Renowned for its gorgeous desert setting, as well as its confluence of cultures—Mexican, Spanish American, Native American and cowboy—Tucson, a Southwestern hot spot, is buzzing with a continuously new and engaging vibe yet forever treasuring its rich heritage.

For California, the past year has been a time of both upward momentum and daunting challenges.

Few regions are blessed with as many world-class options for meetings as Southern California. Its major urban hubs of Los Angeles, San Diego and Anaheim are first-tier convention destinations constantly staying on top of a competitive game with ever-improving venues, entertainment and more.

With spectacular settings ranging from alpine peaks to desert oases and coastal bluffs, California offers an amazing array of resort meeting destinations just beyond the urban hubs.

Keeping attendees engaged in an era of digital distraction is no small challenge, but innovative California companies make it easy to include interactive experiences at meetings that yield personal growth as well as enjoyment.

Always at the forefront of food trends, California is the place to experience an exciting spin on the way event fare is prepared and presented. Here’s a look at a few culinary experiences and food-centric venues around the state, some of them in unexpected places.

Entertaining outings and team-bonding opportunities are available throughout Washington for groups interested in a fun evening away from the convention center or host hotel. Among the possibilities? Everything from escape rooms and group dining to laser tag, mixology classes and bioluminescent sea kayaking will positively punctuate a day of meetings in the Evergreen State.

In recent years the wellness component of a meeting agenda has come to encompass a great deal more than arranging a block of spa appointments for attendees. Nowhere is this more evident than in Hawaii, where approaches to healing and well-being are deeply woven into the fabric of local culture and traditions. At resorts throughout the islands, planners will find wellness-related activities limited only by the imagination.

There’s more to Los Angeles’ star status than its resident lineup of celebrities. The Downtown, Mid-City and Miracle Mile areas, along with nearby West Hollywood, boast an ever expanding list of arts and culture off-site venues that prove the depth of talent endemic to this SoCal centerpiece.

Yes, cageless shark diving is a thing. As is moonlight ziplining and skateboarding on water, aka flyboarding. All around North America, the variety of coastal adventures available to groups offers intriguing diversions from the confines of a meeting room.