Pretty landscapes, desert climes and endless sunshine are the icons visitors come to expect from the Southwest, and to that end, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Sedona do not disappoint. Still, each destination spices up the mix with upscale spa resorts, world-class golf, high-end dining, and cultural riches worthy of any major metropolis.
Creating a more urban-savvy setting has become a priority for Phoenix and its surrounding areas, including Scottsdale, Mesa and Tempe. All
are in the midst of a makeover, including the introduction of METRO, a new street-level mass transportation system scheduled to come on-line in December, which will connect Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa with 28 stops along 20 miles of track.
Each city is also in the midst of major expansions and renovations that will help redefine the region as a whole.
Phoenix
Aside from the new METRO system, Phoenix is remaking itself as a true city center with a downtown boom, including a new Sheraton opening in October, an expansion of the Phoenix Convention Center set for next January and an overall revitalization of its core.
“As the light rail comes in and the new convention center and new Sheraton are finished, there are more attractions, restaurants, stores, and condos being built downtown,” says Doug MacKenzie, director of communications for the Greater Phoenix CVB. “It’s an exciting turn for the future of our downtown scene—it’s bubbling.”
At the heart of the change is the $600 million expansion of the Phoenix Convention Center, due for completion in December. Phase one, the West Building, was finished in July 2006, and with the completion of phase two, the center will offer nearly 900,000 square feet of function space.
“The convention center is LEED [Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design] certified, so we are viewing the improvements in our downtown with a green eye,” Mac- Kenzie says. “That’s why we picked the light rail—it’s important to cut down on traffic. We’re also planting more trees, adding a vibrancy we haven’t seen in a while.”
Part of that vibrancy is the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown, which will boast 1,000 guest rooms, making it not only the largest hotel in Greater Phoenix but in the entire Grand Canyon State. It will also house a conference center with more than 80,000 square feet of meeting space.
“We certainly will be able to hold larger conventions,” MacKenzie says, with respect to the new hotel and expansions.
Other meetings-friendly properties include the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa and Arizona Grand Resort, while off-site venues include the Penske Racing Museum, home to Indy 500-winning cars.
Groups can also head outside for adventure.
“Our new message is ‘Shine On.’ That reflects everything—320 days of sunshine and so many activities you could do outdoors,” MacKenzie says.
Options include horseback riding on Phoenix’s mountain trails and hot-air ballooning over the Sonoran Desert.
Aside from its attractions, another lure for groups is the city’s accessibility.
“Phoenix is being competitive in offering good value. We still have Southwest Airlines and US Airways serving Phoenix, so the prices are going to remain competitive,” MacKenzie explains.
Right outside Phoenix, the community of Glendale is also growing with its Westgate City Center development, featuring local restaurants and shops as well as entertainment venues and bars. The complex is home to the 320-room Renaissance Glendale Hotel & Spa, which opened last year with more than 95,000 square feet of meeting and event space, and a 149-room Hampton Inn and Suites.
Scottsdale
Already known for its resort spas and golf courses, Scottsdale is ramping up its luxury status with new upscale hotels and shopping.
A W hotel is slated to open downtown this month, and InterContinental is opening the Montelucia Resort & Spa in Paradise Valley in September.
“The Montelucia will attract more high-end clientele and the W will attract trendier clientele,” says Renee Angeles, director of sales and services for the Scottsdale CVB. “The higher-end business at Montelucia will help funnel business to all properties.”
SouthBridge, the new $41 million urban development along the south bank of downtown Scottsdale’s ancient irrigation canal system, boasts more than 25 upscale independent boutique shops in four separate buildings, as well as restaurants on the canal. The area is still in the works and will be finished by the end of the year.
The Scottsdale City Council approved funding for the proposed Soleri Bridge and Plaza in downtown Scottsdale. This will be the second pedestrian bridge connecting the Scottsdale Waterfront and SouthBridge across the north and south banks of the Arizona Canal. The bridge will be framed by a 22,000-square-foot plaza that will create connections for pedestrians and bicyclists to the waterfront pathways and into the downtown area. Construction on the bridge is expected to begin in fall or winter and be completed in 2010.
Aside from shopping in Scottsdale, outdoor adventure is just outside the door.
“People come and want to be in our desert,” Angeles says. “Hiking has been popular, as have scavenger hunts in the deserts.”
Jeep tours and Hummer tours are also popular. DMCs can also set up geocaching adventures, or for those who want to stay indoors, cooking demonstrations from various restaurants are popular.
Scottsdale’s largest meeting spaces include the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa, with 80,000 square feet of function space, and The Phoenician, with more than 64,000 square feet of function space. Another popular option is Resort Suites Scottsdale.
Groups can also host off-site receptions at the new Desert Discovery Center in North Scottsdale.
Nearby Litchfield Park is home to The Wigwam Golf Resort and Spa, featuring 38,000 square feet of meeting space.
Tempe
A haven for the high-tech industry and other businesses, Tempe leverages its compact proportions and convenient access, which will get an even bigger boost once the METRO light rail system takes hold.
“It’s important for us,” says Michael Martin, executive vice president of the Tempe CVB. “Once it is open, we will have an easy 15-minute link to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and downtown Phoenix.”
He also notes that groups staying in Phoenix can hop on light rail to head to downtown Tempe’s Mill Avenue District adjacent to Arizona State University for dinner or overflow hotels, such as the Tempe Mission Palms.
Aside from promoting its easy access, the Tempe CVB is running with the tagline “Tempe First.”
“We came to the conclusion that the main thing we want to do is get people’s attention and [get them to] think about Tempe,” Martin says. “There is still an issue where people ask how far we are from Phoenix. We want people to think Tempe first, give us consideration and learn more about us.”
Tempe focuses on groups in the 150-attendee to 250-attendee range, with an emphasis on small associations and some corporate business, and a push toward the SMERF market, according to Martin.
“Hotels would like to see more of a summer push,” Martin says. “We want to find groups that can’t afford the main season and find groups willing to come out in summer.”
Main meetings hotels include the Four Points by Sheraton Tempe and the Fiesta Resort Conference Center.
Two properties under construction include an aloft hotel with 138 rooms and a Marriott Residence Inn with 185 rooms, which will bring the total in Tempe to just under 6,000 rooms. A Le Meridien slated to open next year at Hayden Ferry Lakeside is still planned, but the project has been delayed.
Groups can take advantage of the Southwest ambience at Rawhide Western Town & Steakhouse, an Old West theme town just south of Tempe, replete with faux shootouts and saloons. For groups of up to 10,000, cookouts can be arranged, and they can take advantage of a 52,000-square-foot pavilion as well as indoor banquet space.
Other options include Papago Park and the nearby Phoenix Zoo.
Mesa
Touting its proximity to both Phoenix and Scottsdale, as well as its wealth of outdoor adventure, Mesa is a jumping-off point for a multitude of activities such as hiking, horseback riding, Jeep tours, and tubing down the Salt River.
There are also 40 golf courses within a half-hour of the city center. Groups can also visit the Desert Botanical Garden, a living museum featuring 50,000 desert plants from around the world, with event space for over 500 people. For team building, Fighter Combat International offers 30-minute flights in combat aircraft, with visitors at the controls.
Mesa also touts its inherent value, with hotel rates 20 percent to 25 percent less on average than Phoenix, according to Milt Fort, director of marketing at the Mesa CVB.
In October, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport expanded direct service to 13 new cities, 10 in the Midwest and three on the West Coast. Mesa will also benefit from being connected to the upcoming METRO light rail.
Other developments include a new 150-room Hyatt Place Hotel that will be finished by the beginning of next year. It will be located adjacent to 1.3 million square feet of shopping space and an office park, and feature meeting space for up to 100 people at its Mesa River View Center.
“This gives us another business property and it is in a high-activity business center,” Fort says.
The destination’s principal group facility is the Mesa Convention Center, offering 19,000 square feet of exhibit space and 19,000 square feet of meeting space.
Hotel meeting space can be found at the 187-room Arizona Golf Resort Hotel and Conference Center, which features 12,000 square feet of meeting space; the Phoenix Marriott Mesa; and the Hilton Phoenix East/Mesa.
Fountain Hills, to the north of Mesa, features meetings-friendly properties such as the CopperWynd Resort and Club, Inn at Eagle Mountain and Radisson Fort McDowell Resort and Casino.
Eight miles south of Mesa, the community of Chandler is another popular group choice, with properties such as the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa and the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort.
Sedona
Known for its natural charms and metaphysical mystique, Sedona positions itself as a unique spot for small groups and incentives.
“Getting out into the red rocks, hiking and Jeep tours are very popular,” says Jennifer Wesselhoff, president and CEO of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce.
Other Sedona-style options include group meditation and group yoga classes.
“For the smaller groups, we have the Verde Canyon Railroad,” Wesselhoff suggests. “We’re also becoming a winery destination.”
Wineries open for off-site events include the Page Springs Vineyards and Cellar and the Alcantara Vineyards.
“Sedona is one of the most popular destinations for groups in the state,” Wesselhoff says. “It tends to be the location to come for a pre- and post-convention [trip], if they are meeting in Phoenix and Scottsdale.”
Top meetings-friendly hotels in the destination include the recently renovated Hilton Sedona Hotel and Spa, Enchantment Resort and Mii Amo Spa, Radisson Poco Diablo Resort, Amara Resort and Spa, L’Auberge de Sedona, and Sedona Rouge Hotel and Spa.
For More Info
Glendale Chamber of Commerce 623.937.4754 www.glendaleazchamber.org
Greater Phoenix CVB 602.254.6500 www.visitphoenix.com
Mesa CVB 480.827.4700 www.mesacvb.com
Scottsdale CVB 480.421.1004 www.scottsdalecvb.com
Sedona Chamber of Commerce 928.204.1123 www.visitsedona.com
Tempe CVB 480.894.8158 www.tempecvb.com
