Stunning rock formations, fascinating Native American culture and landmarks along the famed Route 66 provide ample diversions in northern Arizona. Artists, architects and dreamers are drawn to the Grand Canyon’s grandeur, Sedona’s mystical air and the region’s pine-scented cities and towns. Chefs and spa directors experiment with indigenous ingredients to create exciting experiences for all types of gatherings.
Sedona
A thoroughly modern city surrounded by magical red rocks and the 1.8 million-acre Coconino National Forest, Sedona can’t help but pack a wallop. The two-hour drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to Sedona transports groups into what Sachiko Sado, tourism development manager for the Sedona Chamber of Commerce, calls “a motivational atmosphere in a beautiful, natural, retreat-like setting.”
Sedona’s venues take full advantage of the natural backdrop.
Enchantment Resort features a stunning ballroom with two walls of floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto the red rock walls of Boynton Canyon. With 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, Enchantment covers everything a group might need, from spiritual regeneration at the Mii Amo Spa to backcountry Pink Jeep tours.
The more intimate Amara Resort and Spa feeds off Sedona’s spiritual vibe with meeting room names such as Serenity and Meditation, and features a courtyard with a capacity for 200 overlooking Oak Creek.
L’Auberge de Sedona, with 3,500 square feet of recently renovated meeting space, caters to small groups.
“Our biggest lure is exclusivity,” says Bill Allison, director of sales and marketing for the property.
Picture windows in the 2,000-square-foot Montage Ballroom at Agave of Sedona capture panoramic views of the red rocks. Formerly operated by Best Western, Agave offers over 4,000 square feet of meeting space.
The Hilton Sedona Resort and Spa, which recently completed a comprehensive $4.2 million renovation, has more than 16,000 square feet of meeting space and two covered outdoor patios.
Sedona’s artistic and mystical character inspires creative meetings and activities. Astronomy tours in the surrounding areas are popular. Shoppers can explore Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village, and adventurous groups can go on backcountry Jeep and hiking tours or participate in team-building options like cattle drives and rock climbing.
“Sedona has numerous activities for meeting participants and spouses—outdoor adventures, over 80 art galleries and shops, metaphysical and spiritual services, spas, Native American experiences, sightseeing and day trips,” Sado says.
Flagstaff
Situated in the world’s largest ponderosa pine forest, Flagstaff has a delightful small-town attitude with just enough options to keep groups entertained and stimulated.
Meetings options have increased with the new High Country Conference Center at Northern Arizona University, which began hosting events last month and will hold its opening celebrations in June. With more than 25,000 square feet of function space, the center features a 1,000-person ballroom, three conference rooms for smaller breakout sessions and a boardroom. The adjacent 150-room Drury Inn & Suites has five additional meeting rooms accommodating up to 75 attendees each.
Also in Flagstaff, the Little America and Radisson Woodlands hotels each offer more than 9,000 square feet of meeting space.
Meanwhile, the Museum of Northern Arizona provides gathering space in the historic Colton House and the Discovery Center.
Attendees can also experience the Arizona Snowbowl in the San Francisco Peaks, with Arizona’s only ski lifts. Two lodges at the ski area and two at the base of the mountain can accommodate groups of up to 500 people.
Grand Canyon
Groups can visit the magnificent Grand Canyon on day tours from Sedona and Flagstaff, though more spectacular experiences are available when attendees meet at the 121-room Grand Hotel by the south rim or charter a train car on the Grand Canyon Railway for an exciting outing. Other unforgettable ways groups can experience the canyon include horseback riding, helicopter tours and boat rides between the canyon walls.
Lake Powell
Nature is also on prominent display at Lake Powell, with nearly 2,000 miles of shoreline. Meeting facilities are available at the Lake Powell Resort, and activity options include dinner cruises, horseback riding and golf.
