Event Management Administrator // Arizona Department of Education (ADE) // Phoenix
Briefly state what your job entails.
I coordinate the support team for large conferences, multiple smaller annual meetings and professional development activities. Among other responsibilities, I also developed policy and event standards for events at ADE.
What type of meeting did you hold in Tucson?
We had two events back-to-back in June 2017: Teachers’ Institute, with 200 attendees, and Leading Change, the premier conference for Arizona administrators that drew 750-plus attendees.
Was anyone particularly helpful in executing your event?
Joanna Fleeger and the entire staff at JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa, and Pamela Traficanti from Visit Tucson.
What did your attendees seem to enjoy the most about Tucson?
Attendees love being at a beautiful resort in Tucson, which is a beautiful city with awesome mountains.
The restaurants on property at JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass are very good. Our guests also loved the room service menu! The pool area is so relaxing and a nice getaway from a long day in sessions.
Additionally, the resort’s meeting space is plentiful and can accommodate my large audiences of 750 to 850 attendees with ease. We manage to have the run of the entire conference area.
The staff can make magic happen when we have multiple short turns in our session rooms. We keep them on their toes and they always respond graciously with smiles.
Are there any experiences that you would recommend for groups meeting there?
Visit Tucson offers a Book of Fun for local attractions that includes great discounts and some freebies that our attendees are able to take advantage of, as well as discounts for local restaurants.
The Tucson Botanical Gardens, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Kartchner Caverns State Park and Kitt Peak National Observatory are all popular with attendees.
Attendees can also hop on the Sun Link Tucson Streetcar, which travels through the heart of Tucson where they can shop.
How does Tucson compare to other cities where you have hosted meetings?
It has so much to offer with arts, culinary, history and culture. There is something for everyone. I love the people as well. Having Visit Tucson always willing to assist me with my event needs is a plus.