Just a few miles outside Mesa, Ariz., a line of cars waits to turn left onto a deserted-looking dirt road, all in search of one thing: olives.
No more than 300 feet down the road sits a midsize warehouse surrounded by olive trees. The parking lot is filled with license plates from states across the country, all owned by hungry tourists who just rushed into the building to taste olive oil and grab some lunch.
This is Queen Creek Olive Mill, billed as the only olive mill and farm in Arizona, and it was one of the unexpected experiences of a recent journey Meetings West took in Arizona’s Valley of the Sun. From artisan foods and farm-to-table cuisine to unique historic venues perfect for off-site events, the region’s riches run well beyond golf courses and spas.
At Queen Creek Olive Mill, featuring an attractive market inside and endless olive groves outside, groups wishing to get away from the urban hustle can gather on its grounds for evening events under candlelit lanterns among the groves, Italian-style.
Just down the road sits Schnepf Farms, a 300-acre agricultural haven filled with peach orchards, carnival rides and a gift shop. In October, the farm is bustling with locals for its Pumpkin & Chili Party, but for most of the rest of the year it welcomes groups of up to 15,000 on its sprawling grounds.
Although it may come as a surprise, agritourism is big business in central Arizona. Meetings West learned that most restaurants in and around Phoenix, Mesa and Scottsdale are serious about serving fresh, organic produce originating from within 100 miles of the eatery’s premises (fish excluded, of course). If you are wondering how all of these farms squeeze into an area with an estimated population topping 4.2 million, the answer is simple: creatively.
Case in point: Take longtime Arizonian Joe Johnston, who grew up on a farm in Gilbert, located just south of Mesa. A few years back when seemingly everyone and their brother began moving down to the Phoenix Valley, Johnston decided to transform his family’s farm into a sustainable community for new homeowners. The development, named Agritopia, is now a collection of homes with a farm at its core where owners each have a plot of land to grow fruits and veggies.
Right next to Agritopia, Johnston opened Joe’s Farm Grill, a lively eatery with beautiful grounds where groups can have casual picnic lunches while overlooking Agritopia’s picturesque farm.
Groups that venture into downtown Gilbert will find traces of Johnston everywhere. Right at the city’s main intersection are two group-friendly eateries: Joe’s Real BBQ and Liberty Market. Both have indoor and outdoor space for planners to work with.
But agriculture is not all the Phoenix Valley has to offer. Travel about 30 minutes west of Gilbert into the heart of Phoenix and there are numerous venues rich in the area’s history.
One such spot is Wrigley Mansion, built in 1932 by the god of chewing gum, William Wrigley Jr. Perched at the top of a hill with picture-perfect views of the entire valley, the home served as the Wrigley’s winter getaway for decades and is now open for tours and events. It’s a meeting planner’s dream. The entire venue is available for groups and each room is different from the next—almost all housing original furniture, artwork and even a vintage grand piano that Liberace himself once wanted to purchase.
Just down the hill is the Arizona Biltmore, arguably the area’s most iconic hotel. Built in 1923, the Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired property was once owned by the Wrigley family, and back in the 1930s it was known as the place for celebrities to be seen. Today, groups flock to the property for its 738 well-appointed guest rooms, 100,000 square feet of meeting space and beautiful pool.
While the Biltmore may be a perfect spot for history-loving groups, those with an eye on new development can head over to Scottsdale and check out the new InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa. Inspired by Spanish architecture, the property is luxury at its finest, with a variety of indoor and outdoor meeting spaces. We made sure to indulge in a treatment at the Moroccan-themed Joya Spa, an elaborate center for mind and body wellness.
After three days in the desert, it was clear that the Phoenix Valley has much more to offer than just sand and saguaros.
Katie Morell is a Chicago-based freelance writer and former Meetings Media editor. She fell in love with Arizona while working there one summer and will always have a special place in her heart for the Southwestern state.
