizona for all to enjoy from Scottish bagpipes at sunset to an Adventure water-park and lazy river, 27 holes of championship golf, full-service spa and eight award-winning food and beverage outlets. Adjacent to upscale retail and dining at Kierland Commons and the Scottsdale Quarter.
The Westin Phoenix Downtown 333 N. Central Ave., Phoenix 85004 602.429.3500 InfoWestinPhoenixDowntown@westin.com westin.com 242 rooms / 14,000 sf meetings
The 3,000 sf Copper Ballroom, offering panoramic views of Phoenix, can be adapted for meetings, presentations, conferences, receptions and dining events. The ballroom can be divided and includes a spacious 1,900 sf pre-function area. The Lapis Pool Terrace will offer a unique setting for an outdoor event. Meeting rooms, located on the 11th and 12th floors, offer convenience and flexibility. The Westin Phoenix Downtown will offer venues for meetings, banquets, private receptions and social events of varying sizes.
Wingate by Wyndham Scottsdale 14255 N. 87th St., Scottsdale, 85260 480.922.6500 • 877.570.6500 wingatehotels.com/hotel/30442 117 rooms / 1,044 sf meetings
Located near the Loop 101 and Raintree exit in north Scottsdale, close to local businesses and attractions, Wingate offers one simple rate that makes sense. Guests enjoy our heated pool, business and fitness centers, a full hearty breakfast buffet, property-wide HSWIA and shuttle service within a 5 mile radius. Flexible general meeting rooms, executive boardroom and conference rooms available. Ask for special group/commissionable rates with Wyndham Reward Points!
TUCSON & SOUTHERN Casino Del Sol Resort, Spa, Conference Center and AVA Amphitheater 5555 W. Valencia Road, Tucson, 85757 520.838.6698 • 855.SOL.STAY casinodelsolresort.com 215 rooms / 65,000 sf meetings
Next Meeting. Raise Your Expectations. Casino Del Sol Resort Hotel’s new Conference Center features a flexible 18,000 sf Grand Ballroom which divides into five individually accessible meeting rooms accommodating corporate events, banquets and receptions for up to 2,000 guests. The new Resort Tower features 215 elegant guestrooms and suites, including the “Sky Level” offering incredible views and upgraded amenities. An array of dining choices await, along with a spa, gorgeous pool, and a wide variety of entertainment options. www.AZMeetings.co m
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Best Western Premier Grand Canyon Squire Inn 74 St. Rte. 64, Grand Canyon, 86023 928.638.2681 • 800.622.6966 grandcanyonsquire.com 250 rooms / 4,744 sf meetings
The Canyon’s only resort hotel and conference center. Enjoy the natural beauty of the Grand Canyon just moments away from all the conveniences you expect. Let our team help you make your meeting or event not just a success, but a treasured memory. Our amenities include Jacuzzi, outdoor seasonal pool, bowling, fun center, lounge & sports bar, restaurants, gift shop, concierge desk and more.
Enchantment Resort 525 Boynton Canyon Road, Sedona, 86336 480.264.3000 enchantmentresort.com/meetings-groups/ 218 rooms / 13,000 sf meetings
Just two hours north of Phoenix, Enchantment Resort in scenic Boynton Canyon is a one-of-a-kind property…with versatile new meeting space including two new Junior Ballrooms and an amazing Executive Boardroom, all graced by floor-to-ceiling windows. Along with the biggest ballroom in Sedona, Enchantment also features beautiful outdoor venues that take advantage of the fabulous year-round climate. This distinctive, breathtaking setting in the red rock country makes every group meeting event part of a unique destination experience.
Grand Canyon Lodge Grand Canyon, North Rim 877.386.4383 Travel-Forever.com/13azme 218 rooms / 2,200 sf meetings
Experience views of the canyon from a higher vantage, with seemingly unlimited vistas. Enjoy incredible sunrises and sunsets from the Lodge balcony’s rocking chairs or just relax and enjoy the solitude. Featuring in-park lodging and dining with access by hiking or mule rides into the canyon.
Hassayampa Inn 122 E. Gurley St., Prescott, 86301 928.778.9434 • 800.322.1927 hassayampainn.com 67 rooms / 7,687 sf meetings
Downtown Prescott’s historic Hassayampa Inn is an ideal location for small corporate and executive meetings, weddings, and receptions. Unique meeting spaces are available, along with our outdoor Rooftop Patio, which is perfect for catered events.
Hilton Sedona Resort and Spa 90 Ridge Trail Drive, Sedona, 86351 928.284.4040 • 877.273.3762 hiltonsedonaresort.com 219 rooms / 25,500 sf meetings
Sedona’s only full-service golf and spa resort offers more than 25,500 sf of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space. Relax in the spaciousness of one of our 219 exquisitely appointed suites and deluxe guestrooms. Private patios or balconies offer panoramic views of golf, surrounding canyons and plateaus. The resort is located 90 minutes north of Phoenix and two hours south of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Little America Hotel 2515 E. Butler Ave., Flagstaff, 86004 928.779.7921 • 800.713.1643 flagstaff.littleamerica.com 247 rooms / 10,000 sf meetings
Little America Hotel is Northern Arizona’s premier destination for your conference, meeting or wedding with versatile indoor and outdoor spaces. Nestled on 500 acres of ponderosa pine forest and featuring 247 graciously appointed oversized guestrooms, restaurant and lounge, fitness center, pool and spa, gift shop, two miles of beautiful hiking trails, and over 10,000 sf of newly remodeled banquet space including the brand new 2,400-sf Flagstaff room.
Mazatzal Hotel & Casino Highway 87 at Mile Marker 251, Payson, 85547 928.474.6044 • 800.777.PLAY 777play.com 40 rooms / 11,424 sf meetings
A breathtaking destination in Arizona. With picturesque views of the Mogollon and Mazatzal Mountain Ranges we invite you to experience the tranquility of Payson, AZ. Whether you are hosting a corporate event, a wedding, or a retreat, we have what you are looking for. With our personal event consultants you can be assured every detail will be taken care of for you and your guests.
Mormon Lake Lodge 1991 S. Mormon Lake Road, Mormon Lake, 86038 928.354.2227 Travel-Forever.com/13azme 53 cabins / 6,000 sf meetings
Retreat to 300 acres of cool ponderosa pines within the Coconino National Forest. Mormon Lake Lodge offers cozy cabins, flexible meeting space, famed open-pit Steakhouse and live music in an 1880’s-style Saloon. Explore miles of trails by horseback, mountain bike, ATV, cross country skis or snowmobile rentals. Yearround events.
Poco Diablo Resort 1752 State Route 179, Sedona, 86336 877.282.5755 928.282.7333 Info@PocoDiablo.com PocoDiablo.com
Meet with a different point of view. Nestled on 22 acres set against stunning red rock views, we offer spacious guestrooms and suites; most with desks and large work areas. With unique indoor and outdoor function space we’re the perfect choice for meetings, retreats, weddings and social events. Our resort offers property-wide high speed Internet and Wi-Fi, nine-hole executive golf, swimming, tennis, fitness center and full service restaurant/lounge. Special group packages and rates always available.
Prescott Resort and Conference Center 1500 Highway 69, Prescott, 86301 928.776.1666 • 800.967.4637 prescottresort.com 160 rooms / 16,000 sf meetings
The Prescott Resort and Conference Center is one of Northern Arizona’s largest conference facilities with high-speed Internet throughout the resort. The luxury guestrooms and suites offer spectacular mountaintop views and feature queen or king beds, HD LCD TV, refrigerator, microwave and coffee makers. Amenities: Icha Maajoh Restaurant, Eagle’s Nest Lounge, Urban Grind & Gallery serving Starbucks Coffee, stateof-the-art fitness center, pool, casino, salon and spa.
Radisson Woodlands Hotel Flagstaff 1175 W. Route 66, Flagstaff, 86001 928.773.8888 flagstaffwoodlandshotel.com 183 rooms / 6,000 sf meetings
Recently renovated hotel with spacious sleeping rooms including 15 parlor suites. Flexible meeting space with theme function capabilities in both menu and decoration. Great location for outdoor teambuilding events. Two excellent on-site restaurants, room service, lounge, fitness center, dry sauna, indoor whirlpool, business center and free high speed Internet.
C E N T R A L & N O RT H E R N Residence Inn by Marriott 3599 Lee Circle, Prescott, 86301 928.775.2232 marriott.com/prcri 92 rooms / 1,700 sf meetings
Prescott’s newest all-suite Marriott hotel. Located just off Highway 69 at the Prescott Gateway Mall, the Residence Inn offers upscale studio, one- and two-bedroom suites with full kitchens ideal for long-term stays. An outdoor pool, large outdoor patio area with fireplaces, business center, exercise facility, evening social events and conference space makes this one of Prescott’s finest corporate and relocation choices. Book 20 group rooms plus meeting space and you will earn double Marriott Event Points when mentioning this ad.
SpringHill Suites by Marriott - Newly Renovated 2013 200 E. Sheldon St., Prescott, 86301 928.776.0998 marriott.com/prcsh 105 rooms / 900 sf meetings
Downtown Prescott’s Marriott hotel, offering studio and one-bedroom fireplace suites, complimentary breakfast and free wireless Internet. With meeting space and a comfortable business library for breakfast, this is a perfect downtown location for small meetings and training seminars. Book 20 group rooms plus meeting space and you will earn double Marriott Event Points when mentioning this ad.
WEST COAST BlueWater Resort and Casino 11300 Resort Drive, Parker, 85344 888.243.3360 bluewaterfun.com 200 rooms / 17,000 sf meetings
The magnificent BlueWater Resort and Casino sits on the shores of the Colorado river in Parker, Arizona. BlueWater provides exciting nonstop casino action, a 164-slip marina for boating fun, 200 deluxe rooms and suites with incredible river and mountain views, and a variety of dining options to suit the most discerning tastes. BlueWater Resort and Casino also has over 17,000 sf of flexible meeting space. Come to BlueWater Resort and Casino and come to play, stay, eat and have fun!
London Bridge Resort 1477 Queens Bay, Lake Havasu City, 86403 928.855.0888 • 800.238.8808 londonbridgeresort.com 122 rooms / 12,000 sf meetings
Provides a compelling alternative to larger, convention-oriented hotels. Intimate boardroom, private lounges, meeting rooms and outdoor function areas throughout and beautiful patios, lawn and garden locales. Add to the mix exquisite catering, professional staff, and the possibilities begin to emerge. Whatever the event, the London Bridge Resort and Convention Center is the connoisseur’s choice for small to large-sized engagements.
transportation ALL ABOARD AMERICA! 480.222.6940 • 800.848.4728 allaboardamerica.com lesleigh@allaboardamerica.com
ALL ABOARD AMERICA! Celebrating 75+ years of Chartering Confidence. Whether your group is large or small, All Aboard America has the experienced staff and equipment to get you where you are going. Our fleet consists of fully-equipped late model mini, full-size and executive coaches. Amenities include DVD, WiFi, GPS, seat belts, rest rooms, reclining seats and overhead climate control (amenities not available on all vehicles). Proud recipient of the 2011 UMA Vision Award.
ARIZONA SHUTTLE 520.795.6771 • 800.888.2749 arizonashuttle.com
ARIZONA SHUTTLE provides easy and cost-effective shuttle transportation to/from Tucson, Flagstaff, Prescott and Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. We are the leading shared-ride airport shuttle service in Tucson and Northern Arizona. ARIZONA SHUTTLE also provides charter service to/from Tucson, Flagstaff, Prescott or Phoenix Sky Harbor airport to regional sights. Our charter service provides transportation for convention groups, corporate retreats, business seminars, family reunions, public and private functions, alumni gatherings, and so much more. Visit our website at ArizonaShuttle.com or contact us at 1.800.888.2749 for all your transportation service needs.
The Driver Provider – Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation 602.453.0001 • 800.700.2687 800.207.3979 – Group Events Dept. driverprovider.com
A recognized leader in transportation services, offering a modern fleet of vehicles that are wholly owned and immaculately maintained. Through the dedicated group programs department, your client needs will be personally coordinated from manifest creation to departure with extremely competitive rates. In fact, The Driver Provider provides highly professional, personalized service with a fresh approach – every staff member is courteous, trustworthy, and knowledgeable about the area. Call for a customized proposal or to arrange dependable, reliable chauffeured transportation services worldwide.
SuperShuttle/Execucar Reservations: 800.BLUE.VAN (258.3826) • Groups: 602.225.2225 phxsales@supershuttle.net supershuttle.com
Need a lift? SuperShuttle shared-ride van and ExecuCar private sedan services offer 24-hour, door-to-door airport rides to and from Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway (AZA) airports. Book online with code AWT23 for $2 off SuperShuttle and $5 off ExecuCar airport transfers — plus, earn Frequent Flyer points or miles with select airline partners.
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The Arrogant Butcher Downtown Phoenix Cityscape 2 E. Jefferson St., #150, Phoenix 85004 Dillan Boyd - Events 480.993.2501 direct tabpdr@foxrc.net
The Arrogant Butcher is where the buttoned-down crowd comes to impress at power lunches by day. And hipsters, downtown residents and event goers mingle at night. You needn’t be highbrow to come here. You just have to appreciate great food. For special occasions or business meetings, the restaurant offers three private dining areas, patio & lounge space and buyouts.
Aunt Chiladas 7330 N. Dreamy Draw Drive, Phoenix, 85020 602.944.1286 auntchiladas.com catering@auntchiladas.com
Nestled in the shadow of the Squaw Peak Mountain, Aunt Chilada’s is truly an historic landmark with personality all its own. Constructed in the 1890s from desert stone and railroad ties, the original building served as a supply depot and general store for the mercury miners passing through the Dreamy Draw. Today, it not only carries on that century old tradition of heartfelt Southwestern hospitality, but also dishes out the finest Mexican food this side of the border. The meeting and banquet facilities are as unique as her colorful past accommodating up to 650. Inside, select from four distinctive settings including our hand-carved fountain or stone fireplace or relax on one of our three patios which include Bocce ball and our famous Palapa bar. Whether it is a corporate meeting, or a group of friends, your guests will have the opportunity to enjoy the festive atmosphere and quality of service.
Blanco - The Borgata 6166 N. Scottsdale Road, Ste. 601, Scottsdale, 85253 Keri Mahoney - Events 480.751.2202 direct kmahoney@foxrc.net
We offer a modern Mexican fare in a casual chic setting. Updated classics like tacos, enchiladas, and queso crisps are reinterpreted with fresh, flavorful, and unique ingredients. Guests of all ages enjoy Blanco’s upbeat and casual come-as-you-are atmosphere. Signature drinks made with fresh seasonal fruits include house made white and red sangrias, a wide variety of traditional and unique margaritas and refreshing signature cocktails. The lounge patio is the perfect space for small gatherings.
Café Bespoke 3701 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 480.946.1230 • bespokeinn.com
Dine al fresco in the olive tree-shaded courtyard or Café Bespoke’s cozy space seats up to 32 guests and features a 20-foot copper bar, antique mirrored walls, vintage lights and handmade bistro tables.
Culinary Dropout Scottsdale Waterfront 7135 E. Camelback Road, #125 Scottsdale, 85251 Keri Mahoney - Events 480.751.2202 direct kmahoney@foxrc.net
Culinary Dropout, our little gastropub “rebel child” breaks all the rules with its relaxed, soulful ambiance. You’ll find amped-up pub-type appetizers, salads, sandwiches and entrees, along with a unique Antipasti Menu showcasing delicious and hard-to-find meats, cheeses and vegetables. Melt into the comfortable setting at the Scottsdale Waterfront and enjoy our outdoor patio and live music performed a few nights each week on our mini stage.
El Chorro 5550 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley, 85253 480.948.5170 • elchorro.com
Nestled between Camelback and Mummy Mountains, El Chorro’s authentic desert setting is perfect for events and meetings. El Chorro offers a variety of venues from intimate private rooms to the expanse of the Event Lawn framed by Camelback Mountain. The Casa Paloma Pavilion opens onto a series of patios, fireplaces and gardens, while the renowned Classroom Bar has been carefully restored to reflect its legacy decor. Known for local fresh seasonal cuisine, El Chorro is an iconic Arizona destination.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar Scottsdale, DC Ranch, Chandler, and Peoria FlemingsSteakhouse.com
The nationally acclaimed Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar offers the best in steakhouse dining – prime meats and chops, fresh fish and poultry, generous salads and side orders – with a unique wine list known as the “Fleming’s 100” that features 100 wines served by the glass. Fleming’s is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including Wine Enthusiast’s annual Awards of Distinction and Wine Spectator’s annual Awards of Excellence.
The Greene House Kierland Commons 15024 N. Scottsdale Road, Ste. 100, Scottsdale, 85254 Keri Mahoney - Events 480.751.2202 direct kmahoney@foxrc.net
From menu to decor, The Greene House is inspired by the California lifestyle. The menu showcases signature fare made with farm-fresh seasonal ingredients and features an extensive wine list with over 35 wines from boutique California wineries. Inspired architecturally by Charles and Henry Greene, renowned designers during the Arts and Crafts movement, the Greene House is reminiscent of an airy, seaside cottage with ample outdoor patio seating.
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria – 7 Valley Locations Banquets & Catering 480.874.8209 grimaldispizzeria.com events@grimaldispizzeria.com
With Frank Sinatra crooning in the background and the tantalizing aromas of over 100 years of pizza-making tradition in the air, Grimaldi’s combines classic pizzeria charm with a modern, stylish, loft-like atmosphere. Grimaldi’s offers a full Italian menu, private serving staff, and no room rates. Let our professional staff make your next event effortless and unforgettable! To book one of our private rooms or place a catering order call 480.874.8209.
Modern Steak - Scottsdale Fashion Square 7014 E. Camelback Road, Ste. 1433, Scottsdale, 85251 Nicole Lasker - Events 480.905.3273 direct frcpdrphx@foxrc.net
Be prepared to discover an entirely new dining experience at Modern Steak. We’ve taken all of the culinary elements one would expect to find in a traditional steakhouse – superb steak, seafood and wine selection - and have given them a unique, fresh and entirely “Modern” spin in a glamorous setting. Modern Steak offers comfortable, yet affordable elegance in three private dining rooms, a climate controlled patio or the beautifully appointed dining room.
G R E AT E R P H O E N I X A R E A North - Kierland Commons 15024 N. Scottsdale Road, #160 Scottsdale, 85254 Keri Mahoney - Events 480.751.2202 direct kmahoney@foxrc.net
Taking its cue from an Italian trattoria, NoRTH offers unique antipasti, gourmet pizzas, inventive pasta dishes, and many wood roasted and grilled dishes. NoRTH appeals to a variety of guests seeking a casual, hip, and upbeat venue with deliciously affordable fare. Private event space is located at the adjacent Bar North and offers the same menu. A gorgeous patio view of the main courtyard is perfect for sit down dinners or casual receptions.
Old Town Tortilla Factory 6910 E. Main St. Scottsdale, 85251 480.945.4567 oldtowntortillafactory.com
Built from a historic 75-year-old adobe home in the charming art district of Scottsdale, Old Town Tortilla Factory captures timeless charm and a distinct atmosphere that exemplifies the essence of the Southwest. A firewater patio – along with a world-renowned tequila bar, which offers 100 premium tequilas – lends itself to being the perfect place to accommodate your large party needs. Offering Southwest cuisine with Sonoran influences starring house-made tortillas, seductive salsas and sauces, and specialties. During the winter months, patio heaters keep the patio at spring-like temperatures. During the summer months the patio is cooled with a state-of-the-art mist system.
Olive and Ivy - Scottsdale Waterfront 7135 E. Camelback Road, #160 Scottsdale, 85251 480.751.2200 Nicole Lasker - Events 480.906.3273 direct frcpdrphx@foxrc.net
Old World Meets New at Olive & Ivy Restaurant, which blends the flavors and timeless elegance of Mediterranean with contemporary California chic. Olive & Ivy’s upscale casual restaurant showcases Fox Restaurant Concept’s trademark passion for craftsman cuisine. At Olive & Ivy, discover an enticing selection of unexpected and familiar dishes in a rich, elegant, laid-back atmosphere. For special occasions or business meetings, the restaurant offers two private dining areas and beautiful patio space.
Roka Akor Steak & Sushi 7299 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 85253 480.306.8800 • rokaakor.com
Roka Akor Steak & Sushi serves modern Robatayaki Japanese cuisine cooked over oak charcoal on the multi-tiered Robata Grill. The central feature of the dining room, the Robata Grill, is flanked by seating for guests who want a front row seat. The menu offers small plates, warm bites and entrees from the grill, prime steaks, fish, chicken and vegetables, as well as a variety of salads, sashimi, sushi and desserts.
Rustler’s Rooste 8383 S. 48th St., Phoenix, 85044 602.431.6407 • 602.431.6473 rustlersrooste.com
If you want an authentic Arizona location for your next roundup, look no further than Rustler’s Rooste. Only the Rooste can accommodate 30 to 1,500 guests in a spectacular mountaintop setting. Whether you choose a scenic outdoor patio, the spacious Crystal Barn (complete with a stage and dance floor), or the novel Branding Iron Room, you’ll find the Rooste offers a big helping of western hospitality and an eye for detail.
The Stockyards Restaurant & 1889 Saloon 5009 E. Washington St., Phoenix, 85034 602.273.7378 stockyardsrestaurant.com
Arizona’s Original Steakhouse, The Stockyards Restaurant and 1889 Saloon is known for its premium hand-cut aged steaks, prime ribs, wild game, poultry and seafood. For over 65 years, this independently owned and operated landmark restaurant has celebrated the colorful history and characters of Arizona’s cattle industry. You will still find consistently excellent dining and a genuinely friendly atmosphere in this authentic piece of Arizona’s past. Private dining rooms available, excellent choice for groups.
Tonto Bar and Grill 5736 E. Rancho Manana Blvd., Cave Creek, 85331 480.575.1916 tontobarandgrill.com jmalcolm@tontobarandgrill.com
Tonto offers a uniquely Arizona experience from ambience to food to history. Our patio looks out to lush desert and awe-inspiring views of Tonto National Forest. The rustic yet upscale restaurant — once part of the prestigious Rancho Manana dude ranch — is full of history and Western charm. Our chefs use the freshest, highest quality ingredients such as all-natural meats and Arizona products in innovative dishes that delight and satisfy guests.
TUCSON & SOUTHERN Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar 6360 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, 85718 520.529.5017 FlemingsSteakhouse.com
The nationally acclaimed Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar offers the best in steakhouse dining – prime meats and chops, fresh fish and poultry, generous salads and side orders – with a unique wine list known as the “Fleming’s 100” that features 100 wines served by the glass. Fleming’s is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including Wine Enthusiast’s annual Awards of Distinction and Wine Spectator’s annual Awards of Excellence.
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activities&Attractions Across Arizona Tours 888.533.1813 • 602.233.1813 acrossarizonatours.com
Across Arizona Tours will help you set up a sightseeing tour for your business outing or help with outings for your convention guests. Groups of all sizes are easily taken care with one of our buses and vans. An Across Arizona Tours tour guide will work with you to perfect the details of your corporate tour. Corporate tours can be completely customized to make your outing a memorable one.
Antelope Canyon Tours 22 S. Lake Powell Blvd., Page, 86040 928.645.9102 • 866.645.9102 antelopecanyon.com
A tour to this awe-inspiring sculpture set in stone is a must for amateur and professional photographers. Come with our Navajo guides to see Mother Nature’s work of art.
Antelope Point Marina Navajo Route 22B, Page, 86040 877.787.5253 Travel-Forever.com/13azme
Discover over 92 major canyons and the majestic Rainbow Bridge National Monument aboard a houseboat. Soak up the solitude – or run on waves for hours with watercraft rentals of your choice. Not to mention its unsurpassed guest services and amenities. Your houseboat awaits.
Arizona Outback Adventures 480.945.2881 • 866.455.1601 aoa-adventures.com theadventureteam.net
AOA is the premier outfitter in Arizona offering half-day hiking, mountain biking, road biking, kayaking, rafting tours and conducting innovative teambuilding events for groups of 10 to 650 people. AOA maintains a rental bike fleet of 300+ bikes including comfort, hybrid, and high performance road and mountain bikes. AOA also operates multi-day trips throughout the Southwest including the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion National Parks and the Havasupai Reservation. Individuals and groups are welcome.
Black Canyon/ Willow Beach River Adventures Lake Mead 800.455.3490 Travel-Forever.com/13azme
Spend an inspirational afternoon aboard a smooth-water rafting tour. Launch at the base of magnificent Hoover Dam. Knowledgeable tour guides. Float 12 miles down the Colorado River. Enjoy extraordinary scenery and wildlife viewing. Relax and enjoy the breathtaking journey amidst nature’s wonders. Just 30 minutes from Las Vegas.
DETOURS 480.633.9013 • 866.438.6877 detoursaz.com
DETOURS offers guided tours of the entire Southwest, with departures from the Phoenix/ Scottsdale area. DETOURS’ custom vans carry only 10-13 guests in leather captains chairs for the most comfortable ride and a personalized tour experience. Our Guides enhance the tour with their knowledge and love for the area history and geology. Unique itineraries and exclusive tours have made us a favored tour partner with the area’s top resort properties. Half or full-day tours to multi-day and custom options available.
Hot Air Expeditions 480.502.6999 • 800.831.7610 hotairexpeditions.com
The Sonoran Desert is one of the foremost hot air ballooning areas in the entire world. Be sure to let your group experience why! Flights are daily at sunrise year-round. Included are roundtrip hotel transfers, one-hour flight, post-flight champagne ceremony, sit down catered breakfast and commemorative flight certificate. Fully insured, FAA certified and uniformed. Rated #1 hot air ballooning company in Arizona by Fodor’s Travel for the past 16 years! Groups are our specialty since 1990. We look forward to seeing you in the air! Visit us on Facebook and Twitter.
Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters Grand Canyon National Park Airport North Hwy. 64, Grand Canyon, 86023 928.638.2419 • 800.528.2418 papillon.com • res.las@papillon.com
Experience the best! Papillon is the oldest and largest helicopter sightseeing company in the world, flying daily to the Grand Canyon since 1965. Offering multilingual tours of the Grand Canyon from Phoenix/Scottsdale, Grand Canyon and Las Vegas/Boulder City. Papillon is your one-stop shop offering tours for everyone either by airplane, helicopter, motor coach, or any combination of these. Guests will discover the trip of a lifetime when they tour with Papillon. AAA SYC&S. Facebook.com/Papillon. Twitter.com/PapillonGCHeli. Youtube.com/PapillonGCHelicopter.
Stellar Adventures 602.402.0584 stellaradventures.com
Tame the rugged desert landscape on a H1 Hummer, M1009 Blazer/Jeep or guided/rental ATV tour – all powered by Bio-Diesel! Test your marksmanship with the Stellar Shooting Experience or try our Night-Vision and Stargazing Tours. Teambuilding, catering and barservice are also available. Serving the Valley of the Sun since 1997.
Temple Bar Resort & Marina 1 Main St., Temple Bar Marina, Lake Mead, 86443 877.787.5253 Travel-Forever.com/13azme
Known for its namesake massive rock formation and its 20-mile-long unobstructed waterski runs, it’s ideal for renting PWCs and watercrafts of your choice. Relax and soak up the solitude – or run on waves for hours – or try your luck fishing.
venues G R E AT E R P H O E N I X A R E A Arizona Historical Society Mueum at Papago Park 1300 N. College Ave., Tempe, 85281 480.929.0292 arizonahistoricalsociety.org ahstempe@azhs.gov
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Break away from the bland at the Arizona Historical Society Museum at Papago Park. Centrally located near downtown Tempe, in natural desert surroundings, the museum’s spaces are wellsuited for corporate retreats, small conferences, multimedia events, and evening receptions. The site offers a state-of-the-art 272 seat auditorium, large boardroom, smaller breakout rooms, an elegant sandstone lobby, and an inviting brick courtyard, all set against the colorful backdrop of Arizona history.
venues G R E AT E R P H O E N I X A R E A Arizona Renaissance Festival 12601 US 60, Apache Junction, 85118 520.463.2600 renfestinfo.com
Are you looking for something fun and exciting to do while in Arizona? How about a trip back in time?! The Arizona Renaissance Festival is a medieval amusement park, a 12-stage theater, a 30-acre circus, an arts and crafts fair, a jousting tournament and a feast -- all rolled into one nonstop, day-long family adventure! It is an outdoor event that combines entertainment and wares reminiscent of what may have been found in a 16th Century European village market celebrating the arrival of the King to their shire. Walk through our gates to be transported back to a simpler more jovial time. RenFestInfo.com, 520.463.2600
Arizona Small Business Association 4600 E. Washington St., #340 Phoenix, 85034 asba.com/meetingroom 602.306.4000 • stravis@asba.com
Close to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and Downtown Phoenix, the Business Education Center at the Arizona Small Business Association is the smart and AFFORDABLE choice to hold your next meeting or seminar. With state-of-the art equipment and flexible setup arrangements, this room is sure to impress your attendees, while exceeding your expectations. We also have friendly staff on hand to ensure your meeting’s success. Call us today at 602.306.4000 to make your reservation.
Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum 2017 N. Greenfield Road, Mesa, 85215 480.924.1940 azcaf.org
Surround your guests with vintage aircraft and aviation exhibits at your next corporate event, reception, reunion, fundraiser, wedding or prom. View beautiful Red Mountain while dining or dancing under the wing of a WWII bomber. Outside caterers and live entertainment are welcome. The museum accommodates up to 1,440 guests indoors, with additional space outdoors. Museum docents are available. Easily accessible from Scottsdale and central Phoenix.
Heard Museum 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 85004 602.251.0230 heard.org
Immerse guests in the authentic Southwest at the historic Heard Museum of Native Cultures and Art. Spanish colonial-style architecture provides an exquisite setting perfect for day and evening events. Enjoy indoor venues and outdoor courtyards, complimentary guided tours and distinctive gifts at the Heard Museum Shop, all at a convenient downtown location minutes from the airport, convention center and hotels. Let our expert planners help you create a distinctive and memorable experience like no other.
Mesa Convention Center 201 N. Center St., Mesa, 85201 480.644.2178 mesaconventioncenter.com
What can we do for you? At Mesa Convention Center, our goal is your satisfaction. Full-service meeting and event facility offering 15 meeting rooms and excellent flexibility. On-site catering, audio-visual, and more. Find out why we’re called “the East Valley’s best kept secret!”
Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, 85050 480.245.6913 MIM.org
As an event destination, MIM offers a variety of options to harmonize with any occasion. The versatile space, combined with stylish architecture and a high level of personal comfort, provides the perfect blend of creativity and functionality for any event. MIM also provides impeccable assistance including advisement on preferred vendors, menu planning, site design, and musical entertainment.
Phoenix Convention Center 100 N. Third St., Phoenix 85004 602.262.6225 • 800.282.4842 phoenixconventioncenter.com phoenix.convention.center@phoenix.gov
The Phoenix Convention Center rises in the heart of downtown, conveniently located on Phoenix’s new light rail line and less than four miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The Convention Center’s doors open onto sunny sidewalks that lead to the major convention hotels, restaurants, museums, theaters, professional sports venues and more than 2,500 guestrooms within walking distance from the facility.
The Phoenix Zoo 455 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, 85008 602.273.1341 phoenixzoo.org
The Phoenix Zoo, nestled on 125 acres within Papago Park, is surrounded by lush flora and dramatic desert and water views. The Stone House Pavilion and 15 designated outdoor sites, some a short distance from exotic animals, are fun and unique for weddings and receptions, corporate business meetings, company picnics, school proms, holiday parties, teambuilding and more. The Phoenix Zoo is centrally located to Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale. For more information visit phoenixzoo.org.
The University of Phoenix Stadium 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, 85305 Booking Information: 623.433.7122 universityofphoenixstadium.com skrohn@universityofphoenixstadium.com
The University of Phoenix Stadium is unlike any other in the world and a marvel of design, engineering, and technology. Combining breathtaking architectural design with functionality, the facility has set the standard for multi-purpose venues. Boasting the only roll-out field and retractable roof in the country, the University of Phoenix Stadium easily transforms into a stateof-the-art events center capable of hosting social functions, teambuilding events, consumer shows, and corporate meetings.
The Venue Scottsdale 7117 E. 3rd Ave., Scottsdale, 85251 480.945.6475 • thevenuescottsdale.com
Your Vision. Our Venue. Extraordinary Events. The Venue Scottsdale’s spacious, multi-level, newlyrenovated interior is perfect for corporate events, charity events, social occasions, weddings, and more. Whether elegant, casual, professional or festive, The Venue Scottsdale can accommodate any occasion. Take the Video Tour at www.thevenuescottsdale.com
TUCSON & SOUTHERN Kitt Peak 520.318.8726 noao.edu
The world’s largest collection of working optical telescopes is located high above the Sonoran Desert. Kitt Peak, on the Tohono O’odham Reservation, is home to 25 optical and two radio telescopes representing dozens of astronomical research institutions. Visitor Center exhibits, gift shop, and daily tours. Enjoy the ever popular nightly star gazing program by RSVP only.
Old Tucson Studios 201 S. Kinney Road, Tucson 85735 520.883.0100 • oldtucson.com
Tucson’s premier location for corporate events and private functions. Book your group of 405,000 for anything from BBQ to Black Tie. Corporate events, teambuilding, employee outings, charity fund raisers — you name the event and we’ll help you create it! Choose from several “event ready” venues or rent the whole town. Down-home Western or succulent upscale menus prepared on-site, full liquor license and experienced staff will make your event a rip-roarin’ success. Book now and get a free gift! Contact Reini Marsh at 520.908.4834. www.AZMeetings.co m
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conventionSERVICES Arizona Gifts, LLC 602.441.5611 • 800.424.0870 info@arizonagifts.com ArizonaGifts.com
As one of the largest Southwestern gift companies in the U.S., we specialize in unique Arizona and Southwestern gifts for corporate and meeting planners. Some of our customized gifts include: in-room gift baskets and gift bags available with your logo on food labels, sandstone coasters, glass Rising Phoenix and glass cactus awards, business card holders and many other office gifts. Mini promotional items and quantity discounts available.
AV Dimensions Inc. 877.507.1444 avdimensions.com
AV Dimensions is a full-service AV provider with extensive experience in trade shows and events. We provide ideal technology solutions for engaging presentations through a commitment to excellence and dedication to client success. We utilize a variety of display solutions including Christie MicroTiles, Seamless Plasma, LED, Projection, Plasma and Flat Panel. At AV Dimensions, we do more than simply fill orders, we provide expert guidance and support from concept to completion. Proactive planning. Solid execution. Awesome results.
Fumar Cigars 2010 W. Parkside Lane, Ste. 110 Phoenix, 85027 623.594.4020 fumarcigarsusa.com
Smokers club and group retreat – Arizona’s only smoke-friendly event room! Groups from 5-85 can be catered by your caterer or our preferred food and beverage partners in our three distinct and different venues. Cigar lounge hidden behind a secret door (prohibition era speakeasy style), Hookah lounge, private poker room, retail center, hundreds of brands of humidors and accessories, custom logo cigars, rare preembargo Cuban cigars, whiskeys/scotchs from 1912-1941. Cigar rolling shows ANYWHERE in USA.
Southwest AudioVisual 1035 N. 21st Ave., Phoenix, 85009 602.345.2125 swav.net
Southwest AudioVisual is a Phoenix, Arizona based corporation, serving corporate clients, hotels, event and meeting planners, show producers, production companies and associations for more than 40 years. Specializing in complete audiovisual services including equipment, technical support, production and consulting to groups throughout Arizona, North America and beyond. We provide superior audiovisual and creative services for trade shows, concerts, tours, product launches, business theater, and much more.
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Monument Valley
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arizonastate map NEVADA
Glen Canyon St. George Lake Powell Colorado City Fredonia Vermilion Cliffs Pipe Spring Page Lees Ferry Littlefield 89 Kaibab-Paiute 89A Marble Canyon Jacob Lake Vermilion Cliffs
15
Grand Canyon Parashant Las Vegas
67
Lake Mead
Co lo
Grand Canyon Temple Bar Meadview West
Hoover Dam
Grand Canyon Supai
Grand Hualapai Hilltop 64 Havasupai Canyon Village Tusayan 180
Hualapai
93
Chloride 68
66
Peach Springs
Valle
180 64
Seligman Williams Ash Fork
Monument Valley Tribal Park
163
98
Shonto
Cow Springs 160 Tonalea 89 Tuba City 264 Moenkopi
North Rim Grand Canyon
18
1
Lake Mead
o rad
r Rive
U TA H
Navajo
Mexican Water
64 Teec Nos Pos
Kayenta 191
59
Round Rock
Many Farms Chinle
Navajo
12 64
Tsaile
Canyon de Chelly
Hotevilla Keams Kykotsmovi Canyon 191 Window Cameron Oraibi Rock Second Polacca 264 Ganado Gray Mountain 2 Mesa Hubbell Hopi Trading Post St Michaels Wupatki 8
89
Sunset Crater Volcano
Leupp
15 87
77
15
Indian Wells
191
Lupton 40
Riordan
Riv e
r
40
Colora do
CALIFORNIA
Kingman
N E W M E X I CO
Flagstaff Sanders 99 Chambers Bullhead Walnut Homolovi Ruins Navajo City 89 Canyon Meteor Winslow Slide Rock Petrified Forest Crater Oatman 40 Sedona 95 Fort Mohave Red Rock Mormon Lake 87 Joseph City Holbrook Tuzigoot 179 Clarkdale Chino Valley Jerome Needles 191 Wikieup Dead Horse Ranch 180 Bagdad Yavapai 377 Cottonwood Lake Montezuma Topock 77 89A Jerome Montezuma Castle Prescott Valley 95 93 St. Johns Yavapai-Apache Prescott Snowflake Lake Havasu City Camp Fort Verde 96 Yavapai-Prescott Heber 277 Taylor Lyman Dewey Verde Lake Havasu 260 Strawberry Lake Fool Hollow 61 Mayer Overgaard 260 Pine Cordes Jct. Cattail Cove 89 Lake Yarnell Christopher Tonto Show Low Springerville Alamo Lake 17 Agua Buckskin Natural Payson Creek Pinetop-Lakeside Fria Mountain Black Canyon City Bridge Fort Parker Tonto 71 60 260 Eagar Apache Hon-Dah Wickenburg Apache New River McNary Bouse 87 Colorado Greer Carrizo 188 Cave Creek Aguila 60 River Alpine Carefree 72 Roosevelt 74 73 Wenden 95 La Paz Fountain Dam Gila Salome Whiteriver 60 Fort Apache Hills Ft. McDowell Surprise 88 Scottsdale Quartzsite Hannagan Litchfield Peoria 10 Blythe Ehrenberg Meadow Salt River Tonto 88 San Carlos Park Glendale PHOENIX Tonopah Lost Dutchman Goodyear Globe Tolleson San Carlos Tempe Mesa 60 Apache Junction Miami Buckeye Avondale 191 Gilbert 70 Superior Gila River Chandler Queen Creek Boyce Thompson Casa Greenlee 95 Kearny Morenci Maricopa Grande McFarland Clifton Florence Hayden Winkelman Graham 85 Ak-Chin 10 Yuma Coolidge Pinal Aravaipa Pima Thatcher Territorial Ft. Yuma Gila Bend Casa Grande 8 Canyon Sonoran Desert Prison 77 Safford Eloy 79 Duncan Dateland San Yuma Yuma Oracle Manuel 15 Mt Quartermaster Picacho Roper Lake Wellton Somerton 85 Oracle Graham Depot Peak 191 10 Catalina Catalina Cocopah Ironwood Marana Mt Lemmon San Luis Forest Ajo Bowie Oro Valley Cortaro Willcox Why 10 Saguaro Tucson 186 Fort Bowie 86 Saguaro Pascua Yaqui Dos Organ Pipe Quijotoa 86 Santa Cruz Dragoon Cactus CochiseCabezas Chiricahua Vail Benson 89 Sells San Xavier Tohono Sahuarita Kartchner St. David Green Valley O’odham Caverns 80 Pearce 181 Lukeville Madera Kitt Peak Portal 90 Tombstone 19 Canyon 83 82 Tombstone Tubac Presidio Sonoita Sierra Vista Courthouse Sasabe Tubac Important Roads Indian Reservations 10 Interstate Highways Patagonia 80 Hereford Bisbee191 Tumacacori 15 Indian Roads State Park National Parks & Monuments Divided Highways Coronado Rio Rico 82 Douglas Scenic Roads State Parks 191 U.S. Highways Nogales Laughlin
L E G E N D Points of Interest
Interstate Highways
82
State Highways
M E X I CO